TORONTO

Larger Theatres (Professional)

Come From Away (musical) by by Irene Sankoff and David Hein. On September 11th, 2001, 38 planes with 6579 passengers are stranded in Gander, Newfoundland. Runs Sep 22 to Dec 22, 2024. Royal Alexandra Theatre, 1-800-461-3333, www.mirvish.com.

Giselle (ballet) by Peter Wright to music by Adolphe Adam. A jilted young girl kills herself and becomes a spirit seeking revenge on the man who betrayed her. Runs Nov 20 to Nov 24. Four Seasons Centre, national.ballet.ca.

God Is a Scottish Drag Queen: The Second Coming (comedy) by Mike Delamont. God, dressed in a floral power suit, comes down to set the record straight. Runs Nov 14 to Nov 16. CAA Theatre, 651 Yonge St, 1-800-461-3333, www.mirvish.com.

The Life and Music of George Michael (revue). A survey of Michael’s music from his time with Wham! to his solo career. Runs Nov 1 to Nov 10. CAA Theatre, 651 Yonge St, 1-800-461-3333, www.mirvish.com.

The Lion King (musical) by Elton John et al. The stage version of the 1994 Disney animated film. Begins Nov 2, 2024, booking to Mar 16, 2025. Princess of Wales Theatre, 651 Yonge St, 1-800-461-3333, www.mirvish.com.

Mamma Mia! (musical) by Benny Andersson & Björn Ulvaeus. A daughter invites her three possible fathers to her wedding on a Greek island. Runs Oct 8 to Nov 10. CAA Ed Mirvish Theatre,  1-800-461-3333, www.mirvish.com.

Moulin Rouge! The Musical (musical) by John Logan. A stage version of the spectacular Baz Luhrmann movie musical. Runs Nov 19, 2024, to Jan 12, 2025. CAA Ed Mirvish Theatre, 1-800-461-3333, www.mirvish.com.

My Name is Lucy Barton (drama) by Rona Munro. Lucy awakes from an operation to find her mother, whom she hasn’t seen for years, at her bedside. Runs Oct 18 to Nov 3. Bluma Appel Theatre, www.canadianstage.com.

Nabucco (opera) by Giuseppe Verdi. Nabucco, King of Babylon, takes the Israelites captive. In Italian with English surtitles. Runs Oct 11 to Nov 2. Four Seasons Centre, www.coc.ca.

O Christmas Tea (comedy) by Aaron Malkin & Alastair Knowles. Catastrophe strikes James and Jamesy’s Christmas tea party when the world is flooded. Runs Nov 22 to Nov 24. CAA Theatre, 651 Yonge St, 1-800-461-3333, www.mirvish.com.

Silent Screen / Body of Work / Rhapsody (ballets) by Sol Léon & Paul Lightfoot / Guillaume Côté / Frederick Ashton. A triple-bill hnouring the legacy and future of dance. Runs Nov 9 to Nov 16. Four Seasons Centre, national.ballet.ca.

Smaller Theatres (Professional)

All Messed Up & Nowhere To Go (comedy) by The Second City. Sketch comedy about destination weddings, EVs, job interviews and more. Runs Sep 4 to Nov 17. The Second City, 1 York St, www.secondcity.com.

The Bidding War (comedy) by Michael Ross Albert. What happens when Toronto’s last affordable house is for sale? Runs Nov 12 to Dec 15. Streetcar Crowsnest, www.crowstheatre.com.

Big Stuff (comedy) by Matt Baram & Naomi Snieckus. A look at the sentimental power of objects. Runs Nov 12 to Dec 8. Streetcar Crowsnest, www.crowstheatre.com.

A Case for the Existence of God (drama) by Samuel D. Hunter. A play about parenthood, financial security and empathy. Runs Nov 3 to Nov 24. Coal Mine Theatre, 2076 Danforth Ave, www.coalminetheatre.com.

Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (musical) by Marc Shaiman & Scott Wittman. A musical adaptation of the well-known book by Roald Dahl. For ages 6+. Runs Nov 12 to Dec 30. Young People’s Theatre, www.youngpeoplestheatre.org.

Craze (comedy) by Rouvan Silogix & Rafeh Mahmud. Two couples shelter from a storm for a late night drinking session. Runs Nov 19 to Dec 15. Tarragon Theatre, tarragontheatre.com.

Erased (performance) by Coleen Shirin MacPherson. The story of a revolution in a greeting card factory. Runs Nov 20 to Nov 30. Theatre Passe Muraille, www.passemuraille.ca.

Evil Dead The Musical (musical) by Frank Cipolla et al. College friends staying in an abandoned cabin unleash an evil force that turns them into demons. Runs Oct 5, booking to Nov 17. Randolph Theatre, 736 Bathurst St, new.starvoxent.com.

The Flin Flon Cowboy (musical) by Ken Harrower et al. The story of Harrower’s life as a queer, disabled country western performer. Runs Oct 19 to Nov 2. Theatre Passe Muraille, www.passemuraille.ca.

Interior Design (comedy) by Rosa Laborde. An attempted intervention between a group of girlfriends backfires. Runs Oct 15 to Nov 10. Tarragon Theatre, tarragontheatre.com.

The Master Plan (comedy) by Michael Healey. Google decide to build an ideal city in Toronto. Runs Nov 24 to Dec 29. Young Centre, www.soulpepper.ca.

Mind Over Matter (magic) by Beyond Mental Borders. The mentalism team presents its all-new show of mind-reading games. Runs Nov 10 only. The Rec Room, 255 Bremner Blvd, www.beyondmentalborders.com.

Naughty, Nice & Undecided (comedy) by The Second City. Songs, scenes and characters about the holidays in a “nice” version for families and a “naughty” version for the late night crowd. Runs Nov 19 to Dec31. The Second City, 1 York St, www.secondcity.com.

Playing Shylock (drama) by Mark Leiren-Young. When a performance of The Merchant of Venice is cancelled mid-performance by protests, the actor playing Shylock delivers a passionate appeal. Runs Oct 26 to Nov 17. Berkeley Street Theatre, www.canadianstage.com.

The Student Prince (operetta) by Sigmund Romberg. A prince studying in Heidelberg falls in love with a humble barmaid. Runs Nov 1 to Nov 3. Jane Mallett Theatre, www.torontooperetta.com.

Trayf (drama) by Lindsay Joelle. Zalmy has to choose between his orthodox world and unfettered access to the secular world. Runs Nov 2 to Nov 10. Meridian Arts Centre, hgjewishtheatre.com.

What the Consttution Means to Me (comedy) by Heidi Schreck. A discussion of sexual assult, domestic abuse and immigration as related to the US Constitution. Runs Nov 1 to Nov 9. Young Centre, www.soulpepper.ca.

Where the Wild Things Are (children) by TAG Theatre Glasgow. A stage adaptation of the well-known book by Maurice Sendak. For ages 3-7. Runs Nov 7 to Nov 17. Young People’s Theatre, www.youngpeoplestheatre.org.

Smaller Theatres (Student and Community)

Anna Karenina (drama) by Helen Edmundson. A married woman has a tragic love affair with a handsome cavalry officer. Runs Nov 6 to Nov 16. [student] Young Centre, www.youngcentre.ca.

L’Enfant et les sortilèges / L’Enfant prodigue (operas) by Maurice Ravel / Claude Debussy. Two operas about childhood. Runs Nov 1 to Nov 2. [student] Royal Conservatory of Music, www.rcmusic.com.

The Last Piece (musical) by Shreya Jha. An elderly woman copes with her ex-husband’s Alzheimer’s diagnosis. In concert. [student] Hart House Theatre, University of Toronto, harthouse.ca.

Munschstock! (children) by James Simon et al. Stories by Robert Munsch told with song and dance. Runs Nov 27 to Dec 7. [student] Young Centre, www.youngcentre.ca.

The Sound of Music (musical) by Richard Rodgers & Oscar Hammerstein II. A novice becomes the nanny for seven children in 1930s Austria. Runs Nov 7 to Nov 23. [community] Scarborough Village Theatre, theatrescarborough.com.

Terror by Gaslight (drama) by Tim Kelly. A story about a 19th-century doctor who needs bodies, grave robbers and body-snatchers. Runs Nov 8 to Nov 30.  [community] Village Playhouse, villageplayers.net.

BANCROFT

A Christmas Carol (drama) by the Tweed & Comapny ensemble. The company puts a panto and puppet spin of the familiar tale. Runs Dec 11 to Dec 21. The Village Playhouse, www.villageplayhouse.ca.

A Night at the Grand Ghoul Opry (comedy) by Tricia Black et al. Dracula, Frankenstein, Wolf Man and the Mummy reimagine country and rock songs and bare their souls on stage. Runs Oct 30 to Nov 3. The Village Playhouse, www.villageplayhouse.ca.

BARRIE

Madame Minister (comedy) by Charlotte Corbeil-Coleman. A woman is treated poorly until she becomes the wife of a Cabinet Minister. Runs Nov 28 to Dec 7. Stevenson Heritage Mansion, www.tift.ca.

BOBCAYGEON

Murder at the Snowball Ball (comedy). Murder interrupts the dancing and festivites at a small town Christmas ball. Runs Nov 13 to Nov 23. Globus Theatre, globustheatre.com.

BRANTFORD

The Nutcracker (ballet) by Bengt Jörgen. The holiday ballet with designs inspired by the Group of Seven. Runs Nov 20 only. Sanderson Centre, www.jorgendance.ca.

BROCKVILLE

Anne of Green Gables (ballet) by Bengt Jörgen. A ballet version of the story by Lucy Maud Montgomery. Runs Nov 1 only. Brockville Theatre, www.jorgendance.ca.

CAMBRIDGE

A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder (musical) by Steven Lutvak & Robert L. Freedman. Monty Navarro is ninth in line for the D’Ysquith fortune and decides to do something about it. Runs Oct 16 to Nov 3. Hamilton Family Theatre, 1-855-372-9866, www.draytonentertainment.com.

HUNTSVILLE

The Nutcracker (ballet) by Bengt Jörgen. The holiday ballet with designs inspired by the Group of Seven. Runs Nov 23 only. Algonquin Theatre, www.jorgendance.ca.

LONDON

As You Like It (comedy) by William Shakespeare. A combination of Shakespeare’s play and the music of the Beatles. Runs Oct 18 to Nov 2. Grand Theatre, www.grandtheatre.com.

Die Fledermaus (operetta) by Johann Strauss, Jr. A wife and her maid change places to find out if the wife’s husband has been unfaithful. Runs Nov 14 to Nov 17. [student] Paul Davenport Theatre, Western University, music.uwo.ca.

The Minutes (comedy) by Tracy Letts. A new member of the Big Cherry city council wants to know why there are no minutes for the previous meeting and why a council member has disappeared. Runs Nov 7 to Nov 17. Venue TBA, theatreaezir.com.

Murder on the Orient Express (drama) by Ken Ludwig. A stage adaptation of Agatha Christie’s famous novel. Runs Oct 24 to Nov 2. Grand Theatre, www.grandtheatre.com.

The Sound of Music (musical) by Richard Rodgers & Oscar Hammerstein II. A novice becomes the governess of seven children. Previews from Nov 19, opens Nov 22, runs to Dec 29. Grand Theatre, www.grandtheatre.com.

MARKHAM

Social Tango Project (dance) by Augustina Videla. A multimedia experience of the tango’s rich cultural heritage. Runs Nov 15 only. Flato Markham Theatre, flatomarkhamtheatre.ca.

MISSISSAUGA

I, Joan (drama) by Charlie Josephine. A reimagining of the story of Joan of Arc. Runs Nov 21 to Nov 26. [student] Erindale Studio Theatre, www.utm.utoronto.ca.

MORRISBURG

Miracle on 34th Street (comedy) by Mountain Community Theatre. A department store Santa Claus claims to be the real Sanata Claus. Preview Nov 28, opens Nov 29, runs to Dec 15. Upper Canada Playhouse, uppercanadaplayhouse.com.

NIAGARA FALLS

Canadiana (revue). A celebration of Canadian music through the years. Runs May 28, 2024, booking to Dec 19, 2024. Greg Frewin Theatre, 905-356-0777, gregfrewintheatre.com.

Christmas On Ice (revue). A winter wonderland of singers, dancers and championship skaters. Runs Nov 29 to Dec 18. Fallsview Casino, fallsviewcasinoresort.com.

Evolution (magic) by Greg Frewin. New large-scale illusions by Greg Frewin. Runs Oct 13, 2022, booking to Jan 4, 2025. Greg Frewin Theatre, 905-356-0777, gregfrewintheatre.com.

NIAGARA-ON-THE-LAKE

THE SHAW FESTIVAL:

The plays run in repertory from Apr 6 to Dec 22 in Niagara-on-the-Lake, two hours south from Toronto. For tickets and information phone 1-800-511-7429 or visit the website at www.shawfest.com.

At the Festival Theatre

My Fair Lady (musical) by Frederick Loewe & Alan Jay Lerner. The famous musical version of GB Shaw’s Pygmalion. Runs May 25 to Dec 22. ★★★☆☆

At the Royal George Theatre

A Christmas Carol (drama) by Tim Carroll. Another stage version of the famous story by Chalres Dickens. Previews from Nov 8, opens Nov 16, runs to Dec 22.

ORANGEVILLE

Sleeping Beauty ... A Fairy’s Tale (panto) by Debbie Collins & David Nairn. The authors take a well-known story, fracture it and put a topsy-turvy spin on it. Runs Nov 28 to Dec 21. Theatre Orangeville, www.theatreorangeville.ca.

Tip of the Iceberg (comedy) by Chris Rait et al. A senior in a remote Newfoundland village thinks all he needs for renewed vigour is glacial ice. Runs Oct 17 to Nov 3. Theatre Orangeville, www.theatreorangeville.ca.

OTTAWA/GATINEAU

Beowulf in Afghanistan (drama) by Laurie Fyffe. A Canadian soldier uses the medieval poem as a life raft to get him through conflict. Runs Nov 12 to Nov 24. Great Canadian Theatre Company, www.gctc.ca.

Champions of Magic (magic). An all-new show featuring thilling and mind-bending illusions by four magicians. Runs Nov 13 to Nov 16. National Arts Centre, nac-cna.ca.

Charles Beauchesne parle de la peste noire (comedy) by Charles Beauchesne. Beauchesne the humorist gives a lecture about the Black Death that killed almost 50% of the population of Europe. In French. Runs Nov 23 only. Salle Odyssée, Gatineau, www.maisondelaculture.ca.

Dear Canada - Letters from the Second World War (performance) by Miranda Mulholland. A reading of real letters from Canadians during WWII along with live music from the period. Runs Nov 11 only. National Arts Centre, nac-cna.ca.

Guilty Conscience (drama) by Richard Levinson & William Link. A criminal attorney who is plotting to kill his wife finds out someone is already planning to kill him. Runs Oct 30 to Nov 16. [community] Ottawa Little Theatre, www.ottawalittletheatre.com.

Je t’écris au milieu d’un bel orage (drama) by Dany Boudrealt. A account of the love affair between Albert Camus and Maria Casarès as told through their letters. In French. Runs Nov 15 to Nov 16, Salle Odyssée, Gatineau, www.maisondelaculture.ca.

Les Jolies Choses (dance) by Catherine Gaudet. Five dancers create a rigid structure from which they liberate themselves. Runs Nov 6 to Nov 7. National Arts Centre, nac-cna.ca.

The Lion King (musical) by Elton John & Tim Rice. A musical based on the 1994 Disney animated movie. Runs Oct 24 to Nov 10. National Arts Centre, nac-cna.ca.

Le Magicien d’Oz (children). The famous story of Dorothy is transferred to a circus tent and its inhabitants. For ages 4-12. In French. Runs Oct 11 to Oct 12, Salle Odyssée, Gatineau, www.maisondelaculture.ca.

Le Noeud (drama) by Johanna Adams. A mother of an 11-year-old boy wants to know from his teacher what pushed him to kill himself. In French. Runs Nov 24 only, Salle Odyssée, Gatineau, www.maisondelaculture.ca.

Oh Canada Eh?! (revue). Archetypal Canadian characters sing over 70 songs from all-Canadian artists. Booking to Dec 28, 2024. Oh Canada Eh?!, 330 Kent St, ohcanadaehottawa.com.

Peau d’âne (drama) by Félix-Antoine Boutin & Sophie Cadieux. A young princess dons a magic female donkey skin to escape the lecherous gaze of her father. Runs Oct 31 to Nov 2. National Arts Centre, nac-cna.ca.

Raven Mother (dance) by Margaret Grenier. A dance work celebrating the impact that Elder Margaret Harris had on revitalizing Indigenous dance in the Northwest. Runs Nov 21 to Nov 22. National Arts Centre, nac-cna.ca.

The Shadows ... And What We Do In Them (cabaret) by Iron Cabaret. Ottawa’s finest aerialists, pole dancers and burlesque performers delve into the eerieness of Halloween. Runs Oct 30 to Nov 2. The Gladstone, www.thegladstone.ca.

Snow in Midsummer (drama) by Frances Ya-Chu Cowhig. A young widow executed for murder places a curse on her town. Runs Oct 30 to Nov 9. National Arts Centre, nac-cna.ca.

Surveillée et punie (song-cycle) by Jean-Philippe Baril Guérad & Safia Nolin. A musical piece based entirely on the hateful comments folk singer Safia Nolin receives constantly. In French. Runs Nov 14 to Nov 16. National Arts Centre, nac-cna.ca.

Then & Now - Broadway Review (revue). An enchanting night of selections from the whole range of music theatre. Runs Nov 29 to Dec 31. Oh Canada Eh?!, 330 Kent St, ohcanadaehottawa.com.

A Very Merry Mystery (comedy). What could one of Santa’s elves have in common with an event planner and a disgraced TV host? Runs Nov 22 to Dec 20. Oh Canada Eh?!, 330 Kent St, ohcanadaehottawa.com.

PENETANGUISHENE

A Christmas Carol: The Panto (panto) by Caroline Smith. A panto version of the famous story by Charles Dickens. Runs Nov 6 to Nov 23. King’s Wharf Theatre, 1-855-372-9866, www.draytonentertainment.com.

PORT COLBORNE

Memphis to Motown (revue) by Chris McHarge. A survey of the classic hits from performers who recorded in the two cities. Runs Oct 2 to Oct 13. Lighthouse Festival Theatre, lighthousetheatre.com.

PORT DOVER

Cinderella - The Panto (panto) by Ken MacDougall. A panto version of the favourite fairy tale. Runs Nov 28 to Dec 8. Lighthouse Festival Theatre, lighthousetheatre.com.

PORT HOPE

Rapunzel: A Merry (Hairy) Holiday Panto (panto) by Carly Heffernan. A twisted take on the story of some very, very long hair. Runs Nov 22 to Dec 23. Capitol Theatre, capitoltheatre.com.

RAMA

Dance for the Holidays (dance) by Derek Hough. Singing and dancing to the holiday’s favourite tunes. Runs Nov 9 only. Casino Rama, www.casinorama.com.

ST. JACOBS

A Christmas Carol: The Panto (panto) by Caroline Smith. A panto version of the famous story by Charles Dickens. Runs Nov 6 to Nov 23. King’s Wharf Theatre, 1-855-372-9866, www.draytonentertainment.com.

Merry & Bright (revue) by David Rogers. Holiday music, inspiring songs, Broadway anthems along with stories and humorous anecdotes. Runs Nov 12 to Dec 29. Hildebrand Schoolhouse Theatre, 1-855-372-9866, www.draytonentertainment.com.

STIRLING

Cinderella Stuck in Hallmark (panto). Cinderella, a big city girl with big city dreams, is stuck in a small town with her stepmother and stepsisters. Nov 22 to Dec 31. Stirling Festival Theatre, www.stirlingfestivaltheatre.com.

STRATFORD

THE STRATFORD FESTIVAL:

The plays run in repertory from Apr 16 to Nov 18 in Stratford, two hours west from Toronto. For tickets and information phone 1-800-567-1600 or visit the website at www.stratfordfestival.ca.

At the Festival Theatre

Something Rotten! (musical) by Wayne Kirkpatrick & Karey Kirkpatrick. In Renaissance England the Bottom brothers write a musical to compete with Shakespeare’s plays. Runs May 28 to Nov 17. ★★☆☆☆

At the Avon Theatre

La Cage aux Folles (musical) by Jerry Herman & Harvey Fierstein. The manager of a drag club in St. Tropez decides to “play it straight” when his son arrives with his fiancée. Runs May 31 to to Nov 16. ★★★★☆

SUDBURY

The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time (drama) by Simon Stephens. A autistic boy tries to solve the mystery of who killed the neighbour’s dog. Runs Oct 20 to Nov 5. Sudbury Theatre Centre, yestheatre.com.

Matilda The Musical (musical) by Tim Minchin & Dennis Kelly. A precocious young girl battles with the tyrannical headmistress of her school. Runs Nov 24 to Dec 17. Sudbury Theatre Centre, yestheatre.com.

THUNDER BAY

Elf - The Musical (musical) by Matthew Sklar & Chad Beguelin. A lost boy, raised as an elf at the North Pole, wants to find his real father. Runs Nov 28 to Dec 21. Magnus Theatre, magnustheatre.com.

WINDSOR

Dance for the Holidays (dance) by Derek Hough. Singing and dancing to the holiday’s favourite tunes. Runs Nov 10 only. Caesar’s Windsor, www.caesars.com.

ON TOUR IN ONTARIO

O Christmas Tea (comedy) by Aaron Malkin & Alastair Knowles. Catastrophe strikes James and Jamesy’s Christmas tea party when the world is flooded. ochristmastea.com. ★★★★★

• Nov 7: Algonquin Theatre, Huntsville

• Nov 9: Fraser Auditorium, Sudbury

• Nov 10: Stockey Centre, Parry Sound

• Nov 12: Georgian Theatre, Barrie

• Nov 13: Burlington PAC, Burlington

• Nov 14: FirstOntario Arts Centre, Milton

• Nov 15: Centennial Hall, London

• Nov 16: Imperial Theatre, Sarnia

• Nov 17: Capitol Theatre, Chatham

• Nov 22-24: CAA Theatre, Toronto

• Nov 26: Living Arts Centre, Mississauga

• Nov 27: Centre in the Square, Kitchener

• Nov 28: Orillia Opera House, Orillia

• Nov 29: Showplace Performance Centre, Peterborough

• Nov 30: River Run Centre, Guelph