Lauren Gienow

There is something very special taking place onstage at the Stratford Festival’s Avon Theatre this season, and if I accomplish one thing in all my writings about Opening Week, it will be to make sure everyone I know goes and sees Kat Sandler’s new adaptation of ANNE OF GREEN GABLES. Nothing quite matches the magic you feel when everyone in a room – both on stage, and in the audience, basks in the knowledge that an incredibly special new piece of Art is being shared with the world.

Opening Week at the Stratford Festival continued Friday night with a lively production of THE WINTER’S TALE at the Tom Patterson Theatre. Presented at the Festival for the first time in 15 years, and directed by Artistic Director Antoni Cimolino, this beloved Shakespearean tragicomedy boasts an excellent cast that offers powerful performances.

Last night, Director Tracey Flye’s production of DIRTY ROTTEN SCOUNDRELS opened at the Stratford Festival’s Avon Theatre. One of two musicals mounted at the Festival this season, this production is paired well with its counterpart, ANNIE. As musical comedies go, they simply could not be more different from one another tonally. Patrons who are seeking something edgier or who perhaps have a more cynical outlook on life than optimistic Annie, will enjoy the hijinks of Lawrence and Freddy. I personally suggest seeing both musicals though. After all, as is evidenced in this production, we all contain multitudes.

After successfully changing the game back in 2018 with his innovative production of CORIOLANUS, Director Robert LePage is back at the Stratford Festival with a production of MACBETH that is sure to be the talk of the town. Cinematic, inventive, and captivating from start to finish, this is unlike any production of MACBETH you have ever seen. And it works incredibly well.

Director/Choreographer Donna Feore has done it again! The Stratford Festival production of ANNIE opened on Tuesday evening and the audience reception could not have been more enthused. Feore has assembled an incredible cast of actors, singers, dancers, and dog(s) who have put on a show that expertly balances the saccharine optimism and sentimentality of the story with humour and spectacle, resulting in a delightfully entertaining night at the theatre that audiences of all demographics will enjoy.

The 2025 Season of the Stratford Festival is officially open, and kicking it off is a delightful production of AS YOU LIKE IT at the Festival Theatre. Director, Chris Abraham has assembled a stellar cast to tell this story that brings lots of laughts as it explores themes of love at first sight, uncertainty, resilience, and transformation. With strong performances, exciting set and lighting design, original music by Ron Sexsmith, and at times, a very silly humour that many are craving right now, this production ticks all the boxes for an audience that just wants reassurance that we all can still love and laugh in our own trying and uncertain times.

A Broadway debut is a special moment for any performer. Making it alongside your identical twin brother is something else entirely. For Lakota and McKinley Knuckle, the one thing sweeter than living the dream, is getting the chance to do it together. Broadway World had the opportunity to chat with both performers about their journey from small town Canada to being Swings in hit new Broadway musical, DEATH BECOMES HER.

LIFE AFTER opened to wet eyes and thunderous applause at the CAA Ed Mirvish Theatre on Tuesday night, making its grand return to Toronto after previous iterations debuted at Toronto Fringe and at the Musical Stage Company several years ago. Now taking up residence on its biggest stage yet, this breathtakingly beautiful original musical by Canadian Composer/Lyricist/Writer Britta Johnson, has the opportunity to reach an even broader audience.

The question of ‘Can you separate the Art from the Artist’ is something many have had to wrestle with at one time or another. Social media has granted celebrities platforms that they unfortunately sometimes misuse – leading their fans to struggle not only with a sense of guilt for continuing to support their artistry, but often a sense of betrayal from someone who was once an idol or hero. CJ Capital and Seth Zosky know this pain all too well. Here, they discuss the genesis of their idea to reclaim their love of Kanye West's music while protesting what he stands for.

To celebrate National Swing Day, Broadway World had the opportunity to chat with Rose Messenger, one of the six talented covers in the Canadian production of hit show TITANIQUE.

TITANIQUE has finally arrived in Toronto, and the outrageous comedy and fantastic vocals that made quite the splash at Montreal’s Segal Centre last month are now on full display in the biggest theatre this show has been staged in yet. Having caught this Canadian production in Montreal, BWW was intrigued to see this show be performed in Mirvish’s 700-seat CAA theatre. This little show that could, that started as a kooky idea among friends performing at a dinner theatre in Los Angeles, is now an international hit with Rose getting drawn like one of Jack’s French girls to the tune of Celine Dion’s Because You Loved Me 8 times a week in 4 different countries! This Canadian production is stacked with some of the country’s greatest talent, celebrating the incredible music and personality of Canada’s own, Celine Dion. It is also ridiculously funny!

The Canadian Premiere of Disney's FROZEN at Halifax’s Neptune Theatre is currently in full swing, and Elsa herself, actress Kaleigh Gorka was kind enough to chat with Broadway World about her experience playing this incredible character, her sisterly relationship with co-star Synthia Yusuf, and the overall magic of this beautiful musical.

The musical TITANIQUE has officially set sail in Canada and is continuing to delight audiences at the Segal Centre in Montreal until November 24th, before opening in Toronto in December. A few weeks ago, Broadway World had the chance to chat with prominent Canadian performer, Kaylee Harwood who wears multiple hats as both Assistant Director and Standby for this production. It was a delight to hear from Kaylee about her excitement for this show and her experience so far.

TITANIQUE, a Segal Centre and David and Hannah Mirvish co-production, officially opened at Montreal’s Segal Centre on Thursday evening, and Broadway World had the opportunity to attend its third and final preview the night before. Full disclosure, this Reviewer has seen the off-Broadway production of TITANIQUE multiple times. I have been a cheerleader for this show from early on, so when it comes to objectivity, I’m about as impartial to TITANIQUE as Ruth is to Cal’s OnlyFans content. After anticipating this Canadian production for months and being eager to see how this Canadian company would make the show their own, I was not disappointed! 

Erica Peck is no stranger to being associated with theatre that garners a cult following. Currently, she is starring as Molly Brown in the musical comedy TITANIQUE. Here, she talks to BWW about this exciting opportunity to celebrate the music of Céline Dion, while bringing the comedy and the vocals to the stage at the Segal Centre in Montreal.

The North American tour of the hit Broadway Musical WICKED has finally returned to Toronto and whether you have seen it before or are experiencing it for the first time, this current cast has something very special to offer!

From June 5th until July 24th, the touring production of the hit Broadway Musical WICKED will be at Mirvish’s Princess of Wales Theatre. For over 20 years now, the songs, comedy, message, and heart of this musical have been captivating audiences with 'The Untold Story of the Witches of Oz.' Broadway World had the opportunity to chat with leads Austen Danielle Bohmer and Lauren Samuels about what it is like joining this juggernaut of a show, adjusting to life on tour, getting to be in WICKED at the same time that the much anticipated movie comes out, and what this show, these characters, and their powerful friendship means to them. 

The final performance of Opening Week of the Stratford Festival’s 72nd Season is one familiar to all audiences. ROMEO AND JULIET opened at the Festival Theatre last night and provided a strong conclusion to a very successful opening week. Director Sam White – who directed last season’s excellent WEDDING BAND – draws on the strengths of her artists and gives us a relatable and moving rendition of this well known tragedy.