Catherine Kustanczy

Henrik Ibsen's 1882 play An Enemy of the People is a powerful examination of the difficult and disturbing relationship between truth and power. It examines what happens to a scientist, Dr. Stockmann, and his family when he exposes ugly truths about health concerns related to the economically-vital baths in his town, and the social, political, and familial ramifications involved in his decision to stand by his work.

Ben Power's 2009 play A Tender Thing is a creative re-imagining of Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet, with the two title characters as older figures in a lifelong relationship. Soulpepper Theatre Company's current production (on at the Young Centre through October 1st) features real-life couple Joseph Ziegler and Nancy Palk as the two star-crossed lovers. Though their performances are filled with warmth and knowing, they can't escape an essentially dreary production that pulls away the beauty of Shakespeare's language, even as it revels in some over-theatricalized decisions that mute the genuine emotion sitting at the heart of a less-than-perfect work.

Underneath the riotous comedy of Moliere's 1664 play Tartuffe is a tough family drama examining ideas of trust, power, and hypocrisy. Soulpepper Theatre Company's new production (on now through September 20th at the Young Centre) underlines these themes while providing plenty of laughs and a smart, contemporary take on a classic work.

The celebrated 1957 film 12 Angry Men is a drama that began its life on television as part of a CBS series, Studio One, where it premiered in 1954. The work, penned by ex-serviceman Reginald Rose and inspired by his direct experience as a juror, went on to win an Emmy, and in its later form, an Academy Award nomination. It tells the story of twelve jurors who debate the fate of a sixteen year-old Latino boy on trial for murdering his father. The work starts out with one Not-Guilty vote, and explores the various prejudices of each juror (none of whom are given names) while simutaneously examining the nature of justice on both epic and intimate levels.

Stones in Her Mouth is a powerful theatrical experience that examines and explores women's lives. Brought to life by an ensemble of ten Maori women, the production, recently part of Toronto's annual Luminato Festival, has been feted worldwide since its premiere in 2013. As its choreographer Lemi Ponifasio explains, it's part of a larger attempt to create a 'cosmological' space within live performance.

The National Ballet's popular production features dazzling sets, eye-popping costumes, and wondrous choreography.

The National Ballet of Canada opens its summer season with a mixed programme of twentieth century works.

William Somerset Maugham's monumental novel 'Of Human Bondage' has never had a stage translation —until now. Adapted by award-winning playwright Vern Thiessen, and produced by Soulpepper Theatre Company, 'Of Human Bondage' is currently on at the Young Centre for the Performing Arts through May 17th.

Allan Hawco has been putting in long days in the lead-up to his onstage appearance in Belleville, a play about a dysfunctional couple, on now through May 4 at Toronto's Berkeley Street Theatre.

Program details for the Toronto-based Luminato festival, now in its eighth year, were unveiled Tuesday morning in a packed room at the modern MaRS Discovery Centre. Heralded by a Brazilian drum corps, Luminato's moustachioed Artistic Director Jorn Weisbrodt made his entrance, shyly smiling and shaking hands as he made his way up the aisle, before introducing a comprehensive look at this year's festival.

'The singer is the voice of the subconscious self.' So utters the main character in Tom Murphy's famous play, The Gigli Concert, now on at Toronto's Young Centre for the Performing Arts through May 14th. Produced by Soulpepper Theatre Company, the line is key to understanding this epic yet intimate play. Though occasionally challenging, Nancy Palk's production is an ultimately rewarding evening of theater for what it reveals of the human capacities for healing and connection.

Sir Alan Ayckbourn's The Norman Conquests is a three-part play cycle that takes place over the course of one weekend. The trilogy paints a deeply insightful portrait of six individuals bound by love, hate, trust, need, and fear. Toronto's Soulpepper Theatre Company is currently remounting their 2013 production, with hilarious, heartfelt results.

Toronto repertory theater company Soulpepper kicked off its inaugural Salon Series lastnight with an exploration of the music from pre and post-war Germany and its influence on the Great White Way.

Mixing love and politics is always a dicey business, even - or especially - on the stage. There's a challenge in portraying both with the kind of depth and authenticity they both deserve. World War One veteran and Pulitzer Prize-winning writer Robert Sherwood managed the mix beautifully in his award-winning work 'Idiot's Delight.'

The Canadian Opera Company's Ensemble Studio was created in 1980 as a vehicle for training Canada's next generation of opera stars. Its current members will take to the stage of the Four Seasons Centre on February 7th, replacing regular cast members in Atom Egoyan's production of the Mozart opera Cosi fan tutte for one night only. Two current members of the Ensemble say to expect something very different and special.

The Canadian Opera Company's latest production, of Verdi's 'A Masked Ball', combines challenging modern elements with gorgeous musicality, resulting in a unique look at power and love.