Bonnie Beecher News

A groundbreaking adaptation of Commander Chris Hadfield's internationally bestselling children's book, The Darkest Dark, is set to take flight at Young People's Theatre (YPT) this February. In this highly anticipated world premiere, director Jim Millan (Broadway's record-breaking The Illusionists), writer Ian MacIntyre (The Beaverton, Degrassi: Next Class) and world renowned illusionist David Ben weave multi-media and magic in an out-of-this-world theatrical experience.

At a press conference held at the Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts in the Richard Bradshaw Amphitheatre, the Toronto Alliance for the Performing Arts (TAPA) announced 235 nominations for the 42nd Annual Dora Mavor Moore Awards, which recognize excellence in professional theatre, dance and opera in Toronto.

Bernard Shaw's brilliant dark comedy The Doctor's Dilemma, the first of the final trio of main season shows, begins previews July 16 at the Festival Theatre. On July 27, Cicely Hamilton's funny and prophetic Just to Get Married begins previews at the Royal George Theatre, while August Wilson's haunting Gem of the Ocean begins previews on August 5 at the Jackie Maxwell Studio Theatre. 

It’s been nearly two years since the National Ballet of Canada had planned on premiering their new SWAN LAKE, but in this case late is definitely better than never. The stunning new production, directed by former Artistic Director Karen Kain, has finally arrived on the Four Seasons Centre’s stage.  

Hope Muir, Joan and Jerry Lozinski Artistic Director of The National Ballet of Canada announced the principal casting for the world premiere of Swan Lake, directed and staged by Karen Kain. The newly imagined production will feature four debuts in the principal roles of Odette/Odile and Prince Siegfried. Get the show's schedule and more here. 

Adopted for the stage by Emma Donoghue, the writer of the novel, ROOM is a 2-act spectacle full of imaginative creative choices, heart wrenching performances, and original music.

Charlotte Brontë's beloved classic comes to life at The Citadel Theatre.

David Mirvish, The Grand Theatre, London ON, and UK’s Covent Garden Productions, will present the North American premiere of the stage adaptation of Emma Donoghue’s international best-selling novel, and Oscar-, Canadian Screen Award-, Golden Globe- and BAFTA-winning film, Room. 

Artistic Director Tim Carroll has announced casting and creative teams for the Shaw Festival’s 60th anniversary season.

Mike Payette, Artistic Director of Tarragon Theatre and Managing Director Andrea Vagianos have announced the long awaited world premiere of Light.

Karen Kain, Artistic Director of The National Ballet of Canada, today announced the 2021/22 season, marking the company’s 70th anniversary and return to the stage after more than 20 months. It will also be the final season programmed by Ms. Kain before she steps down as Artistic Director on June 30, 2021, as previously announced.

Karen Kain, Artistic Director of The National Ballet of Canada, today unveiled the 2020/21 season which builds on the company's commitment to create new works, attract the best artists in the world and showcase the company on the international stage. The season features the world premiere of MADDADDAM, a new full-length ballet by the multi-award-winning choreographer Wayne McGregor in collaboration with internationally renowned writer Margaret Atwood. Additional highlights include the North American premiere of Victoria, created by acclaimed choreographer Cathy Marston, and a guest appearance by San Francisco Ballet in its Toronto debut. The National Ballet will tour to London and Ottawa. #2021SeasonNBC

In Soulpepper's production of the 1998 Best Play Tony winner ART, written by Yasmina Reza and directed here by Philip Akin, the friendship of three friends is put to the test after one dives into the world of modernism with an expensive purchase.

How does an author title a play? Well, there should be something descriptive, enticing or informative to engage the audience from the outset.The Shaw Festival in Niagara on the Lake has gone out of a limb and programmed a virtually unknown play that is rarely, if ever produced. Oh, and the title is simply SEX. And it's author is no other than the infamous Mae West! But did West really write plays? She most certainly did and did so for her own star turns. Written in 1926, unable to advertise using the title, and later raided after running for a year, SEX was almost forgotten. Happily, this highly polished and entertaining production now running through October turns out to be the sleeper of the season.

 Previews begin today for The Crucible, Arthur Miller's haunting dramatization of the Salem witch trials. Directed by Festival veteran Jonathan Goad, the production opens on Friday, August 16, at the Avon Theatre, marking the 12th and final production in the Festival's 67th season, which runs until November 10.

Just shy of a century after her sold out Broadway run was branded an 'obscene, indecent, immoral and impure drama' by a New York grand jury, Mae West's Sex gets a rousing production at the Shaw Festival. Directed by Peter Hinton-Davis, this powerful melodrama begins in Montreal's red light district of the 1920s, then shifts locations to Trinidad and New York City. Overflowing with trademark Mae West one-liners, and with its frank sexuality heightened by Hinton-Davis's gender-bent casting, Sex begins previews at the Jackie Maxwell Studio Theatre on June 21st.

At a press conference held May 28 in the Davies Takacs Lobby of the Elgin and Winter Garden Theatre Centre, the Toronto Alliance for the Performing Arts (TAPA) announced 282 nominations for the 40th Anniversary Dora Mavor Moore Awards, which recognize excellence in professional theatre, dance and opera in Toronto. On Tuesday, June 25 at the Sony Centre for the Performing Arts, 49 Dora Mavor Moore Awards, the Silver Ticket Award and the Jon Kaplan Audience Choice Award will be presented.

The Grand Theatre, a leading cultural hub in London, Ontario, announces its 2019-20 season. Featuring 11 productions across two stages, including two world premieres, a North American premiere, and new works by exciting Canadian visionaries, the Grand's incredible 2019-20 lineup continues to bring the world to London, and London to the world.

Written by Christopher Morris following years of research in Israel, directed by Daniel Brooks, and produced by Human Cargo with the support of Theatre Passe Muraille, THE RUNNER is an intimate look into the life of Jakob (Gord Rand), a member of the Jewish crisis-response team ZAKA.

On October 13, 2018, the Canadian Opera Company presented the highly anticipated world premiere of Hadrian by composer Rufus Wainwright and librettist Daniel MacIvor. The opera recounts the epic love story of Roman Emperor Hadrian and his young lover, Antinous. Erased by history, their story is reclaimed for the 21st century by its creators in a star-studded production from renowned Canadian director Peter Hinton. Hadrian runs for seven performances through October 27, 2018.