Bonnie Beecher News

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.

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.

On October 13, 2018, the Canadian Opera Company presents the highly anticipated world premiere of Hadrian by composer Rufus Wainwright and librettist Daniel MacIvor.

Following two hit runs as part of Nightwood Theatre's 2016/17 and 2017/18 mainstage seasons, Diane Flacks' Dora Award-nominated Unholy will be remounted in an exclusive return engagement from November 16-18, 2018, live at Zoomer Hall (70 Jefferson Ave.) in Liberty Village.  Unholy will be shot in front of a live studio audience for an upcoming special on VisionTV, Canada's only multi-faith, multi-cultural television channel available in over 10 million homes.

There is a buzz about the Stratford Festival's production of PARADISE LOST that is so intriguing that a ticket is about as tempting as forbidden fruit. Tickets for the oft-sold out production are also a little easier to come by at the moment, as it has been extended by popular demand to October 27th. Get your tickets while you can for this mesmerizing and thought-provoking show!

On October 13, 2018, the Canadian Opera Company presents the highly anticipated world premiere of Hadrian by composer Rufus Wainwright and librettist Daniel MacIvor.

Previews begin today for the world premiere of Erin Shields's exciting new interpretation of John Milton's Paradise Lost. Directed by Jackie Maxwell, the production opens on August 17, and with three performances added to meet audience demand, it now runs until October 21 at the Studio Theatre.

Niagara-on-the-Lake's World War I connections - from residents who enlisted to the garrisoned troops being entertained in the Royal George Theatre - are highlighted in director Peter Hinton's re-improvised Oh What a Lovely War. With music direction by Paul Sportelli and movement direction by Alexis Milligan, this provocative production about the theatre of war begins previews at the Royal George Theatre on July 14.

Soulpepper's production of INNOCENCE LOST: A PLAY ABOUT STEVEN TRUSCOTT is an intense look into a case that changed Canada's judicial system and divided a town.

Pharus has an angelic voice destined to praise God through Gospel music. Can his classmates, their parents, and the Drew School for African-American boys accept the person behind the voice?

Centaur Theatre proudly announces an exciting season of hit plays, ancillary initiatives, and special celebratory events to mark its golden anniversary. From its 1968 birth in the heart of the city, Centaur has grown to become a beacon for outstanding professional English-language theatre that speaks to the universal spirit while reflecting the Canadian, and especially the Montreal perspective. This is the first season programmed by Centaur's Artistic and Executive Director, Eda Holmes, and the stellar line-up reaffirms Centaur's standing as THE urban English-language theatre in Quebec.

Theatre Calgary's new artistic director Stafford Arima has officially announced the cast for The Secret Garden, which will close out its 50th Anniversary season. To be directed by Arima, The Secret Garden will feature some notable names in Canadian musical theatre, along with a large number of Calgary artists, who will bring this beloved tale to life.

Artistic Director Tim Carroll announces the Shaw Festival's 2018 ensemble. This season's 56 actors will take to the stage in 14 productions, plus numerous Secret Theatre experiences.

Pushing the limits of the Shaw Festival's mission, an edgy slave story from a different era is being presented in The Royal George Theatre. By the looks of it, Shaw's usual audiences are in for an eye opener. Branden Jacobs-Jenkins (aka BJJ) has taken us on his own personal journey of frustrated playwright who takes the advice of his psychologist and writes a play as an homage to an obscure playwright Dion Boucicault. Boucicault's 1859 played entitled 'The Octoroon' has been transformed by BJJ into 'An Octoroon.' In doing so, BJJ creates a prologue of his own invention describing his personal journey in producing the original work, where no white actors would take on a the roles of evil white plantation and slave owners. 'The Octoroon' tells the story of a plantation that is on the brink of being sold, the original owner's sexual relations with a slave that produces an octoroon ( one who possesses 1/8 Negro blood), the threat of new found love, misogyny and the overall treatment of slaves.

The Shaw's production of An Octoroon is perhaps the funniest, and certainly the most subversive, theatre experience this season. Riffing off of Dion Boucicault's melodrama The Octoroon, Branden Jacobs-Jenkins' Obie Award-winning play is his sardonic, radical response to present and past attitudes of race. Directed by Peter Hinton, An Octoroon makes its Canadian premiere at the Royal George Theatre, beginning previews July 16.

The Shaw's production of An Octoroon is perhaps the funniest, and certainly the most subversive, theatre experience this season. Riffing off of Dion Boucicault's melodrama The Octoroon, Branden Jacobs-Jenkins' Obie Award-winning play is his sardonic, radical response to present and past attitudes of race. Directed by Peter Hinton, An Octoroon makes its Canadian premiere at the Royal George Theatre, beginning previews July 16.

The Grand Theatre is thrilled to announce an extraordinary line-up of local and national, returning and debuting artists in the 2017/18 Season. The season features a stunning artistic presence including Tara Rosling, Benedict Campbell, Catherine Joell MacKinnon and Daniel Williston. In addition, the Grand welcomes nationally and internationally renowned directors including Peter Hinton, Tracey Flye, Carey Perloff, and the Grand's Artistic Director Dennis Garnhum, who makes his Grand directing debut in his first season. Single tickets go on sale Tuesday July 4, 2017.

Can society ever let go of the past? Theatre PANIK presents the Canadian premiere of STRANGERS, BABIES by Award-winning Scottish playwright Linda McLean, May 11 - May 28, 2017 at Artscape Sandbox. The play will be presented in a unique space, with limited seating. Audience members follow the action by peeping into motel rooms, spying on characters, and piecing together clues - making each experience unique. 

Canadian history comes to life on the stage of the Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts this spring when Harry Somers' Louis Riel returns to the Canadian Opera Company. A new production of this uniquely Canadian contribution to the opera world is being conceived by one of Canadian theatre's most acclaimed and inventive directors, Peter Hinton, with the COC's celebrated music director, Johannes Debus, conducting. This production of Louis Riel is proudly presented by the COC and its co-producer, National Arts Centre (NAC), in anticipation of Canada's sesquicentennial and the 50th anniversary of the opera's premiere. Louis Riel is sung in English, French, Michif and Cree with English, French, Michif and Cree SURTITLESTM, and runs for seven performances by the COC on April 20, 23, 26, 29, May 2, 5, 13, 2017 at Toronto's Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts. It will premiere in Ottawa by the NAC on June 15 and 17, 2017.

The Shaw Festival proudly announces casting for Artistic Director Tim Carroll's first season. The Shaw's 2017 ensemble is a mix of new faces and Festival favourites - each actor ready to entertain and excite audiences in this season's 11 productions.