Canadian Stage TD Dream in High Park Not Affected by Toronto Labor Disruption, Previews 6/26

The Canadian Stage Company TD Dream in High Park will go on as scheduled and will not be impacted by the city worker labour disruption.

The popular Toronto summer tradition returns with William Shakespeare's The Tempest directed by Sue Miner. Dora Award-winning actress Karen Robinson stars as Prospera, the sorceress of an enchanted isle, in this tale of political intrigue, fantastical creatures, magic, comedy and romance. Previews begin June 26; opening night June 30; continuing to September 6, 2009 at the open-air theatre in High Park. Performances run Tuesday through Sunday at 8 p.m. Gate opens at 6 p.m. Admission is PWYC (suggested minimum donation is $20) at the gate and FREE for children 14 and under. Celebrate Canada Day on July 1 with the cast and crew and enjoy FREE cake, music, family festivities followed by a FREE performance. Family Days return Sundays from 5 - 6:30 pm with FREE, all-ages activities. For more Dream information, contact 416-367-1652 or canstage.com.

The Tempest is widely considered Shakespeare's last complete work. In this production, Prospero becomes Prospera, the banished Duchess of Milan, who develops her mystical powers while stranded on a remote and enchanted island. Using magic to conjure up a powerful storm, she shipwrecks her usurping brother and his accomplices on the island to exact her revenge. Estranged relatives collide and new love grows where hatred and vengeance once reigned.

The CanStage TD Dream in High Park is one of Toronto's most popular outdoor summer theatre traditions. Since 1983, 1.3 million people have visited the amphitheatre in High Park to experience live professional theatre under the stars. The Dream has a long-standing tradition of providing accessible theatre to the public, featuring actors in non-traditional roles and advancing the development of young artists.

Celebrate Canada's birthday on July 1 at the Dream. Join the cast and crew for FREE cake, music and all-ages festivities beginning at 4 p.m., weather permitting, followed by a FREE performance of William Shakespeare's The Tempest at 8 p.m. This is a special one-day-only event. All other performance dates are pay-what-you-can. Bring a picnic and enjoy theatre under the stars.

Family Day Sundays return with a FREE, all-ages pre-show program for children, parents and family members, featuring fun-filled activities including a backstage tour of our unique outdoor set, theatre-inspired crafts, artist-led games and activities, and an opportunity to meet the cast. Held at the TD Dream in High Park site on Sundays, July 12 through to September 6, from 5 - 6:30 p.m., weather permitting. Registration is required. Contact 416-860-4685 to register.

The Canadian Stage Company is nationally and internationally acclaimed and Canada's leading not-for-profit contemporary theatre company. Founded in 1987 with the merger of CentreStage and Toronto Free Theatre, the Company is dedicated to programming international contemporary theatre and to developing and producing landmark Canadian works which have been awarded some of the country's most prestigious literary and performing arts honours, including the Governor General's, Chalmers and Dora Mavor Moore Awards. The Company presents the richest variety of Canadian and international plays and musicals - from edgy and provocative works at the Berkeley Street Theatre to productions with universal appeal at the Bluma Appel Theatre and a summer of Shakespeare at the TD Dream in High Park. Canadian Stage has a long-standing commitment to education and enhancement programs for the public, nurturing theatre professionals, and developing new Canadian plays, while producing thought-provoking theatre and high quality entertainment in Toronto, one of North America's largest theatre centres. For more information, refer to canstage.com.

title Sponsor: TD Bank Financial Group

COMMUNITY BUILDING PROGRAM SPONSOR: The Ontario Trillium Foundation
CONCESSION SPONSOR: Pizza Pizza
DATES: Previews: June 26-28; opening night June 30; continuing to Sept. 6, 2009

TIMES: Tuesday through Sunday at 8 p.m. Gate opens at 6 p.m. (No performances Monday.)

TICKETS: PWYC at the gate (Suggested min $20). Children 14 + under free thanks to TD!

CANADA DAY: FREE cake, music and activities for all-ages beginning at 4 pm. FREE performance at 8 p.m. Applicable July 1 only.

FAMILY DAYS: Free, all-ages, pre-show activities at the Dream site Sundays, July 12 to Sept. 6, from 5 - 6:30 p.m. Registration required. call 416-860-4685 to register.

LOCATION: High Park at Bloor St. W. + High Park Ave. Near High Park subway station. Enter from Bloor St. Follow the road to the Grenadier Café. Continue east on path opposite Café parking lot marked by a Dream banner.

INFO: 416-367-1652 or canstage.com