Dreary January drug on, but offered amazing theatrical distractions from the cold and dismal weather. February is proving to be even more busy, with plenty of intriguing opportunities ahead! Just because it’s the shortest month of the year, doesn’t mean it has to be boring by any stretch!
Stranger Sings! The Parody Musical – Mansfield Entertainment Canada Inc.
After its successful Off-Broadway run where it won seven BroadwayWorld Awards (including Best Musical), this hilarious ‘80s-infused parody of Stranger Things is making its Toronto debut with an all-Canadian cast (after previously performing at Oshawa’s Regent Theatre this summer). The timing couldn’t be better, with Season 5 of Stranger Things on the horizon too.
The musical is a fun, campy, and nostalgic romp with the TV series’ memorable characters, catchy songs, and plenty of humor for both superfans and newcomers alike.
Feb 2 – April 26
Randolph Theatre – 736 Bathurst St
Lost Heroes of Oro – Infinity Stage Productions
Lost Heroes of Oro uncovers a significant yet often overlooked chapter of Canadian history, celebrating the contributions of Black Canadians. More than just entertainment, this musical invites reflection and dialogue on diversity, resilience, and the enduring impact of these historical figures.
Through captivating song, dance, and compelling storytelling, the production provides a rich cultural narrative essential to understanding Canada’s past. Teachers, students, and families have praised its educational and emotional depth, making it a valuable event for schools, communities, and history enthusiasts.
Set in Oro-Medonte, a historic township in Simcoe County, Ontario, Lost Heroes of Oro honors the township’s connection to Black heritage. Alinka Angelova, the writer and composer, has created original music that beautifully conveys the emotions and struggles of the characters, leaving a lasting impact on audiences.
February 6 – 8
The Elgin Theatre – 189 Yonge St
Find tickets for ‘lost heroes of oro’ at Ticketmaster.ca
Kim’s Convenience – Soulpepper Theatre Company
The beloved hometown play that became a global cultural sensation – KIM’S CONVENIENCE is the story of Mr. Kim, a first-generation Korean immigrant, father of two, and the proud proprietor of Kim’s Convenience for the past 30 years. After building his empire from nothing, the stubborn Mr. Kim grapples with his changing Toronto neighbourhood, and the growing chasm between him and his second-generation children. In this heartwarming and hilarious story, audiences follow the Kim family as they tackle their challenging past and look to face an unknown future.
Jan 30 – March 2
Baillie Theatre in the Young Centre for the Performing Arts – 50 Tank House Lane
Soulpepper Theatre – Plays, Concerts & Musicals
Love Letters – zippysaid productions
A.R. Gurney’s LOVE LETTERS takes the audience on a revealing journey through the intimacies of two people’s 50-year, handwritten correspondence. I will be directing Deborah Shaw as Melissa, and myself as Andy, in this Pulitzer-nominated classic of the later 20th century.
February 11-16
Red Sandcastle Theatre – 922 Queen St E
The Wolf in the Voice – Tarragon Theatre in association with Nightswimming
An exploration of the very first musical instrument…the singer’s voice.
From Nightswimming (These Are The Songs I Sing When I’m Sad, Tarragon Greenhouse Festival) comes a trio about trios. Join Neema Bickersteth, Jane Miller and Taurian Teelucksingh for an intimate and uplifting evening as they swap stories and songs about their struggles and triumphs as singers, and the mystery of The Wolf in the Voice.
February 4 – 23
Tarragon Theatre Extraspace – 30 Bridgman Ave
The Wolf in the Voice – Tarragon Theatre
The Merchant of Venice – Shakespeare BASH’D
Returning to The Theatre Centre after two-years of sold-out runs, Shakespeare BASH’d is set to tackle one of the Bard’s most challenging and controversial plays: The Merchant of Venice. Led by Nish-Lapidus, and with Canadian theatre icon Alon Nashman as Shylock, the company has assembled a team of majoritively Jewish artists to dig deep into this play that has often been about Jewish people, but regularly omits Jewish artists from productions.
This passionate group of artists will investigate the antisemitism, xenophobia, and racism in this play, asking how we can make something new and reflect the world we see in front of us. Full of complicated ideas, characters, and contexts, the production will challenge the audience to reflect, while enjoying Shakespeare’s moving and extravagant text.
The production brings together an all-star cast including BASH’d regulars, multiple award winners, and Toronto theatre favourites, under the direction of Julia Nish-Lapidus (BASH’d and St. Lawrence Shakespeare Festival Co-Artistic Director).
February 13 – 23
The Theatre Centre BMO Incubator – 1115 Queen St W
People, Places & Things – Coal Mine Theatre
A quest of recovery that combines dance and virtuosic design and performance, the production stars Louise Lambert in a career-defining role that won Irish stage actor Denise Gough an Olivier Award and global accolades. Lambert (Detroit, Yerma) is joined by Soulpepper veteran Oliver Dennis, making his COAL MINE debut, Farhang Ghajar (The Seagull), Fiona Reid (Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, Hedda Gabler) and Matthew Gouveia (Killer Joe), along with ensemble members Nickeshia Garrick, Sam Grist, Sarah Murphy-Dyson, Kwaku Okyere, and Kaleb Tekeste. COAL MINE Co-Founder and former Artistic Director Diana Bentley (Yerma) directs the illustrious ensemble company, partnering with artistic innovator and choreographer Alyssa Martin (Sex Dalmation/Rock Bottom Movement; Artistic Producer, Creative Action/National Ballet of Canada).
The play tells the story of stage actress Emma, who’s been having the time of her life. Now she’s in rehab and her first step is to admit she has a problem. But the problem isn’t with Emma, it’s with everything else. She needs to tell the truth, but she’s smart enough to know that there’s no such thing.
February 9 – March 2
The Coal Mine Theatre – 2076 Danforth Ave
PEOPLE, PLACES AND THINGS — CMT
Table for Two – Soulpepper Theatre Company and Obsidian Theatre Company
In the uproarious yet poignant Table for Two, Akosua Amo-Adem takes centre stage as Abena Ohemaa Frimpong, affectionately known as Abby. Directed by the acclaimed Djanet Sears, this captivating and hilarious production delves into the trials and tribulations of modern-day dating.
Meet Abby, she is a Ghanaian woman with an impressive resume, and she’s on her way to meet yet another online suitor – the mysterious JD45. Her last date with Marcus007 couldn’t have gone worse, but maybe this time will be different! Maybe JD45 will put an end to the societal pressures, including her best friend’s recent engagement and her mother’s constant questions: Why are you still single? Where are my grandbabies? Why don’t we find you a nice man from Ghana?
Table for Two is a candid exploration of the digital dating landscape, where swipes, likes, and matches collide with cultural traditions and personal aspirations. With razor-sharp wit and unflinching honesty, the play invites audiences to join Abby on her journey as she confronts the complexities of romance, identity, and the pursuit of happiness in the 21st century. Don’t miss this world premiere production that promises to leave hearts fuller, and spirits lifted.
February 7 – March 2
Michael Young Theatre at the Young Centre for the Performing Arts – 50 Tank House Lane
Soulpepper Theatre – Plays, Concerts & Musicals
Jacqueline: A Portrait of Jacqueline du Pré – Tapestry Opera
Jacqueline explores the meteoric rise and tragic fall of Jacqueline du Pré through her relationship with her cello. Who is the much-admired Jacqueline when the one thing that most defines her is taken away by multiple sclerosis?
Brought to life by two contemporary virtuosi, celebrated soprano Marnie Breckenridge plays Jacqueline, and former du Pré protégé and world-renowned cellist Matt Haimovitz plays her constant companion, her cello.
February 20-23
Betty Oliphant Theatre – 404 Jarvis St
Fat Ham – Canadian Stage
Helmed by celebrated Canadian director Philip Akin – who directed last season’s hit production of THE LEHMAN TRILOGY – FAT HAM features an exemplary cast led by beloved actor Peter Fernandes as Juicy with David Alan Anderson, Raven Dauda, Nehassaiu deGannes, Virgilia Griffith, Tawiah M’Carthy, and Tony Ofori. A thrilling and hilarious remake of Shakespeare’s HAMLET set against the backdrop of the American South, in FAT HAM, Juicy must throw a cookout to celebrate his mother’s remarriage to his uncle, after receiving a ghostly visit from his recently deceased father. Striking an eerie resemblance to that classic tale, Juicy – a young, queer Black man – must grapple with familial tensions, a quest for justice, and his own identity as he determines his next move. However, faced with the same questions as Hamlet, Juicy ultimately finds different answers.
February 15 – March 9
Berkeley Street Theatre – 26 Berkeley Street
The Darkest Dark – Young People’s Theatre
The Darkest Dark is inspired by Hadfield’s childhood experience on Stag Island, Ontario in the summer of 1969, with Apollo 11 just days away from landing on the moon. Nine-year-old space-loving Chris dreams of becoming a brave astronaut and is counting down the days to the televised event. But at bedtime, when the night closes in, so too does his fear of the dark, wreaking havoc on the sleep schedules of Mom (Ryder) and Dad (Pederson). For Chris, watching history in the making hinges on conquering his fear – and embracing the unknown.
February 10 – March 16
The Ada Slaight Stage at Young People’s Theatre – 165 Front Street E
THE DARKEST DARK | Young People’s Theatre
Fly Me to the Moon – Shillelagh Theatre Company
Loretta and Francis, overworked and underpaid home-care workers in Belfast, face a moral dilemma when they discover their elderly patient has passed away on pension day.
Temptation, conscience, panic and hilarity converge in this dark comedy that explores one of life’s ultimate questions…are we worth more dead or alive?
February 19 – March 2
Red Sandcastle Theatre – 922 Queen St E
MONKS – The Theatre Centre
“Are you there God? It’s us, MONKS.” The medieval monks who reside in the hilltop Spanish monastery live in total isolation… but when the Abbot ventures into town, two Brothers take the opportunity to invite a wagon full of strangers to their austere abode.
Join the monks in a shockingly-dumb interactive clown show, featuring magical realism, live music, unbridled chaos, and every interpretation of the word ‘ass’.
February 26 – March 2
The Theatre Centre’s BMO Incubator – 1115 Queen W
Blind Dates – Theatre Passe Muraille
Award-winning author, triathlete, dancer, and Dora Award-nominated performer Vivian Chong invites audiences into her dating, romance, and self-discovery world. Through her unique lens, Vivian explores love’s highs and lows—unveiling tender, funny, and often surprising stories woven together with her original musical compositions. Her engaging storytelling captures the essence of vulnerability, resilience, and growth.
February 13 – March 9
Theatre Passe Muraille – 16 Ryerson Avenue
Blind Dates – Theatre Passe Muraille
Hypothetical Baby – Nightwood Theatre in association with The Howland Company
In Hypothetical Baby, Rachel Cairns mixes data and drama to present an autobiographical work that dares to publicly talk about abortion the way we do privately — with neurotic vulnerability, unflinching honesty, and frank irreverence. This touching and hilarious one-person show grapples with the personal and societal factors that shape our reproductive lives and the intricate relationship between choice, change, and loss.
This highly anticipated remount production is the first collaboration between Nightwood Theatre and The Howland Company, two of Toronto’s most acclaimed and fiercely feminist theatre companies.
February 22 – March 8
Factory Theatre Mainspace – 125 Bathurst St
Hypothetical Baby — Factory Theatre
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