Summer is upon us, and road trips may be on your agenda. The vast number of theatre festivals and performances blooming all across Ontario may surprise you. Many are taking place in unique, historic venues. What better way to enrich your summer memories by partaking in a few shows, while supporting the local economy too?
Here is a comprehensive list of theatre performances within about three hours’ drive from Toronto happening this summer.
West
Stratford Festival (Stratford)
April 21 – Oct 31
North America’s largest repertory company is presenting 12 productions, from Shakespeare classics like The Tempest and A Midsummer Night’s Dream, to contemporary staples like Death of a Salesman, The Importance of Being Earnest and Waiting for Godot. Along with the world premiere of The Tao of the World, the festival is mounting Guys and Dolls and Something Rotten!, two unforgettable musicals showcasing spectacular dance numbers. Info here.
Here For Now Theatre (Stratford)
July 18 – Aug 30
This independent theatre presents two world premieres, Ghosts of My House by Susanna Fournier, and Early Genius by Steve Ross, as well as the Canadian premiere of Suzannah by Jon Fosse. Info here.
St. Jacobs Country Playhouse (St. Jacobs)
Aug 12 – 30
The Odd Couple, renowned playwright Neil Simon’s masterpiece about two mismatched roommates, will take centre stage. Info here.
Hildebrand Schoolhouse Theatre (St. Jacobs)
June 3 – Aug 2
Sorry… I’m Not Sorry is a comedy by Alex Mustakas filled with Canadiana jokes that will have your elbows up. The historic theatre is housed in a lovingly restored 1867 schoolhouse. Info here.
Hamilton Family Theatre Cambridge (Cambridge)
July 2 – Aug 30
Set along the banks of the Grand River, this performing arts centre is home to Broadway dance spectacle 42nd Street, and Nashville Music City, a musical revue with a jukebox of country music standards. Info here.
Blyth Festival (Blyth)
June 10 – Aug 22
This hidden gem in Huron County’s agricultural heartland exclusively premieres and produces professional Canadian plays. The festival’s playbill celebrates rural life with stories set on factory floors, farm fields, council chambers, and softball diamonds. This summer’s productions include world premieres of ensemble drama Sisters of ’78 and two musicals: The Last Mayor of Rusty River and Curveball: The Fast-Pitch Ladies from the Factory Floor. Info here.
Drayton Festival Theatre (Drayton)
July 2 – Aug 30
Located in a renovated 1902 Opera House, this theatre will present Broadway musical comedy Sisters Act, along with the racy comedy Sexy Laundry this summer. Info here.
Huron Country Playhouse (Grand Bend)
July 2 – Aug 30
The playhouse mainstage will feature two Broadway mega hits: Disney sensation Frozen, and 10-time Tony Award winning musical comedy The Full Monty, which promises to “charm the pants off you.” Info here.
Southwest
Shaw Festival (Niagara-on-the-Lake)
April 2 – Oct 11
It’s not like you need an excuse to visit Ontario’s quaintest town set in the middle of wine country, but the Shaw certainly gives more reason to make the trip. Along with Heartbreak House by the festival’s namesake playwright, this summer’s playbill also includes Sleuth, Amadeus, The Wind in the Willows and One for the Pot, among others. The festival’s 64th season also features a new production of Funny Girl, the Broadway musical sensation that launched the career of Barbra Streisand. Info here.
Hamilton Fringe Festival (Hamilton)
July 15 – 26
Hamilton’s annual favourite summer arts festival takes place over 12 days across 16 locations, featuring more than 50 performance companies with over 400 performances that run the whole gamut of live comedy, indie theatre, music and dance. Info here.
The Foster Festival (St. Catharines)
July 9 – Aug 16
This theatre festival is dedicated entirely to celebrating the witty, heartwarming plays by Canadian icon Norm Foster. This summer boasts the hilarious tangled-relationship comedy The Long Weekend and the world premiere of Euchre Night. Info here.
Port Stanley Festival Theatre (Port Stanley)
July 8 – Aug 15
Experience the world premiere of theatrical thriller Deadly Memories by Steven Gallagher, along with Sugar Road, a romantic comedy by Kristen Da Silva that will have you stomping your feet along catchy country music tunes. Info here.
Lighthouse Festival (Port Dover & Port Colborne)
July 8 – Aug 30
With performances at two locations, this festival will feature two comedic shows: Secret Service and Liars at a Funeral. Info here.
North
Orillia Opera House (Orillia)
July 7 – Aug 25
The venue will showcase Broadway musical hit Newsies and Mitch Albom’s Tuesdays with Morrie. Info here.https://www.orilliaoperahouse.ca/
Theatre by the Bay (Barrie)
Aug 11 – 27
Celebrating its 25th anniversary season, this theatre company presents beloved musical revue Forever Plaid in Gravenhurst, and family musical Treasure Island in Barrie. Info here.
King’s Wharf Theatre (Penetanguishene)
July 2 – Aug 8
This waterfront theatre inside a historic 19th century naval base on Georgian Bay plays host to country music jukebox Nashville Music City and Over the River and Through the Woods, a multigenerational comedy. Info here.
Theatre Georgian Bay (Collingwood)
July 23 – Aug 3
Celebrating the 10th Anniversary season of Bard on the Bay, Theatre Georgian Bay presents Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night, performed outdoors against the breathtaking backdrop of Georgian Bay. Info here.
East
Capitol Theatre (Port Hope)
July 10 – Sept 6
Headlining this summer’s season is the heartwarming Broadway musical Come From Away, along with Gaslight, a classic thriller with Canadian adaptations. Info here.
Thousand Islands Playhouse (Ganonoque)
June 30 – Aug 30
This summer’s playbill includes two musicals: the high energy Grease and the intimate The Last Five Years. Info here.
St Lawrence Shakespeare Festival (Prescott)
July 16 – Aug 8
Headlining this year’s festival is the new musical R&J and Joni. This world premiere adaptation of Romeo and Juliet brings Shakespeare’s words together with the timeless music of Canadian icon Joni Mitchell in a fully staged musical. This is coupled with Macbeth at the Tower, a walk-about production at the Maitland Tower. Info here.
4th Line Theatre (Millbrook)
June 30 – Aug 29
This company exclusively performs large-scale, epic dramas written by Canadians about regional Ontario history in the idyllic, outdoor setting of a 150-year-old active family farm. Following its sold out premiere of Wild Irish Geese last year, the historic drama by Megan Murphy about early Irish settlers is back by popular demand. Also on stage is Schoolhouse by Leanna Brodie. Info here.
Tweed & Company Theatre (Tweed and Bancroft)
June 26 – Sept 6
Along with its main productions of musical hits 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee and Fiddler on the Roof, the Tweed Summer Youth Theatre also presents a pair of popular family musicals, The Little Mermaid and High School Musical. Info here.
The Grove Theatre (Fenelon Falls)
July 4 – Aug 30
Performed in an outdoor amphitheatre, this summer The Grove presents Spamalot, a hilarious musical ripped off from “Monty Python and The Holy Grail.” Info here.
County Stage Company (Prince Edward County)
July 11 – Aug 9
This company brings performing arts to various venues in beautiful Prince Edward County. This summer’s program includes the musical comedy First Date, along with plays Mouthpiece and Pinocchio. Info here.
Happy travels!
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