{"id":123921,"date":"2026-05-04T13:00:26","date_gmt":"2026-05-04T17:00:26","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.ludwig-van.com\/toronto\/?p=123921"},"modified":"2026-04-30T23:17:07","modified_gmt":"2026-05-01T03:17:07","slug":"performance-picks-theatre-dance-performance-need-see-month-may-2026","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.ludwig-van.com\/toronto\/2026\/05\/04\/performance-picks-theatre-dance-performance-need-see-month-may-2026\/","title":{"rendered":"PERFORMANCE PICKS | Theatre, Dance & Performance You Need To See This Month: May 2026"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"L-R
L-R (clockwise): Theatre maker Anita La Selva & friend (Photo: Lynda Watson); Esmeralda Enrique Spanish Dance Company (Photo courtesy of Esmeralda Enrique); Steven Skybell in The Fiddler on the Roof in Yiddish (Photo: Jeremy Daniel)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

This monthly column features Theatre and Dance performances happening this month in and around Toronto and the GTA that you should absolutely check out.<\/p>\n

Pleiades Theatre: KARMA<\/h3>\n

May 1 to 17
\nTheatre Passe Muraille<\/p>\n

This is the world premiere of a drama by Syrian-Canadian playwright Aksam Alyousef, directed by Ash Knight. The play explores the bonds of family, the trauma of civil war, the notion of forgiveness and how our circumstances shape who we are. Check out our Interview with sound designer\/composer Gurpreet Chana here<\/a>. Info here<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n

The Unbridled Theatre Collective and Aluna Theatre: 12 Litres 8800 Steps<\/h3>\n

May 1 to 17
\nFactory Theatre<\/p>\n

Created, directed and performed by Anita La Selva and co-directed by Beatriz Pizano, 12 Litres 8800 Steps is making its world premiere. Based on La Selva\u2019s own journey through tragedy, healing and connection with horses, this interdisciplinary theatrical odyssey invites us into the world of people who have lost loved ones to addiction. Read our Interview with Anita La Selva here<\/a>. Info here<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Tarragon Theatre: Cicadas<\/h3>\n

May 5 \u2013 24
\nTarragon Theatre<\/p>\n

Making its world premiere, Cicadas is a modern eco-thriller set in a mysterious house in Toronto\u2019s Trinity Bellwoods. The Tarragon Theatre and NAC English Theatre co-production is created by Governor General\u2019s Award and Siminovitch Prize laureate David Yee and award-winning composer Chris Thornborrow, and directed by Nina Lee Aquino. Info here<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Esmeralda Enrique Spanish Dance Company: Armon\u00eda: Harmony in Motion, Excellence in Flamenco<\/h3>\n

May 8 \u2013 10
\nLyric Theatre, Meridian Arts Centre<\/p>\n

This multi award-winning company devoted to flamenco and Spanish classical dance brings an internationally acclaimed cast of dancers, guitarists, percussionist and singers to this emotionally-charged performance. Founder Esmeralda Enrique describes this production as one that \u201ccelebrates connection, expression, and the enduring spirit of flamenco.\u201d Read our Interview with Esmeralda Enrique here<\/a>. Info here<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Harold Green Jewish Theatre: Fiddler on the Roof in Yiddish<\/h3>\n

May 25 \u2013 Jun 7
\nElgin Theatre<\/p>\n

Performed entirely in Yiddish with English and Russian surtitles, this Broadway favourite is back with a twist and returns to its cultural roots. Directed by the Tony and Academy Award winner Joel Grey, it stars Tony Award nominee Steven Skybell, reprising his celebrated role of the original Yiddish Tevye, alongside an all-Canadian supporting cast. Info here<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Crow\u2019s Theatre: Primary Trust<\/h3>\n

May 26 \u2013 Jun 21
\nGuloien Theatre<\/p>\n

Winner of the 2024 Pulitzer Prize for Drama, Primary Trust is a poignant meditation on connection and the courage it takes to transform your life. This Crow\u2019s Theatre and the Grand Theatre co-production is written by Eboni Booth and directed by Cherissa Richards. Info here<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Are you looking to promote an event<\/u><\/span><\/a>? Have a\u00a0news tip<\/u><\/a>? Need to know the best\u00a0events<\/u><\/a>\u00a0happening this weekend? Send us a\u00a0<\/em><\/strong>note<\/u>.<\/em><\/strong>
\n<\/a><\/p>\n

#LUDWIGVAN<\/b><\/em><\/h3>\n

Get the daily arts news straight to your inbox.<\/em><\/p>\n

Sign up for the Ludwig Van Toronto e-Blast! \u2014 local classical music and opera news straight to your inbox <\/em>HERE<\/a>.<\/h3>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Theatre, dance, and performance productions opening in Toronto during May 2026 that you need to see.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":118,"featured_media":123923,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"om_disable_all_campaigns":false,"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false},"categories":[42533,20,4780,62,63],"tags":[40049,42835,41953,41954,4124,28935,13714],"yst_prominent_words":[13702,13717],"acf":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/www.ludwig-van.com\/toronto\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/04\/Copy-of-CRITICS-PICKS-2026-04-30T231545.530.jpg","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p9bakr-weJ","amp_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.ludwig-van.com\/toronto\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/123921"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.ludwig-van.com\/toronto\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.ludwig-van.com\/toronto\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.ludwig-van.com\/toronto\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/118"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.ludwig-van.com\/toronto\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=123921"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.ludwig-van.com\/toronto\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/123921\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":123925,"href":"https:\/\/www.ludwig-van.com\/toronto\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/123921\/revisions\/123925"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.ludwig-van.com\/toronto\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/123923"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.ludwig-van.com\/toronto\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=123921"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.ludwig-van.com\/toronto\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=123921"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.ludwig-van.com\/toronto\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=123921"},{"taxonomy":"yst_prominent_words","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.ludwig-van.com\/toronto\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/yst_prominent_words?post=123921"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}