We all know that July 1st is Canada Day – hope you all had a great day – but did you know that it’s also Second Half of the Year Day? “It’s a chance to step back, evaluate your year so far with your goals and objectives and to take action to get back on track if necessary”. For our purposes, let’s specifically consider the theatre year to date. Have you made it out to some of the great entertainment in Toronto? Purchased the ticket for that show that you’ve always meant to see? Summer is off-season for some of the major arts organizations, but there is still lots to enjoy in Toronto.
Dear Evan Hansen ends its Toronto run this month. If you were putting off purchasing tickets with the thought that the show would still be here in the fall, the early end date means you only have until July 21 to enjoy the outstanding talents of the Canadian cast, featuring Robert Markus.
Waitress begins baking pies onstage at the Ed Mirvish Theatre on July 9 and stays through August 18.
The Lion King began a run at the Princess of Wales Theatre in June for the fourth time since it’s Canadian premiere there in 2000. It’s in town through August 4.
Come From Away continues onstage at the Elgin Theatre through the summer. In fact, it’s currently selling tickets through November 23rd.
The Toronto Fringe Festival runs from July 3 – July 14 and will showcase 150+ shows at 37 venues throughout the city. The Toronto Centre for the Arts will then host the 9th annual Best of Fringe on July 19-21 and 26-28 showcasing the top picks of the Festival and giving patrons who may have missed the initial Fringe run a second chance to see the shows.
The Canadian Opera Company and National Ballet of Canada have completed their seasons and will return to the Four Seasons Centre stage late next fall. Meanwhile, summer is for kids with both the COC, where children of all ages can attend opera summer camps from July 2 – 27, and the NBC, which offers Summer Dance Intensive camps for ages 8 – 18 in July, and for adults in August.
If you see a show at one of Toronto’s major theatres listed on our homepage, please help us build our database by submitting a review of the view from your seat.