Jason Carlos

The Shaw Festival brings to life one of George Bernard Shaw's very own MRS. WARREN'S PROFESSION. Directed by Eda Holmes, the production tells the story of a young woman's discovery of her mother's line of work - prostitution, and the events that follow. Led by Nicole Underhay as the title character and Jennifer Szialoszynski as her daughter Vivie, the smart comedy brings this historically taboo play into 2016 with poise and a high level of sophistication.

The Shaw Festival tackles Thornton Wilder's masterpiece OUR TOWN, directed by Molly Smith. The quiet tale is presented in three acts, following the story of a small town at the turn of the century. A number of years pass between each act, allowing for audiences to delve deeper in the lives - hopeful and tragic of its townspeople. Starring Charlie Gallant, Kate Besworth and Benedict Campbell, this moving production also features Patrick Galligan, Catherine McGregor, Patrick McManus and Jenny L. Wright.

Alan Dilworth delves into Arthur Miller's library for a take on one of his lesser known plays, the one-act INCIDENT AT VICHY. A chilling tale of a scene at the brink of the second World War, the play follows the events of an interrogation room as a group of men await their fate as authorities validate their papers. INCIDENT AT VICHY features a stellar collection of Soulpepper actors, top lined by Diego Matamoros and Stuart Hughes.

The Off-Broadway and Toronto favourite musical revue FOREVER PLAID finds it's way back onto the stage at the PANASONIC THEATRE. Highlighting the rise in fame of close-harmony groups in the 1950s, the show follows The Plaids, a four-piece group - Sparky, Smudge, Jinx and Frankie and their untimely death on the heels of their big break. Scott Beaudin, Matt Cassidy, Jonathan Cullen and Jeff Madden star in this crowd pleasing and fun musical hit.

Soulpepper's latest production of Wendy Wasserstein's 1989 play, THE HEIDI CHRONICLES explores the changing role of women in society through the coming-of-age story of a woman named - you guessed it, Heidi. The production features a series of episodic scenes throughout Heidi's life; from an awkward high school dance, to a career-focused driven woman and all the messy things in between. Michelle Monteith stars in the title role and goes on a transformative journey with a supporting cast of Soulpepper staples including Raquel Duffy, Sarah Wilson, Damien Atkins and Jordan Pettle.

The Shaw Festival continues to launch its 2016 season with a fresh take on another classic - this time Anton Chekov's UNCLE VANYA. This moving dramedy explores family harmony and dysfunction with budding loyalties and conflicting love. Jackie Maxwell, outgoing artistic director at the Shaw Festival brings to life this new adaptation by Annie Baker. It's a crisp translation with contemporary overtones that brings this Chekov classic to the new age. Neil Barclay stars as the title role and leads a talented ensemble including Donna Belleville, Kate Besworth, James Daly, Sharry Flett, Marla McLean, Patrick McManus, Peter Millard, Moya O'Connell and David Schurmann.

The anchor of the Shaw Festival's 2016 season is an ambitious musical adaptation of the beloved, ALICE IN WONDERLAND. Veteran Shaw visionary Peter Hinton breaths new life into the classic Lewis Carroll tale featuring 19 original songs under the musical direction of Allen Cole. Tara Rosling stars as Alice and leads a large cast which also stars Graeme Somerville, Moya O'Connell, Kyle Blair, Donna Belleville, Ben Saunders and Jennifer Phipps.

The Bible features parables, stories and encounters of the life and trials of Jesus and his disciples; but a figure who is so prominent in that story - his mother, Mary, only speaks four times. Her role as a matriarch is often silent, and the Aaron Willis-directed THE TESTAMENT OF MARY, now playing at the Young Centre for the Performing Arts, explores what Mary would say if she could have said more. The play, by Colm Toibin (based on his 2012 novella of the same name) looks at the life and death of Jesus from the perspective of Mary - through the eyes of a traumatized and grieving woman and mother. The 70-minute solo performance is a star-vehicle for Nancy Palk who embraces this challenging, trying and controversial role.

The new spring programming at the Young Centre for the Performing Arts begins with the return of Neil Simon's THE ODD COUPLE. This comedic classic of polar opposite friends-turned-roommates is an illustration of what Soulpepper does best - which is why this encore is on stage again until June 11. Starring Founding Artistic Director of Soulpepper, Albert Schultz as infamous slob Oscar Madison, and fellow Founding Member, Diego Matamoros as the level-headed and neurotic Felix Ungar, THE ODD COUPLE assembles some of Soulpepper's best for a near-flawless night of classic comedy.

Using the 1884 Joris-Karl Huysmans novel, À rebours as inspiration, James Kudelka brings a rich and intimate new modern opera to life - combining a decadent libretto and stunning choreography. AGAINST NATURE, now playing at The Citadel is Coleman Lemieux & Compagnie's latest work which tells the story of a Jean des Esseintes, an eccentric artist who retreats into a world of insolation to find solace. The piece, directed and choreographed by James Kudelka, stars Alexander Dobson and Laurence Lemieux and Geoffrey Sirett. A strong libretto by Alex Poch-Goldin paired with rich musical compositions by James Roffe serve as a powerful foundation to this piece.

Stratford Festival HD's 2016 film series comes to a triumphant end with the release of THE ADVENTURES OF PERICLES on Saturday, May 7 at Cineplex theatres across the country, with encore screenings on Thursday, May 12. This live recording on the 2015 Stratford Festival hit is beautifully translated to the big screen in a sweeping production involving 10 cameras and 128 tracks of sounds to create an immersive, high-definition, surround-sound production. The original 2015 production, directed by Scott Wentworth gains eternal life through this screen adaptation directed by Barry Avrich.

Canadian Stage's 2015/2016 season comes to a close with the world premiere of two plays by acclaimed Governor General's Award-winning playwright Jordan Tannahill. The work is a collaboration with Canadian Stage and the Department of Theatre at York University which presents a bold double bill that combines a vivacious take on Renaissance art history and a gripping adaptation of a biblical tale. BOTTICELLI IN THE FIRE & SUNDAY IN SODOM are directed by Matjash Mrozewki and Estelle Shook respectively, both 2015 graduates of York University's MFA Program in Theatre - Stage Direction in Collaboration with Canadian Stage. Starring Salvatore Antonio, Valerie Buhagiar, Nicola Correia-Damude, Stephen Jackman-Torkoff, Christopher Morris and Alon Nashman, the double bill is an outstanding showcase of a bright theatrical vision brought to life with an outstanding creative team.

The North American premiere and translation of Philipp Lohle's ambitious comedy DAS DING is now playing the Berkeley Street Upstairs Theatre. A coproduction between Canadian Stage and Theatre Smash, DAS DING follows the unlikely journey of a thing - in this case, a small cotton fibre - as it travels the world through interconnected narratives. These stories link together to demonstrate the increasingly globalized world through the eyes of this small cotton fibre. Funny, thought-provoking and clever, DAS DING is worth taking a closer look.

The next addition to VideoCabaret's The History of the Village of the Small Huts series revisits Canadian history once again in THE GREAT WAR. Now playing at the Young Centre for the Performing Arts with its continued partnership with Soulpepper Theatre Compnany. Written and directed by Michael Hollingsworth, VideoCabaret presents a unique and quirky take at one of the most important moments of Canadian history.

The Coal Mine Theatre solidifies itself as a key player in the Toronto theatre scene with its gritty production of Tracy Lett's KILLER JOE. Starring Madison Walsh, Matthew Edison, Matthew Gouveia, Paul Fauteux and Vivien Endicott-Douglas, the play encompasses a son's plot to murder his mother in an attempt to collect an insurance sum from her death. This immoral, dark and gory narrative is brought to life by director Peter Pasyk in usual Coal Mine quality - to put it simply, it's a hit.

Toronto's longest running contemporary dance series, DanceWorks presents the world premiere of JACKIE BURROUGHS IS DEAD & WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO DO ABOUT IT?, a mysteriously intricate choreographed piece combining stunning dance with ambient sound to create a complex sensory experience. Performed by Danielle Baskerville, Luke Garwood and Robert Kingsbury, this abstract piece choreographed by DA Hoskins and produced by Baskerville looks at larger than life themes as the dancers explore energy exchange through fluidity and motion.

anadian playwright and director Judith Thompson reimagines THE CRACKWALKER as the final piece of Factory Theatre's Naked Season - which might be its most ambitious yet. Starring Claire Armstrong, Yolanda Bonnell, Waawaate Fobister, Greg Gale and Stephen Joffe, the drama brings to life the haunting and fragile reality of mental illness and domestic violence. Set against a backdrop of hopelessness and despair, THE CRACKWALKER is a heavy and emotionally-rooted tale that is just as relevant as it was decades ago.

The Second City unveiled its latest collection of sketch comedy in its Spring Mainstage revue, THE HOTLINE ALWAYS BLINGS TWICE. Directed by Chris Earle, the show is a tribute to Toronto; with six hilarious comedians playing tribute to The 6ix in sketches based on current issues and events facing

The world premiere translation of the classic Spanish drama, BLOOD WEDDING is now playing at Soulpepper. Directed by Erin Brandenburg, the drama follows a young couple's troubled engagement as their love brings to life buried passions that threaten their relationship. Newly translated by Guillermo Verdecchia, the play is reimagined to take place in rural Ontario while still maintaining the classic tones of the original play.

Ted Dykstra's Soulpepper production of the David French comedy JITTERS first premiered in 2010, and is now thriving with a new revival currently playing at the Young Centre for the Performing Arts. Featuring many of the same members of Dykstra's original production, JITTERS is a crisp and refreshing comedy that is so tightly knit it's bursting with confidence. Kevin Bundy, Diane D'Aquila, Geordie Johnson and Oliver Dennis lead this ensemble cast who elevate French's material into a near perfect evening.