Intermission COVID-19 Response & Up-To-Date Theatre News
Dear Intermission readers,
As consolidated efforts continue to contain and prevent the spread of COVID-19, also known as coronavirus, theatre companies are having to make tough decisions about their upcoming seasons and productions. Intermission is dedicated to providing up-to-date news on the status of theatre across the city. We will be monitoring closely to ensure theatregoers have accurate information to plan their trips to the theatre during this difficult and transitory period. Many companies have released statements that they are moving forward with care, and asking patrons to exercise caution, while others are suspending performances or cancelling their seasons outright.
Increased hygiene practices and social distancing are key factors in preventing the spread of COVID-19. We have no doubt that, with proper measures taken, the Toronto theatre community will be able to weather this storm. With the health of the community in mind, we are providing an ongoing list of cancellations—but we will also be keeping you up to date on performances and seasons that are moving ahead with care. Theatre is about bringing people together to share in our common humanity. In times of great stress and uncertainty, we still need the theatre to bring us together—even if only in spirit.
This can be a very scary time, and having accurate information geared towards preventative measures is key. If you are feeling unwell, we urge you to exercise a common sense approach: stay inside, maintain good hand-washing hygiene, and be safe. If you are experiencing severe respiratory issues, please contact a medical professional. And hang in there.
We’ll see you at the theatre soon.
Business, Almost as Usual:
Roseneath Theatre
-Offices closed
-Touring postponed until the fall semester
-Summer Camps moved online
b. current performing arts
-B Inc workshops to be held online
Ongoing Cancellations:
Stratford Festival
-2020 Season delayed until 2021 until further notice.
-Ticket holders will receive the full amount of their purchase on their Stratford Festival account.
-Stratford Festival on Film available at the Stratford Festival Youtube Channel
Mirvish
–Harry Potter and the Cursed Child Canadian Premiere delayed until 2021
-Cancelled performances: all Come From Away performances up until and including June 30, all remaining Hamilton performances, all The Simon & Garfunkel Story, Les Misérables, Summer, God is a Scottish Drag Queen, Six Guitars, The Boy Friend, Room, Indecent, and Miss Saigon performances.
-Ticket holders for cancelled shows will automatically receive a refund of Mirvish credits to their Mirvish account
–Hamilton is intending to return at a later date where ticket holders for cancelled shows will receive priority in access to the new engagement at the same price and section as their previous ticket.
Soulpepper
-Remainder of current season cancelled.
-All productions and public events are cancelled through August 2020.
-Ticket holders have been contacted by Soulpepper.
Toronto Fringe
-2020 Toronto Fringe Festival cancelled
-Festival moved online with The Fringe Collective
Shaw Festival
-All 2020 performances of Gypsy, The Devil’s Disciple, Sherlock Holmes and The Raven’s Curse, Prince Caspian, The Playboy of the Western World, Assassins, Desire Under the Elms, Trouble in Mind, and Me and My Girl are cancelled.
TO Live
-Suspension of performances at all TO Live venues until June 30, 2020. [or until further notice]
-Ticket holders for events within the suspension period will be contacted with options
Driftwood Theatre
-2020 season cancelled including Bard’s Bus Tour
Buddies in Bad Times
-Closed to the public and all programming suspended until June 30, 2020 [or until further notice]
Paprika Festival
-19th Paprika Festival postponed
Factory Theatre
-Remainder of 2019/2020 season cancelled.
-Ticket holders for House will be contacted by the box office.
Canadian Opera Company
-Remainder of 2019/2020 season cancelled.
-Flexible ticketing options available for ticket holders.
Volcano Theatre
-Rehearsal and California tour of Treemonisha postponed.
The Assembly Theatre
-Closed until April 5 [or further notice]
-The company has started a GoFundMe page for their financial losses.
Tarragon Theatre
-Remainder of the 2019/2020 season is cancelled.
-Ticket holders will be contacted by Tarragon.
-2020/2021 season being reworked and moved online as Tarragon Acoustic.
Why Not Theatre
-RISER Project 2020 (April 10 – May 9, 2020) cancelled.
–The Archivist, Gods Like Us, An IMM-Permanent Resident, heart2heart, The Worst Thing I Could Be (is Happy) are cancelled.
–Mahabharata postponed.
Coal Mine Theatre
–Cost of Living cancelled
-Ticket holders will be contacted with their options
Native Earth Performing Arts
-2019/2020 Season suspended, including: Omaagomaan (April 2 – 5, 2020), Mission Songs Project (April 6, 2020), Maggie & Me: A Healing Dance (April 16 – 19, 2020), Sir John A (April 26 – May 10, 2020)
-Refund or donation options available for ticket holders
-The Daniels Spectrum building, including the Native Earth office and theatre is closed to the public until April 6, 2020
Musical Stage Co.
-All activities postponed until May 31, 2020 [or until further notice]
–Kelly v. Kelly World Premiere postponed
Canadian Stage
-Season cancelled, including: Always Still the Dawn (April 7 – 26, 2020), Crypto (April 22 – 26, 2020), Kelly v. Kelly (May 15 – June 7, 2020), Shakespeare in High Park (July 4 – September 6, 2020), and Art Explored: Shakespeare Family Feast (July 18, 2020)
-Ticket holders will receive a credit on their Canadian Stage account and then will be contacted soon to discuss options.
Seven Siblings Co.
-Production of Annie Baker’s The Antipodes is cancelled
Cahoots Theatre
-All existing rentals cancelled
-Creation Studio closed until April 4, 2020 [or further notice]
Theatre Passe Muraille
-Performances and operations suspended
–Take d Milk, Nah? cancelled
–Ephemeral Artifacts postponed.
-Ticket holders can reschedule, refund, or donate the cost of their tickets by contacting the box office
Bad Dog Theatre Company
-Suspending all productions, rentals, and classes effective March 15, 2020
The Theatre Centre
-Season and events suspended
-Theatre Centre cafe closed
Village Players
-Final week of GOOD PEOPLE cancelled; last show Sunday March 15, 2020
-Policy on unused tickets to be announced ASAP
Alumnae Theatre
-Suspension of all live activities until the end of May, 2020.
-New Ideas Festival and In the Next Room (or the Vibrator Play) by Sarah Ruhl (April 17 – May 2, 2020) cancelled.
-Credit/donation/refund options available for ticket holders.
Crow’s Theatre
-Streetcar Crowsnest closed until April 5, 2020 [or further notice]
–Nombre, Rocking Horse Winner cancelled
Nightwood Theatre
–All the Little Animals I Have Eaten run suspended
-Ticket holders should contact Streetcar Crowsnest box office for options
Obsidian Theatre
–Blacktop Sky run cancelled
-Ticket holders should contact Streetcar Crowsnest box office for options
Necessary Angel
-Upcoming production of Winter Solstice cancelled.
-All remaining performances of The Events have been cancelled
-Ticket holders for cancelled performances will be contacted
The Grand Theatre
-Duration of season and related events suspended effective immediately
-Ticket holders can contact the box office to exchange or refund tickets, or donate the value of the purchased tickets in exchange for a charitable tax receipt
National Ballet of Canada
-June performances cancelled
-Karen Kain 50th Anniversary Gala rescheduled for November 24, 2020.
-Company’s appearance at Royal Opera House in London postponed.
Young People’s Theatre
-Remainder of 2019.20 season, including all programs, is cancelled effective immediately
-Drama School’s Spring term will begin a week later, on April 18, 2020
-Ticket holders that have not yet been contacted by YPT should contact the box office
iPhoto caption: Poster art by Jesús Rivera Zavala.
In GCTC’s FLOP!, three actor-comedians craft a musical from scratch
This December, Ottawa’s Great Canadian Theatre Company will present Klif Entertainment’s FLOP! An Improvised Musical Fiasco, created by Ron Pederson and director Alan Kliffer.
iPhoto caption: Courtesy of the St. Michael's College Troubadours.
A Lord of the Flies adaptation hits the Hart House Theatre stage this weekend
Andrea Perez is set to direct the student-led production, which will reimagine the story through a de-colonialist lens.
iPhoto caption: Photo of Annemieke Wade courtesy of TAPA.
TAPA appoints Annemieke Wade as new executive director
Wade steps into the position with an extensive background in theatre, with past roles including executive director of Roseneath Theatre and Theatre Direct and company manager of Tarragon Theatre.
iPhoto caption: Beowulf in Afghanistan graphic courtesy of GCTC.
Beowulf in Afghanistan to make world premiere at GCTC
As part of its 50th anniversary season, Ottawa’s Great Canadian Theatre Company will program the world premiere of Laurie Fyffe’s Beowulf in Afghanistan, in a production directed by Company of Fools artistic director Kate Smith.
iPhoto caption: Photo courtesy of The Hive
Brampton On Stage partners with local companies to present contrasting pair of fall productions
Brampton Music Theatre is head-banging to the stage with a community theatre production of We Will Rock You, while The Hive Performing Arts is staging Duncan MacMillan and Jonny Donahoe’s Every Brilliant Thing.
iPhoto caption: Poster courtesy of CBC Podcasts
PlayME releases trailer for new audio drama Tunnel Runners
Launching on October 30, the series follows Cam, a 16-year-old gifted student whose struggles with anxiety and depression lead him into a labyrinth of hidden subway tunnels beneath Toronto.
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