18 Best Performing Arts in Toronto, Ontario

This jewel in the crown of the Toronto arts scene consists of two former vaudeville halls, built in 1913, one on top of the other. It's the last operating double-decker theater complex in the world (the Elgin is downstairs and the Winter Garden upstairs) and a Canadian National Historic Site. Until 1928, the theaters hosted silent-film and vaudeville legends like George Burns, Gracie Allen, and Edgar Bergen with Charlie McCarthy. Today's performances are still surrounded by magnificent settings: Elgin's dramatic gold-leaf-and-cherub-adorned interior and the Winter Garden's A Midsummer Night's Dream--inspired decor, complete with tree branches overhead. These stages host Broadway-caliber musicals, comedians, jazz concerts, operas, and Toronto International Film Festival screenings. Guided tours are offered for C$12.

Established in 1998 by some of Canada's leading theater artists, Soulpepper is Toronto's largest not-for-profit theater company. It produces classic and newly commissioned plays, musicals, and concerts year-round.

Canada's largest queer theater company presents edgy plays and festivals, as well as specialty events like parties, burlesque, and stand-up. 

Canadian Stage is the country’s leading contemporary performing arts organization, focusing on cross-disciplinary works that integrate theater, dance, film, visual arts, and more to reflect the complexity and cultural richness of Canada. It stages productions at the Bluma Appel Theatre ( 27 Front St. E), which seats 867, and the more intimate Berkeley Street Theatre ( 26 Berkeley St.), which has a capacity of 244 seats.

This 1920 vaudeville theater has had numerous names over the years, including the Pantages, the Imperial, and the Canon. Now named in honor of local businessman and theater impresario Ed Mirvish, it's one of the most architecturally and acoustically exciting live theaters in Toronto. The theater itself is considered one of the most beautiful in the world and was refurbished in 1989. Designed by world-renowned theater architect Thomas Lamb, it has a grand staircase, gold-leaf detailing, and crystal chandeliers.

This is the country's largest producer of exclusively Canadian plays. Many of the company's shows are world premieres that have gone on to tour Canada and win prestigious awards.

The main theater space of the University of Toronto since 1919, Hart House mounts emerging-artist and student productions from September to March, with musicals, Shakespeare, contemporary plays, and classics all represented.

State-of-the-art facilities and wonderful murals by American artist Frank Stella grace this 2,000-seat theater, built by father-and-son producer team Ed and David Mirvish in 1993 to accommodate the technically demanding musical Miss Saigon. Big-budget musicals like Come from Away and The Book of Mormon and plays such as War Horse are also showcased.

The most historic of the Mirvish theaters, the "Royal Alex" has been the place to be seen in Toronto since 1907 and is the oldest continuously operating legitimate theater in North America. The restored and reconfigured theater features 1,244 plush red seats, gold plasterwork, and baroque swirls and flourishes that make theatergoing a refined experience. Charlton Heston made his debut here and Lawrence Olivier, Edith Piaf, Mary Pickford, Alan Bates, and John Gielgud have also graced the stage. Programs are a mix of blockbuster musicals and dramatic productions, some touring before or after Broadway appearances.

Shakespeare in High Park. Every summer, Shakespeare's most popular plays are performed under the stars at this outdoor amphitheater. Productions are usually knockouts and run from July through August, weather permitting. Performances are pay what you can, with a suggested C$20 donation, and regular seating is on a first-come, first-served basis. To ensure you get a spot, reserve a cushion in the Premium Zone online for C$25. Performances are Tuesday through Sunday at 8; gates open at 6 pm. It gets cold in this leafy park, so bring layers and a blanket to sit on; picnicking is encouraged. High Park, High Park Ave., main entrance off Bloor St. W., Greater Toronto, Toronto, ON, M6P 2B5. 416/368–3110. www.canadianstage.com. Pay what you can; free for children under 14. High Park.

This modern, intimate theater is home to long-running local company Crow's Theatre, which is devoted to thought-provoking contemporary theater from Canadian and international playwrights. French brasserie Gare de l'Est is on-site for pre- or post-show eats and cocktails.

SummerWorks Performance Festival. More than 50 plays, performances, concerts, and happenings deemed sufficiently forward-thinking and provocative are staged at the Factory Theatre, Theatre Passe Muraille, and other venues around Queen West for the 11-day SummerWorks Performance Festival in August. Tickets are about C$15 per show. Queen West, Toronto, ON. 416/628–8216. www.summerworks.ca.

This converted warehouse presents plays by new and established Canadian playwrights, with special focus on nurturing emerging voices in Canadian theater. The complex features multiple theater spaces and studios, and maverick companies will occasionally mount interesting experimental productions in some of the smaller rooms.

Built in 1909 as a library funded by industrialist Andrew Carnegie, this heritage property underwent extensive renovations and reopened as a theater space in 2016. There's a café and bar as well.

High-quality French-language drama—with English subtitles—is performed at this theater, whose French and French-Canadian repertoire ranges from classical to contemporary. A children's play and a teen show are part of the season, which features about a half dozen plays.

Toronto's oldest alternative theater company, established in 1968, focuses on presenting themes of the unique Canadian cultural mosaic through collaborative productions and has launched the careers of many actors and playwrights.

Toronto Fringe Festival. The city's largest theater festival, with more than 140 shows taking place in 35 venues (including a laundromat, storage space, and a back alley), takes place over 10 days in late June/early July. Raw and untested works by emerging (and some established) artists are the norm. Tickets are C$11 or less per show. The most popular shows are given extended runs in the Best of the Fringe Festival. Toronto, ON. 416/966–1062. www.fringetoronto.com.

YPT is Canada’s largest and oldest professional theater for young people, which produces arts and theater education programming. Professional actors perform contemporary pieces that are relevant and kid-focused, from a heavily interactive romp like Where the Wild Things Are to a dramatic thought-provoker like Hana's Suitcase—the story of a young girl living during the Holocaust. Productions aren't condescending, nor do they compromise on dramatic integrity. They are as entertaining for adults as for kids.