Damien Atkins

Review: FUNNY GIRL at Shaw Festival
by Michael Rabice - Jun 1, 2026

When FUNNY GIRL opened on Broadway it was a smash hit in 1964 and would jettison the career of Barbra Streisand. It became a staple on repertory companies, regional and community theatres and summer stock. But the looming memory of Streisand's iconic performance  on stage and then on screen seemed to have destined the show to be unproduceable without a genuine triple threat actress who could sing, act, AND be a comedian par excellence. It took almost 60 years for a Broadway revival to occur, and poor Beanie Feldstein was not up to the leading lady task, being replaced with the much more appropriate star Lea Michele. Once again, the tale of  Fanny Brice had resurfaced and the often comedic, often dark musical comedy has been re-introduced to audiences who can look at the piece without Streisand's interpretation burned into our memory.

TAPA Reveals 2026 Dora Mavor Moore Award Nominations
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Jun 1, 2026

The Toronto Alliance for the Performing Arts (TAPA) today revealed all nominations for the 46th Annual Dora Mavor Moore Awards. This year’s Doras celebrate 221 nominations across 44 gender-inclusive award categories.

FUNNY GIRL, SLEUTH & JEEVES AND WOOSTER to Open Shaw Festival's 2026 Season
by A.A. Cristi - May 22, 2026

The Shaw Festival announced its 64th season in Niagara-on-the-Lake, featuring productions of FUNNY GIRL, SLEUTH, and JEEVES & WOOSTER IN PERFECT NONSENSE, alongside more than 5,000 Beyond the Stage events.

THROUGH THE EYES OF GOD, CROW'S THEATRE Win Big at Toronto Theatre Critics' Awards; Full List
by Stephi Wild - May 14, 2026

Theatre Passe Muraille's THROUGH THE EYES OF GOD led the 2026 Toronto Theatre Critics' Awards with three wins, including best production of a play, while Crow's Theatre productions collectively took home eight prizes.

FUNNY GIRL, SLEUTH & JEEVES and More Set for Shaw Festival 64th Season
by Chloe Rabinowitz - May 12, 2026

The Shaw Festival will open its 64th season in Niagara-on-the-Lake with three productions: Sleuth, Funny Girl Starring Sara Farb, and the Canadian Debut of Jeeves & Wooster in Perfect Nonsense.

Canadian Premiere of JEEVES & WOOSTER IN PERFECT NONSENSE Will Come to the Shaw Festival
by Stephi Wild - May 8, 2026

The Shaw Festival's Canadian premiere of JEEVES & WOOSTER IN PERFECT NONSENSE, directed by Brendan McMurtry-Howlett, stars Damien Atkins and Jeff Irving in the Olivier award-winning P.G. Wodehouse adaptation at the Court House Theatre.

FUNNY GIRL to Open at Shaw Festival Starring Sara Farb as Fanny Brice
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Apr 24, 2026

The Shaw Festival's production of Funny Girl, starring Sara Farb as Fanny Brice, is running at the Festival Theatre in Niagara-on-the-Lake, ON this spring.

Shaw Festival Reveals 2026 Casts And Creative Teams For FUNNY GIRL and More
by A.A. Cristi - Nov 12, 2025

The Shaw Festival has released casting and creative teams for its 2026 season, which runs April 2 through December 23 in Niagara-on-the-Lake. Productions include new stagings of Amadeus, Jeeves & Wooster in Perfect Nonsense, and additional works across three venues.

OCTET Extended for Ninth Week at Crow’s Theatre
by A.A. Cristi - Oct 21, 2025

Crow’s Theatre, Soulpepper Theatre, and The Musical Stage Company have announced a ninth-week extension of Octet, Dave Malloy’s acclaimed a cappella chamber musical exploring how technology shapes human connection.

ROBIN HOOD Panto Returns to Toronto
by Stephi Wild - Sep 25, 2025

With fall in the air and the holidays peeking around the corner, Canadian Stage has announced complete casting and creative team details for their sophomore presentation of Toronto's beloved holiday Panto – ROBIN HOOD: A VERY MERRY FAMILY MUSICAL.

Dave Malloy's OCTET to be Presented at the Streetcar Crowsnest in September
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Jul 22, 2025

At the Streetcar Crowsnest, the 25.26 fall theatre season will launch in September with OCTET by three-time Tony Award nominee Dave Malloy. Learn more here!

THE VEIL World Premiere and More Set for Crow's Theatre 25-26 Season
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Apr 9, 2025

Crow’s Theatre has revealed its 42nd season of programming and revealed an innovative three-year partnership with Soulpepper Theatre that imagines a collaborative and robust vision for the future of theatre in Toronto. Learn more!

Canadian Stage Sets 2025-26 Season Featuring World and Canadian Premieres & More
by Josh Sharpe - Apr 7, 2025

Canadian Stage has unveiled the organization’s 25.26 season, marked by an exhilarating program of hotly anticipated Canadian Premieres, World Premieres of new Canadian plays, the return of beloved Canadian icons, and more.

Feature: Ilana Lucas Picks the Top Toronto Theatre of 2024
by Ilana Lucas - Jan 1, 2025

What did our critic have to say about Toronto's Top Theatre of 2024?

Review: WHAT THE CONSTITUTION MEANS TO ME at Soulpepper
by Ilana Lucas - Nov 8, 2024

Schreck’s script, a hit in New York that made its way to Broadway in 2019, is extremely accessible and sprightly in its deconstruction of the mythic text.

WHAT THE CONSTITUTION MEANS TO ME to Make Canadian Premiere this Fall
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Sep 19, 2024

The Canadian Premiere of Heidi Schreck’s WHAT THE CONSTITUTION MEANS TO ME will be presented at Soulpepper’s Michael Young Theatre this fall. The play allows audiences to explore the dynamic relationship between individuals and the foundational principles of their country. Learn more and see how to purchase tickets.

Review: SHERLOCK HOLMES AND THE MYSTERY OF THE HUMAN HEART at Shaw Festival
by Michael Rabice - Aug 26, 2024

He's done it again! The famous sleuth and his sidekick are back at it, solving cases with cunning precision and insight. SHERLOCK HOLMES AND THE MYSTERY OF THE HUMAN HEART is playing in a fabulous production at the SHAW FESTIVAL in Niagara on the Lake. Audiences are intrigued, captivated and thoroughly entertained watching this beloved character take on yet another case in Victorian London.

CANDIDA to Begin Performances at The Shaw Festival This Weekend
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Jul 12, 2024

The Shaw Festival will present CANDIDA, a play exploring timeless love triangles and romantic entanglements. Experience the drama and wit of George Bernard Shaw's classic work at The Shaw. Learn more and see how to purchase tickets.

Winners Announced for 44th Annual Dora Mavor Moore Awards
by A.A. Cristi - Jun 24, 2024

The Toronto Alliance for the Performing Arts (TAPA) has announced the winners of the 44th Annual Dora Mavor Moore Awards, celebrating excellence in Toronto's performing arts community.

Crow's/Musical Stage Company's THE GREAT COMET & More Take Home 2024 Toronto Theatre Critics' Awards
by Joshua Wright - Jun 11, 2024

After a four-year hiatus, the Toronto Theatre Critics’ Awards (TTCAs) have returned to honour excellence in the city’s professional theatre scene from the 2023-24 season. The 11th TTCAs, announced Tuesday morning, boast 19 winners across 14 categories, including a special citation for artistic achievement.