One of Canada’s largest outdoor theatre experiences is coming to this picturesque stage in Toronto
Dream in High Park will kick off on July 13 and run until Aug. 31.
From markets to festivals to movies in the park — Toronto is bursting with so many fun and exciting activities during the summer months. And this live theatre experience coming to Toronto is no exception.
Now in its 42nd year, Dream in High Park will kick off on July 13 and run until Aug. 31 for over a month of performances of Shakespeare’s “Romeo & Juliet.”
The initiative is one of “Canada’s largest and longest running outdoor theatre events” that welcomes in over 30,000 audience members to the park each year, according to the team.
Multi-award-winning director Marie Farsi (Fifteen Dogs, Ghost Quartet) will lead the “distinguished” cast that stars Praneet Akilla as Romeo and Lili Beaudoin as Juliet. Farsi will be setting her “Romeo & Juliet” against the backdrop of 1930s to 1940s Italy.
Other actors also appearing in the cast include Matthew G. Brown, Joella Crichton, Daniel Krmpotic, Ziska Louis, Diego Matamoros, Dan Mousseau, Meilie Ng, Asher Rose, Mike Shara, and Michaela Washburn.
The play is a “thrilling theatrical experience and a huge audience favourite in the park,” according to Canadian Stage artistic director Brendan Healy.
Believed to have been written between 1591 and 1595, the play has “spectacular romance and heart-wringing tragedy,” Healy says. “It explores enduring and universal themes of love, conflict and fate.”
Performances will take place at the picturesque amphitheatre in High Park, located just east of the northeast corner of Colbourne Lodge Drive and Centre Road.
The experience is a “perfect summer date night and also a great way to introduce the kids to Shakespeare and live theatre given the relaxed environment,” the team behind Dream in High Park tells Toronto.com. “It has been a first live theatre experience for generations of Torontonians.”
The play will run Tuesday through Saturday at 8 p.m. and on Sunday’s at 7 p.m. But packing your picnic blanket and showing up early is recommended. The amphitheatre will open one hour before showtime each evening.
General admission tickets cost $29 but there are also pay what you can tickets made available daily that can be purchased online or in person upon arrival.
Starting July 22, Canadian Stage will also run backstage tours of the amphitheatre if you’re interested in some behind the scenes sights before the performance. They will also host a “Dog Night” on Aug. 6, if you’re thinking of bringing your pup along to the play.
For more live performances under the stars this summer, you could also check out Guild Festival Theatre which will soon be taking over the majestic Greek Theatre in Scarborough. Located inside Guild Park and Gardens, their 2025 programming will include a world premiere inspired by “Hamlet” called “Heratio” by Genevieve Adam.
It will also feature a comedy spy thriller called “The 39 Steps,” based on an Alfred Hitchcock classic and adapted by Patrick Barlow.
“The 39 Steps” will run from July 17 to Aug. 3 with performances every day but Mondays. “Heratio” will start on Aug. 7 and go until Aug. 24 every day but Mondays. General admission tickets for the plays range from $22.50 to $27.50.
So, even though your summer schedule might be starting to fill up with all of the greatness that Toronto has to offer, maybe you’ll have room to slot in a night of live theatre under our city’s open sky.
By Irelyne Lavery, Torontocom
