The holidays are almost here and now is the perfect time to get ahead on your shopping! Maybe you’ve been giving tickets to Playhouse shows as gifts for years or maybe you’ve never thought to. Either way, now is your chance to put a smile on the faces of your friends and family members by getting them tickets to a show tailor-made for them. Give your loved ones the gift of spending time together this year by taking them to a show.
The best part? If you purchase a $100 gift card this holiday season, you will receive a complimentary Playhouse membership- perfect to add to the gift, or keep for yourself! Click here to get the offer.
There’s something for everyone. Check it out!
For the Singer-songwriter Fan
Travelogue: In the Footsteps of Joni Mitchell - March 22
Join an array of musicians as they honour and perform the timeless work of Joni Mitchell. One of the most influential singer-songwriters of all time, Mitchell’s career spans half a century, and each of her albums is a universe in itself; audiences will almost certainly have heard of her 1971 record Blue, which NPR put at the top of its 2017 list of Greatest Albums Made by Women. She holds ten Grammy awards and has been inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, and her influence on contemporary music is incalculable.
Nico Paulo - May 10 (Pay What You Will)
Nico Paulo is a Portuguese/Canadian pop songwriter, performer, and visual artist. She moved to Canada in 2014 to pursue her career, originally setting down roots in the vibrant Toronto arts community, and eventually moved east to become an essential part of Newfoundland’s celebrated music scene.
Paulo released her debut single, the wistful “Please Don’t Forget,” in 2019; her debut EP, Wave Call, arrived in 2020. Paulo’s highly anticipated, self-titled debut LP, released in April 2023, is a melodically dynamic, heart-baring collection that finds her exploring the interconnected nature of relationships and the flow of time in lush, sophisticated pop arrangements.
For the Folk lover
Morgan Toney - Feb 18 (Pay What You Will)
Morgan Toney combines the fiery fiddling of Cape Breton Island with his Mi’kmaq roots. At only 23 years old, the Nova Scotian musician has created a name for himself with his unique take on traditional East Coast fiddle music, which he and his collaborator Keith Mullins have dubbed “Mi’kmaltic.” A blend of Mi’kmaq + Celtic, Toney fuses cultural heritages, drawing from old songs of the Mi’kmaq, some dating back 500 years.
Saltwater Songs - April 11
With Saltwater Songs, Catherine MacLellan, Rachel Beck, and Cassie & Maggie are joining forces to present a brand new songwriters’ circle. These three East Coast acts will share the stage for a collaborative evening of entertainment, including original folk, pop, and Americana, as well as traditional fiddle tunes and step dance.
Le Vent du Nord - May 11
The award winning and highly acclaimed band Le Vent du Nord is a leading force in Quebec’s progressive francophone folk movement. The group’s vast repertoire draws from both traditional sources and original compositions, while enhancing its hard-driving soulful music (rooted in the Celtic diaspora) with a broad range of global influences. “Featuring button accordion, guitar and fiddle, the band’s sound is defined by the hurdy-gurdy, which adds an earthy, rough-hewn flavor to even the most buoyant dance tunes.” — Boston Herald.
For the Rocker
Les Hôtesses d’Hilaire - February 17 (Pay What You Will)
Les Hôtesses d’Hilaire may have an offbeat sense of humour, but they’re always on beat when it comes to their lively tunes. This Acadian comedy-musical group, established in Moncton, NB in 2010, is known for their groovy, funky, psychedelic rock sound. Their lyrics are self-effacing and straight to the point: “I think it’s safe to say, we’re gonna have some fun today,” begins “Safe to Say”. This is a band that above all wants to show you a good time and have fun doing it.
Classic Albums Live Performs Supertramp’s Crime of the Century - February 23
Calling all prog-rock lovers: Classic Albums Live is back to perform Crime of the Century, Supertramp’s 1974 record that solidified their status as art rock pioneers. A perennial Playhouse favourite, Classic Albums Live presents skilled musicians who recreate the greatest albums of the ‘60s and ‘70s live on stage — note for note, cut for cut.
For the Chorister
Harlem Gospel Choir - January 26
Performing contemporary gospel with a touch of jazz and blues, the world famous Harlem Gospel Choir is synonymous with power vocals, glorious sound, and infectious energy. For over two decades they have been America's premier gospel choir and have toured the globe thrilling audiences with the inspirational power of black gospel music.
Choir! Choir! Choir! - April 15
Choir! Choir! Choir! is an interactive singing experience where the audience is led in song for a participatory and powerful performance. A Toronto-based singing group led by creative directors Nobu Adilman and Daveed Goldman, Choir! takes a non-traditional approach; there are no auditions, just buy a ticket and you’re in! Show up and they'll teach you an original arrangement to a song you love.
For Girls Night Out
Candace Bushnell True tales From Sex and the City - April 10
In her new one-woman show, New York icon Candace Bushnell, the international best-selling novelist and creator of Sex and the City, takes us on a whirlwind tour of New York City. The original Carrie Bradshaw herself, Candace Bushnell has lived a full and fabulous life. Her story began with a 1990s New York Observer newspaper column about the lives of her and her friends - dating, parties, fashion, and the big city. Today that column has been adapted into a massively successful franchise (four books, a tv series, and two movies), and it all started with Bushnell.
For the Dancer
Ballet Edmonton - March 19
Ballet Edmonton will present a dynamic evening of contemporary ballet. The evening's mixed program includes Le Quattro, by Ballet Edmonton Artistic Director Wen Wei Wang, set to Max Richter’s reimagined score of Vivaldi’s Four Seasons, and Only the Window by Zurich-based choreographer Ihsan Rustem featuring an original score by Canadian composer Davidson Jaconello.
Namaste India by Beyond Bollywood - April 27
Namaste India is a magical journey, depicting India and its myriad of dance forms. From the expressive ‘Bharatanatyam’ from the South to the vibrant and energetic ‘Bhangra’ from the North, you will witness a spectacle guiding you through the different states of India. Join Beyond Bollywood for an epic odyssey across a beautiful country, authenticity represented by their ethnic folk dance forms.
Benched: Uppercut Dance Theatre - May 27
In this contemporary Danish dance work, five male dancers perform in Johan Kølkjær’s set design of oversized and mobile benches that are constantly being transformed. Award-winning choreographer Stephanie Thomasen has created the concept and choreography for the performance, where the dancers with great musicality, physicality and interaction examine human relationships.
For the Whole Family
Snow White: DuffleBag Theatre - December 27 (Pay What you Will)
Dufflebag Theatre is back with another one of their signature interactive fairy tales, and this time, it’s Snow White and the Seven Dwarves! Everyone knows the classic tale: a princess, an evil queen, a cottage in the woods, seven dwarves, a hapless Huntsman, and some bad apples.
This show is powered by audience participation, as the Dufflebag troupe invites volunteers to join them onstage to help save Snow White. Unpredictable, whimsical, and adventurous, this performance is guaranteed fun for the whole family!
The Pack Drumline – February 3
Get ready for an electrifying performance with The Pack Drumline! This group of talented musicians and performers bring their dynamic rhythms and high-energy beats to the stage in a show that will leave you breathless. The Pack Drumline have honed their craft through years of training and performance, and their unique blend of Southern show-style drumming with intense, upbeat choreography works to create a production both powerful and awe-inspiring.
FLIP Fabrique: The Muse - March 7
Muse offers up a refreshing view of contemporary circus by asking a deceptively simple question: what does it mean to be a woman? Well, the answer to that question might require some… acrobatics. Get ready to see it explored by powerful women, graceful men, and every permutation in between. Created by FLIP Fabrique, this is a circus show like you’ve never seen before - daring feats and amazing acrobatics are the canvas on which these performers play with gender roles and stereotypes.
If you’re not sure what show to pick, get them a Playhouse gift certificate! When you purchase a gift certificate of $100, you will get a FREE Playhouse membership for the 2023-2024 season to keep for yourself or to gift!
Give the gift of live performance this season. Shop online, in person, or by phone at 458-8344.