Crow’s Theatre announces packed 2025-26 season, including major partnership with Soulpepper
iPhoto caption: The 'Octet' company. Photos by Dahlia Katz.
Next season, Crow’s Theatre will stage work by Michael Healey, Dave Malloy, Eboni Booth, Erin Shields, and Tennessee Williams, among others. The company is also launching a three-year partnership with Soulpepper Theatre, which will involve four large-scale 2025-26 co-productions.
“Soulpepper and Crow’s… share many common values, including a commitment to creative excellence, city-building, and the development of new Canadian work,” wrote Crow’s Theatre artistic director Chris Abraham in a press release. “Our joint presentation with Soulpepper of The Master Plan in the 2024-25 season… suggested uncharted possibilities to expand upon production partnership into something longer term — a vision for a new approach to collaboration that would not only deepen production capacity but also nurture a more active and engaged audience for theatre in our city.”
This morning’s announcement also revealed that Crow’s is transforming its Nada Ristich Studio-Gallery on Dundas East into a performance venue for music, comedy, drag, and local/international fringe hits. Programming details for that space will follow in the fall, with an expected January 2026 launch.
The 2025-26 season lineup is listed below.
The Welkin
Written by Lucy Kirkwood
Directed by Weyni Mengesha
September 4 – October 5, 2025
Young Centre for the Performing Arts (Baillie Theatre)
A Crow’s Theatre, Soulpepper Theatre, and The Howland Company co-production
Rural England, 1759. Halley’s Comet burns across the sky, and a young woman is sentenced to hang. When she tries to escape the noose by claiming to be pregnant, a jury of 12 women must decide whether she’s telling the truth. First produced in 2020 at London’s National Theatre, The Welkin is a courtroom drama about justice, duty, and righteous dissent.
Octet
Written and composed by Dave Malloy
Directed by Chris Abraham
September 9 – October 12, 2025
Streetcar Crowsnest (Guloien Theatre)
A Crow’s Theatre, Soulpepper Theatre, and Musical Stage Company co-production
From the composer of Natasha, Pierre & The Great Comet of 1812 comes Octet, previously produced off-Broadway. In a tech-obsessed support group, eight Internet addicts grapple with everything from doom scrolling to Candy Crush to conspiracy theories. The Canadian premiere production features Alicia Ault, Damien Atkins, Andrew Broderick, Ben Carlson, Hailey Gillis, Zorana Sadiq, and Jacqueline Thair.
The Veil
Written by Keith Barker and Thomas Morgan Jones
Directed by Helen Juvonen
September 17 – October 12, 2025
Streetcar Crowsnest (Studio Theatre)
A Thought for Food Theatre production in association with Crow’s Theatre and Guild Festival Theatre
When a high-powered lawyer inherits a sinister curse, every terrible deed he’s ever committed stirs to life. A world premiere inspired by Edgar Allan Poe.
The Christmas Market
Written by Kanika Ambrose
Directed by Philip Akin
November 4 – November 30, 2025
Streetcar Crowsnest (Studio Theatre)
A b current Performing Arts production in association with Crow’s Theatre and Studio 180 Theatre
Far from home, three Caribbean migrant workers carve out a sense of belonging in an unfamiliar, and often unforgiving, landscape. In the quiet moments between shifts, they discover unexpected friendship, forging unshakable bonds through their humour, grit, and shared determination to survive their first Canadian winter. A world premiere.
Narnia
Adapted and directed by Fiona Sauder
Music and lyrics by Landon Doak
November 18 – December 28, 2025
Young Centre for the Performing Arts (Baillie Theatre)
A Crow’s Theatre, Soulpepper Theatre, and Bad Hats Theatre co-production
In a snowy world held captive by a powerful witch, four children — Lucy, Edmund, Susan, and Peter — tumble through an ordinary wardrobe and discover that imagination, loyalty, and courage can defy even the most fearsome of foes. This musical based on The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe premiered at Manitoba Theatre for Young People in 2023; its Toronto cast features Belinda Corpuz, Landon Doak, Sierra Haynes, Matthew Joseph, Matt Pilipiak, Jonathan Tan, and Amaka Umeh.
Rogers v. Rogers
Adapted for the stage by Michael Healey
Directed by Chris Abraham
December 2 – December 28, 2025
Streetcar Crowsnest (Guloien Theatre)
A Crow’s Theatre production
Telecom tycoon Ted Rogers built an empire turning Canada’s airwaves into cash. Now his son Edward is fighting for control of the family business. This world premiere stars Tom Rooney, and is based on Alexandra Posadzki’s Rogers v. Rogers: The Battle for Control of Canada’s Telecom Empire.
Pu Songling: Strange Tales
Adapted by Dean Gilmour, Michael Man, John Ng, Rosie Simon, Michele Smith, Jovanni Sy, Diana Tso, Lindsay Wu, and Jeff Yung
Directed by Michele Smith
January 13 – February 1, 2026
Streetcar Crowsnest (Studio Theatre)
A Theatre Smith-Gilmour production in association with Crow’s Theatre
The supernatural tales of 17th-century Chinese writer Pu Songling have engaged audiences for centuries. In a new adaptation, the enduring Theatre Smith-Gilmour brings them to life.
Summer and Smoke
Written by Tennessee Williams
Directed by Paolo Santalucia
February 3 – March 1, 2026
Streetcar Crowsnest (Guloien Theatre)
A Crow’s Theatre and Soulpepper Theatre co-production in association with Birdland Theatre
In a small town, under the wings of an angel, minister’s daughter Alma Winemiller meets John Buchanan, the reckless and intoxicating doctor next door. A rarely staged Tennessee Williams offering featuring bahia watson and Dan Mousseau.
The Surrogate
Written by Mohsin Zaidi
Directed by Christopher Manousos
February 24 – March 22, 2026
Streetcar Crowsnest (Studio Theatre)
A Here For Now Theatre production in association with Crow’s Theatre, House + Body, and b current Performing Arts
Jake and Sameer have spent years preparing for the birth of their first child. But when Marya, their surrogate, is admitted to hospital with complications, legal, ethical, and personal battles force the couple to confront questions they never expected. The debut drama from Mohsin Zaidi, author of the memoir A Dutiful Boy, featuring Fuad Ahmed, Thom Nyhuus, and Antonette Rudder.
Mary, Mary, Mary, Mary
Written by Erin Shields
Directed by Ellen McDougall
April 7 – May 3, 2026
Streetcar Crowsnest (Guloien Theatre)
A Crow’s Theatre production
Four women emerge from the desert, each bearing the name Mary. As history folds in on itself, they raise their voices in a story of faith, sacrifice, and rebellion. Featuring Vivien Endicott-Douglas, Michelle Monteith, Sabryn Rock, Nancy Palk, and Amaka Umeh.
The Division
Written and directed by Andrew Kushnir
April 21 – May 10, 2026
Streetcar Crowsnest (Studio Theatre)
A Project: Humanity production in association with Crow’s Theatre and Pyretic Productions
After publishing a eulogy for his renowned watchmaker grandfather in a national newspaper, Andrew is confronted by an accusation in the comments section. The charge sends him on a 19,000-kilometre journey through Ukraine and other parts of Europe with daunting questions. Retracing his grandfather’s footsteps as a soldier and immigrant, he unearths a family mythology that has astonishing implications for the present.
Primary Trust
Written by Eboni Booth
Directed by Cherissa Richards
May 26 – June 21, 2026
Streetcar Crowsnest (Guloien Theatre)
A Crow’s Theatre and the Grand Theatre co-production
The winner of the 2024 Pulitzer Prize for Drama, Primary Trust follows 30-something Cranberry Lake local Kenneth, who finds himself adrift after unexpectedly losing his longtime job at a bookstore. Stuck in self-doubt, he drowns his worries in cheap Mai-Tais and quality time with his best friend Bert. But when a kind waitress named Corrina mentions a job lead, Kenneth seizes the chance for a fresh start.
Crow’s Theatre is an Intermission partner. Learn more about Intermission’s partnership model here.
iPhoto caption: (L to R) Kelsey Verzotti, Kennedy Kanagawa, and Ma-Anne Dionisio. Photo by Tim Nguyen.
Theatre Calgary announces casting for world premiere musical The Tale of the Gifted Prince
Starring as Prince Ren is Kennedy Kanagawa, known for his recent Broadway appearance in Into the Woods. Joining him is Ma-Anne Dionisio as the Woman, and Kelvin Moon Loh as the King and Magistrate.
iPhoto caption: Headshot by Andy Moro.
Tara Beagan wins 2025 Governor General’s Award for drama
Published by Playwrights Canada Press, her multilingual play Rise, Red River connects environmental devastation with the intergenerational impacts of colonial violence.
Announcing the ON Criticism: 2025/26 Theatre Critics Lab cohort
Caelan Beard (Brampton), Alexandrea Marsh (London), Phillip Dwight Morgan (Toronto), Izzy Siebert (London), Joe Szekeres (Oshawa), and Hunter Weaymouth (Hamilton) will work with Intermission senior editor Liam Donovan and editorial director Karen Fricker in this six-month-long training and professional development program.
iPhoto caption: A headshot of Jonathan Church. Photo courtesy of The Stratford Festival.
Stratford names Jonathan Church as its new artistic director
“The Festival is fortunate to have attracted such a celebrated and accomplished artistic leader,” wrote Stratford executive director Anita Gaffney in a press release.
iPhoto caption: Liz Der, Vivien Endicott-Douglas, Philippa Domville, and Sofia Rodriguez. Photo by Dahlia Katz.
Chelsea Woolley world premiere to kick off 2025-26 Nightwood season
A highly physical and unexpectedly comedic work, Enormity, Girl, and the Earthquake in Her Lungs explores refuge, resilience, and survival. At its centre is Vic, a young woman who finds herself in a shelter under extraordinary circumstances.
iPhoto caption: A stock image of Lighthouse Festival Theatre in Port Dover.
Lighthouse Festival reveals 2026 summer lineup
“Our 2026 season is bursting with stories we can’t wait to share with you,” wrote artistic director Jane Spence in a press release.
iPhoto caption: Lauren Gillis and Alaine Hutton in 'Public Consumption.' Photo by Eden Graham.
REVIEW: Lester Trips’ stylish Public Consumption captures the internet’s profound emptiness
Rather than directly representing online life, Public Consumption speculates — with virtuosity — about how the digital world affects our bodies. And the show's findings are by no means comfortable.
iPhoto caption: Photo by Elana Emer.
REVIEW: Icarus Theatre’s DNA paints a disturbing mural of teenage rebellion
While director Erik Richards’ tendency toward snappy, thriller-esque pacing doesn’t suit all of DNA’s more intimate moments, it adds electricity to the drama’s group scenes, bringing playwright Dennis Kelly’s reflections on groupthink and collective grief into clear view.
iPhoto caption: Olivier Normand in 'The Far Side of the Moon.' Photo by Li Wang.
REVIEW: Lepage’s ethereal The Far Side of the Moon is insomniac theatre
The Far Side of the Moon begins and ends with a large mirror on stage, and the show extracts enigmatic power from the tantalizing question of whether its protagonist is losing himself in his reflection, or moving toward self-discovery.
iPhoto caption: 'Kokuho' still courtesy of TIFF.
REVIEW: During this year’s TIFF, two films depicted theatre as a vessel for transcendence
Of the several performing arts-adjacent selections I took in, most affecting were two dramas: Lee Sang-il’s Kokuho and Chloé Zhao’s Hamnet. In both period pieces, theatre creation serves as an emotional outlet for an artist navigating devastating loss.
iPhoto caption: Cyrus Lane and Kirstyn Russelle in Barrie run of 'Blackbird.' Photo by Dahlia Katz.
REVIEW: Talk is Free Theatre’s Blackbird offers a close-up look at two detailed performances
Emerging director Dean Deffett has concocted a tight, straightforward production, primarily of interest as an intimate character study.
iPhoto caption: Sleman Aldib and an audience member in 'The Opposite.' Still from a trailer by Spectrum Associates.
REVIEW: Kitchener’s biennial IMPACT Festival crackled with urgency
Most of the six works I viewed tackled urgent topics, from the convoluted Canadian immigration system to the Palestinian experience of displacement: explorations that line up with artistic director Pam Patel’s curatorial statement, which discusses how IMPACT ‘25 “unpacks what it means to survive, to resist, and to seek refuge” through a global, Indigenous-focused lens.
Comments