As 2025 comes to a close and we start a fresh with a new year, and a blank slate of entertainment to come. From a year filled with murder mysteries, grand period pieces, heartfelt dramas, rousing musicals and knee-slapping Pantos and this is a look back at a dozen favourite shows from the last year.
Starting with two still on stage, the list is presented in closing dates not rank
Disney’s Frozen The Broadway Musical @ The Arts Club (newly renamed) Stanley BFL Canada Stage from October 30, 2025 until January 4, 2026:
Featuring Music and Lyrics by the award winning Kristen Anderson-Lopez and Robert Lopez with book by Jennifer Lee, based on Disney’s animated classic also written by Lee, Disney’s Frozen The Broadway Musical featuring stunning special effects, costumes and an all-star cast, is a triumph of the magic of theatre.
Photo: David Cooper
Annie @ Gateway Theatre from December 11, 2025 to January 3, 2026:
Adapted for Broadway, from the century-old comic strip “Little Orphan Annie”, with book by Thomas Meehan and music by Charles Strouse & lyrics by Martin Charnin, Annie brings the sun out and smiles wide in this extravaganza directed by Josh Epstein and starring the excellent Azaleah Korn as the red-headed orphan
The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (abridged) [revised] [again] @ Bard on the Beach Douglas Campbell Stage from July 1 to September 20:
The production is riotous face-paced fun with three players tasked to deliver a lightning round of all 37 Shakespeare works – comedies, tragedies, histories, sonnets and the “problem plays” within a countdown set to 90 minutes, plus intermission.
The Two Gentlemen of Verona @ Bard on the Beach BMO Mainstage from June 13 to September 19:
Directed by Dean Paul Gibson the comedy took a nostalgic and tongue-in-cheek trip back to the ‘80s, sprinkled with homages to the era’s pop-culture characters and all the pastel suits, leather and lace costumes, pop dance classics and power ballads those of us of a certain age remembered fondly or cringed with embarrassment while being thoroughly entertained.
Black Box Theatre Company’s The Play That Goes Wrong @ Waterfront Theatre from August 13 to 30:
For its debut presentation Black Box Theatre Company’s choice of The Play That Goes Wrong is perfect – the comedy based on the opening night of Cornley Polytechnic Drama Society’s bumbling production of The Murder at Haversham Manor is a play within a play where anything that could go wrong is meant to go wrong allowing it to hide any actual production foibles, not that there were any in this hilarious play.
A History Of Motown @ Firehall Arts Centre from April 2 to 13 with a return engagement August 6 to 17:
So good, it needed two runs in the same season! Lead by the supreme, soulful vocals of Krystle Dos Santos bringing the sounds of the Motor City in a wonderful production that is part cabaret, part review, part history lesson and all party that literally had the audience dancing in the aisle.
Legally Blonde @ Theatre Under The Stars from July 3 to August 16:
Based on Reese Witherspoon’s 2001 film, which was based on a book by Amanda Brown, Legally Blonde The Musical starred powerhouse Abby Woodhouse, making her TUTS debut, as sorority girl Elle Woods leading the bubbly rom-com that gleefully leaned into its over-the-top camp for a positive comedy full of heart and laughs.
Waitress The Musical @ The Arts Club Theatre Company (former) Stanley Industrial Alliance Stage June 12 until August 3:
Rachel Drance, making her professional theatre debut, delivered a tour de force performance leading a brilliant cast through the musical based on Adrienne Shelly’s 2007 indie film, “Waitress”. Waitress The Musical features a book by Jessie Nelson with music and lyrics by Grammy-award winner Sara Bareilles.
Casey and Diana @ The Arts Club Theatre Company (former) Stanley Industrial Alliance Stage from April 24 to May 25:
The Arts Club Theatre Company’s presentation of the award-winning Casey and Diana by Nick Green, based on the true story of Her Royal Highness Princess Diana’s 1991 visit to Canada’s first HIV/AIDS hospice, Casey House, was filled with every emotion from hilarious ups to devastating downs, that still left the audience feeling hopeful
Photo: Moonrider Productions
Royal City Musical Theatre’s 9 to 5 The Musical @ Massey Theatre from April 25 to May 11:
With music and lyrics by Dolly Parton with a book by Patricia Resnick, based on her screenplay from the 1980 film of the same name, 9 to 5: The Musical was a rollicking workplace comedy with a stellar cast including the stand-out leading ladies; Maia Beresford, Irene Karas Loeper and Madeleine Suddaby
Pride & Prejudice @ Gateway Theatre from April 17 to 26:
Wrapping up its 2024-25 season Gateway presented a fresh, fast-paced laugh-out-loud adaptation of Jane Austen’s classic, Pride & Prejudice, by acclaimed playwright Kate Hamill and starring Kate Besworth
And Then There Were None @ Metro Theatre from February 28 to March 22:
Agatha Christie adapted her best-selling crime novel for the stage bringing an air of mystery to the production that sticks closely to the original source with a slightly different but no less thrilling ending than the novel.