Showing 1-21 of 21 results
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Alliance Atlantis Cumberland 4
This pint-sized multiplex screens a mix of independent films and hand-picked, left-of-centre Hollywood releases. Moviegoers can swing by the lobby cappuccino bar for some above-par baked goods before the show. They have a similar, slightly more mainstream branch at The Beaches in Queen St E with parallel hours and prices.
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Bloor Cinema
Counted among the city's fave repertory cinemas, this Art Deco theatre with a two-tiered balcony screens a wonderfully varied schedule of new releases, art-house flicks, shorts, documentaries and vintage films.
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Canadian Opera Company
Warbling their pipes for over half a century, Canada's national opera company can claim to have invented Surtitles, which projects text translations visible to the audience over a proscenium arch. Advance single tickets sell out quickly; check the website about a month before opening night for details. Free concerts happen at the Richard Bradshaw Amphitheatre year-round, usually Tuesdays and Thursdays at noon.
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Canon Theatre
Another member of the Ed Mirvish theatrical cartel is this 1920s-era Pantages vaudeville hall. A stone's throw from Dundas Square, the Canon is a hot ticket for big musical extravaganzas like Wicked and We Will Rock You .
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CanStage
Contemporary CanStage produces top-rated Canadian and international plays by the likes of David Mamet and Tony Kushner. Plays are staged at its own 260-seat theatre and the St Lawrence Centre for the Arts.
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Cineforum
Irascible Torontonian character Reg Hartt has ads wrapped around telephone poles advertising his Cineforum - the front room of his skuzzy Victorian rowhouse where he showcases classic and avant-garde films. Animation retrospectives are his specialty, as are rare Salvador Dali prints. Come prepared for idiosyncratic lectures designed to expand your consciousness, sometimes delivered right while the movies are playing. Seats 20; bring your own food and drink.
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Cinematheque Ontario
Popular Cinematheque Ontario screens world cinema, independent films and retrospectives of famous directors, sometimes introduced by film critics and Canadian authors. About 400 films are shown annually at Jackman Hall at the Art Gallery of Ontario. Non-members can purchase tickets at the Manulife Centre box office 30 minutes before the day's first screening (be sure to show up early, since tickets sell out quickly).
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Cineplex Odeon Varsity
This state-of-the-art multiplex shows a respectable range of movies, from Hollywood blockbusters to small-budget indie releases. VIP theatres have extra leg room, table refreshment service and smaller screens (but excellent sound). Their Yonge Street Strip branch, Cineplex Odeon Carlton, attracts a more diverse crowd by screening major independent films and some truly bizarre offerings.
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Dancemakers
A physically provocative contemporary dance troupe, Dancemakers is emotive, expressionist and minimalist by turns. Their repertoire evolves under the guidance of Artistic Director and resident choreographer Michael Trent, with passion-driven Canadian themes. They also run dance classes from around C$9 per class.
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Docks Drive-in Theatre
What, a drive-in in downtown Toronto? Cool! This waterfront yard has space for 500 cars, and skydeck seating for non-motorists. Double bills feature first-run blockbuster movies, starting around dusk, and the usual fast food suspects are on hand. The Docks also has a minigolf course and nightclubs .
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Dream In High Park
Through Toronto's long summer evenings, CanStage's annual presentation of Shakespeare happens under the stars in High Park. Expect Much Ado About Nothing, or The Comedy of Errors perhaps. Show up early and take a blanket.
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Factory Theatre
Inside an off-the-beaten-path Victorian mansion, this innovative theatre company - the 'home of the Canadian playwright' - has been busy for 35 years. The independent SummerWorks Theatre Festival stages plays here too, as do performers from the Toronto Fringe Festival. Sunday matinees are Pay What You Can.
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Famous Players Paramount
Famous Players' gargantuan multiplex features new releases and the latest in IMAX technology, including 3D. It's always screening a dozen movies or more, with some off-beat picks found among the bigger mainstream releases. You might think twice about tackling the improbably long escalators after a few beers at the bar.
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Fox Cinema
Behind a cute little art deco shopfront amongst The Beaches cafés is this arty cinema, screening offbeat Hollywood fare (think Half Nelson, Black Dahlia, An Inconvenient Truth) and classics by Woody Allen and David Lynch. 'Movies 4 Moms' sessions happen on Wednesday afternoons.
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National Film Board Mediatheque
Aiming to 'reconnect Canadians with their past, present and future on film,' the NFB has opened its vast collection of 3200 audiovisual gems to the public. Attend a low-cost (or sometimes free) film screening in an intimate, 80-seat cinema, or try one of the personal touch-screen viewing stations. Rare DVDs and videotapes are available for rent or purchase.
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Princess Of Wales Theatre
Working in tandem with the Royal Alexandra down the street, the POW is also owned by Ed Mirvish. Book tickets for the splashy Broadway musicals playing here at the Royal Alex box office.
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Royal Alexandra Theatre
Commonly known as the 'Royal Alex,' it's one of the most impressive theatres in the city. It's amazing to think it almost became a parking lot in 1963! Expect renderings of plays like Tennessee Williams' Orpheus Descending, and mainstream fodder like Joan Collins and Linda Evans in Legends .
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Royal Cinema
The renovated Royal - a funky art deco Little Italy landmark - made a triumphant return to the Toronto alternative cinema scene in late 2006. Expect documentaries, second-run and repertory releases - anything from Monty Python to Hong Kong punch-'em-up flicks.
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St Lawrence Centre For The Arts
The 880-seat St Lawrence Centre for the Arts functions as a second, larger venue for CanStage, and also hosts dance, classical and contemporary music, opera, operetta and musicals.
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Theatre Passe Muraille
Alternative Theatre Beyond Walls is in the old Nasmith's Bakery & Stables buildings. Since the 1960s, its cutting-edge productions have focused on radical new plays with contemporary Canadian themes. Post-performance chats with the cast and producers are usually held on the first Tuesday evening after the show opens. Sunday matinees are Pay What You Can.
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Toronto Dance Theatre
Kinetic and poetic, this contemporary dance troupe performs at a restored church in Cabbagetown and the Harbourfront Centre's Premiere Dance Theatre during winter and early spring. The annual Four at the Winch event spotlights four works by emerging Canadian choreographers. The School of Toronto Dance Theatre also performs in Cabbagetown - opening nights are highly recommended!
Showing 1-21 of 21 results
