Featuring three Toronto premieres and one Canadian premiere along with two popular musicals, CanStage aims to celebrate their birthday with a bang.

In a press release announcing the anniversary season, Martin Bragg, the Artistic Producer states, “Celebrating this anniversary season, we have reflected on what is at the heart of CanStage today, and the amazing theatrical journey that has brought us here. We have chosen a season of powerful, relevant and exciting plays and musicals and have invited artists who have appeared on our stages over the last 20 years to come home and celebrate. Over the last 20 years we have built a rich tradition of contemporary storytelling. Embracing our history, we have programmed a season filled with extraordinary stories. The Bluma season will be filled with poignant and universal productions. There will be humour, suspense and drama; there will be laughter and tears. There is fabulous music from the rock ‘n’ roll and gospel in Fire, to the Motown and doo-wop in Little Shop of Horrors. Each of these stories will touch and enthrall the audience in a different way. The Berkeley season has a focus on edgier subject matter — our Berkeley Street audiences have come to expect and embrace intense theatrical experiences. The three plays of 2007-2008 are powerful stories of incredible human lives that will open your eyes and move you in unexpected ways.”

The season is as follows:

A Midsummer Night's Dream

June 26th - September 2nd, 2007

By William Shakespeare

Directed by ahdri zhina mandiela

June 26th - September 2nd, 2007

TD Dream In High Park

This is the 25th Anniversary production of Dream In High Park, held annually outdoors in Toronto's largest park.

The Elephant Man

October 8th - November 3rd, 2007

Written by Bernard Pomerance

Directed by Robin Phillips

Bluma Appel Theatre

Based on real events, The Elephant Man focuses on the grotesque Merrick, who suffers from Elephant Man disease. His disfigured figure turns him into a local celebrity, and ultimately leads to his demise.

Little Shop Of Horrors

November 15th - December 15th, 2007

Written by Alan Menken and Howard Ashman

Directed by Ted Dykstra

Bluma Appel Theatre

A hit Off-Broadway musical and popular cult-film, Little Shop Of Horrors tells the tale of Seymour and his alien plant, who craves human blood.

The Clean House

February 11th - March 8th, 2008

By Sarah Ruhl

Directed by Alisa Palmer

Starring Fiona Reid

Bluma Appel Theatre

Mathilde is the funniest person in Brazil, yet she works as a Maid in a Doctors house. She hates to clean, and spends her time trying to conjure up the perfect joke.

Fire

March 20th - April 19th, 2008

Written by Paul Ledoux and David Young

Directed by James MacDonald

Starring Ted Dykstra

In co-production with the Citadel Theatre (Edmonton)

Bluma Appel Theatre

Winner of 4 Dora Awards, Fire is loosely based on the lives of rocker Jerry Lee Lewis and his cousin, Evangelist Jimmy Swaggert.

Misery

May 1st - May 31st, 2008

By Stephen King

Adapted for the stage by Simon Moore

Directed by David Storch

Starring Nicola Cavendish

Bluma Appel Theatre

Novelist Paul Sheldon is in a car accident, and he wakes up in the care of his fan, Annie Wilkes. Soon he realizes he is not being tended to as a patient, but rather a hostage.

The Pillowman

September 17th - October 27th, 2007

Written by Martin McDonagh

Directed by David Ferry

Produced in association with BirdLand Theatre

Berkeley Street Theatre Downstairs

A smash Broadway play that was nominated for numerous Tony Awards in 2005, The Pillowman tells the story of a writer who is interrogated following several murders of children.

The Palace Of The End

January 14th - February 23rd, 2008

Written by Judith Thompson

Directed by David Storch

Berkeley Street Theatre Downstairs

Written by one of Canada's foremost playwrights, The Palace Of The End deals with three points of view from those involved in the struggles with Saddam Hussein and Iraq.

The December Man

April 7th - May 17th, 2008

Written by Colleen Murphy

Directed by Micheline Chevrier

Berkeley Street Theatre Downstairs

After a tragic event, a family tries to rebuild and help their son deal with his guilt and rage.

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