In 2020, Calgary’s performing arts venues sat empty for months. In 2021 and 2022, the arts story was about survival; in 2023, the focus was cautious optimism. This year’s watchword seems to be inclusion as the city’s arts organizations rebuild for broader audiences.
Today, venues citywide are gearing up for world-class performances, focusing on attracting new audiences and reviving those who stayed home during the pandemic. Artistic directors have promised to unite the community — and audiences are responding in kind.
Several artistic directors told us which shows they look forward to in the 2024-2025 season and why we should be excited.
Theatre Calgary + Alberta Theatre Projects
This fall, Calgary’s theatre community continues to evolve, and you’ll have many chances to catch a play in a (hopefully) packed house.
Arts Commons (soon to be re-christened the Werklund Centre) is a hub for Calgary’s theatre scene. Sarah Garton Stanely (SGS), the VP of Programming and a theatre director by trade, is particularly stoked for The Lehman Trilogy, a co-production between Arts Commons Presents and Theatre Calgary.
“The Lehman trilogy is a beautiful, beautiful show,” she says. “It’s won all the awards… It’s an amazing source of storytelling about the stock market collapse in 2008… told through the story of two brothers in mid-19th century Germany.”
But SGS is one of many artists excited about the city’s programming. Calgarian-born and raised, Haysam Kadri — known for leading the Calgary Shakespeare Company for over a decade — is now Alberta Theatre Projects’ artistic director, and he feels this season is a big one.
“Subscription numbers are the highest they’ve ever been in 15 years,” he says. “So it [this season] is a huge deal for us.”
Paul Gross, known for starring in Due South and Passchendaele, is anchoring the 50th anniversary season in ATP’s fall production of The Seafarer. Kadri says, “It’s a really fascinating play that delves into the world and the tumultuous seas of human frailty and redemption, and we’re stacking the deck with Calgarian [performers] in that show,” Reflecting on how ATP impacts Calgary, Kadri states, “The theatre is an essential service. We provide a very noble service to the community.”
SGS wants people to walk through the doors of Arts Commons and feel at home. “The more that can happen, the more we are helping to co-create the city that we all want. ”
“This is Calgary, an unbelievably diverse place, and the stories that come with that must be on our stages.”
Even More Theatre
Handsome Alice Theatre begins its 24/25 season with a Tarragon Theatre/Verb Theatre co-production of Our Fathers, Sons, Lovers and Little Brothers. September 13 to 28 at the Big Secret Theatre
Front Row Centre is bringing Nunsense: A Musical Comedy to the Pumphouse for a rowdy night of musical revue. Sept 13 to 28 at the Victor Mitchell Theatre.
Broadway Across Canada brings the Broadway sensation Come From Away to Cowtown audiences this fall. September 17 to 22, at the Jubilee Auditorium.
Downstage is producing The Strategy of War this fall, a fusion of solo performance and live percussion. September 19 to 29 at Motel Theatre.
Vertigo Theatre is bringing horror-thriller The Woman in Black from London’s West End to Calgary. September 28 to October 27 at The Playhouse.
Morpheus Theatre celebrates its 30th season with the irreverent farce Drinking Habits. October 4 to 12 at the Pumphouse Theatre.
Storybook Theatre presents the YA classic Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Musical this fall. October 11 to November 2 at Beddington Theatre Arts Centre.
Lunchbox Theatre begins its 50th season with Jake’s Gift, a meditation on WWII. October 30 to November 17 at The Studio.
