Mirvish Productions
Founded1986 (1986)
FoundersDavid Mirvish
Ed Mirvish
TypeTheatrical productions
Location
Websitemirvish.com

Mirvish Productions, commonly known as Mirvish, is a Canadian theatrical production company, based in Toronto. Founded in 1986 by David Mirvish with his father, Ed Mirvish, it is the largest commercial theatre company in Canada.[1][2] Mirvish Productions own and operate four theatres in the downtown Toronto area: the Royal Alexandra Theatre, Princess of Wales Theatre, Ed Mirvish Theatre, and the CAA Theatre.[3]

History

Beginning and early years

In 1963, at the encouragement of his wife (Anne) and son (David), Ed Mirvish purchased the Royal Alexandra Theatre in Toronto, saving it from demolition. He spent several months renovating the theatre and installing a large marquee at the front of the theatre.[4] The theatre re-opened on September 9, 1963, with the Canadian premiere of Never Too Late, which starred William Bendix.[4] In the subsequent years, the Royal Alexandra Theatre was used as a "road house", which staged short touring productions from London and New York.

In 1982, London's The Old Vic theatre was placed for sale and ultimately purchased by Ed Mirvish for £550,000, outbidding Andrew Lloyd Webber.[4] With his son David, they refurbished the theatre to allow it to return to staging productions.[5] The theatre reopened on October 31, 1983 with The Queen Mother in attendance.[6] Following mounting financial losses, Mirvish sold The Old Vic to a charitable trust in 1998, which will continue operating the theatre as a non-profit.[7][8]

By 1985, Ed began to retire and transition out of the theatre industry.[9][4] In 1986, David Mirvish sensed greater potential with the shows being staged by them, which led to the founding of Mirvish Productions in 1987.[10]

In 1991, the Tomson Highway play, Dry Lips Oughta Move to Kapuskasing, was staged at the Royal Alexandra Theatre. It became the first play by an Indigenous author to be staged there, and was the first native Canadian play to receive a major commercial production in Canada.[11]

Theatres

The first theatre used by Mirvish Productions was the Royal Alexandra Theatre, which was purchased by Ed Mirvish in 1963.[12] In 1987, the theatre was named a National Historic Monument.[13]

In 1991, Ed and David Mirvish began construction of a new theatre built on a vacant lot on King Street East in downtown Toronto.[14] It was the first privately funded theatre to be built in Canada, since the Royal Alexandra Theatre in 1907.[14] The new 2000-seat theatre was named the Princess of Wales Theatre in honour of Diana, Princess of Wales.[15] The theatre opened on May 26, 1993, with a Canadian production of Miss Saigon that was produced in partnership with Cameron Mackintosh.[16]

In 2001, Mirvish began leasing space at the Canon Theatre to present productions.[17] As part of the lease agreement, Mirvish was granted the first right to purchase the theatre should it be placed for sale. This sale took place in 2008, when Key Brand Entertainment agreed to sell the Canon Theatre to Mirvish.[18] As part of the sale, Mirvish also acquired the 700-seat Panasonic Theatre. Although the sale of Canon Theatre was challenged by Aubrey Dan, Mirvish won the protracted legal battle, ultimately giving Mirvish two Yonge Street theatres.[19][20]

On December 6, 2011, Mirvish announced that the Canon Theatre would be renamed the Ed Mirvish Theatre in honour of Ed Mirvish, who passed away in July 2007.[21]

On September 29, 2012, Mirvish Productions announced a plan to demolish the Princess of Wales Theatre in favour of a multi-purpose complex designed by Frank Gehry that would include an extensive artwork collection available for public viewing, as well as museums, condominium units, and retail spaces.[22] However, following extensive consultations and criticism from city planners, Mirvish announced a revised plan in May 2014 that would save the Princess of Wales Theatre.[23][24]

On December 1, 2017, the Panasonic Theatre was renamed the CAA Theatre as part of a marketing partnership between Mirvish Productions and CAA.[25]

Theatre renovations

In 2016, following the closure of the Canadian production of Kinky Boots, the Royal Alexandra Theatre underwent a $2.5 million renovation. 250 seats were removed in favour of larger, more comfortable seats and greater leg room, and a general refurbishment of the theatre was undertaken.[26]

In 2019, the façade of the Royal Alexandra Theatre was wrapped in blue for the Canadian production of Dear Evan Hansen.[27] The blue wrap was removed after the production closed.[28]

In 2021, the Ed Mirvish Theatre underwent an extensive renovation in preparation for the Canadian production of Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, which opened on May 31, 2022. The renovations, which cost $5 million, transformed the lobby areas and the auditorium and was done to truly immerse the audience in the play.[29] This included a seat reduction, an aisle realignment, the addition of faux side and rear walls, and a new color palette and design work to match with the play's theme throughout the theatre.[30]

Television

In 2008, Mirvish Productions partnered Andrew Lloyd Webber to produce a reality talent competition series, How Do You Solve a Problem Like Maria?, based on the 2006 BBC One series of the same name. The series aimed to find a Canadian actress to play Maria von Trapp in the 2008 Andrew Lloyd Webber and David Mirvish revival of Rodgers and Hammerstein's The Sound of Music in Toronto.[31] The series premiered June 15, 2008, on CBC Television, and ended July 28, 2008. Elicia MacKenzie was named the winner, and played the lead role in the Canadian production.[32] The runner-up, Janna Polzin, was later named the alternate Maria for the same production.[33]

In 2012, Mirvish Productions again partnered with Webber to produce another reality talent competition series, Over the Rainbow. This series, which premiered in September 2012 on CBC Television, was to find a Canadian actress to play the lead role of Dorothy in a North American production of Andrew Lloyd Webber's stage musical adaptation of The Wizard of Oz. On November 5, 2012, Danielle Wade was named the winner. She originated the role of Dorothy at the Ed Mirvish Theatre in December 2012, as well as the subsequent North American tour.[34][35]

Despite not winning the series, other contestants have gone on to perform lead roles in Canadian engagements of shows produced by Mirvish. The runner-up, Stephanie LaRochelle, made her Mirvish debut in the Canadian production of Dear Evan Hansen at the Royal Alexandra Theatre in 2019, when she was cast in the lead role of Zoe Murphy.[36] The second runner-up, AJ Bridel, also made her Mirvish debut in the lead role of Lauren in the Canadian production of Kinky Boots in 2015 at the Royal Alexandra Theatre.[37]

COVID-19

On March 14, 2020, for the first time in the company's history, Mirvish Productions closed their doors and suspended all performances at their theatres due to public health concerns amidst the COVID-19 pandemic.[38] The initial closures were planned to last for a month, with the performances of Hamilton and Come from Away being suspended.[39] Due to province-wide shutdowns and restrictions implemented by the Ontario government, Mirvish's theatres remained closed indefinitely.[40] This resulted in Hamilton's tour stop in Toronto ending abruptly, just one month into the planned three month run.

Throughout the closures, Mirvish ran some virtual programming and entertainment. This included a YouTube web series Check in from Away, co-hosted by Come from Away cast member Steffi DiDomenicantonio and stage manager Lisa Humber.[41] On August 24, 2021, Mirvish announced their 2021-22 subscription seasons to begin later that Fall.[42] Mirvish's main subscription season resumed on November 30, 2021, with the 50th anniversary tour of Jesus Christ Superstar.[43] However, on December 24, 2021, Mirvish cancelled the remaining two weeks of the show due to positive COVID tests within the cast and crew.[44]

On December 15, 2021, the Canadian production of Come from Away returned to the Royal Alexandra Theatre for the first time since their forced closure in March 2020 because of the COVID-19 pandemic.[45] However, a week after its re-opening, Mirvish was forced to pause performances of Come from Away because of positive COVID-19 tests.[46] A week later, Mirvish announced that the Canadian production of Come from Away would close permanently, after 855 performances.[47] This announcement was met with widespread shock from the Canadian theatre industry and many Canadian news outlets, with many expressing outrage at the lack of funding for commercial theatre companies.[48] In an announcement on the closure, David Mirvish wrote:

“In other parts of the world, the government has stepped up to support the commercial theatre sector by offering a financial safety net for the sector to reopen and play during the pandemic, thus protecting the tens of thousands of good jobs the sector creates. That is the case in the US, the UK and Australia – where productions of Come From Away continue to play: in the US on Broadway and on tour, in London’s West End in the UK, and in Sydney, Australia. But in Canada there is no such government support. And without such a safety net it is impossible for the production to take yet another extended hiatus. The costs of reopening a second time are prohibitively high and risky. I know this news is shocking, and it causes me and our partners great pain to have to take this action, but we are simply out of options. The most responsible way forward is to close the production.”[49]

On January 5, 2022, Mirvish announced a revised 2022 main subscription season. The planned West End transfer of Leopoldstadt was cancelled because of the continuing border closures in Canada and the large cast size, a few weeks before it was scheduled to open at the Princess of Wales Theatre.[50] It was ultimately replaced with a transfer of Singin' in the Rain, that would be performed in September - October 2022. Pressure was similarly cancelled, and replaced by Jake Epstein's one-man show, Boy Falls From The Sky, which was added to main season subscription.[51]

By August 2022, attendance at Mirvish shows showed signs of revitalization following several months of pandemic uncertainty and government-imposed capacity limits. On August 18, 2022, Mirvish said that the final three weeks of the pre-Broadway engagement of & Juliet were sold out and that they were unable to keep up with the demand for tickets to the show.[52] Mirvish also noted that their new Canadian production of Harry Potter and the Cursed Child has been sold out since the start of their run.[52] By the end of 2022, Mirvish had not cancelled a performance that year because of COVID-19, with The Globe and Mail noting the Canadian production of Harry Potter and the Cursed Child grossed approximately $2 million in sales over the last week of 2022 (setting a Canadian box office record for a non-musical play).[53]

Description

Schedule

Although there are some exceptions, shows programmed by Mirvish at one of their theatres generally perform the traditional 8-performance week. There are often evening performances that begin at either 7:30pm or 8:00pm from Tuesday through Saturday. There are "matinée" (afternoon) performances at either 1:30pm or 2:00pm on Wednesday, Saturday, and Sunday. Mirvish's theatres do not perform shows on Mondays and are considered to be "dark" that day.[54] This is a similar performance schedule to what is often seen on Broadway.[55]

Audience

Attending a live theatre show is often a popular tourist activity in Toronto, with Mirvish's theatres as being the opportunity to see major theatrical productions.[56] Tickets for Mirvish shows are purchased exclusively through the official Mirvish channels, such as by phone or through their website.[57] By 2019, Mirvish introduced a digital lottery system where customers can enter for a chance to purchase tickets to many of their shows at a significantly discounted rate.[58] This was first notably used for the 2019 tour stop of Book of Mormon, introduced again in 2020 for Hamilton, and has since been used for many of the popular productions offered by Mirvish.[59][60][58]

In an effort to attract high school and post-secondary students, Mirvish began offering special student rates to the off-Mirvish subscription season packages in 2020.[61]

Programming and subscription seasons

(see § Theatrical subscription seasons, below)

Mirvish Productions often programs a wide range of shows into their theatres each year. Historically, musicals have tended to fare better with Mirvish's audiences than plays and are often more frequently programmed.[62] Also, the types of shows that are often performed at Mirvish's theatres typically include well-known, international productions that originated on Broadway and/or London's West End. On occasion, Mirvish programs shows that originated in other countries, such as Australia (Muriel's Wedding[63]) and South Korea (The Last Empress[64]). Mirvish frequently programs shows that are promoted as pre-Broadway engagements that run for a limited time before later opening on Broadway. Recent examples of this include Aladdin in 2011, Ain't too Proud in 2018, and & Juliet in 2022.[65][66][67] World premiere performances of shows are occasionally run by Mirvish, such as Jane Eyre in 1996, and Arrabal in 2014.[68][69]

Many of the shows programmed by Mirvish are run through their two subscription seasons. The main subscription seasons often consists of popular musicals and plays from Broadway that are touring, pre-Broadway engagements, and transfers from London's West End.[70] Many of the shows offered on the main subscription season often run for 6 to 7 weeks, and are performed at any of their four theatres. As of 2018, there are approximately 45,000 main season subscribers.[71]

In 2012, Mirvish began offering an off-Mirvish subscription season, which is similar to off-Broadway.[72] These are smaller scale shows, and are often co-produced with smaller Toronto-area theatres with the intention of marketing them to larger audiences.[73][72] Shows included in the off-Mirvish subscription usually include productions that are "edgier" and often include more mature content than what is normally seen in the mainstream productions in the main subscription season.[74] Dramatic plays and revues are commonly included in the off-Mirvish subscription seasons.[62] The off-Mirvish subscription season has typically consisted of 3 productions, although 4 productions were included in the inaugural 2012-2013 season. Shows offered in the off-Mirvish subscription season typically run for 4 to 5 weeks, are normally performed at the CAA Theatre.[73]

Sit-down productions

Mirvish often produces special Canadian engagements of shows on their stages, for either an extended engagement or open-ended runs (such as Come from Away) with no specified closing date. These local sit-down productions are similar to the local sit-down productions hosted in other major theatrical venues, such as Chicago or London, England.[75] In many instances, though not necessarily all, these productions include casts that are entirely or mostly Canadian.

Long running productions

The following table lists the productions that have performed at least 100 performances continuously, or as part of special engagement or sit-down productions programmed by Mirvish. Productions that arrive as part of a tour, which normally run for 6 or 7 weeks, are not included in these totals. These figures assume the standard 8-week performance schedule used by Mirvish, which equals approximately 416 performances a year.[107] All figures are approximate, unless otherwise cited.

Updated as of March 10, 2024

Rank Title Type Opening date Closing date Performances Additional information
1 Mamma Mia! Musical May 11, 2000 May 22, 2005 2,044[108]
  • Longest running show and musical in Mirvish history
2 The Lion King Musical March 30, 2000 January 4, 2004 1,560[109]
3 Beauty and the Beast Musical July 25, 1995 August 30, 1997 874
4 Crazy for You Musical December 1, 1993 December 31, 1995 866
5 Come from Away Musical February 13, 2018 December 22, 2021 855[110]
  • Longest running Canadian show and musical
  • Canadian production played at the Royal Alexandra Theatre (February 13, 2018 - January 20, 2019); Elgin Theatre (February 5, 2019 - December 1, 2019); Royal Alexandra Theatre (December 19, 2019 - March 13, 2020; December 15–22, 2021)
6 Miss Saigon Musical May 8, 1993 April 30, 1995 824
7 We Will Rock You Musical March 14, 2007 June 28, 2009 788
  • Canadian production played at the Canon Theatre (March 14, 2007 - June 1, 2008); Panasonic Theatre (July 16, 2008 - June 28, 2009)
8 Les Misérables Musical June 16, 2015 May 15, 2016 647
  • Original production (March 15, 1989 - May 26, 1990): 499 performances
  • Revival production (September 27, 2013 - February 2, 2014): 148 performances
9 Dirty Dancing Musical October 31, 2007 March 29, 2009 582[111]
10 The Sound of Music Musical October 3, 2008 January 10, 2010 529[90]
11 Harry Potter and the Cursed Child Play May 31, 2022 July 2, 2023 444
  • Longest running play
12 Kinky Boots Musical June 16, 2015 May 15, 2016 384
13 War Horse Play February 10, 2012 January 6, 2013 368[112]
14 The Producers Musical November 21, 2003 July 4, 2004 331[113]
15 Rent Musical November 25, 1997 July 26, 1998 312
16 Rock of Ages Musical April 20, 2010 January 2, 2011 296
17 The Who's Tommy Musical March 1, 1995 November 6, 1995 287
18 The Wizard of Oz Musical December 20, 2012 August 18, 2013 277
19 Hairspray Musical May 5, 2004 November 28, 2004 264[113]
20 Billy Elliot the Musical Musical February 1, 2011 September 3, 2011 244
21 The Lord of the Rings Musical February 8, 2006 September 3, 2006 230[114]
22 Matilda the Musical Musical July 5, 2016 January 7, 2017 215
23 Hamilton Musical February 22, 2023 August 20, 2023 207
24 Six Musical September 23, 2023 193
  • Currently running at the Royal Alexandra Theatre
25 Dear Evan Hansen Musical March 5, 2019 July 21, 2019 160
Once Musical February 10, 2015 June 28, 2015 160
26 Two Pianos Four Hands Play July 28, 1998 September 5, 1998 146
  • Original production (July 28, - September 5, 1998): 47 performances
  • Special revival engagements (September 18 - October 5, 2003): 21 performances; (October 29 - November 20, 2011): 27 performances
  • 20th Anniversary Reunion (June 4 - July 17, 2022): 51 performances
27 Jane Eyre Musical November 14, 1996 February 1, 1997 117
28 Cats Musical May 28, 2013 September 1, 2013 112[115]

Awards

Many of the productions performed on Mirvish's stages are honoured by the annual Dora Mavor Moore Awards (commonly called the "Dora Awards"), which are given by the Toronto Alliance for the Performing Arts (TAPA) for the best in performing arts productions in the Toronto area.[116] The Dora Award is the most prestigious award for Toronto's performing arts sector. Although similar in function to Broadway's Tony Awards or the Olivier Awards in London's West End, the Dora Awards do not often affect the Toronto theatre scene. This has been attributed to the lack of promotion of the Dora Awards ceremonies, confusing award categories, and that many of the shows nominated have already closed by the time of the awards ceremony.[117]

The most recent Dora Awards were held on September 19, 2022.[118] Mirvish Productions led all nominees with 24 nominations, and 3 wins.[119][120]

Theatrical subscription seasons

Main season

Season Subscription shows
1988-1989 Spoils of War The Nerd The Search for Signs of Intelligent Life in the Universe Les Misérables — — —
1990-1991 Sarafina! Penn and Teller: The Refrigerator Tour The Heidi Chronicles Kean, Or Disorder and Genius Time and the Conways Dry Lips Oughta Move to Kapuskasing —
1992-1993 The Secret Garden Lost in Yonkers Blood Brothers The Good Times Are Killing Me Miss Saigon Guys and Dolls —
1993-1994 Man of La Mancha Five Guys Named Moe Crazy for You — — — —
1995-1996 Beauty and the Beast The Master Builder One for the Pot Three Tall Women — — —
1996-1997 Jane Eyre Death of a Salesman The Glass Menagerie Jolson — — —
1997-1998 The Importance of Being Earnest Rent Slava's Snowshow Two Pianos Four Hands — — —
1998-1999 Racing Demon Fame Proposals Master Class Our Town Oliver! —
1999-2000 The Pajama Game Cabaret Art The Needfire Enigma Variations The Memory of Water The Lion King
2000-2001 Mamma Mia! Dame Edna: The Royal Tour Stones in His Pockets A Flea in Her Ear The Drawer Boy — —
2001-2002 The Full Monty Saturday Night Fever The Graduate Syncopation Zadie's Shoes Blast! —
2002-2003 Arturo Brachetti Contact Wingfield on Ice Mambo Italiano Aida The Producers —
2003-2004 Chicago Scaramouche Jones The Adventures of a Black Girl in Search of God Hairspray Copenhagen The Hollow Crown 2 Pianos 4 Hands
2004-2005 The Last Empress The Rat Pack: Live From Las Vegas A Couple of Blaguards Da Kink in My Hair Wicked Evita —
2005-2006 Les Misérables Movin' Out The Boy Friend The Lord of the Rings The Innocent Eye Test Cirque Eloize: Nomade Wingfield's Inferno
2006-2007[121] Martin Short: Fame Becomes Me Spamalot Legends! Pippin Orpheus Descending The Phantom of the Opera e-Dentity
2007-2008[122] Dirty Dancing Twelve Angry Men Sweeney Todd The Life and Adventures of Nicholas Nickleby (Part 1) The Life and Adventures of Nicholas Nickleby (Part 2) We Will Rock You —
2008-2009[123] The Sound of Music A Chorus Line Medea The Color Purple Spring Awakening Chitty Chitty Bang Bang Riverdancea
2009-2010[124] The Harder They Come The Boys In The Photograph Stuff Happens Fiddler on the Roof Little House on the Prairie Young Frankenstein Legally Blondeb
2010-2011[125] Priscilla, Queen of the Desert A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum Billy Elliot The Secret Garden Sweet Charity Calendar Girls —
2011-2012[126] The Railway Children Private Lives Chess Mary Poppins The Blue Dragon War Horse Hair
2012-2013[127] Backbeat La Cage Aux Folles Sister Act Honeymoon in Vegas The Wizard of Oz The Book of Mormon —
2013-2014[128] Les Misérables Aladdin Once Heartbeat of Home Arrabal The Last Confession —
2014-2015[129] Titanic The Heart of Robin Hood Our Country's Good Arcadia Blithe Spirit Kinky Boots Newsies
2015-2016[130] Motown Cinderella Gas Light The Judas Kiss If/Then A Gentleman's Guide to Love and Murder Matilda
2016-2017[131] Cuisine & Confessions Come from Away The Audience The Bodyguard Mrs Henderson Presents Strictly Ballroom Beautiful: The Carole King Musical
2017-2018[132] North by Northwest The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time Come from Away An American in Paris Annie The King and I —
2018-2019[133] Ain't Too Proud Charlie and the Chocolate Factory School of Rock The Play That Goes Wrong The Last Shipc Dear Evan Hansen Waitress
2019-2020[134] The Band's Visit Piaf/Dietrich Girl from the North Country Anastasia Hamilton The Boy Friendde —
2020-2021 The 2020-21 Mirvish subscription seasons were cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. None of the shows originally scheduled for the season were performed.
2021-2022[135] Jesus Christ Superstar Room Boy Falls From The Skyf 2 Pianos 4 Hands Harry Potter and the Cursed Child & Juliet Singin' in the Raing
2022-2023[136] The Shark is Broken Mean Girls Fisherman's Friends: The Musical Pressure Hamilton Hadestown —
2023-2024[137] Six In Dreams Jagged Little Pill 42nd Street Aladdin Les Misérables Tina: The Tina Turner Musical
2024-2025[138] Life of Pi Mamma Mia! The Lion King Moulin Rouge! Beetlejuice Back to the Future TBD

Off-Mirvish season

Season Subscription shows
2012-2013[139] Terminus Without You Clybourne Park Mary Walsh's Dancing with Rage
2013-2014[128] God of Carnage Dead Metaphor The Musical of Musicals (The Musical!) —
2014-2015[129] Buyer & Cellar Boom Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike —
2015-2016[130] Seminar Bigmouth Disgraced —
2016-2017[131] Fight Night My Night with Reg Butcher —
2017-2018[132] Salt-Water Moon King Charles III Fun Home —
2018-2019[133] Oslo Next to Normal A Doll's House, Part 2 —
2019-2020[134] Us/Them Roome Indecente —
2020-2021 The 2020-21 Mirvish subscription seasons were cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. None of the shows originally scheduled for the season were performed.
2021-2022[135] Blindness Room Boy Falls From The Sky —
2022-2023[136] Indecent Things I Know to Be True As You Like It, or The Land Acknowledgement —
2023-2024[140] To Kill a Mockingbird Pride and Prejudice* (*sort of) Uncle Vanya Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead

Theatres and current or upcoming productions

Theatre Address Capacity Current production Type Opening Closing
CAA Theatre 651 Yonge St. 700 Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead Play March 5, 2024 April 6, 2024
Ed Mirvish Theatre 244 Victoria St. 2,300 Jesus Christ Superstar Musical May 3, 2024* May 12, 2024
Princess of Wales Theatre 300 King St. W 2,000 Aladdin Musical February 15, 2024 March 17, 2024
Royal Alexandra Theatre 260 King St. W 1,244 Six Musical September 23, 2023 Open-ended

Notes

References

  1. ^ Morrow, Martin (1 October 2013). "Celebrating 50 years of the Mirvish vision". The Globe & Mail. Retrieved 24 February 2022.
  2. ^ Akrit, Michael (23 August 2021). "Mirvish Productions to breathe new life into Toronto's dormant theatre scene with new 11-production season". Toronto Star. Retrieved 24 February 2022.
  3. ^ "About". Mirvish Productions. Retrieved 24 February 2022.
  4. ^ a b c d Martin, Sandra (11 July 2007). "Mr. Toronto dies at 92". The Globe and Mail. Retrieved 29 September 2022.
  5. ^ DeVries, Hilary (7 December 1983). "Canada's 'Honest Ed' comes to the rescue of London's Old Vic". The Christian Science Monitor. Retrieved 30 September 2022.
  6. ^ Enright, Janet (2 December 1985). "Salesman for all seasons". MacLeans. Retrieved 30 September 2022.
  7. ^ "Old Vic changes hands again". CBC. CBCNews. 13 November 1998. Retrieved 30 September 2022.
  8. ^ Ellicock, Ray (18 August 1997). "Mirvishes Put London Old Vic Up for Sale". Playbill. Retrieved 30 September 2022.
  9. ^ Taylor, John Doug (28 May 2015). "Toronto's historic Royal Alexandra Theatre". Historic Toronto. Retrieved 30 September 2022.
  10. ^ Mirvish, David (19 June 2022). "David Mirvish on the life and legacy of his father, Honest Ed". Toronto Star. Retrieved 30 September 2022.
  11. ^ "Tomson Highway In Conversation". YouTube. MirvishProductions. 16 June 2021. Retrieved 20 September 2022.
  12. ^ Hall, Alix (13 August 2016). "A Brief History Of Toronto's Royal Alexandra Theatre". Culture Trip. Retrieved 29 September 2022.
  13. ^ Marie, Denise (22 August 2022). "Royal Alexandra Theatre – A Jewel Box of Beaux-Arts Architecture". Toronto Journey 416. Retrieved 29 September 2022.
  14. ^ a b Bateman, Chris (6 October 2012). "A brief history of the Princess of Wales theatre block". BlogTO. Retrieved 20 September 2022.
  15. ^ Viagas, Robert (6 September 1997). "Toronto Theatre Gathers Tributes to Princess Diana". Playbill. Retrieved 20 September 2022.
  16. ^ a b Bemrose, John (24 May 1993). "A Home For Miss Saigon". MacLeans. Retrieved 20 September 2022.
  17. ^ Jones, Kenneth (26 August 2008). "Mirvish Productions Buys Toronto's Canon and Panasonic Theatres". Playbill. Retrieved 20 September 2022.
  18. ^ Petillo, Faetra (26 August 2008). "Key Brand Sells Canon and Panasonic Theater to Mirvish Productions". BroadwayWorld. Retrieved 10 January 2023.
  19. ^ Posner, Michael; Bradshaw, James (16 May 2012). "Losses in the limelight: The education of Aubrey Dan". The Globe and Mail. Retrieved 20 September 2022.
  20. ^ Menon, Vinay (6 July 2012). "ntertainment The rise and fall of Dancap Productions". Toronto Star. Retrieved 20 September 2022.
  21. ^ Ouzounian, Richard (6 December 2011). "Canon Theatre renamed in honour of Ed Mirvish". Toronto Star. Retrieved 20 September 2022.
  22. ^ Atchison, Chris (March 4, 2013). "Preservation not on the playbill at Princess of Wales Theatre". The Globe and Mail. Toronto. Retrieved March 12, 2018.
  23. ^ Hume, Christopher (May 27, 2014). "Revised Mirvish-Gehry design saves Princess of Wales Theatre: Hume". Toronto Star. Retrieved May 28, 2014.
  24. ^ McLaren, Leah (14 July 2014). "David Mirvish on the Edge". Toronto Life. Retrieved 20 September 2022.
  25. ^ O'Neil, Lauren (1 December 2017). "Historic Toronto theatre renamed after Canadian Automobile Association". BlogTO. Retrieved 20 September 2022.
  26. ^ Knelman, Martin (5 May 2016). "Exclusive: Royal Alex to shut this month for $2.5 million facelift and reopen in November". Toronto Star. Retrieved 19 September 2022.
  27. ^ Gans, Andrew (27 February 2019). "Watch Toronto's Royal Alexandra Theatre Go Blue to Welcome Dear Evan Hansen". Playbill. Retrieved 29 September 2022.
  28. ^ "It's been 3 years that The Royal Alex has been wrapped in blue. Today the Grande Dame of King St is once again in her Beaux-Arts birthday suit of hand-carved sandstone and blonde brick". Twitter. Mirvish Productions. 19 July 2022. Retrieved 29 September 2022.
  29. ^ Smith, Elaine (12 February 2022). "Mirvish Production's $5 million theatre transformation promises immersive magic for 'Harry Potter and the Cursed Child'". Toronto Star. Retrieved 29 September 2022.
  30. ^ Smith, Elaine (12 February 2022). "Mirvish Production's $5 million theatre transformation promises immersive magic for 'Harry Potter and the Cursed Child'". Toronto Star. Retrieved 30 September 2022.
  31. ^ Wild, Diane. "How Do You Solve a Problem Like Maria debuts June 15". TV-eh?. Retrieved 5 May 2022.
  32. ^ Ahearn, Victoria (28 July 2008). "Maria found: Elicia MacKenzie wins coveted role". Toronto Star. Retrieved 5 May 2022.
  33. ^ "Turns out Janna's a 'Maria' after all". Toronto Star. 14 August 2008. Retrieved 5 May 2022.
  34. ^ Ouzounian, Richard (5 November 2012). "Over the Rainbow: Danielle Wade is Dorothy". Toronto Star. Retrieved 24 February 2022.
  35. ^ Cameron, Kelly (15 January 2013). "Photo Coverage: THE WIZARD OF OZ Opening Night Gala". BroadwayWorld. Retrieved 24 February 2022.
  36. ^ Maga, Carly (16 January 2019). "Dear Evan Hansen cast announced". Toronto Star. Retrieved 24 February 2022.
  37. ^ Ouzounian, Richard (22 April 2015). "Toronto's Kinky Boots has its Lola and other cast". Toronto Star. Retrieved 24 February 2022.
  38. ^ Nestruck, J. Kelly (14 March 2020). "David Mirvish has finally shut down his Toronto theatres". The Globe and Mail. Retrieved 10 January 2023.
  39. ^ Nestruck, J. Kelly (14 March 2020). "David Mirvish has finally shut down his Toronto theatres – but did he act too late for his reputation?". The Globe and Mail.
  40. ^ a b Gans, Andrew; McPhee, Ryan (4 April 2020). "Mirvish Extends Suspension of Performances in All Toronto Theatre, Affecting Hamilton, Come From Away, More". Playbill.
  41. ^ "CHECK IN FROM AWAY, Episode 1, Come From Away". YouTube. 5 May 2020. Retrieved 5 May 2022.
  42. ^ Wassenberg, Anya (24 August 2021). "Mirvish Reopens Four Theatres With 11 Show Season". Ludwig van Toronto. Retrieved 30 May 2022.
  43. ^ Nouser, Mariam; LeBlanc, Erin (1 November 2021). "Live events in Toronto are making a full-capacity comeback. Here are a few to check out". Toronto Star.
  44. ^ Friend, David (24 December 2021). "Mirvish pulls plug on all 'Jesus Christ Superstar' performances due to COVID-19 cases". Global News.
  45. ^ Nestruck, J. Kelly (14 December 2021). "Nestruck on Theatre: Come From Away finally reopens in Toronto, as Omicron looms". The Globe and Mail. Retrieved 10 May 2022.
  46. ^ "Four Toronto performances of Come From Away cancelled after backstage crew member tests positive for COVID-19". The Globe and Mail. 23 December 2021. Retrieved 10 May 2022.
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