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Derrick Chua @derrick-chua.bsky.social · 01/10/2026

Last chance for TO shows closing this week: To A Flame at Nightwood Theatre, Aye Caesar at Red Sandcastle Theatre, Wozzeck at Arraymusic, Pre-Existing Condition at Coal Mine, Life Isn’t Everything at Videocab, and Rutas Festival at Factory Theatre & Theatre Passe Muraille.

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Derrick Chua @derrick-chua.bsky.social · 01/10/2026

If you’re looking for a show with theatrical flair, a feminist Victorian Gothic horror tale inspired by Edgar Allan Poe, a sensory feast in ASL and English, don’t miss Erin Shields’ To A Flame at Nightwood Theatre, playing till Sunday only! Really loved this one. www.nightwoodtheatre.net/to-a-flame/

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Derrick Chua @derrick-chua.bsky.social · 29/09/2026

Previews for Dancer - A Musical In Ten Furlongs begin next Tues Oct 6. Written by Jim Betts and Marek Norman, directed and choreographed by Stacey Tookey, rehearsals are going so well and believe me this is a new Canadian musical that you don't want to miss!! youtu.be/_oUJnQp8ye4

youtu.be

We're in rehearsals!

YouTube video by Dancer (A Musical in Ten Furlongs)

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Derrick Chua @derrick-chua.bsky.social · 29/09/2026

Congrats Musical Stage Company on the 26/27 Season Launch, including a taste of the 20th Anniversary Uncovered Bee Gees & Beach Boys from Kevin Wong & Kelly Holiff, and a gorgeous song from Blackout by Steven Gallagher. Lovely night!

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Derrick Chua @derrick-chua.bsky.social · 28/09/2026

Two chances today Monday at 2:00pm and 7:30pm to catch all-Canadian World Premiere production of Aye Caesar by Carolyn Fe, directed by Tanisha Taitt, starring Fe and April Leung at Red Sandcastle Theatre, running till Sun Oct 4 only. Really enjoyed!

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Derrick Chua @derrick-chua.bsky.social · 24/09/2026

Final week for Walden, while To A Flame, Wine in the Wilderness, Rutas Festival and What The Festival all open tonight. Also playing this week: Pre-Existing Condition, A Fine Balance, Measure for Measure, Spring Awakening, Amelie, Aye Caesar, Hell’s Kitchen. Support TO live theatre!

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Derrick Chua @derrick-chua.bsky.social · 23/09/2026

Fascinating first Jonathan Church season at Stratford Festival, with 3 Shakespeare, 3 musicals (incl Jacob Two-Two), 3 shows starring Saul Rubinek, and Avon Theatre running shows consecutively instead of in rep, incl Kat Sandler Anne of Green Gables. www.stratfordfestival.ca/landingpages...

stratfordfestival.ca

2027 Season | Stratford Festival Official Website

Stratford Festival

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Derrick Chua @derrick-chua.bsky.social · 22/09/2026

Great to hear about two additions to Factory Theatre’s senior leadership, joining new Artistic Director Kevin Matthew Wong: the fabulous Sascha Cole as Artistic Producer and Caroline John as Senior Manager of Philanthropy and Partnerships. Congrats!

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Derrick Chua @derrick-chua.bsky.social · 21/09/2026

For friends of Ash Knight. There will be a visitation this Sat Sep 26, 2026, 10am-12:30pm at Mount Pleasant Funeral Center. A further Celebration of Life is expected at a later date. There is also on Online Memorial where his partner Zinta has invited your memories: www.kudoboard.com/boards/BmYvJ...

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Derrick Chua @derrick-chua.bsky.social · 19/09/2026

Congrats Makram Ayache and Cara Rebecca on two terrific presentations to culminate your time at Shaw Festival 2026 Neil Munro Intern Directors Projects. Had a great time at both!

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Derrick Chua @derrick-chua.bsky.social · 18/09/2026

Such a shock to hear about Duncan Sheik’s sudden passing after just talking about him last night at Soulpepper’s (play, not musical) Spring Awakening, and booked to see his new musical Memoirs of Amorous Gentlemen in NY next month. Just 56 years young. Rest in peace. playbill.com/article/comp...

playbill.com

Composer-Lyricist Duncan Sheik Has Died at 56

The Tony winner was to have two back-to-back Off-Broadway musicals this fall: the new Memoirs of Amorous Gentleman and a revival of Spring Awakening .

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Derrick Chua @derrick-chua.bsky.social · 18/09/2026

Such a wonderful celebration for the Opening Night of Spring Awakening and beginning of the 26/27 Soulpepper Theatre Company Season, the first under Artistic Director Paolo Santalucia. Congrats!

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Derrick Chua @derrick-chua.bsky.social · 17/09/2026

Didn’t actually need the Good Grief tour branded tissues, but it was pretty close on a couple songs. Sara Bareilles is just a phenomenal songwriter and performer. Loved this concert.

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Derrick Chua @derrick-chua.bsky.social · 14/09/2026

Saw five shows in TO last week, all worth seeing but two already closed (Mama and Dial 1 For UK), so encourage you to check these three still playing before it's too late: A Fine Balance at Crow's Theatre, Pre-Existing Condition at Coal Mine and Walden at Theatre Centre.

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Derrick Chua @derrick-chua.bsky.social · 12/09/2026

Looking forward to a double-bill of indie theatre today, with a matinee of Dial 1 for UK at Tarragon Theatre touring to Canada after UK & Edinburgh Fringe, then Walden opening at The Theatre Centre tonight. Break legs!

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Derrick Chua @derrick-chua.bsky.social · 11/09/2026

Difficult moving powerful production of Marin Ireland’s Pre-Existing Condition, thoughtfully directed by Linda Kash, with a terrific cast of Amy Rutherford, Lindsay Leese, Diana Bentley & Philip Riccio. Playing at Coal Mine til Sep 27 and well worth your time. www.coalminetheatre.com/pre-existing...

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Derrick Chua @derrick-chua.bsky.social · 10/09/2026

Small consolation for the closure of Randolph College and suspension of St. Lawrence College Music Theatre Performance program, but glad for news that University of Guelph has launched Ontario's only University-Level Music Theatre Program. news.uoguelph.ca/2026/09/u-of...

news.uoguelph.ca

U of G Launches BFA in Music Theatre

The first-of-its-kind program combines performance, production and research for a well-rounded theatre education

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Derrick Chua @derrick-chua.bsky.social · 10/09/2026

TO theatre this week: A Fine Balance at Crow's, Pre-Existing Condition at Coal Mine, Walden at Theatre Centre, Mama at Cinecycle, Domino Heart and Getting To Normal at Red Sandcastle, Spring Awakening at Soulpepper, Dial 1 for UK at Tarragon, SpongeBob Musical at Randolph. Support live theatre!

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Derrick Chua @derrick-chua.bsky.social · 09/09/2026

Busy start to Toronto fall theatre season with shows this week: A Fine Balance at Crow's Theatre, Pre-Existing Condition at Coal Mine, The Domino Heart and Getting To Normal at Red Sandcastle, Walden at Theatre Centre, Mama at Cinecycle, Spring Awakening at Soulpepper, SpongeBob Musical at Randolph.

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Derrick Chua @derrick-chua.bsky.social · 09/09/2026

Such an exciting first day & read-through for DANCER: A Musical in Ten Furlongs, by Jim Betts & Marek Norman, dir & choreo by Stacey Tookey, music dir by Mark Camilleri. Plays from Oct 6 to Nov 1 at Terminal Theatre in Harbourfront Queen’s Quay. dancerthemusical.ca

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Derrick Chua @derrick-chua.bsky.social · 07/09/2026

Glorious afternoon for the final day of 2026 BuskerFest Toronto at Woodbine Park. Grand finale at 6pm.

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Derrick Chua @derrick-chua.bsky.social · 07/09/2026

Missed opening night of Canadian Stage Dream in High Park back in July because of air quality, then have travelled to Halifax, Charlottetown, Boston, Philippines, Japan and Scotland since, so glad I managed to catch this terrific Twelfth Night before it closed last night. Congrats!

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Derrick Chua @derrick-chua.bsky.social · 07/09/2026

Glad I was able to catch the closing performance of Tweed & Company Theatre Fiddler on the Roof, directed & choreographed by Lisa Stevens, with a cast of 27 on stage at the Village Playhouse in Bancroft. Love that musical. Mazel Tov!

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Derrick Chua @derrick-chua.bsky.social · 01/09/2026

Back from Edinburgh Festival Fringe after seeing 41 shows in 6 days, easing the return with a 2-show day at Stratford Festival: The King James Bible Play matinee and The Tao of the World tonight.

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Derrick Chua @derrick-chua.bsky.social · 30/08/2026

Final full day at 2026 Edinburgh Festival Fringe and one more photo collection of Canadians and other folks I’ve run into the last few days. Fun times!

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Derrick Chua @derrick-chua.bsky.social · 28/08/2026

Woo hoo! Congrats Matt Baram, Naomi Snieckus, Seren Brooke Lannon, Kat Sandler and everyone involved with BIG STUFF which just won The List International Fringe Encore Series Edinburgh Prize!!

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Derrick Chua @derrick-chua.bsky.social · 27/08/2026

Such a pleasure seeing Edinburgh Festival Fringe embrace the unhinged wackiness of MONKS by Annie Luján and Veronica Hortigüela, with a fabulous sold-out house tonight! Congrats Brothers Annie Luján & Veronica Hortiguela!

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Derrick Chua @derrick-chua.bsky.social · 26/08/2026

Photo dump from Day 1 at Edinburgh Festival Fringe. Wow - really managed to see A LOT of people in one day!! And six shows! That’s a great Edinburgh day.

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Derrick Chua @derrick-chua.bsky.social · 25/08/2026

Little break after seeing three shows so far today including the wild & wacky Planet of the Grapes from Peter Michael Marino and a return to Matt Baram & Naomi Snieckus Big Stuff, which is still just so wonderful!

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Derrick Chua @derrick-chua.bsky.social · 25/08/2026

If you’re in Edinburgh today, I’ll be at Planet of the Grapes (12:20 Pleasance Courtyard), Big Stuff (14:55 Assembly Roxy and drinks after), Evita Too (18:25 Zoo Southside), Otto & Astrid (21:20 Assembly Roxy). And maybe a couple more in between, we’ll see - beauty of Edinburgh. Happy Fringe!

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Derrick Chua @derrick-chua.bsky.social · 23/08/2026

One final Boston meal with Eponine Lee, then caught a really terrific production of Eugène Ionesco’s Rhinoceros by American Repertory Theater directed by Diane Paulus, starring John Turturro, Paul Giamatti & Tatiana Maslany! Back to Toronto tonight, then off to Edinburgh Fringe tomorrow!

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Derrick Chua @derrick-chua.bsky.social · 23/08/2026

And that’s the day. Godfather responsibility / privilege complete. Eponine Lee has moved to Boston and is ready to make some noise at Berklee College of Music. Now for one last cuppa tea, in a city where tea parties just hit differently. Cheers!

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Derrick Chua @derrick-chua.bsky.social · 21/08/2026

Hanging out in Boston but thinking about the world premiere of Charlotte Corbeil Coleman’s new play The King James Bible, directed by Nina Lee Aquino, opening tonight at the Stratford Festival. Break legs!

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Derrick Chua @derrick-chua.bsky.social · 21/08/2026

When your godchildren are both busy opening shows at the Stratford Festival, and you get tapped with the privilege of moving their daughter to Boston to start school at Berklee College of Music. So proud and love you so much Eponine Lee!!

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Derrick Chua @derrick-chua.bsky.social · 19/08/2026

Opening Night of Shakespeare in the Ruff Pastoral, a sequel to As You Like It, written by Ho Ka Kei (Jeff Ho), directed by Warona Setshwaelo, starring Reese Cowley, jonnie lombard, Asher Rose, Norman Yeung, Jeff Yung, back beneath the willow trees in Withrow Park. Runs till Aug 30 only.

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Derrick Chua @derrick-chua.bsky.social · 18/08/2026

Huge congrats Kevin Matthew Wong on the appointment as the new Artistic Director (and Interim Managing Director) of Factory Theatre! No secret that Factory has struggled in recent years, but excited for its future with Kevin at the helm. Full stories in both Star and Globe online.

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Derrick Chua @derrick-chua.bsky.social · 16/08/2026

Fun time in Gananoque at Thousand Islands Playhouse lovely production of The Last Five Years, starring Tess Benger and James Daly!

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Derrick Chua @derrick-chua.bsky.social · 16/08/2026

Do I really wanna shlep to Gananoque to see another Last Five Years? When it stars Tess Benger and James Daly, directed by Brett Christopher, music directed by Patrick Bowman, stage managed by Bea Campbell, resoundingly YES! Can’t wait!

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Derrick Chua @derrick-chua.bsky.social · 14/08/2026

To celebrate Why Not Theatre’s 20th Anniversary and their 2025 Siminovitch Prize, Co-Artistic Directors Ravi Jain & Miriam Fernandes have awarded $250,000 to 30 Canadian theatre artists who have been part of Why Not’s journey for them to use however they choose. Wow!

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Derrick Chua @derrick-chua.bsky.social · 14/08/2026

Looking forward to opening night of Revolutionary Women in Blues, a Soulpepper World Premiere Concert created by Divine Brown, directed by Raha Javanfar, starring Divine Brown, SATE and Joanna Majoko. Plays till Aug 23 only. soulpepper.ca/whats-on/rev...

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Derrick Chua @derrick-chua.bsky.social · 12/08/2026

Back from the Philippines and dove right into SummerWorks last night with Provisions, then an afternoon celebrating Nightswimming 20 Years of Pure Research, and three shows tonight: Heritage Building in Prime Location at Theatre Passe Muraille, Rot Hat and Our Other Organ at Theatre Centre.

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Derrick Chua @derrick-chua.bsky.social · 10/08/2026

Things you can do on a 10-hour layover in Tokyo. Meiji Jingu to visit forest and Shrine, Shibuya for busiest crossing in world, Hachiko Statue (Japan’s answer to Greyfriars Bobby) and Miyashita Park, then Tokyo Government 45th Floor Observatory for 360° panoramic view of Tokyo. Next stop YYZ.

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Derrick Chua @derrick-chua.bsky.social · 08/08/2026

So grateful celebrating my 60th birthday back in the Philippines with family. Thanks to all who have sent greetings & well-wishes. May take a while to respond to all, but know that I’ve read and truly appreciate every one. Back to Toronto in a few days, ready to dive into SummerWorks. Cheers!

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Derrick Chua @derrick-chua.bsky.social · 07/08/2026

Big number birthday coming up in a few hours. Decided to run away and spend the week with my family in the Philippines where multiple celebrations have already happened, with more to come. Back in Canada to celebrate further after the weekend. Cheers!

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Derrick Chua @derrick-chua.bsky.social · 07/08/2026

Love The List’s latest Canada @ Edinburgh 2026 magazine, bringing together all Canadian shows / artists participating in various Edinburgh festivals including Fringe, International, Book, Film and Tattoo, and a day planner to help you schedule. Go Canada! issuu.com/thelistltd/d...

issuu.com

Canada @ Edinburgh 2026

Canada comes to Edinburgh this summer for another season of performances and events by Canadian artists throughout August.

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Derrick Chua @derrick-chua.bsky.social · 06/08/2026

Other Canadian shows at Edinburgh Fringe I have not seen, but others recommend: Louise, 10,000 Digits, Citizen Chen, Define Queerness, Little Green Leaf, Luscinia, Nude Parade, Otuz Bir, Seance Spectacular, She/They, Stich in Time, Gas Station, Tenderly, Third Party, Wiener Beacon. Break legs!

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Derrick Chua @derrick-chua.bsky.social · 04/08/2026

About 50 Canadian shows playing at Edinburgh Fringe among over 4,000. Seen and recommend: Big Stuff, Monks, Public Display of Affection, Slugs, The Heterosexuals, Homecumming, Josiah, Sinner, Tomatoes Tried to Kill Me, Sister Sophia Kicks The Habit, Catching a Cheese Pervert, Men Love Horsies.

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Derrick Chua @derrick-chua.bsky.social · 29/07/2026

Was just relistening to Once again last week - love that cast recording. Sad to hear that Glen Hansard has passed away at just 56 years young. Rest in peace.

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Derrick Chua @derrick-chua.bsky.social · 26/07/2026

Canadian musical theatre loving heart full after a three-show day at Confederation Centre with Polka Dot Door in the morning, Come From Away matinee and Anne of Green Gables evening. Thanks for a lovely weekend Charlottetown!

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Derrick Chua @derrick-chua.bsky.social · 25/07/2026

Fun start to the Charlottetown Confederation Centre day with some Polka Dot Door! Next up Come From Away, then Anne of Green Gables tonight.

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