Live performances are returning to theatres across Durham Region. Although concerts and plays have been opening throughout the past year, this is the first festive season—post-most restrictions—for artists in the area.

The Ontario Philharmonic (OP) performs at the Regent Theatre in downtown Oshawa, and has a wealth of offerings coming up. Presentations include ‘Fantasia’ with soloist, Aljoša Jurinić, and ‘The Song of the Earth’ featuring Mexican-born tenor, César Delgado, and British-Canadian baritone, Alexander Dobson. All concerts are conducted by Marco Parisotto, the OP’s music director. There are also a variety of live music, comedy, classic movie nights and theatre musicals, which are presented by Mansfield Entertainment.

The festive orchestral offerings continue with the Durham Chamber Orchestra’s matinee presentation of ‘Christmas Reflections’ at the Town Hall Theatre in downtown Port Perry. The concert features vocalist, Alesandra Felicia, and Carol Salamone on piano. Plus, there will be an assemblé of ballerinas joining in for Tchaikovsky’s ‘Nutcracker Suite’. Those still pining for summer can hang ten at The Town Hall ‘Surfin’ Safari,’ billed as the Ultimate Beach Party Show in December.

The heat is turned up at the Whitby Courthouse Theatre (WCT) as it hosts ‘Other Desert Cities’—a play about a writer returning home for Christmas.

The Region’s theatrical landscape also includes Theatre on the Ridge (TOTR) located in Port Perry. TOTR presents the second annual Port Perry Snapshots Festival. The winners of a playwriting competition hosted by TOTR are workshopped and will be presented at the Port Perry Anglican Church of the Ascension. The theme of the competition is moments that can define a single life and or life in a small Ontario town.

Learn more or find tickets to these and other upcoming shows at Durham’s downtown theatre venues:

Ontario Philharmonic: OntarioPhil.ca/Concert-Season
Regent Theatre, Oshawa: Tickets.RegentTheatre.ca
Port Perry’s Town Hall Theatre: TownHallTheatre.ca
Whitby Courthouse Theatre: WhitbyTheatre.ca
Theatre on the Ridge: TheatreOnTheRidge.ca/shows

About the Author

Bryen writes about local Durham community news, including regional events, municipality updates, entertainment, lifestyle, and the great outdoors. Email him directly if you want your business profiled or know a community member that deserves recognition - bryen@thelocalbizmagazine.com