|
Why theater fans flock to Ontario
Author: By Jerry Morris, Globe Staff
Date: SUNDAY, May 11, 1997
Page: M2
Section: Travel
So much has been written about Canada's natural attractions, its great
national parks, and outdoor adventure opportunities that it's time to step
indoors and report on some great theater.
The province of Ontario has some of the best theater in Canada. There, for
example, are the Shaw and Stratford festivals, and Toronto is now the
third-largest theatrical center in the world, after London and New York.
The Stratford Festival in Stratford, Ontario, annually draws more than
500,000 visitors from around the world to catch plays ranging from the works
of Shakespeare to those of today. This year, there are three stages for 12
shows, including ``Camelot,'' ``Romeo and Juliet,'' ``Death of a Salesman,''
and ``Little Women.'' For information, call (800) 567-1600.
The Shaw Festival is the only theater in the world that presents the works
of Bernard Shaw and his contemporaries -- plays written between 1856 and 1950.
This season, there will be 12 productions run in repertory Tuesday through
Sunday. Among shows will be ``The Seagull,'' ``Playboy of the Western World,''
``In Good King Charles's Golden Day,'' and ``The Chocolate Soldier.'' For
information, call (800) 511-SHAW.
Both the Shaw Festival in Niagara-on-the-Lake and the Stratford Festival
are in picturesque settings and are recognized as among the top theater
festivals in the world.
If you haven't caught ``Phantom of the Opera'' yet, Toronto is the place to
do so. Now in its seventh year, the show is on through the end of 1999. Other
top shows this summer include ``The King and I,'' ``Ragtime,'' ``Jolson,''
``Beauty and the Beast,'' and ``Joseph & the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat.''
In addition, there are other kinds of shows, such as the comedy at the famed
Second City, which the Toronto Star calls ``the undisputed masters of topical
satire.'' Some of the top names in comedy started here.
There is plenty of dinner theater, with everything from Broadway shows to
16th-century fantasy.
And there are theater festivals throughout the year. From July 3-13, Fringe
of Toronto offers 80 inexpensive theater performances from around the world
(many Canadian cities are also having ``Fringe'' shows of their own); in
April, there is the du Maurier Ltd. World Stage with alternative theater from
the International Children's Festival; in September, Artsweek, a nine-day
celebration that includes a behind-the-scenes look at theaters, film sets, and
artist's studios; and in November, the Groundswell Festival, featuring
feminist theater companies.
You can also tour Toronto theaters throughout the year. Among them: the
Elginand Winter Garden, the last remaining double-decker theater complex and
one with a ceiling of real leaves; and the Pantages Theater, home to the
``Phantom'' and once the largest vaudeville house in the British Empire.
It's possible to cut your theater costs in Toronto as well. T.O. Tix offers
half-price tickets on the day of performance. Call (416) 536-6468, ext. 1, for
a listing. The office, on 208 Yonge St., is open Tuesday through Saturday
noon to 7:30 p.m.
The Shaw Festival, held annually at Niagara-on-the Lake in Ontario, will
feature some delightful comedies, including ``Hobson's Choice,'' which
revolves around a bootmaker's shop in 1880s England, and ``The Chocolate
Soldier,'' based on Shaw's ``Arms and the Man'' -- the tale of a soldier who
prefers chocolate to bullets. For information, call the box office at (800)
511-SHAW.
Quebec festival
Celebrating its 30th anniversary this year is the Quebec City Summer
Festival, which celebrates music and street entertainment. More than 400 shows
and concerts are planned, and all you need is one button costing under $10.
Although the French-language music gets top billings, the festival is a
multilingual event. The festival brings out the best of the French joie de
vivre spirit, and it's great having an Old World city -- a World Heritage one
at that -- as the backdrop.
Artists and exile
``Exiles and Emigres: The Flight of European Artists from Hitler'' will
open at the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts on June 19 and continue through Sept.
7. The exhibit is the first to explore both the impact of emigration and
forced exile on the lives and works of European artists during the years of
Nazi domination and the effect these artists had on the United States. The
Montreal presentation will be the only one in Canada and the Eastern United
States. The Montreal Museum of Fine Arts, Air Canada, and several hotels
have joined together to offer special rates and fares for visitors. Air
Canada is offering savings of up to 50 percent on economy fares (call
800-361-7585 or a travel agent and ask for reference number CV971439), and
reduced rates are available at hotels such as Chateau Versailles, Hotel des
Gouverneurs Ile Charron, and the Ritz-Carlton Kempinski Montreal.
Adopt-A-Shelter
Beginning today, Canadian Pacific Hotels across the country will be
adopting local women's shelters. The Adopt-A-Shelter program involves each
hotel providing used furniture, bedding, and other household items to the
shelter they adopt. ``When you have over 11,000 rooms, and you renovate and
upgrade them on a regular basis, you have a lot of things that are suitable
for donation,'' said Ann Checkley-Layton, vice president of public affairs and
communications for the hotels. ``We hope these goods might make a difference
for women and children in need.''
Tax refunds
A new way for travelers to Canada to gain refunds on their purchases is
through Canada Tax-free Shopping with booths in airports in Toronto, Montreal,
Winnipeg, Edmonton, and at the DFS Galleria in downton Vancouver. More refund
centers will be opened in eastern Canada, and for those unable to visit these,
mail-in applications will be available. Centers are identified with a Tax Free
for Tourists sign. Refunds apply to purchases of all eligible goods being
taken out of Canada and on the room rate portion of hotel bills. CTS levies a
15 percent charge on its service. For more information, call (416) 467-0947.
College stays
Here's an idea for low-cost rooms in Toronto. The University of Toronto at
Scarborough has 81 student residence townhouses available from mid-May to the
end of August at prices beginning around $78. The houses sleep up to six, have
their own bath, bedrooms, living room, and kitchen, and are just 30 minutes to
downtown. For information, write to Jack Martin, conference services,
University of Toronto at Scarborough, 1265 Military Trail, Scarborough,
Ontario, M1C 1A4, Canada; or telephone (416) 287-7369.
In Montreal, four universities in the heart of the city offer dormitories
and private rooms, from $8.50 to $32 Canadian throughout summer. For
information, call McGill University (514-398-6367), the University of Montreal
(514-343-6531), Concordia University (514-848-4756), College Jean-de-Brebeuf
(514-342-1320), or Le College Francais (514-495-2581).
Toronto package
GWV International is offering weekly three-, four- and seven-night service
to Toronto through Oct. 31. The packages, including air fare, hotel,
transfers, and service charges, begin at $299 a person. Travel agents have
details.
Nonstop Vancouver
Vancouver is now a nonstop flight from Boston, and for those heading to
Asia, the new Canadian Airlines service can cut up to two hours from the trip
vs. flying via San Francisco or Los Angeles. Canadian Airlines is allied with
American Airlines, with reciprocal frequent-flier programs and other services.
A round-trip ticket, Boston-Vancouver, is $347 if booked by May 12, and good
for travel through June 30. Connections to Asian flights are also easier in
Vancouver, no Canadian customs or immigration lines.
Tour ideas
``Air Canada's Canada'' offers a variety of tour programs, from rides on
tundra buggies to great theater. The airline's 48-page brochure lists tours
throughout the country, with ideas ranging from City Stays to Independent
Explorer packages. There are also motorcoach tours. Among packages, a
three-day Toronto theater package that features the world premiere of
``Ragtime'' as well as ``Phantom of the Opera'' is priced from $329 a person
from Boston, including air fare and hotel, plus a $68-$80 theater ticket). For
a three-day tundra buggy ride to view polar bears in Churchill, Manitoba, the
price is $1,314 from Boston, including air fare.
|
