Markham Theatre puts Canadian artists first with its 2025/26 Diamond Season

Forty years ago, the Markham Theatre opened with the promise of bringing a world of entertainment to Markham’s doorstep. Despite fulfilling this promise for decades, the theatre has just announced another impressive lineup of world class performances for its 2025/26 season.

“Every time I look at what we’re offering this season,” says Acting General Manager Scott Hill, “the more I’m excited for our audience to see it.”

The 2025/26 Diamond Season features some faces familiar to Markham audiences but also lots of great artists in town for the first time! Moreover, this year’s lineup features more Canadian performers than ever before.

“It might be the aspect I’m most proud of,” says Acting General Manager Scott Hill, “given current events, is that a full 70 per cent of our lineup is Canadian.”

It certainly is important now, perhaps more than ever, to support Canadian artists, businesses, and industry.

“We’re, frankly, excited to be doing so in a way that doesn’t change the quality nor the diversity of our artists or our Diamond season,” says Hill.

To this end, with a full eight events on the schedule, the new Great Canadian Performers series is probably the best example of what the GM is talking about. How We Got to Jersey: A Tale of Two Frankies (October 17), Elisapie (November 5), James Barker Band (November 1), Broadsway featuring Heather Bambrick (December 12), Men of the Deeps (April 24) all feature acclaimed talent known for putting on incredible shows, but the series is rounded out by some truly world-class performers in Jann Arden (November 14), Serena Ryder (December 13) and Leahy (December 18).

“This is a lineup that any theatre in North America would be proud of,” says Hill, “Canadian or not.”

Naturally, another point of pride for Hill and his staff is the 40th Anniversary of the Markham Theatre itself.

“We’re bringing back some favourite names from the past four decades,” says Hill. “At the same time though, we see it as a celebration of our history to keep introducing new voices to Markham.”

One series that does precisely this is the comedy series. An annual favourite for many seasons now, the Just for Laughs Roadshow is back (April 22) and a hugely successful show from this past season, where it was definitely a new set of voices, Girls Night Out, featuring a whole night of award winning Canadian, female comedians, is returning too (February 6). The Markham audience, however, gets to meet critically acclaimed stand-up Rhys Nicholson for the first time (January 24).

We’re very excited to have Just for Laughs and Girls Night Out back,“ says Hill. “The demand was overwhelming, but we’re very proud to be part of Rhys’ international tour too. That show is going to be hilarious.”

The return of the Gala evening is another direct celebration of 40 years of history and tradition at the Markham Theatre.

“The Gala isn’t quite an annual event,” explains Hill, “but this special season seemed like the right time to bring it back.”

Set for October 25 and billed as “Building Arts Future Together”, the formal evening begins with dinner at 5 p.m. with a very special performance to follow at 8. This year’s performance is certainly an apt choice. Good Witch, Bad Witch: The Broadway Witches is a concert of diva showstoppers featuring Alli Mauzey and Alyssa Fox. The duo is a former Glinda and Elphaba from the Broadway company of Wicked who have built this cabaret-style show that has been acclaimed coast to coast.

“We want folks to come celebrate with us,” says Hill. “40th anniversaries don’t come around every day.”

Another lineup that has been growing in both esteem and audience demand is the Jazz series. The series, and the entire season, kicks off with “Jazz warrior-goddess” Connie Han (October 4). The series continues with Canadian Adi Braun singing the work of Cole Porter (November 6), John Pizzarelli (November 29), Canadian-born Andy Milne and Unison (January 29), and Great American Crooners (March 13). The series finishes up with guitar legend Mike Stern and his band (March 21).

“Connie Han is going to bring incredible energy to begin our season”, says Hill, “while Mike Stern brings the power to close out the series. It’s going to be great.”

Another series that continues to impress with both quality and show selection is the Special Attractions and Family Fun lineup. Leading off with the cherished annual tradition of Ballet Jorgen’s The Nutcracker (December 30-31) and followed by Animaniacs in Concert, featuring three original voices, (January 16) might seem hard to beat, but it’s really just getting started at this point. Next up is Ballet Jorgen’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream (January 23) and the spectacle and joy of the Grand Shanghai Circus (January 31). This is followed by Canadian acting legend Saul Rubinek in Playing Shylock (February 25) and addressing some poignant questions about our modern world with grace and humour. This is followed in turn by The 3 Impersonators (March 6) bringing the voices of 100 legends to life. Then, in an intimate and groundbreaking theatre experience, Canadian icon David Suzuki looks at What You Won’t Do For Love (March 7). The series comes to a close with the work of yet another icon, this time of children’s books, in Fireside Munsch (March 15).

“Somehow having Saul Rubinek and David Suzuki on our stage in the same season, let alone the same series, seems like a dream lineup to me,” says Hill. “When you look closely at the whole series, nothing seems missable to me.”

The Classics, Contemporaries, and Beyond series is another stacked affair. Featuring Guy Davis in Concert (November 12), Ensemble Vivant (November 23), The Montreal Guitar Trio playing Ennio Morricone (November 28), the triumphant return of gospel legends The Blind Boys of Alabama (December 5), Nathaniel Dett Chorale, the first Canadian choral group dedicated to Afrocentric music (March 8), Compagnie de la Citadelle’s Kudelka/Lemieux Mix (April 1), and the Cheng2 Duo (April 14), the series is diverse and bursting with acclaimed talent.

World Music is, as always, well represented this coming season as well. This coming season finds The Amir Amiri Ensemble (October 24), Danú (December 4), and Nomfusi (February 27) all scheduled to perform.

Last, but certainly not least is the Nostalgia series and it certainly delivers what it promises. Canadian prog rock pioneers Lighthouse launch the series (October 10). Classic Albums Live are back with two performances this season, Michael Jackson’s Thriller (October 29) and The Beatles’ Revolver (December 11). Canadian singer-actress Tiffany Deriveau brings Tina: Better Be Good To Me (January 30) while The Lightfoot Band brings the music of their former leader back to life (February 28). Then, Jeans and Classics is back with Strange Magic: The Music of ELO (April 25) to close out the series and the 2025/26 Diamond Season.

As always, the Diamond Season program offers a variety of subscription offerings for patrons and the more shows you buy, the more you save. This season, given the 40th anniversary, there is a special 40 for 40 program that offers 40-dollar tickets to select shows. The theatre also, once again, is offering $15 tickets to young people throughout the season.

“I really encourage patrons to build their own unique subscription series,” says Hill.

The Every Child Every Year program is back again as well. Sponsored by TinySeedlings.com, the program offers free shows for students in grades 1 to 8 at Markham area schools.

Community presenters will also be back at the theatre this year. Markham Little Theatre, Unionville Theatre Company, Markham Concert Band, Kindred Spirits Orchestra, and Markham at the Movies will all be back to share their passion and art this season.

“There’s a huge amount of variety this season,” says Hill. “We’ve managed to offer more options for our audience while still guaranteeing a level of familiarity too. All this while supporting Canadian art and artists like never before.”

Tickets and info for all performances are available at markhamtheatre.ca.

 

Main photo: David Suzuki prepares for his role in this season’s What You Won’t Do For Love.