Spring sounds and big laughs take the stage at Markham Theatre in April
April at the Flato Markham Theatre offers audiences a compelling lineup of performances that blend musical virtuosity, comedy, and beloved classic sounds. The 2025/26 Diamond Season and the theatre’s 40th anniversary come to a close with shows that celebrate both excellence and the enduring joy of live performance.
“It’s been so exciting,” says acting general manager Scott Hill. “We’ve been able to bring back favourites and introduce some new artists as well. Meeting audience members that have been with us for decades has been a special treat for me.”
The Diamond Season begins on April 14 with the return of one of Canada’s most accomplished chamber ensembles. Cheng² Duo features cellist Bryan Cheng and pianist Silvie Cheng, siblings who have been captivating audiences across North America, Europe, and Asia with performances praised for their remarkable chemistry and technical brilliance.
Still early in their careers but already widely celebrated, the duo has earned top prizes at major international competitions and built a reputation for programs that blend classical masterworks with contemporary compositions and innovative arrangements.
“These two are absolutely amazing,” Hill says. “They have a great time, and they draw the audience into the joy. An incredible evening of music.”
Comedy takes centre stage the following week with the Just For Laughs Road Show on April 22. Initially drawn from the world-famous Montreal comedy festival, the touring showcase brings some of the country’s top comedians together for a fast-paced night of stand-up.
This year’s show features beloved Canadian comedian and broadcaster Ali Hassan as the headliner. A familiar voice to listeners of CBC Radio’s Laugh Out Loud and Because News, Hassan has also appeared on Just For Laughs, The Debaters, and numerous television comedy specials. Known for his warm delivery and razor-sharp observational humour, he has become one of the most respected comedic voices in the country.
“Our audiences love Ali; it’s going to be great to have him back in the building,” says Hill. “And Just For Laughs has produced so many great lineups for us in the last decade; it’s guaranteed to be a great show.”
Music rooted deeply in Canadian history arrives on April 24 with the Men of the Deeps. Formed in 1966 in Cape Breton, Nova Scotia, the choir is composed primarily of working and retired coal miners who share the songs, stories, and traditions of mining life through powerful choral performance.
For nearly sixty years, the ensemble has toured internationally, performing everywhere from Carnegie Hall to China, all while preserving the culture and heritage of Atlantic Canada’s coal-mining communities. Their repertoire blends traditional folk songs, labour anthems, and heartfelt storytelling.
“We’ve often had the Men of the Deeps at Christmas–and that show is a treat,” Hill explains. “This year, we wanted to bring their own story back and get a taste of the full range of their repertoire. There might be no truer East Coast music than this.”
The Diamond Season closes out the month on April 25 with a celebration of one of the most distinctive sounds in classic rock. Jeans ’n Classics returns with Strange Magic: The Music of Electric Light Orchestra, a concert experience that brings together a full rock band and symphonic musicians to recreate the lush, orchestral pop sound that made ELO a global phenomenon.
Led by guitarist, vocalist, and Jeans ’n Classics founder Peter Brennan, the performance features beloved hits such as Mr. Blue Sky, Evil Woman, Don’t Bring Me Down, and Strange Magic, faithfully recreating the sweeping arrangements and rich harmonies that defined the band’s signature style.
“This music lends itself perfectly to the Jeans ‘n Classics treatment,” says Hill. “And we’ve been so happy to bring them back again and again because of how well they do what they do.”
April also includes a single independent presentation that just might have audiences dancing in the aisles. Abbamania With Night Fever arrives on April 23, delivering a high-energy tribute to two of pop music’s most iconic acts.
With only a few shows left in the Season, Hill still sees April as a perfect example of the theatre’s commitment to its audience and their needs.
“Whether you’re coming for world-class classical music, a great comedy night, a piece of Canadian history, or a rock concert with an orchestra, there’s something really special waiting for you at The Flato Markham Theatre this month,” he says.
For more information, visit markhamtheatre.ca.
Photo: The Cheng² Duo perform this April at the Flato Markham Theatre.