Toronto is gearing up for a cultural milestone as Mahabharata, an internationally acclaimed theatrical spectacle, makes its highly anticipated debut in the city. Presented by Canadian Stage in collaboration with Why Not Theatre, this bold reimagining of India’s ancient Sanskrit epic will run from April 8 to 27 at the St. Lawrence Centre for the Arts’ Bluma Appel Theatre. Following sold-out runs at prestigious venues like London’s Barbican Theatre and Australia’s Perth Festival, this home-grown production is set to captivate audiences with its breathtaking visuals, live music, and all-South Asian cast.
Adapted and written by Toronto’s own Ravi Jain and Miriam Fernandes, Mahabharata unfolds in two parts: Karma: The Life We Inherit and Dharma: The Life We Choose. Drawing from Carole Satyamurti’s poetic retelling, the production blends traditional Indian storytelling with modern stagecraft, featuring classical dance, a Sanskrit opera of the Bhagavad Gita, and immersive projections. Critics have hailed it as “an extraordinarily dazzling piece of theatre” (The Telegraph) and “epic in every sense of the word” (Intermission).
The show’s 17 performers and 6 musicians, including stars like Shawn Ahmed, Miriam Fernandes, and Ellora Patnaik, bring to life the saga of warring clans, fate, and moral dilemmas that have resonated for centuries. Part 1 explores vengeance and justice through a ritualistic narrative, while Part 2 dives into the catastrophic Kurukshetra war and its aftermath, crowned by a soaring musical rendition of the Gita.
Tickets are on sale now, with prices starting at $48 and going up to $125, depending on seating and performance date.
Special family-pack pricing is also available, making it affordable for all ages to experience this cultural event. Tickets can be purchased online through the Canadian Stage website or at the Bluma Appel Theatre box office. Performances run Tuesday to Saturday at 7:30pm, with matinees on Saturday and Sunday at 2:00pm. For those seeing both parts, select dates offer Khana & Kahani, a pre-show Indian meal and storytelling session that echoes the tradition of sharing the Mahabharata across generations.
Located steps from Union Station, the downtown venue makes attending a breeze. Having premiered at the Shaw Festival in 2022, this Toronto creation has earned global praise and now returns as a proud moment for the city’s South Asian community.
Don’t miss this once-in-a-lifetime theatrical event—grab your tickets today for a journey through war, wisdom, and wonder. For tickets or more details, visit canadianstage.com.
