Get out of the cold and into the Markham Theatre for a better January

With the lights of the holidays fading into the cozy fires and fuzzy blankets of January, it’s important to have great reasons to continue flexing the social muscles we all honed in the recent season. This is where the 2025/26 Diamond Season at the Markham Theatre has your back this winter with a red-hot lineup to stave off the chill.

“People are looking for something warm and fun this time of year,” says Acting General Manager Scott Hill. “The theatre is such a perfect gathering place for that. It’s a great way to beat the seasonal blues.”

2026 begins deceptively quietly at the theatre with Hill and his staff doing the kind of work that was envisioned by the people who were responsible for the Markham Theatre’s creation 50 years ago. High school productions of two Broadway musicals offer young performers a chance to develop in a professional environment, build skills, and gain experience that simply isn’t available anywhere else. Unionville High School presents Newsies on January 9 and 10 at 7:30pm while Markville High School brings their production of Shrek: The Musical to life on January 13 and 14 at 7pm.

“These shows are special for us as well as the students,” says Hill. “Most of us at the theatre got our start where these young folks are. Getting a chance to be part of their journey is a wonderful thing.”

The Diamond season resumes with a bang on Friday, January 16 at 8PM with ANIMANIACS: In Concert. “Animaniacs”, an animated musical comedy, debuted on TV in 1993. While other shows from that time are forgotten this show and its characters, the Warner Brothers and sister Yakko, Wakko, and Dot as well as the megalomaniacal lab mouse The Brain and his sweet, dimwitted cohort Pinky endure. With the show’s Emmy-Winning composer, Randy Rogel, on piano and the voice-talents of Emmy winner Rob Paulsen (Yakko & Pinky) and Maurice LaMarche (The Brain) taking the lead while original animation from the show is featured overhead, this show promises to be one to remember.

“Imagine your childhood coming to life in singalong form,” says Hill. “This show is so much fun and guaranteed to beat the January blues.”

The season continues with Ballet Jorgen’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream on Friday Jan 23 at 7:30pm. The company that brings the Nutcracker to life in Markham every year has often debuted or even premiered its other innovative modern takes on classical material in Markham. This month, Ballet Jorgen brings a modern ballet retelling of Shakespeare’s classic fantasy comedy on its debut tour for the Markham audience. Set to Mendelssohn’s iconic score of the same name (and inspiration) this work is imagined through the lens of Canada’s wilderness.

“We’re excited to bring their newest creation to the stage,” says Hill. “It’s going to be exciting to see how they present this great comedy. They do this stuff so well and we’re proud to work with them.”

The very next night, on Saturday, January 24 at 8pm, Australian comedy sensation Rhys Nicholson brings his Huge Big Party Congratulations tour to Markham. After acclaimed runs throughout Australia and at the Edinburgh Fringe, Rhys is bringing takes on marriage, the decision not to have children, the ‘Titanic’ submarine incident, and a questionable teenage side hustle around the world and to Markham. Rhys has been featured on Netflix, Prime, JFL Galas, RuPaul’s Drag Race Down Under, Taskmaster, After Midnight, and Conan O’ Brien.

“It’s nice to bring new and exciting artists to the stage,” says Hill, “and it’ll be nice to have his growing online audience in the theatre to see him live!”

Then, on Thursday, January 29 at 8pm, Andy Milne & Unison will do their best to make the Markham Theatre stage into their own version of the hip-est, underground jazz club in the city. A three-time JUNO Award winner, Milne has been at the forefront of creative jazz for more than 30 years. Currently rediscovering his love for the piano trio after years of being celebrated for his innovative collaborations with dancers, poets, and visual artists, this show promises to be a treat for jazz lovers.

“We’re stoked to bring him back for a full show after having him for a showcase last year,” says Hill. “He’s a perfect jazz show for a January evening.”

The next night finds us on Saturday January 30, where the Markham audience gets a chance to travel back to an imaginary stadium in the early 2000s for a decades spanning concert by the inimitable icon, Tina Turner. Tina: Better Be Good To Me highlights music from the legend’s entire 50 year career in remarkable detail and, of course, fantastic voice. The show stars the award-winning Canadian theatre superstar Tiffany Deriveau, with credits ranging through Mirvish, Stratford, Soulpepper, and the Charlottetown Festival), and celebrates Turner’s story, from tragedy to her iconic rebirth.

“Tiffany is a powerhouse–she’s unreal,” says Hill. “But it’s the music that makes this show a must see. Don’t miss it.”

The long tradition of circus performance in Asia is something that has influenced programing at the Markham Theatre since the beginning. This season is no different. The Grand Shanghai Circus, on January 31, integrates Chinese acrobatics, dance and music. The family-friendly performance features gravity-defying stunts, vibrant costumes, and special effects in a fast-paced show for all.

“This is the first time we’ve had the pleasure of welcoming this acclaimed company to Markham,” says Hill. “Between their stints on Broadway, touring the world, and residences nearby in Brampton, we’re very excited to have made the schedule work for their Markham debut!”

Like any other month., December at the theatre features exceptional community presentations and some independent producers. Markham at the Movies returns and presents Georgi M. Unkovski’s DJ Ahmet. Adding a couple more options for theatre goers this month are No Sugar Tonight, a tribute to the iconic Canadian Band The Guess Who and An Adaptive Concert with Pratibha Arts, an inclusive and family show featuring Kathak dance and Tabla drumming.

Even though these shows aren’t produced by the theatre, they are very much supported by Hill and his staff.

“We have so much comedy and fun this month,” says Hill, “there’s just no better way to beat the winter blues than a night at the Theatre.”

Tickets for all shows available via the Markham Theatre Box Office