Theater Venues in Toronto
The Sony Centre for the Performing Arts was originally opened as the O'Keefe Centre in 1960. The venue has hosted a wide variety of national and international performers and shows. It is the largest soft-seat theatre in Canada. Designed by Peter Dickinson, the unusual architecture is an example of a mid-twentieth century Modern arts venue, and it has been named a heritage building by the City of Toronto. The venue has been renovated in order to restore its distinctive features, and was re-opened in 2010.
Massey Hall is a performing arts theatre in the Garden District of downtown Toronto, and has been named a National Historic Site of Canada since 1981. Massey Hall was originally built to create a secular meeting place, which hosted religious choral music events. It is now primarily a concert hall, with a variety of music played at the venue, from pop to rock. It is also used as a special events space, after its renovations suitable for parties and celebrations.
The Princess of Wales Theatre has a seating capacity of 2000, and is located in the center of Toronto's Entertainment District in the downtown area. The theatre has a three-level seating plan and is constructed as a traditional 19th century English proscenium theatre, although it is designed with both traditional and contemporary aspects. The theatre hosts large-scale musicals which run for long stints.