TORONTO — A bombastic boardroom battle for control of the Rogers telecom empire is hitting the stage as a live theatre production later this year.
Crow’s Theatre says the play, “Rogers v. Rogers” is a “timely, complex portrait of democracy under pressure” that will hit the stage Dec. 2 to Dec. 28.
Stage veteran Tom Rooney stars as every character, while artistic director Chris Abraham directs from a script by Michael Healey.
The play is adapted from Alexandra Posadzki’s nonfiction book “Rogers v. Rogers: The Battle for Control of Canada’s Telecom Empire.”
“Rogers v. Rogers” is among 12 shows planned for the Toronto theatre’s 2025-2026 season, which it says also launches a new strategic partnership with Soulpepper Theatre to jointly develop new works that “define the next era of Canadian theatre.”
Crow’s says “Rogers v. Rogers” dramatizes the fight for control over the telecom founded by late business tycoon Ted Rogers, whose descendants face off with a shrewd competition commissioner set on derailing the billion-dollar takeover of Shaw Communications.
“At the heart of this gripping drama is the collision between the power struggle within the Rogers family and the scrutiny of Competition Commissioner Matthew Boswell, whose mandate to protect the public interest places him in direct conflict with unchecked corporate ambition,” the theatre said Wednesday in a release.
The new season includes three Canadian premieres and seven world premieres.
It begins with two Canadian premiere co-productions with Soulpepper: Weyni Mengesha directs "The Welkin,” about a jury of 12 women in 1759 England who must decide whether an accused murderess is pregnant, thereby determining her fate, and Abraham directs “Octet,” a chamber choir musical about a technology addiction support group, written and composed by Dave Malloy.
World premieres include “The Veil," about a high-powered lawyer who inherits a sinister curse; “The Christmas Market,” which follows three Caribbean migrant workers at a rural holiday tree farm; and “Pu Songling: Strange Tales,” a collection of fables and stories of the supernatural.
For the holiday season, Crow’s Theatre, Soulpepper Theatre, and Bad Hats Theatre come together for the musical “Narnia,” written and directed by Fiona Sauder with music and lyrics by Landon Doak.
The season concludes with Crow’s Theatre and The Grand Theatre presenting Eboni Booth’s “Primary Trust,” directed by Cherissa Richards and centred on a man forced to confront his fears and unspoken grief.
Crow’s says it is also adding 480 square metres of space to house production support facilities, new administrative offices, and a rehearsal hall.
Plans are also underway to transform the Nada Ristich Studio-Gallery into a third multi-use performance venue for cutting-edge music, comedy, drag, and local and international fringe hits.
Crow’s says it wants to serve as a cultural space for diverse communities and for gatherings, dialogue, and shared experience.
“Whether through grassroots programming, local partnerships, or increased access to creative spaces, this initiative is rooted in the belief that theatre can — and should — be a vital and responsive part of community life,” the release said.
Crow’s Theatre opened its doors in 2017 with a $2.5 million budget.
This year, the company will reach 125,000 audience members and is projecting a $9 million operating budget for the 2025/2026 season.
Meanwhile, Soulpepper Theatre also announced a 16-show season in 2025/2026, the final season for outgoing artistic director Mengesha.
Soulpepper’s upcoming programming includes four world premieres from female Canadian artists: “Copperbelt” by Natasha Mumba, “Tiger Bride” from Hailey Gillis alongside Frank Cox-O'Connell and Andrew Penner, “Medusa” from Erin Shields, and “Revolutionary Women in Blues” from Divine Brown.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published April 9, 2025.
Cassandra Szklarski, The Canadian Press
