Ontario On Stage This summer, all of Ontario's a stage — and luckily, Michigan residents are close enough to take advantage. From the stage production of The Lord of The Rings, Hair and the unusual Blue Man Group in Toronto to Shakespeare and Shaw in Stratford and Niagara-on-the-Lake, there's more than enough to fill a summer full of weekends. In Toronto, summer's hottest ticket is definitely the $27 million J.R.R. Tolkien's Lord of the Rings, which opened Feb. 4 and has been attracting crowds. "There's never been a world pre- miere in Toronto of this magnitude says J. Randy Alldread, Mirvish Productions' spokesperson. One of the largest and most ambi- tious productions ever mounted, the play takes over the historic, 2,000-seat Princess of Wales Theater on King Street through mid-October. Director Matthew Warchus has combined all three books into one event featuring a thrilling score, dazzling design and an ensemble of actors, singers and musi- cians. A number of hotels are offering "Lord of the Rings" packages and many of the best seats have been reserved as package perks. For more details, check out Tourism Toronto's Web site at www.torontotourism.corn. Niagara-On-The-Lake and Stratford, home to the Shaw and Stratford festivals, are two of Ontario's most charming small towns. Both offer professional theater (Shaw's lineup includes Shaw's Arms and the Man, The Crucible and Noel Coward's Design for Living, among others, while Stratford offers Oliver!, Much Ado About Nothing, Twelth Night, The Glass Menagerie, Henry IV and more). Where to Stay and Eat: There are plenty of newer and hipper places, but Toronto's regal Royal York (www. fairmont.com or 416-368-2511), never disappoints. Ask for a renovated room and for a tour of the rooftop garden, where the chef grows herbs to use in dining room dishes (including a num- ber of kosher options). The Royal York also has a "Lord of the Rings" package, which includes premium tickets to the show, one- night accommodations, breakfast for two and a Toronto savings passport starting at $190 U.S. For casual dining, try the nearby Richtree (formerly Marche), where you can feast on everything from sushi to spaghetti (kids love it too) in a mar- ketplace atmosphere. Other options: In Toronto: Ogle "Deco Lalique" (through January) at the Royal Ontario Museum, spotlight- ing the elegant and timeless legacy of legendary French artist Rene Lalique; Hockey Hall of Fame, Bata Shoe Museum (a must-see), the Toronto Islands park in the harbor. For more: Toronto, www.toronto- tourism.com; Stratford Festival, www. stratford-festival.on.ca ); Shaw Festival, www.shawfest.com, (905) 468-1950 or www.niagaraonthelake.com . All-Natural Ohio Wild Ohio? It may seems like an oxy- moron, but the southern Ohio area known as the Hocking Hills is unlike anything else you've experienced in the Buckeye State. The Spa at Cedar Falls, part of Logan's renowned Inn at Cedar Falls, opened April 22 and has already creat- ed a stir among Midwestern spa goers. Known for its pleasing mix of rustic and refined, the inn incorporates log cabins that date back to the 1800s and is perched on a craggy gorge among Get Everything You Need for Your Next Event t Under One Roof!' • • • • • Tents • Tables • Chairs • China Linen • Flatware • Glassware Chocolate Fountains • Helium Ice Cream Carts • Slush Machine Exquisite Ballroom Decorating Now is the time to book your party! 6561 Highland Rd. • Waterford uncle buck's PANTY TYNE RENTAL & MIMES 248-666-5432 13 years experience 1121250 W I ( o w a ycpx p " Best Summer Ever! Enroll Today Girls & Boys 5-14 New Summer Sensation: SESSION 4 - AUGUST 21-25, 2006 "WHEN ALL THE OTHER CAMPS ARE DONE- WILLOWAY'S STILL HAVING FUN!!" DOOR-TO-DOOR TRANSPORTATION WITH NEW NON-STOP EXPRESS SHUTTLES FROM MAPLE/TELEGRAPH & LONE PINE/ORCHARD LAKE See you at Willoway's Open House Sunday, June 11, 2006 • 1-4p.m. at Willoway! For directions or an application, contact us at 248-932-2123 or info@willowaydaycamp.com Segway tourists in Chicago use the walkway connecting Millennium Park and Bicentennial Plaza. The Willoway Experience Pool, Lake, Woods, & Pond mericon fi c,oc, ACCREDITED Since 1969 1120200 MAY 25 • 2006 • SUMMER FUN 9