Canadian Beatles tribute Ones returns to Toronto's Princess of Wales Theatre after 10 years

Ones – The Beatles #1 Hits, a Canadian-created tribute show celebrating its 10th anniversary, is making a major milestone: a run at Toronto's Princess of Wales Theatre co-presented by Mirvish Productions, the country's largest theatre producer and presenter.

Written and produced by Toronto musician Frank Zirone, the production runs July 28 to August 2 with evening performances at 7:30 p.m., Wednesday matinees at 1:30 p.m., and Saturday and Sunday matinees at 2 p.m. Tickets range from $49 to $99.

The show tells The Beatles' story from their 1964 arrival in America through their 1970 breakup, using the band's 30 No. 1 singles as its narrative spine. "The number one singles are in effect a chronology," Zirone says. "I have all these highlights as No. 1 hits as a focus of my story."

Featuring 22 musicians and vocalists, the production pairs those songs with archival photos and video. A cast description notes performers pay "attention to every detail, including 28 guitars and period correct amplifiers and drums that were used on the original Beatles recordings." Radio personality Al Joynes provides narration.

Zirone, who grew up in Toronto with The Beatles, weaves Canadian context throughout. Two songs are specifically Canadian No. 1 hits: "All My Loving" and "Nowhere Man." The remainder are U.S. and U.K. No. 1 hits.

The show premiered at Oshawa's Regent Theatre on October 22, 2016, and has since been performed more than 100 times across Canada and the U.S. — in Maryland, New Jersey, California, and throughout Florida.

For Zirone, the Mirvish partnership represents a significant career milestone. Early on, he fronted the Juno-nominated rock band Zero-One, managed by Michael Cohl and Bill Ballard. His next band, Hanover Fist, was endorsed by Eddie Van Halen. He later toured with various acts, including The Monkees, Triumph, and Randy Travis.

Zirone hopes the Mirvish run will open doors to future engagements, including additional Canadian dates and a possible European tour.