After months of rampant public speculation, Drayton Entertainment’s artistic director Alex Mustakas recently announced Les Misérables will be the organization’s flagship production for the 2014 Season.
The coup is the result of years of efforts to secure the rights to one of the biggest and most successful productions in Broadway history.
The epic musical will play the Dunfield Theatre in Cambridge on June 11 through Aug. 2, and the Huron Country Playhouse in Grand Bend Aug. 7 to 30.
“It has been a personal dream to bring this musical to our audience,” says Mustakas. “Les Misérables is without a doubt the most ambitious production in our organization’s history. We are invigorated by the challenges inherent with mounting a true mega-musical.”
The secrecy surrounding the production the last four months has created much intrigue throughout Canada’s theatre community and among the general public.
Over 10,000 tickets had already been snapped up by enthusiastic theatregoers prior to the title’s release.
Based on the Victor Hugo novel, Les Misérables was created by Alain Boublil and Claude-Michel Schönberg.
Set in 19th century France, Les Misérables tells the story of ex-convict Jean Valjean who is hunted for decades by the ruthless police officer Javert after he breaks parole. When Valjean agrees to care for factory worker Fantine’s young daughter, their lives are forever changed … along with the destiny of an entire nation.
“A testament to the survival of the human spirit, Les Misérables is a tour-de-force production that takes audiences on an unforgettable emotional journey through broken dreams and unrequited love, passion, sacrifice and redemption,” says Mustakas.
“This show will attract audiences from across the province, and become a landmark production in our history,” he added.
Regular performance tickets are $42 for adults; $25 for youth under 20 years of age. Tickets for preview performances and groups of 20 or more are $34.
Tickets are on sale through the Drayton Entertainment box office in person, toll-free at 1-855-DRAYTON (372-9866) or online at www.draytonentertainment.com.
Drayton Entertainment’s 2014 season at other venues have also been announced.
King’s Wharf Theatre Penetanguishene:
– Peter Pan June 4 to 21;
– Run For Your Wife June 25 to July 12;
– I’ll Be Back Before Midnight July 16 through Aug. 2; and
– Twist and Shout: The British Invasion Aug 7 to 30.
Huron Country Playhouse, Grand Bend:
– South Pacific June 5 to 21;
– Damn Yankees June 26 to July 12;
– Twist and Shout: The British Invasion July 17 to Aug. 2; and
– Les Misérables Aug. 7 to 30.
Huron Country Playhouse II, Grand Bend:
– The Freddy Fusion Science Magic Show May 26-30;
– Look, No Hans! June 11 to 28;
– I’ll Be Back Before Midnight July 2 to 12;
– Run For Your Wife July 16 through Aug. 2; and
– Peter Pan Aug. 7 to 30.
