With excitement mounting for Drayton Entertainment’s world premiere of Marathon of Hope, based on the life and legacy of Terry Fox, the cast and creative team has been announced.
The project is being developed in consultation and with the full endorsement of the Fox Family by Drayton Entertainment, a not-for-profit registered charitable arts organization operating seven live theatres throughout Ontario.
“The calibre of talent on stage and behind-the scenes for this production is outstanding,” Drayton Entertainment’s artistic director Alex Mustakas said. “The company includes a mix of seasoned performers, up-and-coming talent, as well as audience favourites who have appeared on various Drayton Entertainment stages over the years.”
The production features Simcoe’s Nathan Carroll as Terry Fox. Carroll’s credits include the original Canadian cast of Once with Toronto’s Mirvish Productions, The Wizard of Oz with Young People’s Theatre, La Chasse Galerie with Red One Theatre Collective, alongside other musicals, classics and new works.
The 15-member company also includes Alex Furber as Doug Alward, Terry’s best friend on his cross country journey. Furber gained notoriety starring as Albert in the Toronto production of War Horse.
Vancouver native Gregory Pember will play Terry’s younger brother, Darrell Fox.
Dora award winner Charlotte Moore will play Terry’s mother, Betty Fox. Moore’s credits include Fantine in the Canadian national tour of Les Misérables and Marilla in Anne of Green Gables at the Charlottetown Festival.
Ralph Small will play Terry’s father, Rolly Fox.
Audience favourite Eddie Glen will play publicity director Bill Vigars, one of Terry’s close friends and confidants during the Marathon of Hope.
Richmond, BC native Jayme Armstrong will play Toronto Star reporter Leslie Scrivener, who chronicled Terry’s journey and later authored the notable book Terry Fox: His Story.
The company also includes Ontario’s Stephanie Cadman, Tim Porter, Katrina Reynolds and Julius Sermonia, along with Alberta’s Kira Guloien and New Brunswick’s Curtis Sullivan, all appearing in a variety of roles.
The production also features Brooke Bauer of Hawkesville and Ryan O’Donnell of Kitchener.
Drayton Entertainment’s production of Marathon of Hope covers all facets of Terry’s story, starting with his high school athletic career and family life in Port Coquitlam, continuing through his cancer diagnosis and right leg amputation above the knee, and then chronicling the people and places that inspired him during his 143-day marathon spanning 5,373 kilometres.
“Our production, first and foremost, is about Terry’s pioneering impact in cancer awareness and the legacy of hope he instilled in Canadians coast to coast,” said Mustakas.
“It is about celebrating our shared humanity, motivating all of us to make a difference, and living our lives to the fullest.”
The production also promises plenty of humour, as many of the lighthearted moments are derived by the shared experience of Terry, his brother, and his best friend exploring the rugged Canadian landscape behind the wheel of a souped-up Ford E250 Econoline van (the original has been painstakingly restored and is prominently featured in the stage production).
This new Canadian musical is being created by composer and lyricist John Connolly, who has dedicated the past 12 years to writing music for the production.
The book is written by award-winning playwright Peter Colley, whose notable credits include the acclaimed Off-Broadway musical Cagney!, as well as I’ll Be Back Before Midnight (considered Canada’s most produced play) and You’ll Get Used To It … The War Show.
The production will be directed by Mustakas.
Also part of the creative team is international choreographer and Nova Scotia native David Connolly, who helmed Drayton Entertainment’s sold-out production of Mamma Mia!.
Connolly has used prosthetic legs since childhood, acting and dancing on Broadway, before moving on to choreograph shows such as the pre-Broadway production of First Wives Club and the Canadian premiere of Disney’s High School Musical.
Music direction will be provided by Michael Mulrooney.
The creative team also comprises set designer Douglas Paraschuk, whose storied career includes 22 seasons with the Stratford Festival as well as Anything Goes, Meredith Willson’s The Music Man, and South Pacific with Drayton Entertainment.
Costume designer Jenine Kroeplin has crafted wardrobes for the last decade in many memorable Drayton Entertainment productions, including Irving Berlin’s White Christmas, Legends … of Rock ‘n’ Roll, and 9 To 5: The Musical.
The work of lighting designer Kevin Fraser has been illuminating this season in the Stratford Festival’s The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe and Shakespeare in Love, amongst others, as well as Drayton Entertainment’s Sister Act and Little Shop of Horrors.
Accomplished projection designer Sean Nieuwenhuis rounds out the creative team with an extensive list of projections and video designs.
Marathon of Hope: The Musical is on stage at St. Jacobs Country Playhouse from Oct. 5 to Oct. 30.
Regular performance tickets are $44 for adults; $26 for youth under 20 years of age.
Tickets for preview performances scheduled before the official opening and groups of 20 or more are $36.
HST is applicable to all ticket prices.
Tickets may be purchased online at www.draytonentertainment.com or toll free at 1-855-drayton (372-9866).
