Chilina Kennedy, one of the great stage stars of Canadian theatre, will be playing the lead role in Drayton Entertainment’s production of South Pacific.
Kennedy is widely remembered for her auspicious Broadway debut in 2012 as Mary Magdalene in Stratford Shakespeare Festival’s production of Jesus Christ Superstar.
“Chilina is one of those rare and genuine triple threats in Canadian theatre,” says Alex Mustakas, artistic director of Drayton Entertainment.
“She’s a performer who can sing, dance and act at the highest level.”
South Pacific will launch at the Drayton Festival Theatre May 14 to 31, before transferring to the Huron Country Playhouse in Grand Bend to open the summer season, June 5 to 21.
Kennedy’s stage credits include productions at Canada’s largest and most renowned theatre companies. At Stratford she starred in such acclaimed productions as The Grapes of Wrath, Evita, West Side Story, A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to The Forum and Kiss Me, Kate.
She appeared in Mirvish’s Lord of the Rings; over two years with the U.S. road show of Mamma Mia! (as Sophie Sheridan); two seasons as Anne in Anne of Green Gables at the Charlottetown Festival; and three critically lauded seasons at the Shaw Festival, playing Eileen in Wonderful Town, Lydia in The President and Nellie in Summer and Smoke, among other roles.
Kennedy has won three Broadway World Awards, and is a graduate of Sheridan College and the Birmingham Conservatory in Stratford.
The role of Nellie Forbush, the unsophisticated yet spunky navy nurse in South Pacific, offers a profound role for the ingénue. Rodgers and Hammerstein’s world-renowned musical has been heralded for its progressive message on race and prejudice – themes that remain relevant 65 years after its Broadway premiere.
To reserve seats, visit www.draytonentertainment.com, or call toll-free 1-855-DRAYTON (372-9866).
