Drayton Entertainment artistic director Alex Mustakas recently unveiled the theatrical company’s 2015 season, which is themed “Music, laughter … and all that jazz!”
Nineteen productions will run on seven stages throughout Ontario from March through December.
“2015 is a year of celebration, as it marks the 25th anniversary of the Drayton Festival Theatre,” says Mustakas. “We have planned a season full of magical moments at all of our theatres, complete with Broadway blockbusters, heartwarming comedies, nostalgic musical tributes and lots of family fun.”
Tickets are on sale now exclusively to members, followed by groups and subscribers on Nov. 10, and the general public on Dec. 1.
Drayton Festival Theatre
The 25th anniversary season kicks off with Legends of Rock ‘n’ Roll, which relives the discography that forever changed the landscape of modern music. Such influential acts as Elvis Presley, Roy Orbison, The Beach Boys, Elton John, ABBA and Simon and Garfunkel are celebrated in this tribute to musical pioneers, from May 14 to June 6.
The hilarious Norm Foster comedy Looking runs June 10 to 27. Answering a personal ad in the Newspaper brings a foursome of singletons together at a local pub for a life-altering rendezvous.
The heartwarming comedy Hilda’s Yard is on stage July 2 to 18. This Foster play follows empty-nesters who must bridge the generation gap when their grown children return home unexpectedly.
The Drayton theatre celebrates 25 years with the classic Broadway musical comedy The Music Man. A con man’s swindle hits some wrong notes when he unexpectedly falls in love with the town librarian. By turns funny, warm, romantic and touching, The Music Man is “family entertainment at its best,” officials say. The production runs Aug. 5 to 29.
Dunfield Theatre Cambridge
The 2015 season commences with the classic family musical The Wizard of Oz. After a twister hits her Kansas farm, Dorothy Gale is transported somewhere over the rainbow and embarks on an epic journey to find her way home. This family production runs March 4 to 29.
Next up is Monty Python’s Tony Award-winning musical comedy Spamalot, May 6 to 24. This tongue-in-cheek retelling of the classic tale of Camelot raises silliness to an art form as King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table embark on their infamous quest for the Holy Grail.
From the creators of the popular Legends series of tribute shows (Twist and Shout: The British Invasion, Legends of Rock ‘n’ Roll, and Dance Legends) comes the world premiere production of Canadian Legends. Neil Aitchison will reprise his famous alter ego, Constable Archibald F. Inkster, and take audiences on a musical journey in a brand new show that features the music of such legendary Canadian artists as Anne Murray, Paul Anka, Leonard Cohen, Gordon Lightfoot, Shania Twain, Michael Bublé, and Celine Dion. The production runs July 2 to 18.
The comedy The Odd Couple is on stage Aug. 12 to 29.
The most popular musical in Canadian theatre history, Anne of Green Gables, runs Oct. 14 to Nov. 8.
The season ends with Irving Berlin’s White Christmas. The beloved film starring Bing Crosby comes to life in a lavish spectacle for the entire family from Nov. 18 to Dec. 20.
St. Jacobs Country Playhouse
The 2015 season starts with the madcap musical whodunit The Last Resort from March 4 to 22. Outrageous characters sing their way through a storyline full of murderous twists and turns.
Billed as warm, witty and wise, The Crazy Time is a comedy about the pursuit of happiness as one man tries desperately to regain control of the madness engulfing him, on stage April 15 to May 3.
Next up is Drayton Entertainment’s hotly anticipated production of Bob Fosse’s energetic, cabaret- style musical Chicago, from June 3 to 27.
Last Chance Romance is a topsy-turvy romantic comedy about the perils of finding a “the one.” The production runs July 22 to Aug. 9.
In honour of the 40th Anniversary of the Waterloo Regional Gilbert and Sullivan Society, Drayton Entertainment presents The Pirates of Penzance, a laugh-filled song fest full of zany puns and good-natured fun, Oct. 7 to 25.
The holidays will feature Aladdin: The Panto, a production for the entire family on stage Nov. 18 to Dec. 20. In the British Panto tradition, audiences cheer the hero and boo the villain in a production that boasts musical numbers, slapstick comedy and audience participation.
St. Jacobs
Schoolhouse Theatre
The lighthearted, racy comedy Sexy Laundry runs from Sept. 8 to Dec. 20. A couple books a swanky hotel room for a romantic getaway, all in the hope of rekindling some much-needed passion – but jumpstarting their stale love life proves infinitely more difficult, and hilarious, than anticipated.
Ticket Information
Drayton Entertainment offers flexible subscription packages to enable theatregoers to book tickets to any performance, at any theatre, for any date. When patrons buy tickets to four, five, six or even seven different productions, they can save close to 25% off the regular ticket price.
Regular performance tickets are $42 for adults and $25 for youth under 20 years of age. Tickets for preview performances and groups of 20 or more are $34.
To learn more about membership, to order tickets or receive a complimentary 2015 Theatre Guide, call the Drayton Entertainment box office toll free at 1-855-DRAYTON (372-9866).
