Mamma Mia! Drayton Entertainment’s 2016 season will be packed with Broadway blockbusters, rock ‘n’ roll revues, hilarious comedies, and a world-premiere musical celebrating the life of Canadian hero Terry Fox.
Never content to rest on his laurels, artistic director Alex Mustakas continues to raise the bar for the award-winning not-for-profit charitable arts organization with 19 productions spanning seven stages throughout Ontario.
“People want to see shows that make them feel good, and our 2016 season is all about music, laughter, and plenty of fun,” Mustakas said.
Dunfield Theatre Cambridge
The 2016 Season starts with a major coup. Mamma Mia!, the hit musical based on the songs of Swedish super group ABBA, has entertained over 54 million fans throughout the world and is now coming to Cambridge for seven weeks from March 23 to May 7.
The production just finished its epic 14-year run on Broadway, and Drayton Entertainment is part of an extremely elite group of several regional theatre companies throughout North America granted the rights to produce the coveted hit musical.
Next up is a fun-filled, nostalgic musical comedy inspired by the music of Elvis Presley. All Shook Up will run from June 22 to July 9 and tells the story of how one girl’s dream and a surprise visit from a mysterious guitar-playing stranger help a small ’50s town discover the power of love.
Legends … of Rock ‘n’ Roll recalls the incredible discography that forever changed the landscape of modern music. Such influential acts as The Beach Boys, The Monkees, Elton John, Sonny and Cher, and Simon and Garfunkel are celebrated in this tribute to musical pioneers from July 20 to Aug. 6.
A tale as old as time and song as old as rhyme will enchant audiences of all ages when Drayton Entertainment’s production of Disney’s Beauty and the Beast takes centre stage, Aug. 11 to Sept. 4. The lavish Broadway musical is a sweeping romantic fairy tale about a misunderstood Beast who can only be saved by the enduring power of true love.
Footloose, on stage Oct. 12 to Oct. 30, is based on the beloved ’80s movie and tells the feel-good story of a young rebel who inadvertently heals the heart of a small town when he encourages the local youth to defy the edict of a strict preacher and hold a dance.
The season ends with one of Broadway’s most heavenly hits. Based on the popular movie starring Whoopi Goldberg, Sister Act tells the hilarious story of a wannabe diva whose life takes a surprising turn when she hides out in a convent after witnessing a crime. This divine celebration of sisterhood will have audiences jumping for joy November 24th to December 24th.
St. Jacobs Country Playhouse
The 2016 Season starts with plenty of laughs. Unnecessary Farce is an arresting comedy of errors that chronicles the outrageous events that unfold while two bumbling cops are on a career-making stakeout. The production runs March 9 to 27.
The Cole Porter musical comedy classic Anything Goes sets sail May 11 to June 4. Two unlikely couples navigate their way to love in this toe-tapping adventure on the high seas.
During the summer Drayton Entertainment hits the links for 36 holes of non-stop laughs, courtesy of Canada’s beloved playwright Norm Foster. The Men’s Foursome runs from July 13 to 31 and follows four college chums as they navigate the birdies, bogeys and sand traps of life.
Its sequel, The Ladies Foursome, chronicles a completely different story from the perspective of women, and is on stage from Aug. 10 to 28.
Marathon of Hope: The Musical is a groundbreaking, world-premiere theatrical event that promises to take audiences on an inspiring and uplifting journey. This triumphant new musical examines and celebrates the tenacity of the human spirit with unflinching honesty, grit, and grace as it chronicles the hero’s unprecedented cross-Canada marathon for cancer research. Terry’s single dream inspired a world of hope … one step at a time. Don’t miss this landmark event in Canadian theatre from Oct. 5 to Oct. 30.
The holidays will sparkle with Cinderella: The Panto, on stage Nov. 23 to Dec. 24. The enduring fairy tale gets a clever and contemporary makeover in this glittering stage production that features all the classic elements – the pumpkin, glass slipper, masked ball … plus some unexpected and surprising new twists.
St. Jacobs Schoolhouse Theatre
The intimate, 100-seat venue will be rockin’ and rollin’ with Red Rock Diner, Sept. 8 to Dec. 24. Five teens come of age through a timeless soundtrack which defined an entire generation … featuring raucous hits Great Balls of Fire, and Jailhouse Rock, as well as tender ballads Diana, Crying, and more.
Drayton Festival Theatre
Following its run in Cambridge, the aforementioned Mamma Mia! will launch the season in Drayton with its joyful celebration of mothers, daughters, old friends, and new family. The mega-musical will run from May 12 to 28.
Growing up can be delightfully entertaining, as award-winning playwright Neil Simon depicts in the charming semi-autobiographical comedy Brighton Beach Memoirs, on stage from June 15 to July 2.
If you’re going to tell a lie … make sure it’s a whopper. Or so it goes in the outrageous British farce It Runs in the Family runs July 20 to Aug. 6. A frisky neurologist’s indiscreet past catches up with him at the most inopportune time, forcing the doctor to do anything (and everything!) to save his precious reputation.
The Drayton Festival Theatre completes its 2016 season with Smokey Joe’s Café, featuring 39 iconic tunes by legendary hit-makers Leiber and Stroller: Fools Fall In Love, Neighborhood, Yakety Yak, Charlie Brown, Hound Dog, Love Potion #9, Stand By Me, and more. The production runs from Aug. 18 to Sept. 3.
Ticket information
Tickets will go on sale exclusively to members on Nov. 2, followed by groups and subscribers on Nov. 16, and the general public on Dec. 1 just in time for the holidays.
