A-wop-bop-a-loo-bop-a-wop-bam-boom! Drayton Entertainment’s fall theatre season kicks off with Red Rock Diner, a high-energy musical revue that highlights chart-topping hits of the 1950s.
Charming, cheerful, and chock full of fun, this rock ‘n’ roll musical celebration is on stage at the St. Jacobs Schoolhouse Theatre from Sept. 13 to Dec. 24.
Audiences will be seamlessly transported to 1957 while young disc jockey Red Robinson plays the biggest hits of the time – from raucous tunes like Great Balls of Fire and Rockin’ Robin to stirring ballads like Diana and Crying.
While still in high school in 1954, 16-year-old Red Robinson began his legendary broadcasting career at radio station CJOR in Vancouver.
He was one of the first DJs to play Elvis Presley, Buddy Holly, and other rock ‘n’ roll artists on regular rotation in Canada. Robinson was inaugurated into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1995.
“Red Rock Diner is one of the most successful musical revues ever produced on the west coast,” said Alex Mustakas, artistic director of Drayton Entertainment. “It’s packed with memorable songs performed by an extremely talented young cast.”
Director and choreographer David Connolly is at the helm of this production. Connolly’s résumé includes work on major musicals like the recent pre-Broadway production of First Wives Club in Chicago and television specials like The Tenors Live in Las Vegas, as well as numerous Drayton Entertainment productions including Mamma Mia! and Aladdin: The Panto.
Connolly is joined by music director Nico Rhodes, set designer Jeff JohnstonCollins, costume designer Michelle Vanderhayden, and lighting designer Kevin Fraser.
A first-rate cast of talented performers has been assembled for this production including Daniel Abrahamson as iconic DJ Red Robinson. He’s a graduate of the Musical Theatre Performance Program at Sheridan College.
P.E.I. native and recent graduate of Toronto’s Randolph Academy for the Performing Arts, Brittany Banks is the Marilyn Monroe-esque blonde bombshell Venus.
Jeremy Carver-James is the smooth and energetic Richard. He has appeared on stage with many companies across Canada including spending several seasons at the Shaw Festival
Kristen Pottle is the sweet, good girl, Connie – à la Connie Francis and Sandra Dee. Pottle has appeared in the national tour of The Wizard of Oz.
Sayer Roberts is the lovelorn soda-jerk Johnny B. Roberts recently appeared in the Toronto revival of Forever Plaid. Josh Wiles is the bad boy, Elvis-type heartthrob, Val. Among many other credits, Wiles appeared as Berger in the U.S. national tour of HAIR!.
All six performers make their Drayton Entertainment debuts in Red Rock Diner.
Tickets are $44 for adults and $26 for youth under 20 years of age. Tickets for groups of 20 or more are $36. HST is applicable to all ticket prices. Tickets may be purchased online at www.draytonentertainment.com, in person at any Drayton Entertainment Box Office, or by calling toll free 1-855-DRAYTON (372-9866).
