DRAYTON – Drayton Entertainment has cancelled the remainder of its season at the iconic Drayton Festival Theatre here.
The not-for-profit theatre company made the announcement on May 15.
“It’s sad and disappointing, but we know this is the right decision. Health and safety must come first,” stated Alex Mustakas, artistic director and CEO of Drayton Entertainment.
He added, “These may be uncertain times, but one thing we can be sure about is the innate power of arts and culture to bring us together.
“We’ll be back when the time is right, excited to share the magic of live theatre with the community once again.”
This week should have marked the opening of the 30th anniversary of Drayton Entertainment’s flagship venue, which launched in 1991.
The Drayton Festival Theatre cancellations include:
- Elvis show Return To Grace (May 13 to May 31) and The Dixie Swim Club (June 10 to June 27) – cancelled earlier this spring;
- Buying the Farm (July 8 to July 25); and
- A Closer Walk with Patsy Cline (July 29 to Aug 15).
Drayton Entertainment has also cancelled additional productions at its other venues.
In fact, theatre officials announced on May 15, all Drayton Entertainment programming has been cancelled through Sept. 5.
New cancellations, in addition to those at the Drayton Festival Theatre, include:
- Rock of Ages
- July 2 to July 18 at the St. Jacobs Country Playhouse
- July 22 to Aug 15 at the Huron Country Playhouse
- Aug 20 to Sept 5 at the King’s Wharf Theatre
- A Closer Walk with Patsy Cline
- Aug 19 to Sept 5 at the Huron Country Playhouse
- Driving Miss Daisy
- July 29 to Aug 16 at the St. Jacobs Country Playhouse
- Kinky Boots
- Aug 19 to Sept 5 at the Huron Country Playhouse.
With these additions, 14 of 18 productions in Drayton Entertainment’s 2020 season have now been cancelled.
The cancellations will result in the loss of the entire season at the Huron Country Playhouse in Grand Bend and the King’s Wharf Theatre in Penetanguishene, in addition to the Drayton Festival Theatre.
Drayton Entertainment’s summer programs for youth are also impacted.
All one-week Youth Musical Theatre Programs, including the Youth Education Program production of Disney’s Frozen Jr., are cancelled, along with any special concert events or rentals scheduled from now through Labour Day.
All Drayton Entertainment Box Offices are closed to in-person traffic but patrons who have purchased tickets for cancelled performances will be contacted by the box office to facilitate credits or refunds.
“Due to the volume of cancellations, Drayton Entertainment requests patience and cooperation as the team works to accommodate patron needs as operational capabilities permit,” officials stated.
For more information, including the status of each production, visit www.draytonentertainment.com.
