Drayton Entertainment has unveiled its 2011 season.
Smash-hit Broadway musicals, a Drayton Entertainment original production, a tribute to one of the greatest pop stars of all time, sentimental plays and laugh-out-loud comedies make up this year’s playbill.
“Each year we pull out all the stops to create a playbill that offers theatregoers a taste of many genres,” said Artistic Director Alex Mustakas.
“We are excited to provide audiences with opportunities to try something new and to experience the magic of professional live theatre in a magnificent locale. Whether you come from near or far, a visit to a Drayton Entertainment venue means you can avoid the hustle and savour our small-town appeal.”
Tickets officially went on sale to the public on Jan. 4, and with all seats offered at one price, theatregoers are taking advantage of the opportunity to reserve the best seats available for their choice of show.
“Drayton Entertainment strives to provide audiences with the best choices for their entertainment dollar,” said Mustakas. “The diverse mix of programming in our 2011 season reflects our commitment to providing quality professional entertainment at a price that is accessible to everyone, with many ways to save even more off the regular ticket price.”
St. Jacobs Country Playhouse
Theatregoers will be buzzing when the most popular comedy in the history of Drayton Entertainment makes a triumphant return this March.
Discover Shear Madness, the “whodunit” comedy where everyone’s a suspect and the audience gets to solve the crime, on stage March 16 through April 10.
In the spring, get ready for something really big with Hairspray, Broadway’s musical-comedy phenomenon that inspired a major motion picture and won eight Tony Awards, including Best Musical. This popular musical is on stage May 11 through June 4.
The killer comedy Murder at the Best Western runs July 20 through Aug. 7. In this screwball suspense-comedy about the fickle nature of love, a ditzy wife, her car salesman husband and their buffoon dentist get tangled in a ridiculous love triangle.
From the author of Shirley Valentine and Educating Rita comes the legendary musical Blood Brothers. One of the longest running shows in London’s West End, this story about twin brothers driven by fate and fortune will run Oct. 12 through Nov. 5.
Just in time for the holidays, theatregoers will join Dorothy, Toto and friends for an unforgettable journey over the rainbow in The Wizard of Oz. Munchkins of all ages will enjoy this magical musical, on stage Nov. 16 through Dec. 18.
The St. Jacobs Country Playhouse’s 2011 Season is proudly sponsored by Manulife Bank.
Drayton Festival Theatre
The 2011 season kicks-off with a dazzling tribute to the most legendary dancers and choreographers of all time with Dance Legends. This salute to movers and shakers pays homage to Fred Astaire, Ginger Rogers and Gene Kelly, Sammy Davis Jr., Rudolf Nureyev, Cyd Charisse, Bob Fosse, Alvin Ailey, Agnes De Mille, Jerome Robbins and more. Don’t miss this Drayton Entertainment original production from June 7 to July 2.
In July, it’s family that matters with the play Italian Funerals and Other Festive Occasions – featuring the colourful recollections of a young man’s Italian-American childhood as he tries to postpone urgent decisions – which is on stage July 6 through July 23.
Next on the playbill is How The Other Half Loves, in which three couples become caught in a web of mischief, misunderstanding and mistaken identity, on stage July 27 through Aug. 13.
Then get ready for romance and comedy with How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying. It’s no ordinary day at the office in this Tony Award-winning musical where a simple window washer attempts to climb the corporate ladder to the top of the executive heap, running Aug. 17 through Sept. 3.
The season comes to an end with the farce Who’s Under Where? A private lingerie showing for a famous Italian designer is interrupted by jealous husbands and mistaken identities in this comedy, which runs Sept. 7 through 24.
The Drayton Festival Theatre’s 2011 Season is proudly sponsored by Martin Mills.
Schoolhouse Theatre, St. Jacobs
This fall, audiences can swivel their hips to the music of Elvis Presley with Blue Suede Shoes: Memories of the King. Relive a jukebox of classics including, Love Me Tender, Hound Dog, Suspicious Minds, Heartbreak Hotel and many more in this energetic tribute, on stage Sept. 7 through Dec. 18.
The Schoolhouse Theatre’s 2011 Season is proudly sponsored by Manulife Bank.
Huron Country Playhouse, Grand Bend
– Hairspray, June 8 to July 2;
– Blood Brothers, July 6 to 23;
– How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying, July 27 to Aug. 13; and
– Guys and Dolls, Aug. 17 to Sept. 3.
Playhouse II, Grand Bend
– How The Other Half Loves, July 13 to 23;
– Italian Funerals and Other Festive Occasions, July 27 to Aug. 6; and
– Blue Suede Shoes: Memories of the King, Aug. 17 to Sept. 3.
King’s Wharf Theatre, Penetanguishene
– The Wizard of Oz, June 7 to July 2;
– The Melville Boys, July 6 to 23;
– Blood Brothers, July 27 to Aug. 13; and
– Who’s Under Where, Aug. 17 to Sept. 3.
Ticket Information
Drayton Entertainment offers flexible subscription packages that enable theatregoers to book tickets to any performance, at any theatre, for any date.
When theatregoers buy tickets to four, five, six or even seven different productions, they can save close to 30% off the regular ticket price.
Individual theatre tickets are $37 plus HST for adults, $19 plus HST for youths 18 and under and $31 plus HST for preview performances and groups of 20 or more.
To order tickets or receive a complimentary 2011 theatre guide simply call the Drayton Entertainment box office at (519-638-5555 or 1-855-DRAYTON (372-9866).
For more information visit draytonentertainment.com.
