Are you ready for a miracle? After a successful world premiere at St. Jacobs Country Playhouse last fall, Marathon of Hope: The Musical will bring Terry Fox’s uplifting story back to the stage in Waterloo Region – this time in Cambridge.
This inspiring Canadian musical will run for three weeks from May 15 to June 4 at the Dunfield Theatre Cambridge with 12 performances scheduled exclusively for school groups.
Developed in consultation and with the full endorsement of the Fox family, Marathon of Hope: The Musical covers the iconic hero’s many achievements and challenges on his unprecedented cross-country marathon for cancer research.
Organizers say the Canadian musical strikes the right balance of emotion, humour and inspiration, effectively conveying Terry’s moving story and giving audiences new insight into his extraordinary life.
“At its core, this is a captivating story about an ordinary young man accomplishing the extraordinary. But it’s also about overcoming doubts and fears and having the courage to dream big,” said Alex Mustakas, artistic director of Drayton Entertainment.
“I’m excited to share this distinctly Canadian story with more theatregoers this season. Celebrating our most iconic hero seems like a fitting way to celebrate Canada’s 150th birthday.”
Marathon of Hope: The Musical covers many facets of Terry’s remarkable story, starting with his high school athletic career and family life in Port Coquitlam, BC, through his cancer diagnosis and right leg amputation above the knee, and then chronicling the people and places that motivated him during his 143-day marathon spanning 5,373 kilometres.
This new musical has been created by composer and lyricist John Connolly.
The book is written by award-winning playwright Peter Colley.
After directing the world premiere last fall, Mustakas has handed directing duties over to David Connolly, who will direct and choreograph the production.
Composer and lyricist John Connolly will lead a band as the music director. Set designer Douglas Paraschuk, costume designer Jenine Kroeplin, lighting designer Kevin Fraser and projections designer Sean Nieuwenhuis round out this consummate creative team.
The production features Nathan Carroll as Terry Fox.
Carroll’s credits include the original Canadian cast of Once, The Wizard of Oz, alongside many other musicals, classics and new works.
The 16-member company also includes Tyler Check as Doug Alward, Terry’s best friend on his cross-country journey. Check is currently playing Carl Perkins in Drayton Entertainment’s production of Million Dollar Quartet.
Tim Porter will play Terry’s younger brother, Darrell Fox. Porter recently appeared in Singin’ in the Rain and won hearts as Buttons in last season’s holiday panto production of Cinderella.
Charlotte Moore will play Terry’s mother, Betty Fox. Moore’s extensive credits include Fantine in the Canadian National Tour of Les Misérables and Marilla in Anne of Green Gables at the Charlottetown Festival, along with Mrs. Johnstone in Blood Brothers with Drayton Entertainment.
James Kall will play Terry’s father, Rolly Fox. Kall’s extensive career includes film, television and theatre productions across North America.
J. Sean Elliott will play publicity director Bill Vigars, one of Terry’s close friends and confidants during the marathon of hope.
Laura Mae Nason will play Toronto Star reporter Leslie Scrivener, who chronicled Terry’s journey and later authored the notable book, Terry Fox: His Story.
Curtis Sullivan will take on the commanding yet endearing role of Isadore Sharp, the chairman and CEO of Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts who helped Terry realize his fundraising goal of $1 for every Canadian.
The company also includes Stephanie Cadman, Kristen Peace, Drew Plummer, Jade Repeta, Neil Salinas and Keith Savage along with youth performers Brooke Bauer and Logan Brideau all appearing in a variety of roles.
“Marathon of Hope: The Musical promises plenty of humour, as many of the lighthearted moments are derived by the shared experience of Terry, his brother, and his best friend exploring the rugged Canadian landscape behind the wheel of a souped-up Ford E250 Econoline van,” officials state.
The creative team has taken care to cover this odyssey with historical accuracy while also ensuring that the story is light-hearted, touching and funny – the result is a boldly uplifting experience that not only educates and entertains, but also illuminates and inspires, they say.
Marathon of Hope: The Musical is on stage from May 15 to June 4.
Regular performance tickets are $46 for adults and $27 for youth under 20 years of age. Tickets for selected discount dates and groups of 20 or more are $37.
HST is applicable to all ticket prices.
Tickets can be purchased online at www.draytonentertainment.com or toll free at 1-855-drayton (372-9866).
