Longtime live theatre fan Ken Cook wins July's 50/50 draw
August 28, 2023
Shakespeare's Ken Cook met with Drayton Entertainment's Artistic Director Alex Mustakas to collect his winnings from the July 50/50 draw.
Ken Cook isn’t someone who lets the grass grow under his feet, which is why he missed an important phone call on August 1. He was busy mowing the lawn when Alex Mustakas, Artistic Director of Drayton Entertainment, called to let him know that he’d won the grand prize in the latest 50/50 draw.
Cook says, “I missed the two phone calls, and then it was finally the third when we connected.”
Ticket number #99002711008 proved lucky for the Shakespeare resident, who netted $6,270. Cook visited Hamilton Family Theatre Cambridge on Monday, August 28 to meet Mustakas for the cheque presentation.
The news that he had the winning ticket came as a complete shock.
I was kind of in awe. I never thought I would ever win this big.
Ken Cook, Winner of Drayton Entertainment's August 50/50
Cook, who has been playing the Drayton Entertainment 50/50 ever since it started in March 2021. “With COVID, it was a great way to support the theatre,” he says. “That was important.”
Kale Penny and Ashley En-fu Matthews in Rock of Ages, Drayton Entertainment, 2023 Season. Directed by Alex Mustakas; Choreographed by Lisa Stevens; Music Direction by Konrad Pluta; Set Design by Samantha Burson; Costume Design by Adrienne Pink; Lighting Design by Jeff JohnstonCollins; Stage Manager Paul Pembleton; Assistant Stage Manager Stephanie Bignell; Photography by Darlene O’Rourke.
Cook will be splitting the jackpot with his girlfriend, but he doesn’t have any big plans for his half yet. However, some of the money will be making its way back to Drayton Entertainment, he says.
“I’ve already got tickets for Drayton Festival Theatre this weekend (to see Sh-Boom! Life Could Be a Dream), and I’d like to go see Rock of Ages.”
Rock is currently on stage at Huron Country Playhouse in Grand Bend, his favourite Drayton Entertainment theatre, which he used to visit with his late wife.
He has an ecclectic taste when it comes to the type of shows he enjoys, he says. “Musicals, comedies; I just love to go to live theatre.”
Tickets for the next draw are already on sale. The September raffle will run through 11:59 p.m. on Thursday, August 31 with a Grand Prize draw at noon on Friday, September 1. Tickets are available for purchase online at https://drayton5050.com, with three tickets for $10, 40 tickets for $20, or 100 tickets for $40.
The jackpot is updated online in real-time and grows as more people participate – the published amount is the winner’s take-home prize.
Tickets may be purchased by individuals 18 years or older and located in the Province of Ontario at the time of purchase. All ticket sales are final and ticket buyers will receive a receipt via email after purchasing that will list all numbers associated with the purchased tickets.
Tickets are sold using an electronic raffle system approved by the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) and supplied by Bump Worldwide Inc. Raffle License AGCO #RAF1232607. Please play responsibly. Ontario Problem Gambling Helpline 1-888-230-3505 or visit www.connexontario.ca. For complete details, including rules of participation and frequently asked questions, please visit: https://drayton5050.com.
About Drayton Entertainment
Drayton Entertainment is an award-winning, not-for-profit charitable arts organization (12591 1313 RR0001) operating six professional live theatre venues in five Ontario communities – the original Drayton Festival Theatre in Drayton, Huron Country Playhouse (Mainstage and South Huron Stage) in Grand Bend, King’s Wharf Theatre in Penetanguishene, St. Jacobs Country Playhouse and Schoolhouse Theatre in St. Jacobs, and the Hamilton Family Theatre in Cambridge.
Drayton Entertainment is one of the largest employers of professional artists in the country across all artistic disciplines with over 400 artist contracts issued annually. The organization’s sustainable theatre model has emerged as a powerful force for culture and tourism in the province and has been recognized by the office of the Lieutenant Governor of Ontario as well as the Ontario Innovation Excellence Awards.
In the News
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Every Ticket Makes a Difference!On November 2, long-time Drayton Entertainment supporter Dennis Breen was thrilled to receive the exciting news from Artistic Director, Alex Mustakas, that he had won the online 50/50 Jackpot – a total of $6,110.
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It Pays to Play!Congratulations to our September 50/50 Winner!
After playing regularly since the raffle began in 2021, Carol Boyd's ticket number was finally called!