Waterloo’s Louise Grisdale finally gets the message – and a big 50/50 surprise
May 10, 2024
Drayton Entertainment's Artistic Director Alex Mustakas took a break from directing Rock of Ages at St. Jacobs Country Playhouse to present Waterloo resident Louise Grisdale with her 50/50 winnings.
Louise Grisdale, April’s 50/50 winner, is crystal clear about what hitting the jackpot means to her.
“I’m thrilled to be richer!” laughs the Waterloo resident.
After lucky ticket #99011912055 was drawn, Grisdale met with Drayton Entertainment’s Artistic Director Alex Mustakas, who took a break from directing Rock of Ages at St. Jacobs Country Playhouse to present her with the jackpot of $6,910.
“My husband and I were in Peterborough meeting our brand new baby granddaughter,” says Grisdale, remembering when Jonathan Randall, Drayton Entertainment's Director of Marketing & Development, called with the good news, although the call didn’t connect.
“I was in an area that didn’t have good cell phone coverage, and I didn’t realize the call had come in. It wasn’t until we returned to our daughter’s house that I saw on my call display that a call from Cambridge had come in. That didn’t necessarily mean anything to me and apparently the voicemail that had been left got dropped due to the cellular connectivity issue, so I kind of just let it go.”
It wasn’t until later when Grisdale decided to check her 50/50 ticket that it began to sink in. “That’s when I realized what that phone call had likely been about earlier in the day. And, of course, my first reaction was, ‘This is great!’”
She and her husband, Frank, have always been big supporters of the arts, so that’s where some of her windfall will be spent.
“We attend a lot of live theatre and live concerts,” she says. “I’m sure this will all go to more live performances. I mean, you just can’t beat the live experience.”
Grisdale also buys a 50/50 ticket when she attends Drayton Entertainment shows. “This may sound silly, but I never really buy a ticket with the idea that I’m going to win,” she says. “I buy a ticket to support live theatre because I think it’s really important to support the arts. I’ve already bought my next Drayton Entertainment 50/50 ticket for this month. Not that I think lightning is going to strike twice!”
Grisdale loves visiting St. Jacobs Country Playhouse, which is her local venue.
“Sometimes I go with my husband, sometimes it’s with friends. The last show was Footloose, and I’m already booked for Rock of Ages. You know, I’ve never attended a bad theatre performance. It’s all great theatre and always a worthwhile experience.”
Tickets for the May raffle are available for purchase at https://drayton5050.com until 9:59 p.m. on May 31, with three tickets for $10, 40 tickets for $20, or 100 tickets for $40. A Grand Prize draw will take place at noon on June 1.
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
July 15, 2024
It's a Moment to Remember for June 50/50 Winner Christine WallAfter attending the Sunday matinee of Jersey Boys, our jackpot winner was presented with her winnings by none other than Niko Combitsis, fresh from the stage after appearing as Frankie Valli. Talk about the photo op of a lifetime!
.png)
June 29, 2024
Priscialla, Queen of the Desert the Musical Spotify PlaylistListen to the songs from Priscilla, Queen of the Desert the Musical
Check out the extraordinary songs from the ultimate feel-good musical!
June 13, 2024
Sunny surprise for St. Catharines 50/50 winner Frank ParkhouseIt's a perfect start to the summer for June's 50/50 jackpot winner.
May 22, 2024
Delicate as magnolias, but as tough as steel: Six strong women use humour to get through their heartacheThe heartwarming comedy-drama set in a beauty salon uses wit, charm and laughter to show that strength grows out of friendships.
.png)
May 20, 2024
Waterloo Region Record: Trans performer makes historyOffstage, Christina Vegas -belived to be the first trans person to star in a professional North American production of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert, the Musical - lives with the awareness that she’s different in a way some might find off-putting, unusual, even threatening.
May 8, 2024
“All of a sudden, women had role models in their radios.” Powerful voices drive change in BEEHIVE - The ’60s MusicalDirector and choreographer David Connolly celebrates the iconic female singers of the '60s.
May 1, 2024
More Than Words: Rock of Ages gets nostalgic for the era-defining image of 80s musicA raucous celebration of iconic bands hits the stage in this '80s-set rock n’ roll musical this summer.
April 30, 2024
Rock of Ages turns it up to 11 in a hymn to the era of excessAre you ready to rock? Hardcore audiences squeeze into their acid-washed jeans to worship the loud and proud ’80s.
April 18, 2024
Volunteer Spotlight: Ron EllisIt’s impossible to talk about volunteerism at Drayton Entertainment without mentioning former municipal councillor Ron Ellis. He was Volunteer #1 at the place where it all started in 1991, Drayton Festival Theatre.