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Drayton Entertainment Announces 2025 Season

November 1, 2024

Smash Hit Broadway Musicals, Thrilling Whodunits, and Heartwarming Comedies Set to Lift Spirits in 2024

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – Award-winning Drayton Entertainment has announced its 2025 Season, which features 19 productions across the local region. Blockbuster musicals, captivating dramas, and delightful comedies will take centre stage April 9 to December 28 at the charitable theatre organization’s four venues in Waterloo Region and Wellington County: the original Drayton Festival Theatre, Hamilton Family Theatre Cambridge, Hildebrand Schoolhouse Theatre St. Jacobs, and St. Jacobs Country Playhouse.

“We’re excited to be offering even more shows this season for theatregoers at every stage of life,” says Alex Mustakas, Artistic Director of Drayton Entertainment. “From hit Broadway musicals like Crazy for You, Jesus Christ Superstar and Shrek, to thrilling courtroom dramas, to outrageous family comedies that keep us laughing at our own quirks, the 2025 Season promises to be our biggest one yet!”

Drayton Festival Theatre

The start of the 2025 Season in Drayton begins with a spectacular tribute to one of the most iconic and beloved acoustic singer-songwriters in music history, John Denver. Created by D2 Entertainment, Rocky Mountain High will take you on a nostalgic stroll down memory lane with some of John Denver’s biggest hits from the ‘60s and ‘70s like “Leaving On a Jet Plane,” “Annie’s Song,” “Thank God I’m a Country Boy,” and “Take Me Home, Country Roads”. Relive Denver’s enduring musical legacy from June 4 to June 22. 

Get out your leather jackets, pull on your bobby socks, and get ready to hand jive because from July 9 to August 2, Grease will take the stage in Drayton. Created by Jim Jacobs and Warren Casey, this hit Broadway Musical follows the story of popular tough guy Danny Zuko and his secret summer romance with new girl Sandy Dumbrowski. When they come back to school, cliques and peer pressure begin to test their summer dreams. Featuring unforgettable mega-hit songs like “You’re The One That I Want,” “Hopelessly Devoted to You,” “Greased Lightnin’” and so much more! Experience this iconic musical extravaganza that will make you want to stand up and shout, “A-wop-bop-a-loo-bop A-wop-bam-boom!”

Closing out the 2025 Season at the original Festival Theatre is the energetic, fun-filled musical tribute that will make you want to put on some bell-bottoms. Created by David Rogers, Yesterday Once More will transport audiences on a joyful journey back to the ‘70s. Relive the plethora of groundbreaking hits from Elton John, The Rolling Stones, Stevie Wonder, The Carpenters and more! This nostalgic celebration that shaped an entire generation is on stage from August 13 to August 31. 

Hamilton Family Theatre Cambridge

The 2025 Season in Cambridge launches with the sensational multiple Tony Award® - winning musical, Crazy for You. This Gershwin musical comedy follows the story of banker Bobby Child and his task of foreclosing a rundown theatre in Nevada. The only problem? He’s fallen for the theatre owner’s daughter. Experience musical theatre at its finest with glorious Gershwin melodies like “I Got Rhythm,” “They Can’t Take That Away from Me,” “Embraceable You,” “Nice Work If You Can Get It,” and “Someone to Watch Over Me”. Crazy for You is written by Ken Ludwig, with music and lyrics by George Gershwin and Ira Gershwin. Its co- conception is by Ken Ludwig and Mike Ockrent, and is inspired by material by Guy Bolton and John McGowan. Don’t miss this timeless musical that will have you putting on your dance shoes. This must see romantic comedy runs from April 23 to May 18.

Next to the stage is the laugh-a-minute comedy Halfway There by Norm Foster, which tells the story of a small Maritime town that gets tipped off its axis when a heartbroken doctor from Toronto takes a temporary job at the clinic and becomes interested in a local waitress. This raucously funny comedy about the unshakeable bonds of friendship is on stage June 4 to June 22. 

The season continues with the global phenomenon that has wowed audiences for the past five decades, Jesus Christ Superstar. Told entirely through song, this timeless work explores the personal relationships and struggles between Jesus, Judas, Mary Magdalene, the disciples, and the Roman Empire. Experience the legendary ‘70s score created by Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice with songs like “I Don’t Know How to Love Him,” “Gethsemane,” and “Superstar”. This contemporary re-imagining of the biblical tale is on stage from July 3 to July 27. 

Back by popular demand, the musical tribute The Crooner will be sure to put a skip in your step and a song in your heart. Critically acclaimed Canadian artist Michael Vanhevel, will once again take audiences on a nostalgic musical journey with his distinct smooth and snappy crooner style. This upbeat show is packed with popular hits made famous by all the greats – unforgettable legendary singers like Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Nat King Cole, and Bing Crosby, mid-century stalwarts like Tony Bennett, Andy Williams, Perry Como, Paul Anka, and Bobby Darin, and modern-day superstars like Michael Bublé. This celebration of iconic voices throughout the decades is conceived by Artistic Director Alex Mustakas, with arrangements by Mark Payne. Feel like these memorable songs are being sung right to you from August 13 to August 31.

A perfect addition to the fall season, Drayton Entertainment is pleased to present the Shaw Festival’s 2024 hit production of Agatha Christie’s drama, Witness for the Prosecution. When a wealthy, older woman is found brutally murdered, there is only one suspect: her much-younger lover Leonard Vole. This thrilling courtroom whodunit will keep audiences on the edge of their seat until the very end. Decide the fate of the accused, and become part of the jury from October 29 to November 16. 

The final production of the season will have audiences dancing in the aisles and laughing all the way home. Fall in love all “ogre” again next holiday season with Shrek The Musical – a hilarious comedy based on the DreamWorks Animation Motion Picture and book by William Steig. When a grumpy green ogre sets off to rescue a princess, he never imagined the type of friendships and romance he would find along the way. Book and lyrics are by David Lindsay-Abaire, with music by Jeanine Tesori. Don’t miss this fairy tale come to life! Join the big, bright, life-changing adventure from December 3 to December 28. 

St. Jacobs Schoolhouse Theatre

Playing all summer long, from June 10 to August 31, is the electrifying true story of Million Dollar Quartet. Written by Colin Escott and Floyd Mutrux, this hit musical is inspired by the legendary 1956 recording session at Sun Records that brought together Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis, Carl Perkins, and Elvis Presley for the first and only time. Experience all the hip-shaking, guitar-twanging hits that made these rock n’ roll giants famous with songs like “Blue Suede Shoes,” “Great Balls of Fire,” and “Folsom Prison Blues”. The intimacy of the Schoolhouse will make you feel like you’re sitting in Tennessee’s legendary Sun Studios, and part of the greatest jam session of all time. Don’t miss out on your chance to catch this incredible roster of talent!

With the approach of Remembrance Day, the next production to take to the stage is the astonishing true story written by Meg Braem, Flight Risk. World War II veteran, Hank Dunfield, is just six weeks shy of his 100th birthday. Although a grand centenarian celebration is being planned, there’s one large problem being overlooked. Hank doesn’t want to live that long. After being assigned a nursing student to look after his care, an unexpected friendship slowly develops between a tired man at the end of his journey and a young woman just starting hers. This humourous and profound story will be on stage from October 21 to November 9. 

The last production to end the 2025 Season at the historic schoolhouse is the delightful holiday edition of Forever Plaid written by Stuart Ross- Plaid Tidings. This festive musical brings together the endearing 1960s singing group, the Plaids, to fulfill one special mission: to bring harmony to a discordant world. Watch Sparky, Jinx, Frankie and Smudge as they spread their festive cheer through a mix of beloved holiday standards. This charming production is on stage from November 19 to December 28.

St. Jacobs Country Playhouse

Opening the 2025 Season in St. Jacobs is the heartwarming comedy written by Joe DiPietro, Over the River and Through the Woods. The generational gap is affectionately portrayed through the eyes of four Italian-American grandparents, who hatch a plan to stop their beloved grandson from leaving. Full of hilarious twists and turns, this memorable production will speak to all generations of theatregoers. This play is on stage from April 9 to April 27. 
Next to take the stage is the 10-time Tony Award® - winning comedy, The Full Monty. When a group of unemployed steelworkers are inspired to make some quick cash, they become a team of amateur male strippers with ‘real man’ bodies. This outrageously fun production is based on the Motion Picture by Fox Searchlight Pictures, with book by Terrence McNally and music and lyrics by David Yazbeck. Find out if these lovable misfits can really pull it off! This Broadway hit is on stage from May 14 to June 7. 

Leading the way into summer is the side-splitting Canadian comedy, Liars at a Funeral. Written by Sophia Fabiilli, this uproarious romp pokes fun at the absurdities of family dynamics and the desperate lengths we go to for love and connection. When an estranged family gathers to mourn the passing of their matriarch, the funeral erupts into more of a dysfunctional reunion than any of them could imagine. See if this eccentric clan of liars can become a loving family again. This family farce is on stage from June 25 to July 12. 

Get ready to move and groove with the brand new production of The Sound of Soul. Accompanied by a stellar band, the “Soul Man” himself – Broadway (and Drayton Entertainment) star Lee Siegel – and friends will transport audiences back in time as they pay tribute to artists such as Stevie Wonder, Ray Charles, Otis Redding, and more. Created by Lee Siegel & Konrad Pluta, with musical arrangements by Konrad Pluta, this electrifying retrospective will touch the very depths of your soul. Catch this stirring, emotional, and profound musical experience from August 13 to August 31. 

With the arrival of cooler weather comes the nail-biting thriller, Misery. Written by William Goldman, and based on the acclaimed novel by Stephen King, Misery is a relentless spine-tingling thriller about a successful romance novelist, Paul Sheldon, who gets rescued by his ‘Number One Fan’ after a wintery car crash. Events take a nightmarish turn when his rescuer, Annie, discovers that her favourite character is killed off in Paul’s latest book. With no escape in sight, Paul begins writing like his life depends on it…because now it does. This nail-biting game of cat-and-mouse will be on stage from October 8 to October 26. 

For the final production of the 2025 Season, the long standing British panto tradition continues with the reimagined fairy tale by Caroline Smith, Cinderella: The Panto. Pantos are a popular form of family theatre in the UK based on fairy or folk tales, and encourage audience participation. With its winning combination of popular songs, energetic dancing, tongue-in-cheek humour, double entendres, innuendo, pop-culture references, and outrageous costumes, Cinderella will cast its magical spell and have you cheering for the heroine and her friends and booing the evil stepmother and wicked stepsisters. Don’t worry, we’ll have you home well before the stroke of midnight! This glittering production is on stage from November 27 to December 28.

 Additional Programming

The Drayton Entertainment Youth Academy High School Project allows high school students across the Waterloo Region to experience the working environment of a professional theatre, at no cost to the participants. Mentored by professional artists, over 50 students will gain valuable life skills through onstage and behind-the-scenes roles, in a fully staged production of Mean Girls – High School Version. 

This fearless musical comedy follows the relatable story of Cady Heron and her desire to fit in and make friends. After many trials and tribulations with chasing popularity, Cady realizes the importance of being true to yourself. This fetch production will run at the Hamilton Family Theatre Cambridge from September 10 to September 21, 2025.     

Mean Girls – High School Version is adapted for the stage by Tina Fey with music by Jeff Richmond and lyrics by Nell Benjamin. 

Creative teams and full casting to be announced at a later date.

Ticket Information

Tickets are on sale exclusively to Members on Tuesday, November 26, and to Subscribers on Tuesday, December 3. Tickets are on sale to everyone by phone, in person at select Box Office locations (Hamilton Family Theatre Cambridge, and St. Jacobs Country Playhouse only), and online at draytonentertainment.com/2025 beginning on Friday, December 6. 

To order by phone, please call 519-621-8000 or toll free at 1-855-372-9866. For more information about Drayton Entertainment’s complete 2024 Season on all seven stages, please visit draytonentertainment.com/2025/.

Season at a Glance

Hamilton Family Theatre Cambridge
St. Jacobs Country Playhouse
Drayton Festival Theatre
St. Jacobs Schoolhouse Theatre
Other Programming

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For more information, or to schedule an interview, please contact:
Danielle Dixon, Community Engagement Specialist
Phone: (519) 621-5511 ext. 256
danielle@draytonentertainment.com

 

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