Theatre in Huron County
The Livery, Goderich
Each fall since the 1940s, the Goderich Little Theatre (GLT) has launched a season, making it one of the longest-running community theatre troupes in Ontario. In 1983, the GLT purchased a deteriorating 1840-era harness shop and renovated it into the historic venue, The Livery, which serves as a charming backdrop for its productions.
The final entry on this winter’s playbill is a sprawling Broadway-style musical.The 2022-2023 season will close with The Addams Family - A New Musical a comical feast that embraces the wackiness in every family, features an original story and it’s every father’s nightmare: Wednesday Addams, the ultimate princess of darkness, has grown up and fallen in love with a sweet, smart young man from a respectable family– a man her parents have never met. And if that wasn’t upsetting enough, Wednesday confides in her father and begs him not to tell her mother. Now, Gomez Addams must do something he’s never done before– keep a secret from his beloved wife, Morticia. Everything will change for the whole family on the fateful night they host a dinner for Wednesday’s “normal” boyfriend and his parents. May 4-21, 2023.
For tickets and showtimes, please visit www.thelivery.ca
Blyth Festival
The Blyth Festival is returning in 2023 with one of its most ambitious seasons ever, including seven productions at both Memorial Hall and the Harvest Stage.
The season will run from June 14 until Sept. 9, featuring a four-show full slate in Memorial Hall and three outdoor productions at Harvest Stage. The shows will have individual runs and then come together in August to offer theatre-goers several opportunities to see the entire three-play saga over three consecutive nights.
Three shows by James Reaney and abridged and adapted by Gil Garratt - Sticks and Stones, The St. Nicholas Hotel and Handcuffs - will each have its own two week solo run before August, when the three shows will be performed on consecutive nights twice a week, giving audiences the opportunity to witness the entire saga on back-to-back-to-back nights.
There is a contingency built in for the outdoor shows that wasn’t in place for the last two seasons, meaning that the shows will be performed rain or shine in 2023.
Meanwhile, the Festival will be returning to a four-show season in Memorial Hall, the first since 2019, which will feature two world premieres.
Liars at a Funeral will open the season. The second show is Marie Beath Badian’s The Waltz, which was slated to have its world premiere on the Blyth Festival’s Harvest Stage earlier this year. Due to illness and lost preparation time, the Festival was forced to cancel its run. The third show of the season will be another comedy: Chronicles of Sarnia by Matt Murray.
The season will close with The Real McCoy, written by Andrew Moodie
For more information, visit online at blythfestival.com.
Huron Country Playhouse, Grand Bend
“After a tough couple of years for everyone during the pandemic, we are excited to continue moving forward by uniting people through the shared experience of live theatre,” says Alex Mustakas, Artistic Director & CEO of Drayton Entertainment, the award-winning theatre company that operates Huron Country Playhouse.
Mainstage
The 2023 season in Grand Bend opens with a tribute to one of music’s greatest stars. Beautiful: The Carole King Musical shares the inspiring true story of her remarkable journey from teenage songwriter to the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. This Canadian regional theatre premiere features unforgettable classics such as "You've Got a Friend", "You've Lost That Lovin' Feeling", "Will You Love Me Tomorrow", and "Natural Woman." This musical phenomenon runs June 15 to July 1.
The international blockbuster musical Kinky Boots is on stage July 12 to July 29. Winner of six Tony Awards®, London's Olivier Award, and a Grammy Award®, this huge-hearted, high-heeled hit will delight audiences with its sensational score by pop icon Cyndi Lauper. Based on true events, this uplifting mega-musical chronicles the story of Charlie Price, who is struggling to save a men's shoe, and a chance encounter with the dazzling drag queen Lola.
Classic rock takes centre stage as the sensational Broadway megahit Rock of Ages turns up the volume in Grand Bend from August 9 to September 3. Aspiring rocker Drew Boley falls madly in love with Sherrie, a fresh-faced Midwesterner chasing her movie star dreams. Will their stars rise? Will their love last? Find out in this hard rockin’ musical featuring 28 classic rock tunes like “Don’t Stop Believin’,” “We Built This City,” “Wanted Dead or Alive,” “Can’t Fight this Feeling,” “I Want To Know What Love Is,” and more.
South Huron Stage
Follow the Yellow Brick Road to the theatre because one of the greatest tales ever told is touching down – with a brand-new twist! Wizard of Oz: The Panto builds on the theatre’s proud tradition of family programming, complete with incredible music, lively dancing, extraordinary costumes, audience participation, and of course, a dash of theatrical magic. Audiences can join Dorothy and her newfound friends on their journey over the rainbow June 7 to June 25.
Next, acclaimed Canadian crooner (and Grand Bend native!) Michael Vanhevel will bring his smooth and snappy vocal style to The Crooner, on stage July 5 to July 22. This entertaining musical tribute pays homage to unforgettable legendary singers – classic icons 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, modern-day superstars like Michael Bublé, and more.
The New Canadian Curling Club is a laugh-out-loud comedy inspired by the local refugee resettlement program. When a small town organizes a Learn-to-Curl class to welcome newcomers, a group of unlikely athletes must face off against prejudice in order to inspire the community. This quintessential Canadian comedy runs August 3 to August 20.
For a complete schedule and to order tickets visit www.huroncountryplayhouse.com 70689 B Line, Grand Bend.