2016 Gravenhurst Opera House Summer Season Brochure

2015 marked the return of summer theatre in Muskoka and it was a roaring success! We rekindled our relationships with our local attractions such as the Muskoka Steamships, our accommodation partners, restaurants, downtown shops and you.

From our dedicated local audience and their friends and families and to those of you who came from afar by bus and by car, we thank you! We can’t wait to welcome you back for another great summer season of professional theatre. Our promise to you is to provide high quality productions that will make you laugh, cry and maybe even squirm a little. We have 16 weeks for you with 100 daytime and evening performances to choose from plus spectacular concerts too! Muskoka Summer Theatre truly is a tradition worth coming back for and right here in Gravenhurst, your year-round cultural destination!

--- Krista Storey, Manager of Arts & Culture There is magic in the uncertainty of the Canadian summer. We never know when it will show its stunning face, or which quiet August eve it will stealthily slip away. Uncertainty keeps us engaged and alive, or… it can keep us up at night! This season is filled with magic, intrigue, and wild uncertainty. One thing that is actually certain, the eyes of the Opera House will be bright and alive with music and laughter again this summer. Pop in, slow down, and be part of the magic.

--- Dave Campbell, Summer Season Artistic Director

The Gravenhurst Opera House is owned and operated by the Town of Gravenhurst’s Department of Recreation, Arts & Culture

JUNE

JULY

Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat

Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat

5 12 19 26

6 13 20 27

7 14 21 28

1 8 15 22 29

2 9 16 23 30

3 10 17 24

4 11 18 25

AUGUST Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat

7

1

2

3

4

5

8

9 10 11 12 13

3 10 17 24 31

4 11 18 25

5 12 19 26

6 13 20 27

7 14 21 28

1 8 15 22 29

2 9 16 23 30

SEPTEMBER

Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat

6 4

5

6

7

1

2

3

8

9 10

14 15 16 17 18 19 20

11 12 13 14 15 16 17

21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31

18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30

2016 SUMMER THEATRE SEASON Matinee Performances 2:30 PM 2 Across Evening Performances 8:00 PM Thumbs Marvelous Wonderettes * Shows & Show Schedule Wake Me When It’s Over are subject to change

MORE THAN JUST GREAT THEATRE… SAVE THE DATE FOR THESE GREAT CONCERTS TOO! May 25 • Fats Meets Louis May 27 • Summer Season Gala May 28 • Roy Orbison: Shades of Yesterday July 2 • Séan McCann: LIVE in Concert July 23 • Irish Mythen July 30 • MCA Presents Dan Hill August 13 • Russell deCarle Trio August 27 • Hitsville Revisited: The Sounds of Motown September 3 • Jack Hutton & Friends September 17 • Bandstand Revisited October 1 • Summer Season Wrap-Up with the Johnny Max Band

ARTISTIC DIRECTOR DAVE CAMPBELL

C ALL : 1-888-495-8888 • 705-687-5550 G RAVENHURST O PERA H OUSE . COM

C ALL : 1-888-495-8888 • 705-687-5550 G RAVENHURST O PERA H OUSE . COM

295 MUSKOKA RD S.

295 MUSKOKA RD S.

2 A CROSS

T HUMBS

J U N E 7 T H - J U LY 1 S T

J U LY 5 T H - 2 9 T H

Written by Jerry Mayer M*A*S*H, Mary Tyler Moore and All In The Family; had one thing in common: screenwriter Jerry Mayer who was also a successful playwright. 2 ACROSS is about two strangers on board a commuter train at 4:30 AM. They're alone in the car, both are doing the New York Times crossword. She's organized and sensible, a psychologist.

He's free spirited, and charming. She’s a crossword pro, he always quits, to which she snaps, "Crosswords are a metaphor for life, those who finish, succeed, those who don't, fail." As they fight their way to common ground, the ride is described by critics as "Hilarious," "Witty," "Romantic," "Poignant," and "Wonderfully entertaining."

Directed by Dayna Tekatch and starring the incredible Deborah Tennant and Brian Paul, this powerful comedy blurs the finish line, and challenges our views of success and failure. (* Recommended for mature audiences *)

Written by Rupert Holmes Truly a comedy thriller which “sets the stage for fun, games, and considerable self-parody” (NY Times) A surprise visit from a famous ex-wife at an isolated cabin in a blinding blizzard sets the stage for crazy twists and turns and grows into a murder investigation. A Fargo style sheriff, a bumbling deputy, and a handsome young boyfriend all seem to have their own secrets.

Keep yourself guessing. Even Agatha Christie herself would sit up and applaud the blistering and witty repartee. A prolific Broadway author, Holmes is also known for the “Pina Colada” song, and The Mystery of Edwin Drood! Not to be missed.

Directed by Dora Award Winner Maja Ardal, this hysterical whodunit is played beautifully by Robin Clipsham, Richard Peters, Jane Miller and Geoffrey Tyler.

Photos from 2015 Summer Season (Photos by Max Durnford)

Please join us in THANKING our generous sponsors for all of their great support!

GETAWAY PACKAGES AVAILABLE! Be sure to call us and inquire about our excellent Summer Getaway Packages that include Stay & Play options, dining add-ons and more!

You can also visit our website for more info.

T HE M ARVELOUS W ONDERETTES

W AKE M E W HEN I T ’ S O VER : T HE 12-S TEP M USICAL

A U G U S T 2 ND - 2 6 TH

S E P T E M B E R 1 3 TH - 3 0 TH

Book by Roger Bean When called upon to perform at their senior prom as a last minute replacement, songleaders, Betty Jean (Debbie Collins), Cindy Lou (Rebecca Poff), Missy (June Crowley) and Suzy (Rennie Wilkinson), rally together to entertain their classmates in soaring four-part harmony.

Directed by Kerry Gage, this musical comedy by Roger Beanfeatures the magnificent music of the '50s and '60s to tell their stories. Sing along to your favourites like: "Lollipop"; “Dream Lover”; “Stupid Cupid”; “Lipstick on Your Collar”; “Hold Me, Thrill Me, Kiss Me”; "It’s My Party"; and "It’s In His Kiss (The Shoop Shoop Song)" under the musical direction of Greg Gibson.

A huge off Broadway Hit, this show will have you dancing in the aisles!

Book & Lyrics by Vince Grittani Music by Rosalind Mills Attempting to deal with his mid-life crisis through a 12-step, self-help program, a soon to be divorced Roger Starky confronts his past and present relationships with the women in his life. From his strap-happy teacher (“Sister Mary of the Compassionate and Merciful Christ”) to his insane neighbor Margo (who is driven by the spirit of Eva Peron to become president of their condo association), an ironic and self-deprecating romp ensues as Roger discovers that the simple song and dance of life may be the answer to his problems. Award winning director Dayna Tekatch with musical director Sherisse Stevens guide the formidable comic duo of Debbie Collins and J. Sean Elliott. This show is not to be missed!

G RAVENHURST O PERA H OUSE . COM

Regular $38 • Group $34 • Student $28 OR… try a Summer Season Flex Pack and see ALL FOUR great shows for ONE great price of only $112!

S U M M E R T H E AT R E T I C K E T S