Family-friendly theatre

THE SHOW GOES ON

Huron Country Playhouse celebrates 50 years

lex Mustakas may say he does

Anot work, but a lot of thought and effort has been put into the 50th anniversary season of Huron Country Playhouse, one of the most historic playhouses in the country. “Over the years I never said I was going to work. I’m going to the theatre, to a rehearsal, to a production meeting. It’s a life’s calling. Not everybody gets to do that. I’m surrounded by a team that believes in theatre as much as I do. At the end of the day, it’s about the audience.”

The audience was front and centre while making plans for the 2022 season. “For me, it’s about the storytelling and the connection with the audience. We missed the audience. I want all the shows to be good.”

The playbill, the venues, the capacity levels were weighed for a “cautious reopening,” according to Mustakas. “The season will appeal to all ages. We want to meet everyone’s comfort level.” Safer shows were selected to ensure the health of actors, technicians, musicians and everyone behind the scenes, says Mustakas. Patrons can choose limited or full capacity options.

During the two and half years the theatre was closed, Mustakas interviewed artists for Backstage Pass, a digital series. He says the common answer to what they missed most was the audience. “The audience is part of the storytelling. There is nothing like the in-person communal experience. We sit as one, applaud as one, laugh as one and sometimes shed a tear as one.”

The Sound of Music will provide a chance to do all of that. “It’s the quintessential family show. I couldn’t think of a more appropriate show with kids, parents and grandparents coming together. It’s a great way to reopen the theatre with a classic musical. There is nothing more pleasing than seeing three generations at the theatre.”

Appealing to all ages is high on the list of factors. Fiddler On The Loose features London native Jesse Grandmont who has toured Canada, the U.S. and around the world. The show is a blend of music, dancing, comedy and fiddling with country, Celtic, classical, bluegrass and pop tunes. “It’s highly entertaining,” says Mustakas.

It Runs In The Family is a classic British farce with enough plot twist and turns to prove laughter is the best medicine. Good Ol ’Country Gospel, Frozen Jr. and The Sweet Delilah Swim Club run at the South Huron stage.

“Some theatre makes you think, some theatre is for great entertainment and some is pure escapism,” says Mustakas.

Finding the sweet spot of all those aspects, Huron Country Playhouse has grown from a rented tent in 1972. Actors lived and worked out of a centuryold barn that is now the Mainstage that seats 650. The smaller South Huron Stage, formerly Playhouse II, seats 300.

In 2000, Huron Country Playhouse merged with Drayton Festival Theatre to become Drayton Entertainment. And while they might like to have grand festivities to mark the 50th anniversary, maintaining cautious care of cast, crew and audience takes priority. Instead, a documentary of the roots of the theatre, its current role and plans for the future is being distributed.

In a press release, Mustakas wrote: “Years from now, we’ll all talk about where we were, and what shows we saw, the year that theatre came back.”

For many, they will talk about taking part in live theatre as ‘one of my favourite things’ just like Maria in The Sound of Music. 

By Janis Wallace

● FOR MORE INFORMATION • HURON COUNTRY PLAYHOUSE • 519-238-6000 or 1-855-372-9866 • RR 1, 70689 B Line, Grand Bend • www.draytonentertainment.com