Drayton Entertainment Announces its 2012 Season

While enthusiastic audiences are enjoying the final productions of the 2011 Season, Drayton Entertainment has unveiled its 2012 playbill – the most ambitious in the company's 22 year history. A sensational season is planned for each of Drayton Entertainment's six Ontario venues: the Drayton Festival Theatre in Drayton, St. Jacobs Country Playhouse and Schoolhouse Theatre in St. Jacobs, Huron Country Playhouse and Playhouse II in Grand Bend and King's Wharf Theatre in Penetanguishene. A wonderful variety of smash-hit Broadway musicals, sentimental and warm-hearted plays, show-stopping musical tributes, and laugh-out-loud comedies will captivate audiences across the province from March right through December, 2012.

"This year really promises something special," says Alex Mustakas, Artistic Director of Drayton Entertainment. "We're going back to our roots and giving theatregoers the music and comedy they adore, along with riveting plays and whodunits for those who enjoy a little dramatic tension and watching from The Edge of their seat. It's going to be a lot of fun and we're excited to present our biggest season yet!"

Members and Subscribers to Drayton Entertainment's family of theatres have already started booking their seats for next season. Tickets officially go on sale to the public January 3rd, 2012.

"Drayton Entertainment continually strives to provide audiences with exceptional value for their entertainment dollar," says Mustakas. "The array of programming in our 2012 Season reflects our commitment to providing quality, professional entertainment for theatregoers of all ages, and at a price that is accessible for everyone, while offering many additional ways to save even more off the regular ticket price."

St. Jacobs Country Playhouse

It may be a coincidence that Drayton Entertainment's first offering of the 2012 Season coincides with Easter and features a six-foot tall rabbit but, there's no doubt that audiences will be delighted with the classic comedy Harvey. This Pulitzer Prize-winning masterpiece will charm theatregoers with its warmth, wit … and yes, whiskers, April 11th through April 29th.

From Canada's revered playwright, Norm Foster comes Bedtime Stories, an innovative look at the intricate relationships that bind us together. There's a lot happening between the sheets in this elaborate comedy about the very funny – and very different – lives, loves, and challenges faced by an eclectic cast of fifteen characters, on stage June 13th through June 30th.

Next up, audiences will be treated to a brand new production in Drayton Entertainment's popular Legends series. Backed by an all-star orchestra, Big Band Legends is a high-octane show that honours the greatest crooners and songbirds of our time, from Bing Crosby to Michael Bublé. It features a spectrum of hits that have dominated the charts for the past 80 years with orchestrations and arrangements by the big band legend himself, Howard Cable; July 18th through August 12th.

As fall sets in, get ready for a chilling tale of love, betrayal and suspense when a successful mystery writer calculates revenge against his wife's young lover in Sleuth. Set against the backdrop of a classic English manor, this top-class crime story is one of the most deviously clever thrillers ever imagined. Don't miss it, October 3rd through October 21st.

Just in time for the holiday season, Annie will capture the hearts of audiences young and old. Brimming with memorable music and magical moments, this story about a darling orphan with an irrepressible spirit is a family favourite the world over; November 13th through December 23rd.

St. Jacobs Schoolhouse Theatre

What are the top ten qualities in the ideal mate? This universal question is at the heart of Norm Foster's winning comedy, The Love List, a delightful tale of perfection and the pursuit of happiness; September 12th through December 23rd.

Drayton Festival Theatre

First on the playbill is the musical masterpiece, The Sound of Music. Featuring the iconic score by Rodgers & Hammerstein, this epic love story about an aspiring nun who leaves the convent to govern the seven mischievous von Trapp children brims over with some of the most memorable songs ever performed on stage. This timeless classic runs May 15th through June 9th.

Then it's a long and hilarious trip to the altar in the matrimonial comedy Perfect Wedding. When the groom-to-be wakes up with a dreadful hangover on the morning of his wedding day only to find an unknown – and unclothed – woman in his bed, it's clear that wedded bliss is not on the agenda. Say "I DO!" to a lifetime of love, laughter and lunacy, June 27th through July 14th.

Enter the golden age of country music with Johnny & June, a nostalgic tribute to the Man in Black and his wife, June Carter. Each classic song is reborn in this musical walk down memory lane including their Grammy Award-winning duet "Jackson", along with "Folsum Prison Blues," "Ring of Fire," "Will The Circle Be Unbroken," and many more, July 25th through August 11th.

Escape for a weekend of laughs in Norm Foster's humorous tale of brotherly love, The Melville Boys. Owen and Lee are ready for a relaxing guy's getaway but, their plans are thrown for a loop when they meet two attractive sisters who unwittingly change their agenda – and their perspective on life. Don't miss it, August 15th through September 1st.

The season will end on a very high note with a hip-swiveling, lip-curling salute to Elvis Presley in Blue Suede Shoes: Memories of the King. Relive a jukebox of the King's classics including, "Love Me Tender", "Hound Dog", "Suspicious Mind", "Heartbreak Hotel" and many more in this energetic tribute, on stage September 12th through October 6th.

Special Off-Season Event at St. Jacobs Country Playhouse

This community outreach mentorship project finds Artistic Director Alex Mustakas directing KW Musical Productions' 9 To 5: The Musical, March 7 to March 25. Look for your favourite Drayton Entertainment performers alongside some great local talent. Pushed to the boiling point, three female co-workers become unlikely friends when they concoct an outrageous plan to depose of their chauvinistic boss and seize control of the company. An instant sensation on Broadway, this musical comedy features the blockbuster title song, plus an exciting score of 18 original numbers penned by the iconic Dolly Parton.

Drayton Entertainment's 2012 Season at Other Venues

Huron Country Playhouse, Grand Bend

The Wizard of Oz A Family Musical
June 4 – June 23

Big Band Legends A Tribute from Bing to Bublé

June 27 – July 14

Blue Suede Shoes: Memories of the King A Salute to the Music of Elvis Presley

July 17 – July 21

9 to 5: The Musical Broadway's Smash Hit

July 25 – August 11

Annie A Family Favourite

August 15 – September 1

Playhouse II, Grand Bend

Murder at Oakwood Resort* A Killer Comedy
June 12 – June 23
*Previously titled Murder at the Howard Johnson's & Murder at the Best Western

Harvey A Classic Comedy
June 26 – July 14

Perfect Wedding A Matrimonial Comedy
July 18 – July 28

The Melville Boys A Comedy of Brotherly Love
August 1 – August 11

Johnny & June A Tribute to Country Music Pioneers
August 15 – September 1

King's Wharf Theatre, Penetanguishene

Annie A Family Favourite
May 29 – June 23

Murder at Fern Resort* A Killer Comedy
June 27 – July 14
*Previously titled Murder at the Howard Johnson's & Murder at the Best Western

Harvey A Classic Comedy
July 18 – August 4

Blue Suede Shoes: Memories of the King A Salute to the Music of Elvis Presley
August 8 – September 1

Ticket Information

Drayton Entertainment offers flexible subscription packages to enable theatregoers to book tickets to any performance, at any theatre, for any date. When patrons buy tickets to four, five, six, or even seven different productions, they can save close to 30% off the regular ticket price.

Regular performance tickets are $40.00 for adults; $20.00 for youth 20 years of age and under. Tickets for preview performances and groups of 20 or more are $32.00. HST is applicable to all ticket prices.

To order tickets or to receive a complimentary 2012 Theatre Guide simply call the Drayton Entertainment Box Office Toll Free at 1-855-drayton (372-9866).

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