This article was submitted by Victoria Playhouse Petrolia
It’s shaping up to be another great summer season for theatre in
Southwestern Ontario. This year the spotlight will shine brilliantly on Victoria Playhouse Petrolia
(VPP). Co-Artistic Directors David Hogan and David Rogers, along with resident Musical
Director Mark Payne, will continue to bring Canada’s most talented performers to the Petrolia
stage. Co-Artistic Director David Hogan said, “There’s a buzz around Victoria Playhouse this
year, complemented by our best advanced ticket sales in over eight years, and Canada’s best
talent! You won’t want to miss a single minute.”
Promising a summer “bursting with laughter and song,” VPP kicks off the season with the
Canadian premiere of Church Basement Ladies, which has set a VPP box office record for preseason
ticket sales. Due to overwhelming interest, two additional performances have been
added to the run. The show will begin its run on May 20 through June 1. This hilarious musical
comedy, based on the best-seller Growing Up Lutheran, by Janet Letnes Martin and Suzann
Nelson, quickly became a hit south of the border. The musical, written by Jim Stowell and
Jessica Zuehlke with music/lyrics by Drew Jansen, celebrates the countless women who work
tirelessly in church kitchens. A cast of outstanding Canadian musical theatre performers
includes Barbara Barksky (seven time Dora Award Nominee), Gail Hakala (The Phantom of
the Opera), Rebecca McCauley (Godspell), Stephanie Roth (Stratford Festival) and favourite
funny man Mark Weatherley (The Odd Couple). This zany production will leave audiences
laughing and quoting lines from the production well into Thanksgiving.
Next up on the playbill is the hand-clapping, toe-tapping Fiddler on the Loose 2, starring fiddler
extraordinaire and VPP favourite, Jesse Grandmont. Running from June 10 through 29, this
show is a sequel to last year’s wildly popular Fiddler on the Loose. Grandmont will be
accompanied by the always popular Starbright Band and backed with new special guests
including Jenn Kee, Gerrad Everard, Leah Grandmont and Bret Trampleasure. The show is
guaranteed to raise the roof!
Featuring the best music from Eh to Zed, Canada Sings runs from July 8 through the 27. This
original production applauds the diversity and richness of Canadian music and promises to
leave audiences declaring to friends and family, “I didn’t know that song was Canadian!” The
youthful cast of 12 includes Londoner, Cassandra Hodgins, who first won Canadian hearts as
she competed, and placed in the top five, on the CBC television show Over the Rainbow. The
show boasts new and extraordinary talents who join Cassandra to bring audiences Canadian
favourites such as “Four Strong Winds”, “Songbird”, and “If You Could Read My Mind” in a
fresh new way. With over 100 Canadian songs represented in this Glee-like celebration, it is a
show not to be missed!
There will be much funny bone tickling in the production of The Nerd by acclaimed playwright
Larry Shue. This riotous comedy runs from August 12 to 24 and will have people wiping away
tears of laughter as they follow the journey of young architect who is paid a surprise visit from
the man who saved his life. Audience favourite, Michael Hogeveen, returns as “the nerd”
following his riotous performance in last season’s The Fox on the Fairway. His former co-star,
Kelli Fox (Stratford and Shaw Festivals), steps into the director’s chair. Michael DeRose,
Rachel Jones, Kevin Kruchkywich, Ashley Magwood, Mark Weatherley and Hunter
Burgess round out this all-star cast to bring you their unique brand of comedic timing in The
Nerd.
Elvis introduced the beat to everything—music, language, clothes—and VPP is excited to
celebrate the music and memories of The King in its original production of Everything Elvis,
running from September 2 through 13. Unlike other Elvis tributes, the cast will not impersonate
Elvis, instead, the performers will entertain audiences with their powerful voices, great
arrangements, and stellar harmonies honouring the legacy of his great music. Canadian
musical theatre powerhouse Michael Torontow, (Mamma Mia, Dirty Dancing) joins Alex
Baerg, Callandra Dendias, Aaron Tessis and Jennifer Walls for this world-class
review, presenting the songs of The King like they have never heard them before.
What better way to close out the season than with Broadway Heroes, starring Co-Artistic
Director David Rogers? Regarded as one of Canada’s most accomplished leading men,
Rogers brings his critically acclaimed show to VPP for the first time, from September 16 to
21. Paying tribute to songs from beloved musicals, such as The Phantom of the Opera, Les
Misérables, Camelot, Man of La Mancha and more, this journey through song, laughter and
romance is sure to leave audiences breathless as they dare to dream “The Impossible Dream”
and relive “The Music of the Night.”
This promises to be VPP’s best season ever, thanks to the great talent and a lineup of
outstanding shows. Subscription and group rates are available and tickets can be purchased
by calling the Victoria Playhouse Petrolia box office at 1-800-717-7694, or by
visiting www.thevpp.ca. Petrolia offers not only world-class theatre, but beautiful picnic areas,
restaurants and one-of-a-kind shops in a scenic, Victorian atmosphere. Come and spend the
day in this picturesque town and wonderful theatre.
The 2014 Season Sponsor of The Victoria Playhouse Petrolia is GoodLife Fitness
