A Magical Adventure Awaits at the King’s Wharf Theatre

A Magical Adventure Awaits 
at the King’s Wharf Theatre

Monday, May 16th, 2016

PENETANGUISHENE – Musical revelry, magic lamps, and enchanted carpets will take centre stage when Drayton Entertainment launches its 18th Season at the King’s Wharf Theatre in Penetanguishene in a few short weeks.

Aladdin: The Panto, continues the organization’s success with this particular genre of live theatre, which appeals to children and adults alike by incorporating music, topical jokes, and audience interaction in a refreshing take on a timeless fairy tale.  The production runs May 31st to June 18th.  

Based on an Arabic legend from The Book of One Thousand and One Nights, this production tells the story of a young male peasant, Aladdin, who is coerced by an evil sorcerer to retrieve a magic lamp from an enchanted cave. After the sorcerer attempts to double cross him, Aladdin keeps the lamp for himself, and discovers that it summons an imposing Genie who will grant three special wishes.  With the Genie’s help, Aladdin embarks on a quest to fulfill his wildest dreams and win the heart of the beautiful Princess Jasmine.

“Aladdin has something for everyone,” says Alex Mustakas, Artistic Director of Drayton Entertainment. “With energetic dance numbers, fun-filled songs, colourful costumes, and audience participation, Aladdin: The Panto is a terrific theatre experience for the entire family.”

The well-known story has been adapted for the stage in the British panto tradition by author Caroline Smith. The magical musical production is in the capable hands of Director and Choreographer David Connolly, who has directed several shows for Drayton Entertainment including last season’s hit Snow White: The Panto, among others. Connolly is joined by accomplished Music Director Marion Abbott, Set Designer Jean-Claude Olivier, Costume Designer Rachel Berchtold, and Lighting Designer Simon Day.

An impressive cast of seasoned Canadian performers has been assembled for this production including the return of Jamie McKnight in the title role. McKnight, who is a former member of the Canadian Tenors, made audiences laugh and won rave reviews for his comic portrayal of Prince Justin in Snow White: The Panto in 2014.

Aidan DeSalaiz is sure to entertain in the infamous dame role of Widow Twankey and Justin Bott will undoubtedly elicit his fair share of “boos” as the evil wizard Abanazza.

Michelle Bouey takes on the role of the lovely Princess Jasmine with Michael De Rose as her doting father, the Sultan and the Genie of the Lamp.

Tim Porter and Sarah Higgins, who entertained audiences as Woody and Snow White in Snow White: The Panto, are back as Wishy-Washy and the Genie of the Ring, respectively.

Rachel Clark, Christine Desjardins, Jason Franco, Luke Opdahl, Jake Wagner and Robin Warwick round out the talented ensemble.

Drayton Entertainment has also engaged 24 of the best and brightest local young people to perform in this production as part of the Children’s Chorus. They will rotate in two teams of 12, including: Emily Adams, Hannah Billedeau, Cassidy Byers, Payge Dayler, Julia Edwards, Gabriele Gillespie, Owen Hinton, Jasmine Jenkinson, Claire Johnson, Andrew Jones, Liam Knoll, Katie LaPlante, Jason Moore, Nathan Moore, Korol Pikulik, Emma Reynolds, Spencer Reynolds, Abbey Robertson, Kaija Robillard, Annie Ross, Anastasia Stevens, Josh Vree, Chloe Walc and Alex Wyant.

Aladdin: The Panto is proudly sponsored by Stewart Vincent Photography. The Media Sponsors are Fresh Radio 93.1 and the Barrie Advance. The Design Sponsor is Midland Tours Inc. The Youth Theatre Education Sponsor is TD Bank Group. The 2016 Season Media Sponsor is CTV.

Regular performance tickets are $44.00 for adults; $26.00 for youth under 20 years of age; and groups of 20 or more are $36.00. HST is applicable to all ticket prices.

Close your eyes, make a wish, and don’t miss out on tickets for this magical carpet ride. Tickets can be purchased in person at the King’s Wharf Theatre, online at www.kingswharftheatre.com or by calling the Box Office at (705) 549-5555 or toll free at 1-855-drayton (372-9866).

-30-

For more information please contact:

Amanda Kind, Marketing Manager

Drayton Entertainment
amanda@draytonentertainment.com
Phone: (519) 621-5511 ext. 235

Christmas Tree Lighting & Blessing at Martyrs’ Shrine

Christmas Tree Lighting & Blessing at Martyrs’ Shrine

MIDLAND, ON | Saturday, November 22 – The Martyrs’ Shrine is illuminating the largest lit tree in Simcoe County again this winter as they host the second annual Christmas Tree Lighting & Blessing. Many communities have a tradition of gathering for the first lighting of the town’s Christmas tree. The Martyrs’ Shrine invites all to come and celebrate the lighting of the 85 ft. Christmas tree in front of the historic Shrine Church. To begin this season of light, celebrate at Martyrs’ Shrine with a special prayer service, warm cider, and carols led by the Vox Huronia Community Choir. A blessing will be provided for visitors to take home for when they put up and decorate their tree. Take a piece of the Shrine home with you, as the annual Martyrs’ Shrine calendar will be available for purchase. The evening of celebration also includes the Church bells chiming festive carols to add to the already beautiful atmosphere of the large lit Christmas tree, Shrine Church, and good company.

Media Opportunity:
What: Christmas Tree Lighting & Blessing
Where: Martyrs’ Shrine, 16163 Highway 12 West, Midland, Ontario L4R 4K6
When: Saturday, November 22nd at 6:30 p.m.
Who: Jesuits and staff of the Martyrs’ Shrine celebrating with the local community

Martyrs’ Shrine is the National Shrine to the Canadian Martyrs, celebrating its 88th season, and is a ministry of the Jesuits in English Canada. This ‘house of prayer, home of peace’ honours the Jesuit missionaries and their companions who lived, worked, and died here over 350 years ago. It is located in Midland, Ontario, in the heart of the Huron Confederacy of the 17th century. More than 100,000 visitors from around the world and from all cultural backgrounds are welcomed to the Shrine’s 75-acre landscaped grounds each year.
For more information, visit www.martyrs-shrine.com.

For More Information:
John Zurakowski
Martyrs’ Shrine (705) 526-3788 jzurakowski@martyrs-shrine.com

NSCFDC Speaker Series - "Communication and Conflict Essentials"

Meridian Credit Union is celebrating LOCAL BUSINESS October 21st - October 30th

Retail Services at Huronia Historical Parks Request for Bids

LOCAL CHARITIES SUPPORTING ONE ANOTHER

September 26, 2014

LOCAL CHARITIES SUPPORTING ONE ANOTHER

Midland, Ontario

September 26, 2014 – Yesterday Patricia Copeland from the Huronia Community Foundation presented a cheque for $1,200 to Laura Thomas from Wye Marsh.  The cheque is for a grant that will support the Gordon Black Memorial Camp Sponsorship Fund at Wye Marsh.  The G.B.M.C.S Fund is partnered with Big Brothers/Sisters, Kinark Child and Family Services and the Children’s Aid Society to give children in our community the opportunity to experience a week of summer camp at Wye Marsh.  The $1,200 grant from Huronia Community Foundation will allow six more children the opportunity to experience camp as well as better their experience by allowing the purchase of new outdoor equipment for the summer camp. 

“At Wye Marsh we are thrilled to have the support of the Huronia Community Foundation and are grateful for the work they do in our community. With this grant we are able to build a stronger, healthier community.  For children, summer camp is more than just a fun experience. Camp is a place where they can make new friends, learn new skills, build confidence and explore new interests.”  Laura Thomas, Wye Marsh Marketing and Development Coordinator

For more information or to donate to the Gordon Black Memorial Camp Sponsorship Fund please visit www.wyemarsh.com/camp.   And to learn how the Huronia Community Foundation is helping our community please visit www.huroniacommunityfoundation.com.

Pictured: Left: Patricia Copeland from Huronia Community Foundation and Right:  Laura Thomas from Wye Marsh

Family Scene at the MCC Returns with Halloween Mad Science Show

Media Release

Family Scene at the MCC Returns with Halloween Mad Science Show

MIDLAND, ON | Monday, September 22, 2014 - After the success of our inaugural event in August, Love You Forever and More Munsch, Family Scene at the Midland Cultural Centre is back! Our newest performance for children and their families is Mad Science: Fire and Ice. This Halloween-themed show is a spooky live science demonstration. Learn about the amazing properties of fire and combustion. Then, cool off with spectacular demonstrations involving dry ice! Check out the Big Burp and the famous Mad Science Shower, as we will explore the science of sublimation. It will be a sizzling and safe introduction to science!

Mad Science: Fire and Ice will be presented in the Rotary Hall at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, October 11.  The show is appropriate for children and grown-ups of all ages.

Tickets are available at the Midland Cultural Centre and midlandculturalcentre.com. Tickets are $10 including all taxes and fees. Children 23 months of age and younger are free!

Midland Cultural Centre combines art, music, theatre, events and a café, all in one outstanding building in downtown Midland, Ontario. Come and attend a performance, a workshop, a concert, an art show or stop by our licensed café for lunch. Tours of the building are available. There’s something for everyone at the MCC. For information about events and to purchase tickets online, visit www.midlandculturalcentre.com.

For More Information:
Jennifer Kerr, Programs Manager                                                                      

(705) 527-4420, ext. 3428                             

jkerr@midlandculturalcentre.com