Drury Lane Theatrical Productions Inc. dove headlong into their 50th season and will continue their successes with their next musical theatre offerings.
From a bombastic Music Hall production to A Gentleman’s Guide To Love & Murder and a pantomime Beauty & The Beast, there’s something in store for everyone.
The theatre finished up with Holiday Inn on November 24th, and they’re riding a high that saw them sell out their last seven shows. Those results invigorated the cast and left audiences delighted.
“We originally had a hard time casting Holiday Inn, but we brought on the right director with a strong tap background. There aren’t many actors in community theatre who can both tap and sing, but we got into rehearsals and it was clear this cast was up to the challenge,” said Rick MacKenzie, Vice President & Director of Marketing at Drury Lane.
“Director Michael MacLennan had scheduled five hours for a complicated rehearsal sequence and they finished in three. They were off-book, the material was nailed, and they had a strong opening. After the first few performances, they tightened up and were so strong. It’s going to be a challenge to connect that level of dance and strong vocals again easily.”
Next for Drury Lane is a Christmas pantomime of classic production Beauty & The Beast. The all-ages show starts December 6th and culminates with a show on the 15th. The talent behind the production is astounding, with director Eleanor Belton on-board. She’s the Owner & Artistic Director with Burlington’s Aspects Of Dance and a world-renowned highland dance teacher.
“To see her helping our youth with this show and bringing her pedigree of experience is wonderful. She’s with 30+ young people from age five up to youth in their late teens, and the pantomime and energy involved is fantastic,” said MacKenzie.
He currently finds himself co-producing the 44th annual Music Hall with his wife Carol. Set to open in February 21st, 2025 and go until March 16th, it’s a bit of a twist and sees bookshows weaved into a variety show. It also harkens back to the company’s beginnings as Burlington’s Light Opera Society, with a healthy dose of Gilbert & Sullivan. It’s where Camelot meets Spamalot and then runs into Brigadoon.
“You build up such high expectations for a show and want things to be outstanding, but that’s never guaranteed. We saw such success with Holiday Inn and we hope to nail it with Music Hall too,” he said.
A Gentleman’s Guide To Love & Murder will debut in May 2025, and follows an interesting concept where one actor plays eight separate characters. It’s about a man who realizes he’s the eighth in line in his aristocratic D’Ysquith family to become the Earl of Highhurst.
He begins to find ways of removing the competition.
“The person in this role requires a deep well of characters in their repertoire, and I think this one is going to be really fun,” said MacKenzie.
Overall, Drury Lane Theatrical Productions Inc. is in for a bustling season with some incredible showcases, and MacKenzie can’t wait.
“We are going to have so many fun shows and talent on display and I hope audiences really respond to the material,” he said. “We have put so much into making our 50th season programming as strong as possible and we look forward to sharing it.”
To learn more about Drury Lane or buy tickets for upcoming productions, visit here.
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