This is the twentieth in a series of Q&A Profiles of London area theatre companies and groups. Today, we profile St. Marys Community Players.
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Q. When was your company founded? By whom and why?
St. Marys Community Players (SMCP) is a vibrant not-for-profit community theatre group that has been illuminating the stage since its inception in 1974. Over the decades, SMCP has blossomed into one of the premier amateur theatres in Southwestern Ontario, captivating audiences with its diverse array of productions, from classic plays to contemporary performances.
Theatre in St. Marys began in the late 1940s with Rev. Parsons’ staging of *The Desert Song*. This production relied on the efforts of over 60 volunteers who created costumes from old drapes, curtains, and sheets, embodying community spirit and resourcefulness.
Q. Is your company best described as professional or not-for-profit community theatre? Or both?
SMCP is a not-for-profit community theatre
Q. What venue(s) do you use to stage your productions?
The Town Hall Theatre in St. Marys.
Q. Does your company have a Mission or Statement of Purpose?
Our Motto: The best in each of us, nourishing all of us. This guiding motto encapsulates the essence of our collective ambition; we believe that theatre is not just an art form but a vital community connector.
Our Mission transcends merely putting on plays. We strive to offer compelling live theatre productions that engage the broader community on multiple levels—inviting audiences not only to enjoy the performances but also to actively participate in the creative process. At SMCP, we cherish the involvement of community members of all ages and backgrounds. We actively encourage new members to join our ranks, whether they seek the spotlight or prefer the behind-the-scenes magic. Our group thrives on a spirit of creativity and fun, and we are always ready to support your individual interests, whether you aspire to act, direct, or work on technical and production teams, such as lighting, sound, set design, or costume creation.
Join Us: Whether you are a passionate performer, a budding playwright, or someone who simply enjoys the thrill of live theatre, SMCP welcomes you with open arms. By joining our community, you contribute to local culture and help nurture the artistic spirit that fuels our passion for live performances. Together, let’s create unforgettable theatre that leaves a lasting impact on our community.
Q. Does your company have a Board of Directors and paid staff?
The nine-member board includes the President, Vice President, Secretary, and Treasurer.
Q. What show will you be staging this fall (September to December)? Tell me a little bit about it.
Canadian playwright Norm Foster’s comedic play, Hilda’s Yard, directed by Costin Manu and produced by Marie Stevens and Stephen Brockwell. Set in the 1950s, the play follows the Fluck family as they navigate the challenges of everyday life. When their two adult children unexpectedly move back home, Hilda and Sam Fluck are dealing with a full house again. As the family members come to terms with their new living arrangements, they must confront their struggles and relationships. Filled with humour and heart and in typical Norm Foster form, Hilda’s Yard explores the complexities of family dynamics and the enduring bonds that hold them together.
Q. Do you have any thoughts about the London area theatre community and your part in it?
St. Marys Community Players continues to reach out to our local, neighbouring theatres, building relationships and connections, piggybacking on our collective successes and sometimes mistakes. We aim to shift away from the competitive nature of the southwestern Ontario community theatre scene and establish a support group for all local community theatres.
This is the nineteenth in a series of Q&A Profiles of London area theatre companies and groups. Today, we profile Silver Spotlight Theatre.
Q. When was your company founded? By whom and why?
Although the initial seeds for a senior’s theatre group were planted before the pandemic, it came to life in 2022. Art Fidler approached Rick Smith, who was then president of London’s Musical Theatre Productions, to see if MTP would take the idea under its wing. A seniors’ grant was obtained from the provincial government, and Silver Spotlight Theatre came into being.
Locally, there are a number of theatre groups that provide opportunities for both children and older youth. Many other companies tend to skew younger in their demographics, and the number of (particularly on-stage) opportunities tends to decrease as performers age. Silver Spotlight was created to provide additional opportunities to older performers who weren’t ready to be put out to pasture.
(Pictured: Silver Spotlight Theatre co-founders, Art Fidler and Rick Smith. Photo Credit: Jim Cressman)
Q. Is your company best described as professional or not-for-profit community theatre?
As a branch of Musical Theatre Productions, SST is a not-for-profit community theatre group. All members of the Silver Spotlight community are impassioned volunteers who are committed to providing opportunities for seniors to bring musical theatre to London.
Q. What venue(s) do you use to stage your productions?
To date, all of the SST productions have taken place in the Auburn Stage at the Grand Theatre. We work within the framework of MTP’s season planning process to select the shows we will produce as well as the venue.
Q. Does your company have a Mission or Statement of Purpose?
We don’t have a formal statement of purpose, but our primary goal is to provide opportunities for seniors to get involved in all aspects of community theatre, both on- and backstage. Additionally, we’re not looking just to attract people with previous theatrical experience, but also people who have no background in theatre but wished they’d had the opportunity to participate when they were younger and thought those opportunities had passed them by. Several performers in SST’s first production, Babes in Arms, had never been on stage before. Everyone who has become involved with Silver Spotlight has enthusiastically embraced the concept of a seniors’ theatre group.
Q. Does your company have a Board of Directors and paid Staff?
As a branch of MTP, Silver Spotlight does not have its own Board of Directors, but several members of the Silver Spotlight community serve on the MTP Board. We also have a small advisory group of SST members who provide guidance on future plans for the group.
Q. Tell me about your 2025-2026 Season. Does it have any underlying theme?
Presently, SST only stages one production per season. As participation in the group increases and the number of participants rises, we may look at mounting additional shows.
about it.
Q. What show will you be staging this fall (September to December)? Tell me a little bit about it.
We will be staging Showtune from December 4-14, 2025, at the Auburn Stage. Showtune is a musical revue that celebrates the music and lyrics of Jerry Herman, one of the most prolific Broadway composers of all time. A casual observer may not recognize the name Jerry Herman, but everyone has heard the songs from some of his most famous works, including Mame, Hello, Dolly!, and La Cage aux Folles. Herman was awarded the Tony Award for Lifetime Achievement in the Theatre in 2009 and was a recipient of the 2010 Kennedy Center Honors. Auditions for Showtune have taken place, and we are well into rehearsals for the show.
Q. Do you have any thoughts about the London area theatre community and your part in it?
The local theatre community is incredibly vibrant, and London residents are fortunate to have numerous choices. From musicals to dramas to comedies, well-known titles to locally-written plays, children to youth to adults, everyone should find something that appeals to them. Silver Spotlight provides additional opportunities to senior performers, many of whom have been involved in the local theatre scene for decades and all of whom feel they still have something to offer to the community.
This is the seventeenth in a series of Q&A Profiles of London area theatre companies and groups. Today, we interview Matt Loop, co-founder of sketch comedy troupe, Project G Force.
Q. When was your company founded? By whom and why?
Project G Force was founded by Matt Loop and Thomas Bogad in 2006 and included members of sketch troupes Channel Surfing and Sector 7 G. The troupe currently consists of original members Thomas Bogad, Norah Cuzzocrea, Laura DiTrolio, and Matt Loop. Past members include Pasqualina Cardu, Christian Gundlack, and Lorissa Sinasac. Project G Force was under the umbrella of local theatre group Channel Surfing Productions and is currently the longest-running sketch comedy troupe in London, under the direction of John Pacheco.
Q. Is your company best described as professional or not-for-profit community theatre? Or both?
Project G Force is a not-for-profit theatre.
(Pictured: Matt Loop, Laura DiTrolio, Thomas Bogad, and Norah Cuzzocrea)
Q. What venue(s) do you use to stage your productions?
We have performed at the Palace main stage, Rum Runners, TAP, London Music Club, and most recently the Princess Ave Theatre in St. Thomas.
Q. Does your company have a Mission or Statement of Purpose?
Our mission is basically to make people laugh with locally written comedy. Everything produced by Channel Surfing Productions, from sketch to past shows like ‘UnderAchievers’ and ‘PMS’, are all locally written. We hope to start producing some more plays under the Project G Force banner.
Q. Does your company have a Board of Directors and paid Staff?
We do not. We are just a bunch of friends who can barely decide where to meet for dinner.
Q. Tell me about your 2025-2026 Season. Does it have any underlying theme?
We just finished a show this year called Stage Fright and are currently preparing a show for 2026, which will be our 20th Anniversary together. We tend to do one show a year to give everyone time to work on other theatre or comedy projects. Currently, Thomas is in the improv group Shut the Front Door, Norah is in The Front Page: SCOOPED at the Palace Theatre, and Matt Loop is currently on Jack1023 and has helped promote several recent theatre shows on Afternoons with Loop.
Q. Do you have any thoughts about the London area theatre community and your part in it?
It’s amazing to see the theatre community start to rebound after those years “we shall not speak of.” The community goes in cycles, and it seems that it is starting to upswing with a great mix of exciting new companies (young and old), and diverse performers. It’s also nice to see actors who we haven’t seen in a while starting to get back on the stage, and it’s great to see some locally written works starting to get produced again. We would like to see more collaboration and promotion done for the theatre scene, as London is growing and so should the audiences, as long as we can reach them. The members of Project G Force have been around for a while and have loved being part of the local theatre scene, whether that be performing or in other productions. We are also getting older and don’t want to break anything.
This is the sixteenth in a series of Q&A Profiles of London area theatre companies and groups. Today, we profile the Port Stanley Festival Theatre.
Q. When was your company founded? By whom and why?
In 1978, Jim Schaefer became the founding Artistic Director of the Port Stanley Summer Theatre, bringing live summer theatre to the North Shore of Lake Erie. For forty-seven years, the Port Stanley Summer Theatre has provided the community with entertainment in the Village Hall.
Q. Is your company best described as professional or not-for-profit community theatre?
A registered not-for-profit charitable organization managed by a Board of Directors, elected by the members of the organization at the Annual General Meeting.
Q. What venue do you use to stage your productions?
The Grace Auditorium is located inside the former Town Hall building on the North Shore of beautiful Lake Erie in Port Stanley, Ontario. Capacity: 202 seats, Tiered theatre-styled seating, 30′ x 20′ stage, full inventory of lighting and sound.
Q. Does your company have a Mission or Statement of Purpose?
Our Mandate is to produce appealing summer theatre that highlights Canadian works in drama, comedy, and musical comedy, along with other celebrated works.
Our Mission Statement is Create Inspire Develop Sustain.
Q. Does your company have a Board of Directors and paid staff?
Yes, both a Board of Directors and paid staff. The paid staff consists of Liz Gilroy, Artistic Director, Tony Sclafani, General Manager, Joe Recchia Production Manager, Denise Lunn, Advertising and Marketing, and other part-time staff.
Q. Tell me about your 2025 Season. Did it have any underlying theme?
The 2025 summer season consisted of six Canadian productions, including the world premiere of goldfish by acclaimed actor and writer Steve Ross. Five Musical Mondays on the Pat and Ali Shakir patio, where you could enjoy the best view in town of the harbour and great live music. New play development is a priority. The Summer Festival Theatre season runs from May to September, with season subscriptions going on sale in November.
Q. What show(s) will you be staging this fall (September to December)? Tell me a little bit about each.
The Port Stanley Festival Theatre hosts a Playwrights’ Festival every September, helping to develop new Canadian stories. This year, it took place from September 18 to 20, featuring three nights of FREE Public Readings as we developed new Canadian stories. PSFT presented three new Canadian plays, and patrons had the chance to be part of the creative process and hear brand new scripts from some wonderful playwrights. We’ve got a thriller from Steven Gallagher, Deadly Memories, a charming folksy comedy, Harts Crossing, by Tracey Hoyt, and a brand-new Norm Foster play, the hilarious Ship To Shore.
The Dreamboats, October 4, 2pm and 7:30pm. Dive into a musical time machine with The Dreamboats as they bring back the magic of classic, original rock ‘n’ roll! Infusing the timeless sounds of the ’50s and ’60s with a fresh, contemporary energy, this Canadian quartet promises an afternoon and evening of nostalgic melodies and electrifying entertainment.
The Fretless featuring Madeleine Roger, November 8, 2pm and 7:30pm. A Canadian band known for its unique blend of folk, classical, and Celtic traditions. A one-of-a-kind folk kitchen party experience! Their ensemble of two fiddles, a viola, and a cello produces a rich, multi-layered, and distinctive percussive sound that redefines contemporary folk music.
A staged reading of A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens, adapted by Liz Gilroy. Saturday, November 29, at 1pm and 7pm. It’s back and it’s bigger and better than last year! A wonderful yuletide experience for the whole family.
Blue Suede and Rhinestones: Dolly Meets Elvis, Saturday, February 14, at 2pm. Step into a world of musical imagination with this new show to the PSFT stage. An unforgettable tribute to the King of Rock’ n’ Roll and the Queen of Country.
Plus, we present musical entertainment almost every Saturday between October and May. Check our website http://www.psft.ca for details.
Q. Do you have any thoughts about the London area theatre community and your part in it?
PSFT is proud to be part of the vibrant theatre community in the London area and is deeply grateful for the community’s ongoing support of the arts. We continue to be a welcoming space for local theatre/art lovers to see, hear, and celebrate incredible Canadian talent. PSFT is excited to contribute to the rich cultural landscape by bringing Canadian stories to life locally in the Port Stanley community. These stories are waiting for you — our audience — to experience, connect with, and be part of them.
For more information about the Port Stanley Festival Theatre and to purchase tickets, visit https://psft.ca/
This is the fifteenth in a series of Q&A Profiles of London area theatre companies and groups. Today, we interview Hailey Hill, Original Kids Theatre Company Artistic Director.
Q. When was your company founded? By whom and why?
Original Kids Theatre Company was founded in 1991 as a not-for-profit charitable youth organization by David Conron with 12 members. The first location of the company was in St. Thomas, about 30 minutes south of London.
Q. Is your company best described as professional or not-for-profit community theatre? Or both?
We are a not-for-profit youth theatre organization.
Q. What venue(s) do you use to stage your productions?
We are lucky enough to have our own venue: The Spriet Family Theatre! It has a capacity of 105 seats, a stage with a balcony, and a tech booth that comes with its own lighting and sound setup.
Q. Does your company have a Mission or Statement of Purpose?
Our mission statement is:
Original Kids Theatre Company enriches and celebrates the lives of young people through the arts, providing them with opportunities to mature and learn positive values through a variety of theatre experiences in a safe and challenging environment.
And this is our Philosophy:
Original Kids Theatre Company was not formed to create stars, as we believe each child already shines in their own way. We were formed because we believe that by instilling our values in everything we do, we can help young people to grow and gain confidence in who they are. We do this by providing a safe and supportive environment where cast members are part of a community, made up of peers and mentors who are there to help one another. Youth can explore theatre without fear of judgment or ridicule, and our carefully chosen staff work hard to ensure each cast member gets to learn more about their passion for theatre, while also challenging them to meet new people and explore new things. We believe that by doing this, we can help a generation of youth become well-rounded, confident, supportive, and kind individuals who will make the world a better place.
Q. Does your company have a Board of Directors and paid Staff?
We do have a Board of Directors and 5 paid full-time staff members: Artistic Director, Executive Director, Administrative Coordinator, Production Manager, and Technical Director. We also have our Kidlets Coordinator, who runs our introductory program for kids aged 5-9, and our Camp Director, who runs our summer camp, Camp OK! In addition to these roles, we have contract box office staff, camp counsellors, and Kidlets staff. Depending on the time of year, we could have anywhere from 5 to 50 people on payroll.
(Pictured: Hailey Hill, Artistic Director, Original Kids Theatre Company)
Q. Tell me about your 2025-2026 Season. Does it have any underlying theme?
We have nine exciting shows planned for our Fall 2025 season under the theme “No Place Like Home”. If you couldn’t already tell, The Wizard of Oz is one of the titles for this season, as well as the musicals Between the Lines Jr., Oklahoma!, Dare to Dream Jr., Footloose, CATS, and Spamalot, and the plays Dr. Experimentor and the League of Evil and Macbeth. We feel that most, if not all, of these shows highlight a desire to belong and find a way to feel at home, whatever that means for the characters.
This is what I wrote in the Fall 2025 season letter:
“This season at Original Kids, we are appreciating and celebrating what it means to be home. But… what is “home”? Is it the physical house you live in? Is it the people you surround yourself with? Is it where you feel most at peace?
The answer is both very simple and a bit complicated: “home” is what you make it! To Dorothy in The Wizard of Oz, home is in Kansas with Toto and her Aunt Em. To the Knights in Spamalot, they feel at home as members of the Round Table. To Delilah in Between the Lines Jr., she feels most at home when escaping from reality and reading a book on her rooftop. But what all of these situations have in common is the joy, safety, and belonging that these characters feel when doing the things they love most.
No matter the show you find yourself in, we can all explore this season together and really ask ourselves what brings that sense of belonging to the characters we play, as well as us as Original Kids. Many of you may even consider Original Kids a home, whether it be in the rehearsal hall or on the theater stage. Original Kids is a beautiful place that brings performers, parents, and staff together to make one big and beautiful home. And as Dorothy said, there is no place like it.“
As far as our Spring 2026 season goes, that is currently in the works. I have been working hard at work, planning the next season, and am very excited for what is ahead!
Q. What show(s) will you be staging this fall (September to December)? Could you tell me a little bit about each?
DR. EXPERIMENTOR AND THE LEAGUE OF EVIL Dates: Oct. 30 – Nov. 2
Age Rating: All Ages Approx Length: 1 hour (no intermission)
Dr. Experimentor, a mastermind supervillain, must fight to maintain his membership in the infamous League of Evil. There’s just one problem — membership means defeating superhero Extremo, who happens to be his best friend! To make matters worse, Dr. Experimentor faces relentless pressure from Agnes and Abigail Anarchy, ambitious upstart villains eager for his downfall. Armed with his arsenal of ingenious inventions, Dr. Experimentor faces an impossible choice: defeat his superhero or suffer at the hands of the League!
DISNEY’S DARE TO DREAM JR. Dates: Nov. 6 – 9 Age Rating: All Ages Approx Length: 1 hour (no intermission)
Disney’s Dare to Dream Jr. is a musical revue that follows an eager group of trainees on their first day at a fictional Walt Disney Imagineering Studio. As the group sets out to help each other discover their dreams, they work together to explore the power of dreams to unite, inspire, and make anything possible. This musical revue is a thrilling mix of contemporary songs, timeless classics, and brand-new medleys that are sure to surprise and delight Disney lovers of all ages.
THE WIZARD OF OZ: YOUTH EDITION Dates: Nov. 13 – 16 Age Rating: All Ages Approx Length: 1 hour (no intermission)
Join Dorothy and her loyal companion Toto as they “Follow the Yellow Brick Road” through the Land of Oz, determined to reach the Emerald City, where the great and powerful Wizard of Oz will help them get home. Of course, along the way, Dorothy encounters witches (both good and bad), Munchkins, talking trees, and winged monkeys. But most importantly, she befriends three unique characters: a Scarecrow with no brain, a Tin Man with no heart, and a Lion with no “nerve.” Their journey to happiness – and self-awareness – is a glowing testament to friendship, understanding, and hope in a world filled with both beauty and ugliness.
MACBETH Dates: Nov. 21 – 23 Age Rating: Recommended 12+ Approx Length: 2h 10m including intermission
Set in Scotland and partly based on a true historical account, Macbeth charts the bloody rise to power and tragic downfall of the warrior Macbeth. This version will look at the classic story from a more modern perspective and explore themes of witchcraft, fate, and if we can ever really control our own destiny.
OKLAHOMA! YOUTH EDITION Dates: Nov. 27 – 30 Age Rating: All Ages Approx Length: 1 hour (no intermission)
A high-spirited rivalry between local farmers and cowboys provides a colorful background for Curly, a charming cowboy, and Laurey, a feisty farm girl, to play out their love story. Their romantic journey, as bumpy as a surrey ride down a country road, contrasts with the comic exploits of brazen Ado Annie and hapless Will Parker in a musical adventure embracing hope, determination, and the promise of a new land.
BETWEEN THE LINES JR. Dates: Dec 4 – 7 Age Rating: All Ages Approx Length: 1h 30m (no intermission)
Between the Lines is an empowering and enchanting story for anyone who has struggled to find their place in the world. An outsider in a new town and a new school, Delilah seeks comfort in the pages of her favorite book, where she feels heard and understood by the handsome Prince Oliver. But as the lines between fantasy and reality begin to blur in extraordinary ways, Delilah realizes her dreams in the real world are worth fighting for.
THE ACTOR GROWS SHOWCASE Dates: Dec 6 & 7 Age Rating: All Ages Approx Length: TBD
After weeks of training in areas such as stage movement, voice, dance, improvisation, theatre tradition, and much more, our first-year company members take to the stage!
FOOTLOOSE Dates: Dec 11 – 14 Age Rating: Recommended 12+ Approx Length: 2h 15m including intermission When Ren and his mother move from Chicago to a small farming town, he is prepared for the inevitable adjustment period at his new high school. But he’s not prepared for the rigorous local edicts, including a ban on dancing instituted by the local preacher, who is determined to exercise control over the town’s youth.
CATS Dates: Dec 18 – 21 Age Rating: All Ages Approx Length: 2h 20m including intermission.
The Jellicle Cats come out to play on one special night of the year – the night of the Jellicle Ball. One by one, they tell their stories for the amusement of Old Deuteronomy, their wise and benevolent leader, who must choose one of the Cats to ascend to The Heaviside Layer and be reborn into a whole new Jellicle life. Our version will be a bold reimagining of Cats that trades fur and whiskers for something a little more raw, more human, and a lot more personal.
MONTY PYTHON’S SPAMALOT Dates: Jan 8 – 11, 2026 Age Rating: Recommended 14+ Approx Length: 2h 15m including intermission
It’s just a flesh wound! Monty Python’s Spamalot, lovingly ripped off from the classic film comedy Monty Python and the Holy Grail, retells the legend of King Arthur and his Knights of the Round Table. Bursting with unforgettable songs, absurd humor, and zany characters, this musical is a rollicking celebration of all things Monty Python.
Q. Do you have any thoughts about the London area theatre community and your part in it?
Original Kids has been a staple in the London theatre community for 35 years, but we are just one of many amazing theatre companies that call London home. We are so proud to be a part of a community that values local talent, personal growth through the arts, trying new things with the support of others, and doing what you love. We at Original Kids prioritize fostering healthy rehearsal and production environments that help a generation of youth become well-rounded, confident, supportive, and kind individuals who will make the world a better place. We live in a very stressful world right now, and it is incredibly important to us to give children a safe space to learn and grow with people who want nothing more than to see them succeed on and off stage.
This is the fourteenth in a series of Q&A Profiles of London area theatre companies and groups. Today, we profile Odesa Company.
Q. When was your company founded? By whom and why?
Odesa Company was founded in November 2022 by Adam Smalley, Chris Smalley, and Scott Smalley. We long wished to run a theatre company, and our inaugural 2023 co-production of Dracula with London Community Players presented a great opportunity to do so.
Q. Is your company best described as professional or not-for-profit community theatre? Or both?
We’re a non-professional, volunteer-driven independent theatre company.
(Pictured: Scott and Chris Smalley, founders of Odesa Company)
Q. What venue(s) do you use to stage your productions?
For our 2025 season, we’ve booked the Auburn Stage at the Grand Theatre (Shakespeare’s Oz), as well as the Princess Ave. Playhouse in St. Thomas (Misery).
Q. Does your company have a Mission or Statement of Purpose?
Absolutely!
MISSION STATEMENT At Odesa Company, we believe theatre should be daring, collaborative, and deeply human. We create bold, high-quality productions, interactive experiences, and educational initiatives that invite artists and audiences of all ages to engage and imagine. We support skills development that applies both on stage and in life, and we treat our people with respect, transparency, and care. We foster a culture of integrity and inclusion, grounded in the belief that diversity strengthens both our art and our society.
VISION STATEMENT Odesa Company exists to make theatre that connects people through storytelling, meaningful collaboration, and shared creative experiences. We aim to be a place where artists feel valued, audiences feel engaged, and everyone involved walks away inspired to come back and do it again. As we grow, we’re building a creative home where innovation, care, and community shape not just our shows, but the future of how theatre is made.
Q. Does your company have a Board of Directors and paid staff?
We have a Board of Directors that operates as volunteers; we are almost entirely volunteer-driven, including the ownership group and leadership team. Having said that, we have been actively exploring and executing on compensation opportunities for our team where possible, and it is our plan to get to a point in our development where honorariums, profit-sharing, and contract work are widespread and normalized within the organization.
Q. Tell me about your 2025-2026 Season. Does it have any underlying theme?
At this point in Odesa’s development, we’re committed to establishing our brand of theatre, which is characterized by shows that have a high attention to detail around performance and technical elements; some of our shows are fun, fantastical and don’t take themselves too seriously (StageQuest), while others pick away at the darker side of humanity and dig at the emotions of the audience (Dracula, The Elephant Man).
For our 2025 season, our July production of Shakespeare’s Oz joined StageQuest as one of our more fantastical adventures, while Misery, based on the novel by Stephen King and running from October 23-26, will join Dracula and The Elephant Man as one of our darker, more serious plays.
Q. What show(s) will you be staging this fall (September to December)? Tell me a little bit about each. Misery, written by William Goldman and based on the novel by Stephen King, will be performed at the Princess Avenue. Playhouse in St. Thomas from October 23 – 26. Tickets are on sale now at www.odesa.company/tickets.
Q. Do you have any thoughts about the London area theatre community and your part in it?
We’ve only been in business for the last couple of years, and in that time, we’ve had the privilege of working with so many amazing people, with very few exceptions. Odesa Company positions itself as an option for artists to create exciting theatre, and we have a strong desire to be leaders in the community, with a commitment to creating positive experiences for our artists, patrons, and community partners.
For more information about Odesa Company and to purchase tickets, visit https://odesa.company/
This is the thirteenth in a series of Q&A Profiles of London area theatre companies and groups. Today, we profile the Palace Theatre Arts Commons.
Q. When was your company founded? By whom and why?
London Community Players (LCP) were founded in 1974. London Youth Theatre Education (LYTE) in 2012. Palace Theatre Arts Commons (PTAC) was formed in 2020, and the London Fringe Festival joined us then.
Q. Is your company best described as professional or not-for-profit community theatre? Or both?
Non-profit community theatre
Q. What venue(s) do you use to stage your productions?
David Long Stage (350-seat auditorium) and Procunier Hall (75-seat backbox theatre)
Q. Does your company have a Mission or Statement of Purpose?
We believe everyone who wants to be entertained, provoked, inspired, or moved by theatre should be afforded the opportunity to do so.
We inspire and nurture individuals through volunteer and educational experiences in theatrical production and management.
We support and promote theatrical youth programs. In conjunction with our partners, we produce, present, and promote high-quality, affordable, entertaining theatrical experiences.
We provide extensive theatre resources for the broader community. We own and manage a heritage venue that is a destination of choice and is available to host a wide variety of cultural and community events.
We create opportunities in the performing arts for everyone in our community.
Q. Does your company have a Board of Directors and paid staff?
Board of 13 members and paid staff of 2 full-time and 2 part-time.
Q. Tell me about your 2025-2026 Season. Does it have any underlying theme?
London Community Players – Mainstage (David Long Stage)
The Front Page: SCOOPED September 25 – October 5, 2025
The Rocky Horror Show October 23- November 1, 2025 Co-production with InFuse Productions
Deathtrap November 27 – December 7, 2025
Urinetown: The Musical February 19 – March 1, 2026
Mamma Mia! May 28-June 7, 2026
London Community Players – Procunier Hall (Black Box)
Three Tall Women October 16 – 26, 2025
Closer February 5-15, 2026
Harris Cashes Out March 5-15, 2026
The Family Creetin with Banished by the King Productions April 16-25, 2026
London Youth Theatre Education (LYTE)
Junior Musicals (ages 8–13)
Elf Jr. – December 19–21, 2025
Junie B. the Musical Jr. – January 2026
Senior Musicals (ages 14–18)
Mean Girls High School Version – March 2026
Anne of Green Gables: The Musical – March 2026
Q. Do you have any thoughts about the London area theatre community and your part in it?
No response was given.
For more information about the Palace Theatre Arts Commons and to purchase tickets, visit https://palacetheatre.ca/
This is the twelfth in a series of Q&A Profiles of London area theatre companies and groups. Today, we profile Musical Theatre Productions.
Q. When was your company founded? By whom and why?
Musical Theatre Productions (MTP) was founded in 1988, with the mounting of our very first musical – ‘Evita’. The founding members were Kevin Bice, Suzan Bingemann, Noreen DeShane, Eleanor Ender, Art Fidler, Vicky Fuss, John Gerry, John Hart, James Hill, Roger Macaulay, Ann MacMillan, Deborah Mitchell, Stephen Mitchell, and Alec Richmond.
Q. Is your company best described as professional or not-for-profit community theatre? Or both?
Musical Theatre Productions is a registered not-for-profit community theatre company. With nothing to do regarding the sale of our productions or caliber of talent on our stages, we are an amateur theatre company. This means that folks on-stage, backstage, or even on the creative side, are all passionate volunteers dedicated to bringing musicals to life in London.
We do offer a small honorarium for certain creative positions as well as musicians, which is very different from what an artist would make working for a professional theatre company.
Q. What venue(s) do you use to stage your productions?
MTP does not have a dedicated performance space and has been lucky enough to partner and rent from many different venues across the city in our 30+ years of operation. Currently, we are very lucky to have an ongoing relationship with the Grand Theatre and are renting their Auburn Stage for all of the productions in our upcoming season. This is a wonderful space that acts as a blank canvas that our directors and designers adore!
(Pictured: Jacob Wiley, Publicity Director/Board of Directors, Musical Theatre Productions)
Q. Does your company have a Mission or Statement of Purpose?
Our mission is simple, to consistently produce and advocate for high-quality community musical theatre for London, Ontario, Canada and the surrounding area.
Q. Does your company have a Board of Directors and paid staff?
MTP has an operating board of currently twelve members (with a vacant seat). This dedicated group of community members work tirelessly to keep the registered charity afloat and ensure that Musical Theatre Productions is recognized for not only the theatre we create, but the experience of our volunteers and ticket holders. We are constantly working to create new policies and procedures, improving our EDI and Community Engagement initiatives – all to ensure that everyone regardless of identity, ethnicity or experience feels welcome, safe, respected, and embraced by MTP.
Q. Tell me about your 2025-2026 Season. Does it have any underlying theme?
Everyone at MTP is so excited for our 2025/ 26 BRIGHT & BEAUTIFUL SEASON. This season we invite you to join us in the bright and beautiful world of showbiz! We can’t wait to explore the golden age glamour, the rush of a live studio, and the surprise of the season that is certain to excite any fan of film or stage. We have something for everyone in the season ahead!
MTP’s upcoming season wouldn’t be possible if it weren’t for our Season Sponsors: The London Arts Council, Old Oak, Ad Home Creative and The London Community Foundation. We are also immensely thankful to this season’s Printing Partner,: Andrus Direct.
Q. What shows will you be staging this season? Tell me a little bit about each.
This December, join our 55+ branch, Silver Spotlight, for a taste of golden-age glamour with SST’s SHOWTUNE. Prepare yourself for a slice of musical theatre heaven. All Jerry Herman, all the time. Showtune delivers everything that its title promises… and then some! No lyric is left unsung in this top-notch retrospective of Herman’s phenomenal career in songwriting, presented by the Silver Spotlight Theatre wing of Musical Theatre Productions. Familiar tunes from such illustrious titles as Hello Dolly!, Mame, and La Cage Aux Folles will be stuck in your head long after this charming show ends. A performer-driven piece that has its heart in Herman’s words, it is the perfect celebration for the recipient of the 2009 Tony Award for Lifetime Achievement in the Theatre.
Are we live? Roll camera this February on a live studio set with MTP’s BRIGHT & BOLD. Take a seat in our studio audience to witness the magic (and mishaps) of a live television variety show with BRIGHT AND BOLD – A Golden Age Winter Special. Our performers will enchant you on stage while revealing some of the behind-the-scenes antics that keep this show alive! Come see us recreate the golden age of television with star-studded performers that represent the beauty and diversity of our communities today. We’re not just recreating history, we’re rewriting it, in technicolour!
Finally, we have our unannounced surprise of the season! Due to our license agreement, we aren’t able to announce this popular title, fans of film and stage adore, but we are certain that it will leave Londoners feeling like an ALL STAR! Stay tuned for the BIG reveal January 10, 2026!
Q. Do you have any thoughts about the London area theatre community and your place in it?
The London area is so lucky to have such a thriving local theatre scene. With so many wonderful companies and so much talent, there is always something to see and talk about. With a dedication to only producing musicals, and 30 plus years of experience, we have a refined and distilled skill to bringing musicals to the stage in a unique way that only MTP can. From our shows to our gatherings and events, everything we do is infused with a unique MTP flair that we are proud to bring to the community.
To learn more about Musical Theatre Productions and the 2025-2026 Season, visit https://www.mtplondon.ca/
The family of Nick Panaseiko Sr., widely known as PROMOMAN and celebrated as one of Canada’s most passionate concert promoters, invites friends, family, and fans to a Celebration of Life on Sunday, September 28th at Eastside Bar & Grill.
This special afternoon will honour Nick’s remarkable legacy in music and entertainment, reflect on the connections he created, and celebrate the countless lives he touched. Nick’s career and charisma made him a true icon — and whether you knew him personally or through his stories, you were never more than a few degrees away from his influence.
Event Details:
Location: Eastside Bar & Grill
Date & Time: Sunday, September 28th, 11:30 AM – 5:00 PM
Schedule:
11:30 AM – 1:00 PM: Social & Snacks
1:00 PM: Eulogy and Speeches
Live Music to Follow (Running on Rock N’ Roll Time) featuring Shelly Rastin and Laura Gagnon Music
(Pictured: Shelley Rastin. Rock Solid Images)
(Pictured: Laura Gagnon)
Nick Panaseiko Sr. leaves behind a legacy of passion, music, and community spirit that will continue to inspire for generations. This event will bring together all those who felt the power of his connection — the true “6 Degrees of Nick.”
“My dad wasn’t just a promoter, he was a storyteller, a connector, and a friend to so many,” said his son, Jay Panaseiko. “This celebration is not just about remembering his life, but about honouring the joy, laughter, and music he shared with all of us.”
During his career in the music business, Nick Panaseiko rubbed shoulders with the titans of the music industry. Here are just some of them.
(Nick with Canadian guitar great, Domenic Troiano)
(Pictured: Nick with The Who’s drummer, Keith Moon)
(Nick with Canadian rock legend, Ronnie Hawkins)
(Pictured: Nick with members of Kiss. Nick was instrumental in promoting the band.)
(Nick with Alice Cooper)
(Nick with the members of Canadian rock band Rush)
(Nick with Liberace)
Celebration of Life on Sunday, September 28th at Eastside Bar & Grill
This is the eleventh in a series of Q&A Profiles with London area theatre companies and groups. Today, we interview Chase R. Montgomery, founder of Mavis Productions.
Q. When was your company founded? By whom and why?
Mavis Productions got its start in 2019, but it really came into being in November of 2022 as the pandemic lockdown came to an end. It was founded because I wanted to bring more performing opportunities to South Western Ontario communities in the form of musicals and plays of all kinds, both famous/family and infamous/cult.
Q. Is your company best described as professional or not-for-profit community theatre? Or both?
Mavis Productions is best described as a touring community theatre company that visits multiple communities with our productions. It is our hope to continue to make shows bigger and bigger so that one day, grand-scale productions can be accessible to everyone during these hard financial times.
Q. What venue(s) do you use to stage your productions?
As a touring company, Mavis has several venues we currently call home.
London: The Wolf Performance Hall, Joanne and Peter Kenny Theatre, and Paul Davenport Theatre.
Fergus: The Fergus Grand Theatre.
Chatham: The Kiwanis Theatre.
St. Thomas: The Princess Playhouse.
Alymer: Old Town Hall Theatre.
Brantford: The Sanderson Centre of Performing Arts.
Q. Does your company have a Mission or Statement of Purpose?
To bring new and unique entertainment, created by our communities for our communities.
Q. Does your company have a Board of Directors and paid Staff?
Mavis is comprised entirely of volunteers from many of our South Western Ontario and Michigan, USA communities
Q. Tell me about your 2025-2026 Season. Does it have any underlying theme?
Our 2026 Spring Season focuses on the struggles of Misfits.
Those of us, young and old alike, who just don’t fit in. Whether it’s because they were born different or thrown into circumstances that cause them to feel alone and struggle through this world.
However, through sheer determination and self-reliance (or the help of newly found friends who are also misfits), they find their place in life and are ready to take on the rest of the world and the monsters that brought them to ruin.
We feel this resonates with Mavis and our communities, as it is a long-standing theme of our past seasons, and we are so excited to be bringing it forward again with these three musicals:
The Lightning Thief: A Percy Jackson Musical (London and Fergus)
Evil Dead the Musical (London)
Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat (Fergus and Brantford)
Q. What show(s) will you be staging this fall (September to December)? Tell me a little bit about each.
London Oct 9-18:
Richard O’Brien’s The Rocky Horror Show
This cult classic has become not only a long-standing tradition for Mavis but also one of London’s favorite annual events. As this will be the 4th year Mavis has brought this show to life for our London community, AND it is the 50-year celebration of the film, we cannot express the excitement and effort being put into it.
The show tells the story of young lovers Brad Majors and Janet Weiss, who find themselves in the company of a strange doctor (whose scientific endeavours are as strange to them as the clothes he wears), his servants, and a party full of unique characters. To say that it is a tale of Frankenstein with flair would be an understatement!
With so much history and so much love from the world, especially for the iconic songs like Time Warp and Sweet Transvestite, Rocky Horror will delight any and all with its pleasurable ways.
Fergus
November 13-16
Tom Stoppard’s The Real Inspector Hound
Moon and Birdboot, two drama critics, arrive to watch the performance of a new detective play, a parody of the conventional stage thriller. However, the private lives of the critics become inextricably mixed with those of the play’s characters until Moon is shot dead and the real Inspector Hound proves to be…?
Brantford
December 27 and 28
Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Sunset Boulevard the Musical
In her mansion on Sunset Boulevard, faded silent-screen goddess Norma Desmond lives in a fantasy world. Impoverished screenwriter Joe Gillis, on the run from debt collectors, stumbles into her reclusive domain.
Persuaded to work on Norma’s “masterpiece,” a film script that she believes will put her back in front of the cameras, Joe is seduced by her and her luxurious lifestyle. Joe becomes entrapped in a claustrophobic existence until his love for another woman leads him to try to break free with dramatic consequences.
Q. Do you have any thoughts about the London area theatre community and your part in it?
The London community has been among the greatest communities to create an experience that we have ever had. For four years, they have welcomed our unique artistic views with open arms, coming by the thousands to our adult/cult shows and our family shows. London is truly a city that embraces all forms of expression.
For our part, Mavis Productions will continue to push the envelope to create bigger and better shows for all our communities from all walks of life. It is a privilege to produce these shows, and we will continue to honor it.
The Beat Magazine 2025 