For over twenty-five years, the Grand Theatre High School Project has offered an exceptional opportunity for students to receive education and training in the working environment of a professional theatre, at no cost to the participants.
Each year, high school students from the London area are mentored by professional artists and coaches in all departments (performance, stage management, props, wardrobe, scenic art, carpentry, orchestra, sound, lighting, stage, and marketing), culminating in a production staged on the Grand Theatre..
The 2025 Grand Theatre High School Project, Disney’s Newsies, plays on the 839-seat Spriet Stage from September 17 to 27. The power of youth will be on full display with this vibrant musical spectacular, famed for its imaginative and iconic dance sequences, inspired by a true story, and featuring a Tony Award-winning score that includes songs such as “Carrying the Banner,” “Seize the Day,” and “King of New York”.
More than sixty high school students from London and area – representing seventeen different schools – make up the student company of Disney’s Newsies. Thirty-eight students make up the on-stage cast, two student musicians will be performing with the live orchestra, and twenty-one student artists are working behind the scenes in production roles, including wardrobe, props, lighting, sound, stage management, carpentry, scenic art, and marketing/photography.
Newsies invites audiences to step into turn-of-the-century New York City, a time of skyscrapers and money makers. This year’s Grand Theatre High School Project production tells the story of charismatic Jack Kelly and his gritty band of newsies, united in the fight against newspaper giants.When greedy publishers decide to raise distribution prices at the newsies’ expense, it’s up to Jack and his pals to be stronger together and fight for what’s right.
(Pictured: Keirah Buckley & Trent Robichaud. Costume Design by Lisa Wright. Photo: Mai Tilson)
One of the most influential powers in Canadian musical theatre, Ray Hogg (Natasha, Pierre, and the Great Comet of 1812; A Strange Loop; Musical Stage Co.),has been in residency at the Grand Theatre to lead this year’s High School Project production and direct the newest cohort of student artists through the Grand’s one-of-a-kind theatrical incubator. In step with Hogg is an all-star creative team led by Music Director Matthew Atkins (London Gospel Collective), Choreographer Krista Leis (Stratford, Broadway), Set Design Consultant Joshua Quinlan (Stratford, Crow’s, Mirvish), Costume Designer Lisa Wright, Lighting Designer Echo Zhou 周芷會, Sound Designer Emily Porter, Fight Director Mike Dufays, Disability Consultant Kristi Hansen,and Stage Manager Melissa Cameron.
(Pictured: Rachel Peake, Artistic Director, The Grand Theatre)
“Year after year, the Grand Theatre High School project shows us just how much young people can do when given the space to grow into their potential. Whether onstage or behind-the-scenes, this huge group of young people has been challenged to the extreme on this show,” shares Rachel Peake, Grand Theatre Artistic Director. “It calls on them to execute all elements of musical theatre to the highest level. This exceptional creative team has set the bar high, and day after day, those of us working with these students are deeply impacted by how they continually exceed our expectations.”
Disney’s Newsies
Music by Alan Menken Lyrics by Jack Feldman Book by Harvey Fierstein Based on the Disney Film written by Bob Tzudiker and Noni White Originally produced on Broadway by Disney Theatrical Productions Directed by Ray Hogg
September 17 to 27 on the Spriet Stage at the Grand Theatre
Single tickets range from $26-$55 and are available at grandtheatre.com, by phone at 519.672.8800, or at the Box Office, 471 Richmond Street.
This is the sixth in a series of Q&A Interviews with representatives of London area theatre companies and groups. Today, we interview Lisa Cardinal, co-founder of Infuse Productions.
Q. When was your company founded? By whom and why?
Infuse Productions was founded in 2025 by Lisa Cardinal and Mel Stewart. We knew for years that we wanted to put on a show together and had a different show planned for the fall of 2025. When we realized that 2025 was the 50th anniversary of The Rocky Horror Show – the show that we met on ten years earlier – we knew it was the right one to kick off Infuse Productions with.
Q. Is your company best described as professional or not-for-profit community theatre?
We are a community theatre who are committed to profit-sharing with our dedicated casts and crews.
(Pictured: Infuse Productions co-founders, Mel Stewart and Lisa Cardinal)
Q. What venue(s) do you use to stage your productions?
Our first production, a co-production with London Community Players (LCP), will take place at the Palace Theatre. The Palace and LCP are the ideal venues for our rendition of Rocky Horror, and in the future, we are open to working at other venues based on the show’s needs.
Q. Does your company have a Mission or Statement of Purpose?
To infuse is to introduce one thing to another, to fill it with a certain quality, and results in a change for the better. This is core to our values and how we work: the artists we work with bring their own talents and experiences, and we are excited to explore how we will continue to infuse side-by-side.
Q. Does your company have a Board of Directors and paid staff?
No
Q. Tell me about your 2025-2026 Season. Does it have any underlying theme?
Even though this is Infuse Production’s first season, this is a milestone for us personally. We first worked together ten years ago, and now we are celebrating the 50th Anniversary of the film and The Palace. One of our themes is The Reveal. Not only are we revealing what you can expect from Infuse Productions, we are also taking this cult classic and bringing it to the stage and offering occasions for antici…pation. And we have so many things to reveal, so whether it’s your 50th time seeing Rocky Horror or your first, we’re sure that you will be entertained!
Q. What show(s) will you be staging this fall (September to December)? Tell me a little bit about each.
The Rocky Horror Show, October 23 to November 2 at the Palace Theatre, a co-production with London Community Players..
Q.Do you have any thoughts about the London area theatre community and your part in it?
We are a strong community that has been transforming and growing across every organization. We are very excited to have received such a warm welcome, and we cannot wait to share what we’ve been working on with audiences.
This is the fifth in a series of Q&A Interviews with representatives of London area theatre companies and groups. Today, we interview Sean Brennan of Banished By The King Productions.
(Who is The Banished Guy? The Banished Guy was originally drawn by Sean Brennan in Grade 3. You can easily tell by the crooked smile, misshapen ears, and lumpy eyes why the King would banish this guy.)
Q. When was your company founded? By whom and why?
Our company was founded in 2009 as a dream to continue to produce, write, and act in shows after graduating from university. Many of our original and founding members attended King’s University College, and thus, once our studies were over, we became Banished By The King. Over the years, the group has morphed and grown to include the talents of many members of London’s thriving community theatre scene.
(Pictured: Sean Brennan,Banished By The King Productions)
Q. Is your company best described as professional or not-for-profit community theatre? Or both?
We are a community theatre group.
Q. What venue(s) do you use to stage your productions?
As of 2019, we have been producing at Procunier Hall at The Palace Theatre. Previously, we produced our work at The Arts Project. As of 2024, we have become the Theatre Company in Residence at the Palace Theatre Arts Commons.
Q. Does your company have a Mission or Statement of Purpose?
We create original and unique theatre experiences for our audiences. Since 2009, we have produced eighteen full productions and staged readings, and will continue to push ourselves as artists and creative people.
Q. Does your company have a Board of Directors and paid staff?
No.
Q. Tell me about your 2025-2026 Season. Does it have any underlying theme?
We will be remounting a previously successful production of The Family Creetin by Patrick Brennan in April 2026 at the Palace Theatre.
Q. What show(s) will you be staging this fall (September to December)? Tell me a little bit about each.
Our auditions for The Family Creetin booked up quickly, and the wait list continues to grow. Keep your eyes open as we’re hoping to have another staged reading or fundraising event in the fall. Check out banishedproductions.ca for all upcoming news.
Q. Do you have any thoughts about the London area theatre community and your place in it?
The London Theatre community is a vibrant tapestry that encompasses many differing groups, ideas, and organizations. With an aim to entertaining and enlightening audiences, we look forward to contributing to that tapestry and reflecting our original and unique community in our work.
This is the fourth in a series of Q&A Profiles of London area theatre companies and groups. Today, we profile the Grand Theatre, London’s premier professional theatre company.
Q. When was your company founded? By whom and why?
In 1934, the four amateur drama guilds in London, The London Drama League, The Half-Way House Players, The Meredith Players , and The Community Drama Guild, pooled their resources together to become London Little Theatre. With the amalgamation, London Little Theatre was able to afford to rent the Grand Theatre. In 1945, the London Little Theatre purchased the Grand Theatre building from Famous Players.
In 1971, London Little Theatre became a professional theatre company known as Theatre London.
In 1983, Theatre London changed its name to the present Grand Theatre.
Q. Is your company best described as professional or not-for-profit community theatre?
The Grand Theatre is a not-for-profit professional theatre company, known for world-class theatre created and built in London, Ontario. As southwestern Ontario’s premier producing theatre and one of the most beautiful theatre spaces in Canada, the company has deep ties to the community and to its artists, artisans, and technicians.
It is one of twenty-two Regional Theatres across Canada, typically the largest or most established company in an area, serving the dual role of bringing work and artists from the national or world stage to the region while also celebrating work and artists from the region.
The Grand Theatre is also ranked as a Category A theatre, one of twenty of Canada’s largest and highest budget theatres alongside Mirvish Productions, the National Arts Centre, and the Stratford Festival.
Q. What venue do you use to stage your productions?
The Grand Theatre, 471 Richmond St, London, Ontario.
Q. Does your company have a Mission or Statement of Purpose?
OUR VISION
The place to gather where world-class theatre thrives.
OUR MISSION
We create live professional theatre that gathers, inspires, and entertains audiences in London and beyond.
Q. Does your company have a Board of Directors and paid staff?
The Grand Theatre has a volunteer Board of Directors. The Grand Theatre Foundation has a volunteer board of directors. In a typical season, the Grand Theatre will work with one hundred or more professional guest artists, and approximately an equal number of production, technical, and administrative professionals and staff.
Q. Tell me about your 2025-2026 Season. Does it have any underlying theme?
The Grand Theatre’s 2025/26 season, titled “You Are Here”, invites theatregoers on a year-long trip full of visits to places they love, or have been dying to see. Stopping at unknown destinations along the way, unlocking delightful discoveries that they can’t wait to revisit.
In the plays this season, there is a theme of people trying to go it alone. But at their heart, these joyful plays are about quite the opposite. They are about the discoveries we make when we come together in community— the same way we do when we go to the theatre. The same way we do when we come to the Grand: the place to gather where world-class theatre thrives.
Q. What shows will you be staging this fall (September to December)? Tell me a little bit about each.
The Grand’s 2025/26 season will launch with the hilariously chaotic The Play That Goes Wrong by Henry Lewis, Henry Shields & Jonathan Sayer, and directed by former Grand Theatre Artistic Director Dennis Garnhum, director of last year’s smash-hit comedy CLUE.
(Pictured: Company members in THE PLAY THAT GOES WRONG, 2024, The Citadel Theatre in partnership with Theatre Calgary and Royal Manitoba Theatre Centre. Photo by Nanc Price.)
This will be followed by the wonderfully magical holiday hit, Disney’s Frozen, directed by Grand Theatre Artistic Director Rachel Peake, a co-production with Edmonton’s Citadel Theatre.
In the New Year, the Grand Theatre welcomes fresh beginnings withPrimary Trust by Pulitzer-winning playwright Eboni Booth, a co-production with Crow’s Theatre.
In February, experience the star-studded musical drama Piaf/Dietrichby Daniel Große Boymann and Thomas Kahry, adapted by decorated Canadian playwright Erin Shields, intertwining the lives of Marlene Dietrich and Edith Piaf in a dazzling tribute.
Next, travel back to Victorian England with Oscar Wilde’s beloved comedy The Importance of Being Earnest.
Finally, land in the northeast tip of North America for the heartwarming and uplifting Come From Away, the Tony and Olivier Award-winning Canadian musical by Irene Sankoff and David Hein.
And don’t forget about Newsies, this year’s Grand Theatre High School Project, Disney’s NewsiesThe Musical.
Music by Alan Menken Lyrics by Jack Feldman Book by Harvey Fierstein Based on the Disney Film written by Bob Tzudiker and Noni White Originally produced on Broadway by Disney Theatrical Productions
September 17 to September 27, 2025
Opening Night: Friday, September 19
Spriet Stage
Q. Do you have any thoughts about the London area theatre community and your place in it?
As one of Canada’s premier producing theatres and a vibrant cultural hub, the Grand Theatre delivers world-class productions that both engage and inspire, while fostering deep connections within our community.
We strive to be the cornerstone of entertainment in London, to support the artistic community and the development of theatre-makers, and to be a trusted place for communities to gather where the diversity of their lives is reflected. Our spaces offer a welcoming and accessible environment, intended to act as a hub within the community. We are committed to growing the number of local professional artists working on our productions, and to being a national teaching theatre working to correct imbalances in the industry by providing opportunities for artists from equity-denied groups.
The Grand Theatre and the City of London benefit from a vibrant collection of community theatre companies, many of which produce shows on the Grand’s Auburn Stage and connect with the Grand through initiatives designed to welcome and nurture the talented theatre artists who call London home. Artists in the Auburn gathers emerging and local artists for a hands-on workshop series, speaker series, available rental space, and season-long Playwrights Lab, led by director, dramaturge, and Grand Theatre Artistic Director Rachel Peake.
The Grand engages dedicated professional artists from across the country – and around the world – to create world-class, London-made productions on our stunning 839-seat Spriet Stage each season.
This is the third in a series of Q&A Interviews with representatives of London area theatre companies and groups. Today, we profile the Elgin Theatre Guild in St. Thomas.
Q. When was your company founded? By whom and why?
The Elgin Theatre Guild was formed in 1967, thanks to community volunteers with a $500 loan arranged by founding member Noni McLean from her boss, the St. Thomas Times-Journal (Here’s a Link to a story about the Guild’s founding https://share.google/xl4fejULmWu1QDPqX )
Q. Is your company best described as professional or not-for-profit community theatre?
Not-for-profit community theatre.
Q. What venue(s) do you use to stage your productions?
Princess Avenue Playhouse, 40 Princess Avenue, St. Thomas.
Q. Does your company have a Mission or Statement of Purpose?
To produce quality live productions through community theatre and rentals of the theatre venue for concerts and other arts-related presentations.
Q. Does your company have a Board of Directors and paid staff?
Elgin Theatre Guild is comprised of all volunteers, with an elected Board of Directors.
Q. Tell me about your 2025-2026 Season. Does it have any underlying theme?
The underlying theme is the Power of Friendship and Belief in one another.
Q. What show(s) will you be staging this fall (September to December)? Tell me a little bit about each.
Two classic stories about love, friendships, and miracles.
Steel Magnolias – Sept 18-28, 2025 By Robert Harling The action is set in Truvy’s beauty salon in Chinquapin, Louisiana, where all the ladies who are “anybody” come to have their hair done. Helped by her eager new assistant, Annelle (who is not sure whether or not she is still married), the outspoken, wise-cracking Truvy dispenses shampoos and free advice to the town’s rich curmudgeon, Ouiser, (“I’m not crazy, I’ve just been in a bad mood for forty years”); an eccentric millionaire, Miss Clairee, who has a raging sweet tooth; and the local social leader, M’Lynn, whose daughter, Shelby (the prettiest girl in town), is about to marry a “good ole boy.” Filled with hilarious repartee and not a few acerbic but humorously revealing verbal collisions, the play moves toward tragedy when, in the second act, the spunky Shelby (who is a diabetic) risks pregnancy and forfeits her life. The sudden realization of their mortality affects the others, but also draws on the underlying strength—and love—which give the play, and its characters, the special quality to make them truly touching, funny, and marvelously amiable company in good times and bad.
Miracle on 34th Street, The Play – Dec 4-14, 2025 Adapted by Mountain Community Theater from the novel by Valentine Davies. Based upon the Twentieth Century Fox motion picture Miracle on 34th Street.“This is a tale that we want to believe in, that creates a world we seem to desperately desire, free of the blatant commercialism that surrounds us, where love and decency and generosity of spirit are their own rewards. What we want Christmas to be all about, really.” So writes the Santa Cruz Sentinel of this most heartwarming holiday story. By chance, Kris Kringle, an old man in a retirement home, gets a job working as Santa for Macy’s. Kris unleashes waves of goodwill with Macy’s customers and the commercial world of New York City by referring parents to other stores to find exactly the toy their child has asked for. Seen as deluded and dangerous by Macy’s vocational counselor, who plots to have Kris shanghaied to Bellevue Psychiatric Hospital, Kris ends up in a court competency hearing. Especially at stake is one little girl’s belief in Santa. In a dramatic decision, the court confirms Kris as the true Santa, allowing Susan and countless other children to experience the joy of childhood fantasy.
Q. Do you have any thoughts about the London area theatre community and your place in it?
We are proud to be part of the rich community theatre network in our area and look forward to building relationships and continued support of our fellow organizations
This is the second in a series of Q&A Interviews with representatives of London area theatre companies and groups. Today, we profile David J. Pasquino and DJP Productions.
Q. When was your company founded? By whom and why?
DJP Productions was founded by David J Pasquino in April 2025, for the sole purpose of putting on Prescription: Murder. I discovered it a couple of years ago when I read that Pat Sajak was going to play the role of Dr. Roy Flemming in the play at a community theatre in Hawaii (it was on at the Hawaii Theatre, July 31 to August 10, 2025). Much to my surprise, the play, written in 1962, was the very first Columbo story and was adapted into a TV special in 1968. I grew up watching Columbo and could not pass up the opportunity to play him, so I had to figure out a way to get this play on a stage in London, and producing it seemed to be the best way to do all of this.
Q. Is your company best described as professional or not-for-profit community theatre? Or both?
Not-for-profit community theatre.
Q. What venue(s) do you use to stage your productions?
Prescription: Murder will be onstage at the Auburn Stage at the Grand Theatre.
Q. Does your company have a Mission or Statement of Purpose?
DJP could be my initials, or maybe it could stand for Discover Joy and Passion? Either way, this inaugural production is an expression of my love of theatre, and for the theatre community in London – something I discovered 12 years ago that I never knew was missing from my life. I hope people coming to the show experience that Joy and Passion as well.
Q. Does your company have a Board of Directors and paid staff?
No.
Q. Tell me about your 2025-2026 Season. Does it have any underlying theme?
I don’t know if one show can be called a season, but the purpose is to bring the original Columbo story to the stage and the people of London, Ontario.
Q. What show(s) will you be staging this fall (September to December)? Tell me a little bit about each.
Unfortunately, nothing in that time frame, but Prescription: Murder will be on March 19 – 29, 2026.
Q. Do you have any thoughts about the London area theatre community and your place in it?
I have been a part of the London theatre community since my first show, To Kill a Mockingbird, in March 2013, and have acted in over twenty plays since then. This is my first time producing a show (I am also acting in it), and I am a little anxious because I obviously want this to be a success and to have people (cast, crew, and audience) enjoy it. I will have to see how this goes before I commit to producing other shows, but there is at least one other one play I have always wanted to put on. Who knows, maybe I will catch the producing bug, and DJP Productions will put on regular shows! I owe a debt of gratitude to all of the directors, producers, stage managers, crew, and actors that I’ve had the good fortune to work with; they welcomed me with open arms and have become very important to me in the last decade, and maybe this is one way I can pay a bit of that debt.
The Beat Magazine was London’s premier independent arts print magazine from 2009 to 2013. After a long hiatus (nine years!), I reactivated its website as The Beat Magazine 2025 in late July.
My reason for doing so is straightforward. My goal is to gather together in one place the local arts and culture news that the mainstream London media outlets no longer seem interested in covering, unless there are exorbitant advertising dollars involved.
Since going live online, thebeatmagazine2025.ca has published Weekly Arts & Culture listings, Q&A Interviews with local musicians and artists, Media Releases about local Arts & Culture events, reprinted theatre Reviews from Entertain This Thought, and other general arts news, most of which has not been reported in the local media.
In mid-August, I invited all known active London and area theatre companies – community and professional – to participate in a Feature Story profiling them and their 2025-2026 seasons. Each company/group was sent a generic Questionnaire designed to enable me to gather the necessary information. Most (but, unfortunately, not all) responded with the information I was seeking.
Some companies/groups had lots to say, others not so much.
In light of this, I have decided to organize the responses in a Q&A format using the eight Guide Questions I sent to the companies.
Over the next couple of weeks, I will be posting a new Local Theatre Q&A every other day.
Posts will appear alphabetically, beginning with London’s AlvegoRoot Theatre.
AlvegoRoot Theatre – Telling local stories and creating local theatre of Southwestern Ontario. An Interview with Adam Corrigan Holowitz.
Q When was your company founded? By whom and why?
AlvegoRoot Theatre was founded in 2009 by Adam Corrigan Holowitz. Over our first three seasons, we found our mission to develop local plays which speak directly and meaningfully to London and the Souwesto Region.
Q Is your company best described as professional or not-for-profit community theatre?
AlvegoRoot is a professional theatre ensemble that primarily focuses on presenting local plays and supporting new play development. A quick note of clarification: not-for-profit vs non-profit. I am not a tax expert by any means, so I may not have the finer points down, but a non-profit exists for the advancement of social good (this can include clubs or recreational organizations) whereas a not-for-profit means any organization that does not have shareholders or an owner to benefit directly based on revenue. Almost all theatres in Canada operate on a not-for-profit basis, meaning they do not have shareholders. This includes most professional theatres. The artists and employees being paid for their labour does not make the venture for one. There are very few commercial for-profit theatres in Canada; Mirvish is the most notable. So, the distinction I generally make is between professional theatre and community/amateur theatre. Both are important, and both take different kinds of sacrifice.
Q Does AlvegoRoot Theatre have a Mission or Statement of Purpose?
Telling Local Stories, Creating Local Theatre
London Ontario’s AlvegoRoot Theatre supports the work of local playwrights and puts local stories onstage. 2025 marks AlvegoRoot Theatre’s 17th Season. Over those 17 seasons we have produced over 67 productions, 29 of which were world premieres of local plays. At The Manor Park Memorial Hall, AlvegoRoot presents theatre year-round, dedicated to providing a range of dynamic theatre experiences for audiences and supporting the growth of professional regional theatre makers.
Q What venue(s) do you use to stage your productions?
Our home base is The Manor Park Memorial Hall, where we present plays and special events year-round. We are honoured to manage and develop The Manor Park Memorial Hall into a performing arts venue that hosts the work of theatre artists and musicians from across our city. We also produce a summer production annually in June or July at Fanshawe Pioneer Village. We have been partnering with Fanshawe Pioneer Village since 2014.
Q Does your company have a Board of Directors and paid Staff?
Adam Corrigan Holowitz is the Artistic Director of AlvegoRoot Theatre, and Kydra Ryan is the Associate Artistic Director.
Q Tell me about your 2025-2026 Season. Does it have any underlying theme?
This season, our three mainstage productions, Medical Wonder, London Fog, and Sleigh Without Bells, have all had an overarching elemental theme of fire. The characters in each play must reconcile with humanity’s ability to create the means for destruction. In Medical Wonder, the character of Dr. Imogen Volek chooses between using her medical research as a means for healing or a means to create a biological weapon. In London Fog, the characters of Victoria and Albert use arson to disrupt and disturb the elite of Edwardian London. Finally, in Sleigh Without Bells, the massacre of the Donnelly Family of Biddulph is central to the play.
Q What show(s) will you be staging this fall? Tell me a little bit about each.
This fall, we present Sleigh Without Bells: A Donnellys Story by James Reaney (October 22) and a theatrical concert version of Colleening: The Letters and Poetry of Colleen Thibaudeau (Nov 7 – 9).
About Sleigh Without Bells: Lost in a blizzard, a young man finds himself at the Donnelly farmstead, the one place his father warned him not to tread. Now entangled in the darkest period in the lives of the Donnellys, his own life is in danger.
Written by James Reaney Directed by Kydra Ryan Performed by Adam Corrigan Holowitz.
About Colleening: Going COLLEENING is always an adventure for the friends of the great London poet Colleen Thibaudeau. You never know where you may end up. Her letters and poems create a captivating journey through childhood memories, home life, and Canadian culture.
Featuring songs based on her poems by Oliver Whitehead and Stephen Holowitz, this theatrical concert celebrates a seminal figure in Canadian literature with all the playful intensity and tender wit for which Colleen was known.
Directed and Created by Adam Corrigan Holowitz Text by Colleen Thibaudeau Music by Oliver Whitehead and Stephen Holowitz Music Direction by Stephen Holowitz Featuring Katy Clark, Paul Grambo, Kydra Ryan
This concert version of Colleening is part of Colleening 2025, a grassroots celebration of the centenary of acclaimed London poet Colleen Thibaudeau (1925-2012).
Q Do you have any thoughts about the London area theatre community and your part in it?
AlvegoRoot strives to create productions and events where our community can have meaningful interactions with live theatre. A goal of our work is to nurture rich relationships between the audiences, the artists, and the plays in a space where all members of the community can feel welcomed, needed, and comfortable to engage with theatre that tells our local stories and speaks to our local community.
The Souwesto arts movement, of which James Reaney and Colleen Thibaudeau were prominent members, greatly influences our work. The use of local stories, people, and geography is central to AlvegoRoot. Reaney’s playwriting influences me through aesthetics, poetry, and symbolism to tell local stories. Thibaudeau’s ability to saturate her poetry with local and personal details has influenced our writing and theatre-making. While a wide range of writers and theatre artists influence our work, Reaney and Thibaudeau’s work continues to influence AlvegoRoot on a spiritual level more than any other artists.
Members of London’s theatre community came out in force at the Palace Theatre on Saturday night, September 6, to help one of their own.
Organized by Director Mariann Sawyer, the Save OurStage FUNdraiser was held to raise money for badly needed immediate repairs to the historic Palace Theatre.
“From a leaky roof dripping into our props basement, to pipes clogged with tree roots, some long-overdue painting and day-to-day wear and tear — we’re facing a short-term need of about $10,000 just to keep things running safely and smoothly,” said Mariann.
To be sure, it was a wonderful night of entertainment and an illustration of the abundance of amazing, talented performers London is home to.
Participants ranged in age from the young members of the Palace’s LYTE program to members of Silver Spotlight Theatre, a group of individuals fifty-five years and older dedicated to producing Broadway musical productions.
Acts that graced the stage included the London Chorus, Pink Pony Club Experience, Caterpillar Chain, The Bohemians Choir, Three Worst Pies (Niccole Alcaidinho, Melissa Metler, and Ceris Thomas), Silver Spotlight Theatre, and The Improvables. Soloists and duos included Joanna Makinson, McKenna Langdon, Lesley Andrew, Rosalie Mattison, Jared Brown, Olivia Power, Kiefer & Grady Maclean, Edgar Yanez, Andrew Olmstead (who delighted the audience with his magic), Jenn Marino, Angie Jansen, Carol Taylor-Wilks, and Kate Milner.
The appreciative audience gave the performers several well-deserved standing ovations throughout the evening
According to Mariann, over one hundred people were involved in bringing the show to the stage.
Over twenty items were generously donated by community members and businesses in and around London. Everything from experiences to custom-made items was up for grabs.
It was nice to see so many members of the city’s arts community there to support their peers and lend support to the historic Palace Theatre. The arts are alive and well in London!
For more information about the Palace Arts Commons and the theatre’s 2025-26 Season, visit https://palacetheatre.ca/
London’s historic Palace Theatre is badly in need of immediate repairs to the aging facility. The Beat Magazine 2009 spoke with Director, Mariann Sawyer, about the September 6th Save Our Stage FUNdraiser. What follows is a Q&A with Mariann. The interview has been edited for length and clarity.
Why is the Palace Theatre holding the Save Our Stage Fundraiser?
The Palace Theatre Arts Commons is hosting the Save Our Stage FUNdraiser to raise money for immediate repairs to the historic Palace Theatre.
Can you clarify the specific details of the event? Date? Time? Admission Cost?
The Save Our Stage campaign kicks off with the FUNdraiser on Saturday, September 6 at 7:30pm. Tickets are available at the palacetheatre.ca for $35
What specific repairs are required for the facility?
From a leaky roof dripping into our props basement, to pipes clogged with tree roots, some long-overdue painting and day-to-day wear and tear — we’re facing a short-term need of about $10,000 just to keep things running safely and smoothly.
Can you identify some of the specific acts and performers who will take the stage on September 6th?
We are looking at close to 30 different acts for the evening with a variety of backgrounds and talents. Members of the LYTE program, Silver Spotlight Theatre, The Artful Players, The London Chorus, Caterpillar Chain, The Improvables, Andrew Olmstead and Leonardo Martins, and cast members of Infuse Production and LCP’s Rocky Horror including Olivia Power, Jared Brown, McKenna Langdon, Aidan Coutts and Jenn Marino just to name a few!
Can you tell me about tour Silent Auction?
We have over twenty items generously donated by community members and businesses around London and area. Everything from experiences to custom-made items are up for grabs. We will accept cash or e-transfer for payment and the bidding closes at the end of the intermission!
What is your specific role in putting Save Our Stage together?
I am listed as the Director, but really I’m just the one who said, “Let’s do it”. Everyone has come together to make this night magical and a night for the community to celebrate the arts together.
Have any community partners come forward to help with the event?
We’ve been very fortunate to have members of the OEV BIA, The Bicycle Cafe, Fanshawe College, London Comic Con, AlvegoRoot Theatre, and many community members support us for this event!
Is there anything else you think readers should know about Save Our Stage?
Tickets are selling quickly, and seats are general admission.
big bandemic closes out springbank gardens concert series, sunday, sept. 7.
Sunday, September 7th, is our last concert of the 2025 season. We are going out in a big way with a really big band. Big Bandemic is an 18-piece band featuring some of the finest musicians around.
It’ll feel a bit like the old Wonderland Garden days. See you at 2pm!
Master Hypnotist, tj fox, wsg Peter Mennie, at the wolf performance hall, sept. 5.
Straight from Riviera Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas, Master Hypnotist TJ Fox takes the stage at Wolf Performance Hall on September 5th with special guest Peter Mennie.
an acoustic evening with the sadies at the palasad socialbowl, sept. 5.
An Acoustic Evening with The Sadies Get ready for a night steeped in pure Canadian rock ‘n’ roll royalty. The Sadies are more than just a band—they’re a force. With their razor-sharp musicianship, genre-defying sound, and an unmatched ability to weave surf, psych, garage, country, and punk into something entirely their own, they’ve carved a legacy as one of the most wicked live acts you’ll ever witness.
From haunting ballads to full-tilt barnburners, The Sadies deliver every note with fire, soul, and that unmistakable edge that’s kept them at the top of the game for decades. If you know, you know—and if you don’t, this is your chance to find out why they’re one of Canada’s most beloved and badass bands.
Licensed – All Ages – Doors 7pm Show 8pm $25 Advance – $30 Door
echoes of the land exhibition opens sept 2 at westland gallery.
Jane Roy, Denise Antaya, and VC Glennie join us for our newest exhibition, opening on Tuesday September 2nd! Join our artists at the Opening Reception on Saturday September 6th from 1pm to 3pm to celebrate this beautiful new show.
Pictured:
Jane Roy, “French River Tree Portrait I”, 20 x 10″, acrylic on canvas, $300
Find out what’s happening this week at your Library!
Get ready, London. After a long summer of touring Ontario, Gravity Junky is ready to bring it home for a free dance show at The Dawghouse.
699 Wilkins St., London, ON.
good food, live jazz at peppermoon restaurant, sept. 4.
Join us Wednesday, September 4 for an unforgettable evening with the incredible Nevin Campbell & Rachelle Courtney.
6 PM – 9 PM
Peppermoon Restaurant, 1100 Commusiioners Rd E. London ON
Smooth vocals, soulful piano, and the perfect vibe to pair with your dinner & drinks.
Hot tub hippies at the wortley roadhouse, sept. 5 & 6.
190 Wortley Rd, London, ON
Actor Auditions for Theatre Aezir, Sept. 7.
Get Ready for “Dating Games”! Attention actors in their 20s to late 30s! Theatre Aezir invites you to join an exciting comedic journey.
We are holding auditions for “Dating Games” by Garth Wingfield, a comedy comprised of five entertaining ‘playlets’ designed to delight in a single evening. As part of our artist development initiative, this production offers a unique opportunity for talented actors to participate in an exceptional project. Come be a part of the fun!
About the Production: This unique opportunity allows actors to work closely with emerging directors under the mentorship of seasoned professionals. As part of our commitment to nurturing future theatre talent, actors who are selected will participate in a one-week acting workshop honing your stagecraft with instruction in stage movement, diction, and vocal production. • Performance Dates: November 5 to November 16, 2025 • Actor Training: Week of October 12, 2025 • Rehearsals: October 19 to November 4, 2025
How to Apply: Spark our interest by sending your resume and headshot to auditions@theatreaezir.com. Auditions will be held on Sept 7. Be first in line. Send your resume now. We’d like to hear a contemporary monologue (1-2 minutes) that highlights your skills and abilities. Get ready for some spontaneous fun as we’ll have you doing cold readings from the script.
rum ragged at the aeolian, sept. 5.
2021 JUNO Award Nominees, Rum Ragged, take a bold approach to the distinct folk music of their home, the Eastern Canadian island of Newfoundland. With a reverence for their roots and a creative, contemporary edge, this young band has quickly become known as the finest performers of their great, living, musical tradition. Boasting bouzouki, fiddle, bodhran, banjo, guitar, and button accordion, these new champions of East Coast music enliven and enlighten audiences with their signature brand of Newfoundland folk. Always honest, thought-provoking, and often humorous, it’s Rum Ragged’s live show that makes them a fast favourite with any audience. Their combination of striking vocal harmonies, staggering musicianship, and captivating storytelling gives concert-goers an experience they won’t soon forget. Since their inception in 2016, Rum Ragged has maintained a rigorous tour schedule, performing at some of the world’s premier folk, celtic and roots venues all while managing to record four acclaimed, award-winning studio albums. Rum Ragged is not your run-of-the-mill folk band, they are the genuine article.
Summer Songs on Elmwood with Laurraine Sigouin & Friends, Monday, Sept. 1, 2:00 pm, 64 Elmwood Ave. Donations for the musicians are welcome.
Save our stage fundraiser at the palace theatre, sat, sept. 6.
Saturday, September 6 Showtime: 7:30 PM (Doors open at 6:30 PM) Tickets: $35 (all fees included)
Join us for an unforgettable night of music, magic, laughter, and community spirit at Save Our Stage: A Variety FUNdraiser! This one-night-only celebration brings together some of London’s most talented performers — singers, musicians, actors, magicians, and more — all coming together to help raise vital funds for the Palace Theatre Arts Commons.
Proceeds from this high-energy evening will support crucial repairs, ongoing programming, and the beloved productions that keep our historic theatre alive and thriving. In addition to the live entertainment, enjoy a silent auction, door prizes and surprise moments throughout the night.
Come early to mix and mingle with fellow theatre lovers, bid on great prizes, and soak in the vibrant atmosphere of community and creativity.
Help us Save Our Stage – and have a ton of fun doing it!
tom dunphy ‘s classic country music show at the richmond tavern, sept. 6.
goldfish continues at the Port Stanley Festival Theatre until sept. 13.
goldfish by Steve Ross continues till September 13 at Port Stanley Festival Theatre. Starring Stratford Festival stars: Martha Farrell and John Dolan, both making their PSFT debuts, directed by Artistic Director Liz Gilroy, set design by Joe Recchia, assistant set design by Doug Cottrell, lighting and sound design by Paige Thompson, and costumes by Dora-nominated Alex Amini.
history culture walks presented by museum london begin sept. 4.
Summer may be winding down, but there’s so much to look forward to at Museum London.
This September, we’re excited to welcome you to a full month of community events, new exhibitions, and free programming as part of London Heritage Council‘s Doors Open London and Ontario Culture Days — all celebrating the sights, sounds, and stories that make our city special.
Check out what’s coming up here and access a full listing of programs and events on our website: https://buff.ly/RciwHtz
dan hill and andy kim in story and song at the aeolian, sept. 6.
Dan Hill – is an international music industry legend and one of Canada’s most distinguished, authentic, and multi-talented artists: Grammy-winner, five time-Juno Award winner, Harold Moon Award, and inducted into the venerated Canadian Songwriters Hall of Fame Award . Dan is known for his heartfelt sensibility on two massive international hits, Sometimes When We Touch, recognized as one of the Top 100 Songs of the Century and one of Top 100 Most Played Songs of All Time, and Can’t We Try, which spent 29 weeks on Billboard charts . Dan has produced hit songs for Celine Dion and George Benson, with his compositions being recorded by artists such as Britney Spears, Rod Stewart, The Backstreet Boys, Tina Turner, Dolly Parton, Kenny Rogers, and many more His voice is “smooth softness, with a light warmth,” perfectly describing both his original and recent works that fans still gather to enjoy today.
Andy Kim – “I’m excited to share the stage with my dear friend, the multitalented Dan Hill.”
In 1969, Andy co-wrote Sugar Sugar – his first Billboard #1 hit. In 1974, Andy wrote a new song called “Rock Me Gently” and absolutely no one wanted to produce it. Andy loved the song, and he wouldn’t take no for an answer. He formed his own record company, called !CE, and produced the record on his own. When it was released, “Rock Me Gently” went straight to #1 on the Billboard charts and it remained on the charts for a staggering 4 months. This second #1 Billboard song added to Andy’s international success. In 2004, Andy’s collaboration with Ed Robertson of The Barenaked Ladies’ “I Forgot To Mention” gave him another Top 10, and Andy was voted by Canadian Music Week as the Best Solo Indie Artist of the Year.
A true Canadian son, Andy has had 9 top 40 Billboard hits including Baby I Love You. He was recently honoured with the appointment to the Order of Canada. He has been awarded the country’s top industry honours including a Juno award, the Canadian Music Industry Hall of Fame and a star on Canada’s Walk Of Fame. Andy is a member of Songwriters Hall of Fame, was inducted into Billboard’s Hit Parade Hall of Fame, and in 2017, for the 2nd time in their 70-year history, SOCAN honoured Andy with their Cultural Impact Award. Over his epic career, Andy has sold over 30 million records, and has over half a billion streams on Spotify and YouTube.
live music with colin coleiro, sept. 3, at the pierside pub.
Live music and Wings, Wed Sept 3, with Colin Coleiro starting at 6pm.
158 William St Port Stanley, ON
tropical explosion with orlando valencia music, sept. 6, at the roxbury niteclub.
shady artists exhibitions opens sept. 4 at the tap centre for creativity.
The annual Shady Artists exhibition is here! Join us this Thursday, September 4 from 4PM – 7PM for the opening reception as part of Art Crawl Thursdays.
The exhibition will run until September 13. The gallery is open Tuesday to Saturday, from 12PM – 5PM.
