Stage Door News
Stage Door News
The buzz for the Drayton Festival Theatre’s highly anticipated 25th Anniversary Season hit a high note today with Artistic Director Alex Mustakas announcing the role of Professor Harold Hill for the award-winning theatre organization’s summertime production of The Music Man.
David Rogers – Canada’s most accomplished leading man and star of numerous Drayton Entertainment productions over the years, including last season’s highly acclaimed Les Misérables – will tackle one of the most iconic and beloved roles in musical theatre.
“David Rogers is an exceptional performer with intense passion and charisma,” says Mustakas. “A true star of the Canadian stage, we are delighted that he will join us for a homecoming of sorts and share in this special anniversary season at the Drayton Festival Theatre.”
Rogers’ connection with the theatre runs deep, dating back to the 1996 Season when he appeared in She Loves Me. In subsequent seasons he delighted audiences in You’ll Get Used To It! ... The War Show, Romance/Romance, Evita, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, and Give My Regards to Broadway (later renamed Broadway Heroes).
Discovered by distinguished Director Alan Lund, Rogers made his professional debut at the Charlottetown Festival in Swing! where he appeared onstage alongside Mustakas. He went on to become one of the original stars of The Phantom of the Opera in Toronto, playing both Raoul and later the Phantom himself.
His phenomenal voice, good looks and undeniable charm have garnered him starring roles in many other major productions including Captain Walker in The Who's Tommy (Elgin Theatre), Cinderella's Prince in Into the Woods (Winter Garden Theatre), Bobby in Company (St. Lawrence Centre), Gus the Theatre Cat in CATS (Massey Hall), Tony in West Side Story, and many others.
Meredith Willson’s The Music Man is a gloriously entertaining and fun-filled musical comedy guaranteed to hit a high note with audiences of all ages. The story follows Harold Hill, a fast-talking travelling salesman who arrives in small-town Iowa, and proceeds to turn it upside-down. Hill’s particular trick involves selling the townspeople on the idea of a marching band, selling them the instruments and uniforms, and then selling them short by disappearing out of town. Trouble is, he accidentally falls in love with Marian the librarian, which compromises his hasty getaway plan.
The Music Man is the final production of the 25th Anniversary Season, which also includes the musical revue Legends of Rock ‘n’ Roll and the Norm Foster comedies Looking and Hilda’s Yard. Regular performance tickets are $42.00 for adults; $25.00 for youth under 20 years of age. Tickets for preview performances scheduled before the official opening and groups of 20 or more are $34.00. HST is applicable to all ticket prices.
Tickets are on sale now and can be conveniently purchased from any computer or mobile device by visiting www.draytonfestivaltheatre.com, in person at the Drayton Festival Theatre Box Office, or by calling (519) 638-5555 or toll free 1-855-DRAYTON (372-9866).
Photo: The Music Man. ©2015 Peggy Sirata..
2015-04-24
Cambridge: David Rogers will star in "The Music Man"