Stage Door News

Cambridge: Drayton Entertainment cancels four additional shows of its 2020 season

Friday, April 24, 2020

Due to ongoing concerns surrounding the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19), and in keeping with federal and provincial physical distancing recommendations, Drayton Entertainment has cancelled four additional productions at its various venues across Ontario.

The health and safety of patrons, staff, artists, volunteers, and the general public continues to be of paramount importance for the not-for-profit charitable arts organization. The following productions were scheduled to begin performances in June with subsequent runs at multiple venues throughout the summer. 

New cancellations are as follows:

  • 42nd Street
    • June 10 to June 27 at the Hamilton Family Theatre Cambridge
    • July 2 to July 18 at the Huron Country Playhouse, Grand Benddrayton
  • Fiddler on the Loose
    • June 10 to June 27 at the Huron Country Playhouse, Grand Bend
    • July 2 to July 18 at the Hamilton Family Theatre Cambridge
    • July 22 to Aug 15 at the King's Wharf Theatre, Penetanguishene
  • The Dixie Swim Club
    • June 10 to June 27 at the Drayton Festival Theatre
    • July 2 to July 18 at the King's Wharf Theatre, Penetanguishene
    • July 22 to Aug 8 at the Huron Country Playhouse, Grand Bend
    • Aug 12 to Aug 29 at the Hamilton Family Theatre Cambridge
  • Sleeping Beauty: The Panto
    • June 10 to June 27 at the King’s Wharf Theatre, Penetanguishene
    • July 2 to July 18 at the Huron Country Playhouse, Grand Bend

These productions join the list of previously announced cancellations including A Few Good Men (St. Jacobs Country Playhouse), Kinky Boots (Hamilton Family Theatre Cambridge), Billy Bishop Goes To War (St. Jacobs Schoolhouse Theatre), On Golden Pond (Hamilton Family Theatre Cambridge), Return To Grace (Drayton Festival Theatre), and A Gentleman’s Guide To Love & Murder (St. Jacobs Country Playhouse).

“This is a very difficult time. Although we announce these cancellations with heavy hearts, we know it is the right thing to do given the uncertainty surrounding this unprecedented crisis,” says Alex Mustakas, Artistic Director & CEO of Drayton Entertainment. “We hope that by cancelling these additional productions and closing our doors for an extended period of time to facilitate physical distancing, that we can resume operations with confidence when the timing is right.”

Drayton Entertainment’s production cancellations do not follow a chronological time frame due to the company’s unique business model which transfers select productions from one venue to another throughout the season calendar. Cancellations are determined on a production by production basis and impact the playbill at each Drayton Entertainment venue differently. 

At this time, 10 of the 18 productions in the 2020 Season have been cancelled. The status of each production at each venue is outlined on the Drayton Entertainment website: www.draytonentertainment.com.

All Drayton Entertainment Box Offices are closed to in-person traffic but continue to operate remotely through phone and email communication in a reduced capacity. Patrons who have purchased tickets for cancelled performances will be contacted by the Box Office to facilitate account credits or refunds. Due to the volume of cancellations, Drayton Entertainment requests patience and cooperation while the team works to accommodate patron needs as operational capabilities permit.

Drayton Entertainment operates in accordance with advice from public health authorities and in compliance with directives from government agencies. As this is an evolving situation, the company will continually reassess policies and procedures as they relate to future productions based on recommendations from designated Canadian authorities. 

Current information regarding coronavirus programming cancellations is posted on the Drayton Entertainment website at www.draytonentertainment.com.