Theatre Productions
Richmond Hill and Newmarket, Ontario
  

October | November | December |
2012: January | February | March | April | May | June | July | August| September |

November 2, 10 a.m.
November 3, 1 p.m.
From the Fires
Richmond Hill Centre for the Performing Arts

Produced by Theatre Three and seen by over 100,000 people, the critically acclaimed From the Fires: Voices of the Holocaust makes its Canadian premiere. The performance traces the life of Rachel Gold, a Berlin teenager, and her experiences from 1937 to 1945. The play follows her from the inception of the Nuremberg Laws through deportation to Auschwitz and finally the death march to Mauthausen.

Join the RHCPA as we warmly welcome John S. D’Aquila, one of the liberators of the Mauthausen Concentration Camp and inspiration for the US soldier character. A once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, Mr. D’Aquila will share his experiences in a unique post-show Q and A that will resonate long after the performance.

November 3 & 5, 8 p.m.
Puccini's Madama Butterfly
Richmond Hill Centre for the Performing Arts

Puccini’s haunting opera about misguided love that ends in tragedy. A traditional setting of this favourite opera with supertitles and orchestra.

November 18 to December 3, 2011 (preview Nov 17)
2007 Governor General Award for Drama: December Man (l’homme de décembre)
by Colleen Murphy
The Curtain Club, 400 Newkirk Road, Richmond Hill

In the aftermath of the 1989 Montreal Massacre, Benoit and Kathleen do everything to help their son Jean cope with his guilt and rage…. but Jean becomes unglued. Using humour and the humdrum of everyday life, Colleen Murphy intuitively moves backwards in time to the fateful day when Jean escaped the massacre…. or thought he did. This is a searing drama on courage, heroism and despair.

November 22, 8 p.m.
Mark Twain Tonight
Richmond Hill Centre for the Performing Arts

Fifty years ago, a young actor took the stage in a tiny off-Broadway theatre and introduced the world to a man they would never forget. The actor was Hal Holbrook and the man was Mark Twain.

Changing and editing the material to fit the times, Tony and Emmy Award winner Hal Holbrook has recreated the role in over 2200 performances across North America, making Mark Twain Tonight one of the most acclaimed and enduring productions in theatre history. The Richmond Hill Centre is proud to be a part of this theatrical legacy as we warmly welcome Hal Holbrook to our stage.

November 24 - 27, 2 & 8 p.m.
Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat
Richmond Hill Centre for the Performing Arts

A musical masterpiece with incredible dance numbers and catchy tunes. Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat is an Andrew Lloyd Webber musical with lyrics by Tim Rice. The story is based on the "coat of many colors" story of Joseph from the Hebrew Bible's Book of Genesis. This was the first Lloyd Webber and Rice opera to be performed publicly.

November 26, 11 a.m.
Henry and Mudge
Richmond Hill Centre for the Performing Arts

Moving from the city to a new house in the country can be tough. Just ask Henry, who can’t find a playmate in his new neighbourhood! Luckily, he’s got Mudge, a great big, 83-kilogram canine buddy, with whom he can share all kinds of adventures! Henry discovers that having a pet is a big responsibility, they need to be fed, they need to be taken out for walks, and of course they need lots of love and playtime. Produced by TheatreworksUSA, this new musical is based on the best selling books by Cynthia Rylant, and is an inspiring tale about true friendship.

November 25-27
A Christmas Carol
presented by Aurora Performing Arts Group
Newmarket Theatre

A Christmas Carol is brimming with emotional power and pure joy. Relive the cherished tale of Scrooge and Marley, Bob Cratchit and Tiny Tim. This spectacular musical with its universal theme of love for all mankind is brimming with joyous songs and dances, lavish scenery, authentic costumes and theatrical magic. A Christmas Carol celebrates the timeless Spirit of Christmas. A holiday classic is a family event you wont want to miss!

by Alan Menken
Lyrics by Lynn Ahrens

November 29, 8 p.m.
Letter from Wingfield Farm
Richmond Hill Centre for the Performing Arts

The show that started the Wingfield series back in 1985 comes to Richmond Hill as the beginning of a seven year cycle! When a captain of industry trades his pin-stripe suit for overalls and retreats to a 40 hectare farm, the residents of Persephone Township raise their eyebrows. Weekend farmers are a common enough sight, but this man seems to think he can make a living with a broken down racehorse and a single furrow plough. Written as a series of letters to the editor of the Larkspur weekly newspaper, Letter From Wingfield Farm is the hilarious story of one man’s attempt to embrace a less complicated world.

December 2, 8 p.m.
Festival of Carols
Richmond Hill Centre for the Performing Arts

Celebrate the holiday season with the Richmond Hill Centre and the Toronto Mendelssohn Choir. Gather the family for this festive TMC tradition lead by Maestro Noel Edison and rejoice in the spirit of Christmas with triumphant polychoral music and heartwarming stories of the season. Join in the annual carol sing-along and add your voice to Canada’s greatest choir.

December 4, 7:30 p.m.
Opera Belcanto of South Simcoe
Richmond Hill Centre for the Performing Arts

Celebrate the Joy of Christmas with us! Join Opera Belcanto for an evening of Christmas classical songs, opera excerpts and Napolitan songs...with chorus, soloists, and orchestra.

December 6, 8 p.m.
Czech Boys Choir
Richmond Hill Centre for the Performing Arts

The Czech Boys Choir, also known as Boni Pueri (“Good Boys”), was founded in 1982 and has become one of Europe’s most famous musical ensembles. The choir has given more than 2500 concerts around the world, produced 13 recordings and has been featured on a number of television and radio broadcasts with other important international ensembles and orchestras. The concert features Czech Christmas traditions and a celebration of seasonal favourites from around the world.

December 10, 8 p.m.
The Richmond Hill Philharmonic Orchestra presents Holiday Spectacular
Richmond Hill Centre for the Performing Arts

In this annual event, audiences will experience yet another new interpretation of life during the holiday season through music. Get ready to jive and sing along, as special guests join the RHPO to bring in the season with a presentation that will keep you humming right through to Spring.

* Preconcert talk will take place at 7:15

December 11, 8 p.m.
The Messiah
Richmond Hill Centre for the Performing Arts

Continue a seasonal tradition at the Richmond Hill Centre for the Performing Arts with Handel’s celebrated Messiah. Performed by the award winning Vocal Horizons Chamber Choir under conductor Vincent Cheng and featuring the Vocal Horizons Symphony Orchestra, this extraordinary evening of moving music will inspire, bringing added meaning to the holiday season.

December 15, 2 p.m.
December 16 to 18, 7 p.m.
The Nutcracker
Richmond Hill Centre for the Performing Arts

A Victoria Ballet Company production
Artistic Director: Victoria Mironova

Music: Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky
Choreography: Marius Petipa and Vasily Vainonen
Choreographers: Victoria Mironova and Elena Dmitrieva

PRINCIPAL DANCERS:
Anton Korsakov, MARIINSKY (KIROV) THEATRE, RUSSIA
Lisa Mironova, Anastasia Loskutov, VICTORIA BALLET COMPANY, CANADA

Victoria Ballet Company presents The Nutcracker with Russian ballet star Anton Korsakov and rising Canadian ballet stars Anastasia Loskutov and Lisa Mironova. This ballet is staged according to the classical style of the Mariinski (Kirov) Theatre of St. Petersburg, Russia. It will take the audience through Mary's Christmas party and her magical journey into a world of imagination. Ballet students will also participate in the performance. This production of the Nutcracker has received great reviews as one of the best in Canada.

January 25, at 1 pm and 8 pm
January 27, at 8 pm
January 28, at 2 pm and 8 pm
Workings: The Musical About All of Us
Richmond Hill Centre for the Performing Arts

Join members of the RHCPA Acting Academy and industry professionals as they present the Tony Award winning musical Working. Adapted by Stephen Schwartz, the award wining composer of Wicked and Godspell and based on the best-selling book by Studs Terkel, Working is a down-to-earth, elevating exploration of the average workday and workers. Twenty-six workers sing and talk about their jobs, defining not only their daily routine, but their hopes and aspirations as well. An RHCPA first, come and experience the best that Richmond Hill talent has to offer.

January 27 to February 11, 2012 (preview January 26)
2009 Samuel French Canadian Play Writing Winner: Welfarewell
A Comedy by Cat Delaney
The Curtain Club, 400 Newkirk Road, Richmond Hill

Esmerelda is 80, still of sound mind, but her body is beginning to fall apart. She now faces the fact that her government pension is insufficient to support her. When she is arrested for attempting to bury her dead cat, she finds that there is free room and board in the prison system. She then devises a plan to return to jail – she robs a bank! But the system that has failed her also wants to forgive her. How will Esmerelda convince the legal system she should be kept in the slammer?

February 6, at 3:30 pm and 6:30 pm
Clifford
Richmond Hill Centre for the Performing Arts

It only takes a little to BE BIG! In conjunction with the beloved BIG dog’s 50th anniversary in, celebrate the timeless values of Clifford’s BIG Ideas - Share, Play Fair, Have Respect, Work Together, Be Responsible, Be Truthful, Be Kind, Believe In Yourself, Be A Good Friend and Help Others.

These sentiments have never been more fun as Clifford and his friends from Birdwell Island - Emily Elizabeth, Cleo and T-Bone - embark on new adventures. With memorable songs and choreography - there will be even more of him to love in this ALL NEW musical - sure to delight the entire family!

February 10-12
Parade
presented by Aurora Performing Arts Group
Newmarket Theatre

A BRILLIANT MUSICAL with an explosive story and a magnificent cast.

This freshly conceived production is zings the intellect, breaks the heart and roils the blood. A soaring musical experience based on the true story of Leo Frank, convicted for the murder of 13-year-old Mary Phagan in Atlanta, Georgia, in 1913, Parade recounts the press frenzy and public outrage about Franks trial, and his wifes crusade for justice. Amid religious intolerance, political injustice and racial tension, this stirring 1999 TONY AWARD winning musical explores the endurance of love and hope against all the odds. Featuring a power score. Be sure not to miss one of the most thrilling evenings of a theatre lovers life time.

February 14 & 15, 8 p.m.
Swan Lake
presented by The State Ballet Theatre of Russia
Richmond Hill Centre for the Performing Arts

The State Ballet Theatre of Russia brings the world's most beloved ballet to glorious life! This company of distinguished dancers (known in Russia as the Voronezh State Theatre of Opera and Ballet) has showcased the unparalleled art of Russian ballet to countries throughout the world.

March 30 to April 14, 2012 (preview March 29)
Winner 2009 Playwrights of Spring Festival: Willow Quartet
A Drama by Joan Burrows
The Curtain Club, 400 Newkirk Road, Richmond Hill

Following the tragic death of his son, Ben leaves the marriage unable to cope with Kim’s inability to deal with her grief and find closure. Kim takes in a boarder who helps her come to terms with what has happened and see her life in a different way. This is a play about choices, consequences and second chances for forgiveness and redemption. It comes to us froom the writer of the popular comedy Staff Room.

May 10-12
Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet's Street
presented by Aurora Performing Arts Group
Newmarket Theatre

AURORA PERFORMING ARTS GROUP presents a MUSICAL THRILLER: Stephen Sondheim's and Hugh Wheeler's heart-pounding masterpiece of culinary crime, Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street! An infamous tale of an unjustly exiled barber returning to 19th century London seeking revenge against the lecherous judge who framed him and abducted his young wife. Sweeney's thirst for blood soon grows to include his unfortunate customers, and Mrs. Lovett, the resourceful proprietor of the pie shop downstairs, has London addicted to her mysterious new meat pie recipe!

June 1 to 16, 2012 (preview May 31)
Not Now Darling: A Comedy
by Ray Cooney & John Chapman
The Curtain Club, 400 Newkirk Road, Richmond Hill

In a 60’s London fur salon Crouch struggles to keep things on an even keel despite the energetic philandering of his partner Bodley who is trying to secure the affections of his latest would-be mistress. Suspicious wives, mistaken identities, scantily clad women and a continuous barrage of rapid fire jokes all become part of the hilarious doings until the story miraculously manages to work out in the end or does it?