Oh the Drama and more!

If all the world is a stage, Burlington is home to many of its players, performers and portrayers.

Burlington is now home to The Burlington Performing Arts Centre which in addition to being an amazing entertainment venue is an architectural and urban design landmark built to LEED principles.  The 2011-2012 season is going to be a great one with a diverse range of performances that ensures there is something for everyone.  For those that can’t wait, The Centre will be opening its doors throughout October for the general public to tour the Main Theatre, Community Studio Theatre as well as, the Family Lobby.  Dates and times can be found on the website. 

Royal Wood. Photo courtesy of BPAC

The season will launch on Saturday October 1st with an exclusive performance by Royal Wood as part of his Sneak Peak tour, performing new songs, old favourites and interesting covers.  The launch also includes a multi-media presentation of the inaugural season line-up.  Next up is Stuart McLean & The Vinyl Café on October 30th his first show has sold out and a second performance has been added.  Join Stuart for an afternoon of humor, essays and stories plus featured musical guests, Burlington’s own Melissa McClelland and Luke Doucet. 

Adrianne Pieczonka. Photo courtesy of BPAC

For those that are a fan of extraordinary vocalists you won’t want to miss seeing Adrianne Pieczonka on November 10th.  This Burlington native and Juno award winner features an intimate evening of music from Broadway to Bach.  November 25th Lunch at Allen’s a musical revue with Murray McLaughlin, Cindy Church, Marc Jordan and Ian Thomas is not to be missed. 

Sunday November 27th is Family Day at the Centre. In the Main Theatre Quebec dance company Sursaut presents At Nightfall, the story of a shoemaker that discovers what joys exist outside his workshop. In the Community Studio Theatre families will be treated to a performance of Simple Gifts by Cashore Marionettes.   In addition to the productions featured, families will enjoy lobby entertainment plus the opportunity to participate in “hands on” arts experiences with professionals from the Burlington Art Centre.  

Dance lovers will not want to miss In Paradisum, by Canada’s Coleman, Lemieux & Compagnie on November 29th. In Paradisum is described as, “…quintessential Kudelka. It has the natural flexibility and range of modern dance supported by the precision of classical dance.” This presentation features three brilliant modern dance performances.

Russell deCarle. Photo courtesy of BPAC

The Community Studio Theatre will also host many fabulous performances including: I, Claudia, and An Acoustic Evening: Russell deCarle with Steve Briggs and Denis Keldie

Be sure to also support our local talent that will be shining at The Centre including, Hamilton native Jacob Moon; The Burlington Teen Tour Band; The Burlington Concert Band; The Canadian Male Orpheus Choir and the Top Hat Marching Orchestra.

On December 1st you will want to attend “Celebration!” A Blue Jeans Gala featuring a diverse group of performers with one thing in common - they are all "Burlingtonians".  Some of the featured performers include: The Spoons, Gordie Tapp, Myles Erlick, Silverstein and more!

Saturday December 3rd is a Red Carpet Evening with Sarah McLachlan.  The official opening of the Burlington Performing Arts Centre is a once in a lifetime opportunity to be part of a “red carpet” experience.  Also coming in December just in time for the holidays are The Nutcracker by the State Ballet Theatre of Russia, a Leahy Family Christmas and Irish Rovers Christmas.  For the complete 2011-2012 season please visit the website and stay tuned for an upcoming blog on the official opening of The Centre.

Community Theatre is alive and well in Burlington, you can look forward to some great productions from both Theatre Burlington and Drury Lane Theatre.

Theatre Burlington is a local community theatre founded in 1952.  Throughout the years this group of actors has brought many performances to the stage and this year is no exception.

 “You Can’t Dance to Mozart” will be running Thursday to Saturday until October 1st.  This comedy features Dan Scott as Barney a pensioner who partners with Kate (played by Janine Heaven) a retired schoolteacher to bring down their landlord who has raised the rent. 

Next up is the Annual Children’s Show featuring “Rumplestiltskin” The classic story come to life.  This Brothers Grimm fairy tale tells the story of a pretty daughter of a poor miller who is forced to turn straw into gold by the King after her father deceives him with lies of her talents.  A happy ending ensues and a lesson is learned by all.
Performances are held at Drama Centre - Central Park, 2311 New Street .  For more dates, show times and tickets for any of Theatre Burlington performances please visit their website.

Drury Lane has been one of Burlington’s premier musical theatre groups since 1974.  This year they will be presenting Nunsense II from October 28th to November 26th.  This musical comedy picks up with the Little Sisters of Hoboken strutting their stuff on stage with the rumor of a talent scout in the audience and with added audience participation this is one show you will be sure to enjoy.

Drury Lane Theatre is located at 2269 New Street.  For more dates, show times and tickets for any of Drury Lane’s performances please visit their website.

If you are a fan of dinner theatre, be sure to check out the Mohawk Dinner Theatre at Mohawk Raceway.  All show include lunch/dinner and if you feel lucky, stay for the horseracing or visit the casino.

First up at Mohawk Dinner Theatre is Steel Magnolias running September 16 - October 22.  This dramedy traces a group of gossiping southern ladies through the trials and triumphs of their lives.  Many will remember the film version starring a young Julia Roberts and Sally Field.  This touching story is not to be missed.

Next on the playbill is Sinners.  This black comedy by Canadian playwright Norm Foster weaves an intricate web of deceit hilariously exposed after a store owners affair with a local minister’s wife is found out. 

For more dates, show times and tickets for any Mohawk Dinner Theatre performances please visit their website.

Mark your calendars and order your tickets now to take in the best in dance, music and theatre that Burlington has to offer.