Port Hope’s Capitol Theatre has just announced its casting for its upcoming slate of shows.
Let’s just say I’m planning to get to Port Hope quite a bit this year. Capitol Artistic Director Rob Kempson recently said:
“This summer the Capitol welcomes a large company of incredibly talented artists to Port Hope to bring our shows and concerts to life, with beloved returning folks and notable new faces…we are thrilled to showcase many artists from Stratford, Shaw, Mirvish and Canada’s indie theatre scene.”
The four mainstage productions which focus on the theme of “Where Our Stories Begin” are:
You’re A Good Man, Charlie Brown
Book, Music and Lyrics by Clark Gesner. Additional Dialogue by Michael Mayer. Additional Music and Lyrics by Andrew Lippa.
May 15 – 31, 2026
Directed and choreographed by Rob Kempson, You’re A Good Man, Charlie Brown features Amir Haidar in the title role, with Jillian Mitsuko Cooper as Sally, AP Bautista as Lucy Van Pelt, Matt Pilipiak as Snoopy, Kyle Golemba as Schroeder, and Ben Kopp as Linus Van Pelt.
Liars at a Funeral
By Sophia Fabiilli
June 12 – 28, 2026
Directed by Aaron Jan, Liars at a Funeral features Aidan deSalaiz, Carolyn Fe, Ericka Leobrera, Jane Luk, and Gregory Solomon.
Come From Away
Book, Music & Lyrics by Irene Sankoff & David Hein
Music Direction by Jeff Newberry
Choreography by Genny Sermonia
July 10 – August 2, 2026
Directed by Rob Kempson, and featuring live music performed by the company, the Capitol’s production of Come From Away features Donna Garner as Diane, Tat Austrie as Hannah, Annika Tupper as Janice, Monique Lund as Beulah, Melissa Payne as Bonnie, Julie Lumsden as Beverley, Beau Dixon as Oz, real-life couple Kyle Blair and Kyle Golemba playing Kevin T and Kevin J (respectively), Charlie Clark as Bob, Brendan Wall as Claude, and Scott Carmichael as Nick.
Gaslight
By Johnna Wright & Patty Jamieson
Based on Patrick Hamilton’s Play
August 21 – September 6, 2026
Directed by Marie Farsi, Gaslight features Courtney Ch’ng Lancaster as Bella, Darren Martens as Jack, Mallory James as Nancy, and Glynis Ranney as Elizabeth.
Second Stage Series runs in tandem with the mainstage shows, in the venue’s more intimate Sculthorpe Theatre. The lineup for 2026 includes three world premieres:
- Chris Tsujiuchi’s Big Gay Cabaret, written and performed by Tsujiuchi;
- Born to be Bad: The Villains of Broadway, written and performed by Tahirih Vejdani;
- Farley Mowat’s And No Birds Sang, adapted by Dave Carley, directed by Rob Kempson, and starring Aaron Macpherson and Daniel Reale, with more casting to be announced.
The Capitol also hosts concerts year-round in its historic venue. In 2026, the Capitol’s Music Lovers’ Series centres around original works, including the world premiere of I’m Every Woman: The Whitney Houston Songbook, written and performed by Taylor Lovelace.
Single tickets for all summer productions are available as of 10 a.m, March 31. Full-season subscriptions are still available. For more information, visit www.capitoltheatre.com.
