Based on the DreamWorks Animation Motion Picture and the book by William Steig Book & Lyrics by
David Lindsay-Abaire
Set Designer
Ryan Howell
Music by
Jeanine Tesori
Originally produced on Broadway by DreamWorks Theatricals and Neal Street Productions
Original Production Directed by Jason Moore and Rob Ashford
“I’m A Believer” by Neil Diamond
Director & Choreographer
David Connolly
Music Director Steve Thomas
Original Costume Design by Tim Hatley
Assistant Director
Jeremy Carver-James
Stage Manager
Dustyn Wales
Josh Alcantara
Devin Alexander
Jayme Armstrong
Xander Bechard
Dilynn Campbell
Jeremy Carver-James
Lighting Designer Kevin Fraser
Assistant Choreographer Christine Watson
Assistant Stage Manager
Molly Mück
The Company
(in alphabetical order)
Dave Comeau
Josh Doig
Ali Hand
Jeremy Legat
Taylor Long
Nestor Lozano Jr
Ha’Keena Maneso
Clea McCaffrey
Sound Designer Matt Ballagh
Assistant Stage Manager
Sadie Wannamaker
Heather McGuigan
Drew Plummer
Shakeil Rollock
Kayla Samson
Madison Sekulin
Berkley Silverman
Shane Simpson
Mackenna VanMassenhoven
Christine Watson
Brady Wilson
SHREK THE MUSICAL is presented through special arrangement with Music Theatre International (MTI). All authorized performance materials are also supplied by MTI. www.mtishows.com
The video or audio recording of this performance by any means is strictly prohibited.
Season Sponsor
Production Sponsor
Design Sponsors
Media Sponsors
Funding
2025 season support
Hamilton Family Theatre Cambridge Naming
Hamilton Family Theatre Cambridge Auditorium Naming Sponsor
I Think I Got You Beat..............................................................................................................Fiona, Shrek
Ballad of Farquaad.....................................................................................................Farquaad, Ensemble
Make a Move............................................................................................................Donkey, 3 Blind Mice
When Words Fail...............................................................................................................................Shrek
The Arrival of Farquaad....................................................................................................Farquaad, Shrek
Build A Wall.........................................................................................................................................Shrek
Drayton Entertainment: Irving Berlin’s White Christmas, Bob Gaudio in Jersey Boys, Ja’Keith in Rock of Ages, Neil Sedaka/ Righteous Brother/Lou Adler in Beautiful: The Carole King Musical. Other theatre: Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat (Tweed and Co); Soldier in Sunday in the Park with George, Kiss of the Spider Woman (Eclipse Theatre); Guys and Dolls, Helga in Cabaret, Davey in Newsies (Theatre Sheridan); Mamma Mia! (Theatre St. John’s). Josh is a proud graduate of Sheridan College. Thank you to Drayton Entertainment and Stephen at daCosta. A special thanks to Kaleigh, my friends and family for their endless love and support! Check out my new album ‘Naked’ by JPA! Instagram & TikTok: @joshpalcantara. Music, Merch & Video Production: www.jpa-studios.com.
Devin Alexander (King Harold/Ensemble)
Drayton Entertainment: Priscilla, Queen of the Desert the Musical, The Prom, Peter Pan: The Panto, Irving Berlin’s White Christmas. Upcoming: Shrek The Musical Other Theatre: Spamalot, Chicago (The Stratford Festival); Rock of Ages, The Little Mermaid (Rainbow Stage); Footloose, The Full Monty, Grease (Mayfield Dinner Theatre); Sunday in the Park with George (Eclipse Theatre Company); Mamma Mia! (Dancyn Productions); Human Symbiosis (Dark Dance Company). Film/TV: Northern Tracks (Stratfest@ Home). Work hard, be kind, and chase after your dreams. Love to my partner, friends and family, and special thanks to my powerhouse agents at 10 Talent Management. I’m so happy to be here. @the.devin.alexander.
Jayme Armstrong (Fiona)
Drayton Entertainment: Mary Poppins in Mary Poppins, Millie in Thoroughly Modern Millie, Janet in The Drowsy Chaperone, Sherrie in Rock of Ages, Roxie in Chicago, Adrian in Rocky: The Musical, Linda in Holiday Inn, Lina in Singin’ in the Rain, Reno in Anything Goes, Audrey in Little Shop of Horrors, Betty in White Christmas, Marian in The Music Man, Ariel in The Little Mermaid, Fantine in Les Misérables, Elle in Legally Blonde, Maria in The Sound of Music. Other: Stratford Festival, Theatre Aquarius, Persephone Theatre, Arts Club, Guinevere in Camelot (North American Tour), and Judy in Ruthless! The Musical (LA Weekly Award). Directing: Beauty and the Beast, The Little Mermaid, Broadway Showstoppers (Drayton Entertainment); Legally Blonde (TUTS); Annie (StoryBook Theatre); Nine (Theatre Sheridan). Upcoming: Anne of Green Gables (StoryBook Theatre). Jayme received the 2020 Rogers Woman of the Year Award, holds a Master’s in Arts and Cultural Management, and is the proud owner of Enchanted Entertainment (@enchantedentertainmentkw).
Xander Bechard (Papa Ogre/Ensemble)
Drayton Entertainment: Debut. Other theatre: Guard in Cells of Wind (FAWN Chamber Creative); Emcee in Cabaret (KWMP); Brayden in Why I Said Goodbye (New Musical Debut); Narrator in Into the Woods (Opera Laurier), Reuben in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat (KWMP); Nicely-Nicely Johnson in Guys & Dolls (KWMP); Laurie in Little Women (Opera Laurier); Gastone/ Giuseppe in La traviata (Kitchener-Waterloo Symphony). Extending much gratitude to all my family and friends for your continued love and support, and a big thank you to Drayton Entertainment for this experience! IG @xander_bechard.
Dilynn Campbell (Young Fiona/Ensemble)
Drayton Entertainment: The Wizard of Oz (Huron Country Playhouse). Other theatre/dance: Young Simba in The Lion King (SAC Theatre); Let’s Dance, Winterlude, Beyond the Stars (North London Dance Centre). Dilynn loves to perform and bring stories to life through imagination and humour! She trains in dance at North London Dance Centre, and studies voice/piano at The Voice Studio London. She is a recent recipient of the Ontario Medal of Excellence (Conservatory Canada Level 2 Voice). Dilynn would like to thank Justin Bott (Drayton) and Ryan Kelly (RPK Acting Practice) for their incredible expertise and coaching. Dilynn is thrilled to be performing in Shrek The Musical alongside this incredible cast!
Jeremy Carver-James (Donkey)
Drayton Entertainment: Rock of Ages, Rocky: The Musical, Ghost: The Musical, Hairspray, Red Rock Diner. Other theatre (selected): Come From Away (Australian National Tour); Something Rotten!, La Cage Aux Folles (Stratford); Waitress (RMTC); Beautiful: The Carole King Musical (Segal/RMTC); Alberta Kitchen Party (ATP); 9 to 5 (Citadel Theatre); Back in ‘59 (TIP); Hairspray (Theatre Aquarius); Shrek (Globe Theatre); Sweet Charity, Pygmalion, The Next Whiskey Bar, Cabaret, The Light in the Piazza, Guys and Dolls, Ragtime (Shaw); and Porgy and Bess (Opera de Montréal). Jeremy graduated from McGill University’s Schulich School of Music in Vocal Performance. Special thanks to my friends, family, and the Talent House team for their love and support. Instagram: @jcarverjames.
Dave Comeau (Big Bad Wolf/Ensemble)
Drayton Entertainment: Wizard of Oz: The Panto. Other theatre: Footloose (Stage West); Titanique (Mirvish/Segal); Rock of Ages (Elgin Theatre); 9 to 5 The Musical (Capitol Theatre); The Secret Garden (Theatre Calgary); Twice Charmed/Tangled the Musical/ Disney Dreams (Disney Cruise Line). Film/TV: What We Do In The Shadows (FX); In The Dark (CW). Dave Comeau is a proud graduate of Sheridan College’s Bachelor of Musical Theatre Performance Program, Class of 2017. A huge thank you to my family; chosen and blood, Sarah & Jessica at 10 Talent, and Jared. @comeaudodragon.
Josh Doig (Pinocchio/Ensemble)
Drayton Entertainment: Mamma Mia!. Other theatre: Chantal in La Cage Aux Folles, Swing in Something Rotten, Prince Herbert in Monty Python’s Spamalot, Swing in Frankenstein Revived (Stratford); Another Christmas Carol Panto (Dream Co.); Tin Man/Iron Man in The Lion of Oz, The Prince in Cinder-Ellie, Mamma Mia! (Tweed and Co.); Mamma Mia! (Mayfield); Hairspray (Theatre Aquarius); LeFou in Beauty and the Beast (Globe Theatre); Pavlo in Kamp (Eastern Front Theatre/ Neptune Theatre); Rock of Ages (Stage West Calgary); Beauty and the Beast (Capitol Theatre); Alice through the Looking Glass, Canada Rocks!, Mamma Mia!, Anne of Green Gables (Charlottetown Festival). Training: Bachelor of Fine Arts in Performance Dance from Toronto Metropolitan University. @doigjosh.
Ali Hand (Teen Fiona/Ensemble)
Drayton Entertainment: Debut. Other theatre: Mamma Mia! (Thousand Islands Playhouse); Cinderella -hA Merry Magical Pantomime (Smile Theatre); Mamma Mia! (Tweed & Co.); Anne of Green Gables (LOT); Urinetown (We Are Here). Film/TV: Three Pines (Amazon Prime); SEE (Apple TV). Ali is the Director of Accessibility and Consultation at the Disability Collective and is a proud advocate for her disability community. She is over the moon to be making her Drayton debut and, as always, sends endless love to her family, Korra and Christopher.
Jeremy Legat (Lord Farquaad)
Drayton Entertainment: Debut. Other theatre: Wicked, Murder For Two, Oliver! (West End); Grey Gardens, Thérèse Raquin, Spring Awakening, Dido Queen of Carthage, Curtains (London, UK); Mamma Mia! (Thousand Islands); Peter Pan (Neptune); Spider’s Web, Maggie (Aquarius); The Play That Goes Wrong (Charlottetown Festival); The Last Party (Tarragon); Crazy For You (Watermill); Beautiful Thing (Leicester); Hamlet, The Canterbury Tales (QM2); Frozen, Beauty and the Beast (Disney DCL). TV/Film: Murdoch Mysteries (CTV); The Umbrella Academy (Netflix); Chateau Laurier, Stardust (Amazon); Filth: The Mary Whitehouse Story, Canoe Man, Hustle, Hope and Glory, Surviving Disaster (BBC); Mike Bassett: Manager (ITV); composer for Wimpole Street (web series). @jeremylegat.
Taylor Long (Bricks/Ensemble)
Drayton Entertainment: Debut. Other theatre: Robert in The Bridges of Madison County, Marvin in Falsettos (Bowtie Productions); Emcee in Cabaret (Horrorshow Productions); The Hunchback of Notre Dame (Doctor Bird Productions); Parade (Wavestage Theatre); Ordinary Days (Shifting Ground Collective). Taylor is thrilled to be making his Drayton debut this summer. Much love to my dog, Rylan. @longmtaylor.
Nestor Lozano Jr (Wicked Witch/Ensemble)
Drayton Entertainment: The Wizard of Oz: The Panto. DE Youth Academy Triple Threat Intensive Mentor. Other theatre: Angel in RENT, Mrs. Whatsit in A Wrinkle in Time, Tink in Wendy and Peter Pan, Salesman in China (Stratford Festival); Bring It On (Globe Theatre in Regina); Priscilla, Queen of the Desert (Stage West Calgary); Peter Pan: The Panto (Neptune Theatre in Halifax); Shrek The Musical (Globe Theatre in Regina). Training: Bachelor of Music Theatre Performance from Sheridan College. Nestor is excited to be letting their freak flag fly on the Drayton stages once again! Endless love to David Connolly, friends & family and 10 Talent. Follow Nestor’s big bright beautiful world @nestorlozanojr.
Ha’Keena Maneso (Gingy/Sugar Plum
Fairy/Ensemble)
Drayton Entertainment: Beautiful: The Carole King Musical. Other theatre: Anne of Green Gables (Charlottetown Theatre Festival); Little Red in Into The Woods (Ovation Productions); Fannie in Pollyanna, A Christmas Story (Theatre Aquarius); Groundhog Day (YES Theatre); Kathy in 9 to 5 (Stephenville Theatre Festival); Joseph and The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat (Tweed and Company); Leading Player in Pippin, Magenta in Rocky Horror Picture Show, Lady in Apothecary, Bombalurina in Cats (St. Lawrence College).
Ha’Keena wants to thank her friends and family for their love and support, she would not be here without you! Instagram: @hakeena_c_maneso.
Clea McCaffrey (Dragon/Mamma Bear)
Drayton Entertainment: Sister Act, Jan in Grease. Other theatre (selected): Waitress, Jack a Beanstalk Panto (Capital Theatre Port Hope); Sound of Music, Grow (The Grand Theatre); Little Eva in Beautiful: The Carole King Musical (Stage West); Maggie, I’m Every Woman (Charlottetown Festival); Maggie, Dynamites in Hairspray (Theatre Aquarius); Little Red Hiding Hood in Into the Woods (Royal Manitoba Theatre Centre); Lucy in Written in Blood (Talk is Free Theatre). Other: Actor/ Singer/ Dancer/ Athlete/ Angel. Thank YOU, my family, my baby, agents, friends, for supporting a dream. “This is our story… and it’s not the end.”- “ I’m gonna love you forever” @Cl.3a_
Heather McGuigan (Queen Lillian/Ensemble)
Drayton Entertainment: Pam Lukowski in The Full Monty, Christine Colgate in Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, Sally in Me and My Girl, Glinda in Wizard of Oz, Evita, Pirates of Penzance and Twist and Shout. Other theatre: Wanderlust, Spamalot, Frankenstein Revived (Stratford Festival); My Fair Lady, The Admirable Crichton, The Women (Shaw Festival); Les Miserables (Mirvish); Annette in Saturday Night Fever (National Tour); Christine in Dirty Rotten Scoundrels (National Tour); Camelot (National Tour); Mary, Winifred and Ensemble in Mary Poppins (National Tour(s), Aquarius, Neptune, Rainbow Stage); Fiona in Shrek, (Neptune, Rainbow Stage); Demeter in Mythic, April Fools (Segal Centre); Those Movies (Foster Festival); Percy in The Spitfire Grill, Elsa von Schraeder in The Sound of Music (Grand Theatre). Thank you TH, my family and Drayton Entertainment.
Drew Plummer (Shrek)
Drayton Entertainment: Jack and the Beanstalk: The Panto, Man of La Mancha, West Side Story, Marathon of Hope. Other theatre (selected): The Secret Garden, On The Razzle, Gypsy, White Christmas, Flush, Brigadoon (Shaw Festival); Grease the Musical (Winter Garden Theatre); Mamma Mia! (Rainbow Stage). Drew is Ogre-whelmed with joy to be working with such an amazing cast and creative team! He is even more excited to share in this Shrektacular show with all of you! I am truly grateful to Drayton, Talent House, and my friends and family. Thank you all for supporting live theatre!
Shakeil Rollock (Peter Pan/Ensemble)
Drayton Entertainment: Crazy For You, Shrek: The Musical, Fiddler on the Roof. Other theatre: Anne of Green Gables: The Musical, Jersey Boys, Tell Tale Harbour (Charlottetown Festival); Gypsy, A Grand Night for Singing, The Amen Corner (Shaw Festival); Elf: The Musical, Mary Poppins (The Grand); A Christmas Story: The Musical (Theatre Aquarius). Film/TV: Sneakerella, Spin (Disney+); Locke and Key, Grand Army (Netflix); American Gods (Amazon Prime). So grateful for another chance to share a Drayton stage with some amazing artists! Insta: @shakroll.
Kayla Samson (Red Riding Hood/Ensemble)
Drayton Entertainment: Debut. Kayla Samson is a Filipina-Canadian dancer, singer, and actor, who is excited to be making her Drayton debut! Growing up in the region of Durham, Ontario, Kayla has always had a passion for sharing her love of creativity and performing, recently making her professional theatre debut in Anne of Green Gables (Tweed and Co). Kayla will soon be entering her final year at Sheridan College for Music Theatre Performance. She would like to thank her family, friends, teachers, and her boyfriend for always supporting her throughout her journey and helping her get to where she is today. Instagram: @kaylasamson_.
Madison Sekulin (Shoemaker’s Elf/Ensemble)
Drayton Entertainment: Annie, The Wizard of Oz. Other theatre: Urleen in Footloose (Stage West Calgary); Another Christmas Carol Panto (Dream Co.); Statistics (Toronto Fringe); Heathers, Chris Hargenson in Carrie (Hart House Theatre); Footloose (Randolph College); The Wizard of Oz (NETworks Tour). Maddie is overjoyed to be working with such an incredible team and company. Thank you to my family, friends and mentors for their constant support and guidance. @madsekk.
Berkley Silverman (Fairy Godmother/Ensemble)
Drayton Entertainment: Fiddler on the Roof (Chava), Evita, The Prom (Shelby). Other theatre: Girl Scout/Lydia cover in Beetlejuice (NCL); Campbell in Bring it On! (The Globe); Olive in Spelling Bee (Shifting Ground); Blocked (TheaterWorks USA); Drama 101 (TO Fringe); Innocence Lost (Soulpepper); The Hockey Sweater (Segal Centre). Film/TV/Voice: Reverse 1999 (OneLine Studios); Murdoch Mysteries (CBC/UKTV); Abducted on Prom Night (Lifetime); Workin Moms’ (Netflix). Berkley is best known for voicing Everest in Paw Patrol on Nickelodeon. Thanks to Ros, Steven, my NY team, TDZ, AMI, and my family and friends. Biggest love goes to my incredible mom, who makes all of this possible. @berkleysilverman.
Shane Simpson (Mad Hatter/Ensemble)
Drayton Entertainment: Debut. Other theatre: Disney’s The Lion King (Mirvish); Hairspray. Film/TV: Grease: Rise of the Pink Ladies (Paramount+); Schmigadoon (AppleTV+); Zombies & Descendants (Disney); Hairspray (New Line Cinema). Finalist on So You Think you Can Dance Canada (Season 4). Trained at Shenandoah Conservatory (BFA Dance) and Cardinal Carter Academy for the Arts. Shane is thrilled to return to theatre after several years and to join the cast of Shrek! Grateful for the Love and Support! @shaneloctv.
Mackenna VanMassenhoven (Mama Ogre/Ensemble)
Drayton Entertainment: Debut. Other theatre: Footloose, Legally Blonde, Frozen Jr. (Drayton Entertainment Youth Academy); Matilda (Grand Theatre); Hadestown: Teen Edition, Disney’s Newsies (Beal PA); High School Musical: On Stage, The Addams Family (London Performing Arts Academy). Overflowing with gratitude to be making my professional debut here at Drayton Entertainment! Thank you to all of the folks at DEYA for lifting me up to this point, and all the love in the world to my mom and dad, your support means everything to me. @its_mackv.
Christine Watson (Alice in Wonderland/Ensemble)*
Drayton Entertainment: Choreographer: Grease, Jesus Christ Superstar, The Full Monty, Jersey Boys, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat; Assistant Choreographer: A Christmas Carol, Peter Pan, and Jack and the Beanstalk: The Panto, Kinky Boots, Priscilla Queen of the Desert. Performer (selected): Rock of Ages, Mamma Mia!, Grease, West Side Story, Disney’s The Little Mermaid, All Shook Up, Anne of Green Gables, Footloose, 9 To 5: The Musical. Other theatre: Choreographer/Assistant Director for Jersey Boys, Associate Choreographer for Rock of Ages (Mayfield); Mamma Mia! (Tweed). Head Choreographer for Pop Nation Canada. Performer: Rock of Ages (Mayfield/Fallsview); Spamalot (Aquarius); Dance Legends (Grand); A Chorus Line (Rose). Special thanks to everyone at Drayton, 10 Talent, my loving husband, and my wonderful family.
*Dance Captain
Brady Wilson (Young Shrek/Ensemble)
Drayton Entertainment: Cinderella The Panto, Christmas Carol: The Panto, Peter Pan: The Panto. Brady is a student at Southwood Secondary. He plays percussion in school and with the Stratford Symphony Youth Orchestra. He loves the classes at Drayton Entertainment Youth Academy, especially Improv. He is beyond happy to be a part of the cast of Shrek: The Musical. A huge thank you to Drayton Entertainment (David) for this green-tastic opportunity. Brady is grateful for the love and support from his friends, family (especially his Mom) and his three adorable pups.
the creative team
David Connolly (Director & Choreographer)
Drayton Entertainment: Cinderella: The Panto, A Christmas Carol: The Panto, Priscilla, Beehive, Peter Pan: The Panto, Kinky Boots, The Prom, Mamma Mia!, Wizard of Oz: The Panto, Newsies, Annie, Sleeping Beauty: The Panto, Hairspray, Jack and the Beanstalk: The Panto, Red Rock Diner, HONK!, Lucky Stiff, Singin’ in the Rain, Legally Blonde, High School Musical, Miss Saigon, and Crazy For You. David is the Artistic Director of Drayton Entertainment and an internationally recognized disability inclusion advocate. He is the recipient of the 2024 Canadian Actors’ Equity inaugural Change Maker Award and the Ontario Premier’s Award of Excellence.
Steve Thomas (Music Director)
Drayton Entertainment: Cinderella: The Panto. A Christmas Carol: The Panto, Peter Pan: The Panto, The Prom, Wizard of Oz: The Panto, ELF: The Musical, Thoroughly Modern Millie, Rocky: The Musical, Kings & Queens of Country, Disney’s The Little Mermaid, HONK!, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, All Shook Up, Mamma Mia!, Aladdin: The Panto, The Pirates of Penzance, The Music Man, Anne of Green Gables, Spamalot, The Last Resort, Damn Yankees, South Pacific, Guys and Dolls, Me and My Girl, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels (North American Tour); Jasper Station. Other theatre: various productions across North America, including Theatre Aquarius, The Elgin Theatre, Lighthouse Festival Theatre, Vancouver Playhouse, Charlottetown Festival, Showboat Festival. Visit Steve at www.sthomasmusic.com.
Ryan Howell (Set Designer)
Drayton Entertainment (Scenic Designer): A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder. Off-Broadway: Love Life (New York City Center: Encores!); Atalanta (The Juilliard School); Pretty Hunger, Teenage Dick (The Public Theater). Regional: A Few Good Men, School Girls: Or The African Mean Girls Play (Pittsburgh Public); Lights Out: Nat King Cole (The Geffen); Loving vs. Virginia (Williamstown); Ain’t Misbehavin’, Grease, Altar Boyz (The Cape Playhouse); Fiddler on the Roof (North Shore Music Theater); Little Shop of Horrors (ACT of CT); The Magic Flute (Opera Theatre St. Louis); Ariadne Aux Naxos (Cincinnati Opera); Idomeneo (WolfTrap Opera). Film/TV (Asst. Art Director): Netflix/Zero Day (S1); HBO/Succession (S3/4); Showtime/Three Women (S1). Website: www.ryanmhowell.com / Instagram: @ryanmhowell.
Kevin Fraser (Lighting Designer)*
Drayton Entertainment: Evita, The Full Monty, Jersey Boys, Fiddler on the Roof, Priscilla Queen of the Desert, An Inspector Calls, Irving Berlin’s White Christmas, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, A Few Good Men, ELF: The Musical, The Miracle Worker, Man of La Mancha, Disney’s The Little Mermaid, Death of a Salesman, Disney’s Beauty and the Beast, Sister Act, Little Shop of Horrors, Les Misérables, and many more. Other theatre: Gypsy (Shaw Festival); Cirque Ambiente (Canada’s Wonderland); Beautiful Scars (Theatre Aquarius); Shakespeare In Love, Carousel (Stratford Festival). Kevin is a member of Associated Designers of Canada, and a graduate of Ryerson Theatre School. Web: kevinfraserlighting.com
Matt Ballagh (Sound Designer)
Drayton Entertainment: Jesus Christ Superstar, A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder, Rock of Ages, Evita, The Prom. Other theatre: Starbright Christmas (VPP); The Little Mermaid Jr., Beauty and the Beast Jr., Newsies Jr. (Studio 410 Productions). Matt Ballagh is an audio engineer with extensive experience in live theatre and music production. A proud graduate of the Music Industry Arts program at Fanshawe College, he combines his academic training with a wealth of practical experience. Matt owns a recording studio in Stratford, ON, and enjoys recording and producing for his many clients. His expertise in live sound, mixing, and sound design has made him a sought-after engineer for both large-scale productions and intimate theatre settings. Thanks to Ally G and my family!
Jeremy Carver-James (Assistant Director)
Drayton Entertainment: Rock of Ages, Rocky: The Musical, Ghost: The Musical, Hairspray, Red Rock Diner. Other theatre (selected): Come From Away (Australian National Tour); Something Rotten!, La Cage Aux Folles (Stratford); Waitress (RMTC); Beautiful: The Carole King Musical (Segal/RMTC); Alberta Kitchen Party (ATP); 9 to 5 (Citadel Theatre); Back in ‘59 (TIP); Hairspray (Theatre Aquarius); Shrek (Globe Theatre); Sweet Charity, Pygmalion, The Next Whiskey Bar, Cabaret, The Light in the Piazza, Guys and Dolls, Ragtime (Shaw); and Porgy and Bess (Opera de Montréal). Jeremy graduated from McGill University’s Schulich School of Music in Vocal Performance. Special thanks to my friends, family, and the Talent House team for their love and support. Instagram: @jcarverjames.
Christine Watson (Assistant Choreographer)
Drayton Entertainment: Choreographer: Grease, Jesus Christ Superstar, The Full Monty, Jersey Boys, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat; Assistant Choreographer: A Christmas Carol, Peter Pan, and Jack and the Beanstalk: The Panto, Kinky Boots, Priscilla Queen of the Desert. Performer (selected): Rock of Ages, Mamma Mia!, Grease, West Side Story, Disney’s The Little Mermaid, All Shook Up, Anne of Green Gables, Footloose, 9 To 5: The Musical. Other theatre: Choreographer/Assistant Director for Jersey Boys, Associate Choreographer for Rock of Ages (Mayfield); Mamma Mia! (Tweed). Head Choreographer for Pop Nation Canada. Performer: Rock of Ages (Mayfield/Fallsview); Spamalot (Aquarius); Dance Legends (Grand); A Chorus Line (Rose). Special thanks to everyone at Drayton, 10 Talent, my loving husband, and my wonderful family.
Dustyn Wales (Stage Manager)
Drayton Entertainment: Newsies, Mamma Mia!, Sound of Music, Driving Miss Daisy, Kinky Boots, Prom, Mary’s Wedding, Home for the Holidays. Other theatre: Waitress, Lehman Trilogy, Yaga (RMTC); Groundhog Day (YES); Once, Mamma Mia!, Doubt (TiP); Revolutionary Women in Jazz, Billy Bishop, Glengarry Glen Ross, Faith Healer, Travesties, Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf? (Soulpepper); Blackout, Take the Moment, Light in the Piazza, Craigslist Cantata (Musical Stage); You Dance (National Ballet); A Man A Fish (Persephone); Musical of Musicals (Mirvish); i think i can, Blue Planet (YPT); Rocky Horror, Jesus Christ Superstar, Into the Woods, Tempest (Hart House); Soldier On (UK Toronto Tour). Love to my family, friends, and Nick!
Molly Mück (Assistant Stage Manager)
Drayton Entertainment: The Full Monty, Merry & Bright, The Marvelous Wonderettes, Footloose, Peter Pan: The Panto, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, The Prom, The Crooner, Mamma Mia!. Other theatre: UpStart Festival (University of Waterloo). Molly is excited to be a part of Drayton Entertainment this season. Thanks to her friends and family for the support.
Sadie Wannamaker (Assistant Stage Manager)
Drayton Entertainment: The Full Monty, A Christmas Carol: The Panto, Kiss Me, Kate, The Prom, A Few Good Men, Rocky: The Musical, The Drowsy Chaperone, Footloose, Little Shop of Horrors, Les Misérables, White Christmas, Mary Poppins, Sleuth, Tap Dogs, Shear Madness, The Pirates of Penzance, A Closer Walk with Patsy Cline. Other theatre: Mix Tapes From My Mom, Murder For Two (RMTC Tour); Tales of An Urban Indian (TIFT); The Secret to Good Tea (RMTC); Assassinating Thomson (Blyth Festival); British Invasion (Stage West); Sword and the Stone (Theatre Orangeville); The Neverending Story (Roseneath). Sadie is glad to be in her 26th season with Drayton Entertainment. She would like to pass on love to her family for all their support.
the band
Steve Thomas (Music Director/Keys)
Drayton Entertainment: Cinderella: The Panto. A Christmas Carol: The Panto, Peter Pan: The Panto, The Prom, Wizard of Oz: The Panto, ELF: The Musical, Thoroughly Modern Millie, Rocky: The Musical, Kings & Queens of Country, Disney’s The Little Mermaid, HONK!, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, All Shook Up, Mamma Mia!, Aladdin: The Panto, The Pirates of Penzance, The Music Man, Anne of Green Gables, Spamalot, The Last Resort, Damn Yankees, South Pacific, Guys and Dolls, Me and My Girl, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels (North American Tour); Jasper Station. Other theatre: various productions across North America, including Theatre Aquarius, The Elgin Theatre, Lighthouse Festival Theatre, Vancouver Playhouse, Charlottetown Festival, Showboat Festival. Visit Steve at www.sthomasmusic.com.
Aaron Eyre (Keys II)
Drayton Entertainment: The Full Monty. Other theatre (selected): Music Director: Trey Parker’s Cannibal!, Evil Dead: The Musical US National Tour (STARVOX); Godspell, 9 to 5 (SFT); Spongebob Squarepants, The Addams Family (SLC); Forever Plaid (Fallsview); Little Women (Theatre New Brunswick); Let’s Bop! (Terra Bruce); Every Silver Lining (Next Stage); In Flanders Fields (Smile Theatre); Cabaret (RCPA). Aaron arranged music for The Nick Drake Project and Let’s Dance! and composed six new songs for Trey Parker’s Cannibal!. Aaron is a Toronto-based Music Director, Composer, Arranger, and Pianist. Very excited to make his Drayton debut. Aaron graduated from Wilfrid Laurier University with degrees in Composition and Theatre, and is the recipient of the NUMUS Award for Composition for The Poison Tree.
Howard Gaul (Drums)
Drayton Entertainment (selected): The Full Monty, Jersey Boys, Rock of Ages, Evita, Annie, Ghost, Rocky: The Musical, The Drowsy Chaperone, Joseph..., Thoroughly Modern Millie, Sister Act, Marathon of Hope, Smokey Joe’s Café, Blood Brothers, Little Shop of Horrors, Snow White: The Panto, Footloose, Twist & Shout, Legally Blonde, Peter Pan, Spamalot, Evita, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels (North American Tour). Other theatre: Ring of Fire, Mamma Mia!, Dance Legends (Grand); SpongeBob The Musical (RCM Productions); The Full Monty (Moonpath). Howard has played, toured and recorded in many musical settings including with The Henrys and awardwinning jazz group The Heillig Manoeuvre. Thanks to Alex and the Drayton family for another season of theatre excellence!
Clark Johnston (Bass)
Drayton Entertainment: Evita. Other theatre: The Drowsy Chaperone with the original cast (Theatre Passe Muraille); The Sound of Music, An American Hymnal (Theatre Aquarius); The Drowsy Chaperone, A little Night Music (Drury Lane Burlington’s Musical Theatre); The Wizard of Oz, Chicago, Cabaret, The Drowsy Chaperone, Grease, Young Frankenstein, Footloose, Little Shop of Horrors (Hillfield Strathallan College). He has performed with the Shuffle Demons, Diana Panton, Mike Murley, Reg Schwager, Don Thompson, the Mike Malone Jazz Orchestra, Peter Appleyard, Queen Pepper, Danny B, Attila Fias, and performs regularly with James Brown and Neil Brathwaite. Clark also holds a Master’s Degree in music composition from York University and is on faculty at McMaster University. Clark is thrilled to be making his debut at Drayton Entertainment.
Paul Pacanowski (Tenor Sax)
Drayton Entertainment: Crazy For You, Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder, Fiddler on the Roof, Disney’s The Little Mermaid, Les Misérables, Big Band Legends, Annie, Blood Brothers, How To Succeed In Business Without Really Trying, The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, Evita, Camelot, Oliver!, Fiddler on the Roof, Chicago. Other theatre: Irving Berlin’s White Christmas, Oklahoma! (Theatre Aquarius); The Wild Party (Canadian Stage); Chicago (Mirvish Productions). As both a classical and jazz musician, Paul has appeared with symphonies and chamber music ensembles. His jazz groups have performed his own compositions in a number of music festivals in Canada and abroad. Many of his compositions can be found on YouTube. Paul is happy to be spending another season with Drayton Entertainment. www.paulpacanowski.ca.
The Musicians and Music Director engaged for this production are members of the American Federation of Musicians of the United States and Canada, and are performing in the jurisdiction of the Central Ontario Musicians’ Association, Local 226.
the authors
David Lindsay-Abaire
DAVID LINDSAY-ABAIRE is a Tony and Pulitzer Prize winning playwright, screenwriter, lyricist and librettist. His most recent show, the musical Kimberly Akimbo, written with composer Jeanine Tesori, premiered off Broadway at the Atlantic Theater Co., where it won the Lortel, NYDCC, OCC and Drama Desk Awards for Best Musical before it moved to Broadway and won five Tony Awards, including Best Musical, Best Book and Best Score as well as a Grammy nomination for Best Musical Theater Album. His play Good People premiered on Broadway at MTC, was awarded the New York Drama Critics Circle Award for Best Play, The Horton Foote Prize, The Edgerton Foundation New American Play Award, and two Tony nominations. His play Rabbit Hole also premiered on Broadway at MTC and received the Pulitzer Prize for Drama, five Tony nominations, and the Spirit of America Award. David also wrote the book and lyrics for Shrek the Musical (Jeanine Tesori, composer), which was nominated for eight Tonys, four Oliviers, a Grammy, and earned David the Kleban Prize as America’s most promising musical theatre lyricist. His newest play, The Balusters, premiers on Broadway at MTC in April 2026, directed by Kenny Leon. David’s other plays include Ripcord, Fuddy Meers, Kimberly Akimbo and Wonder of the World which all premiered at MTC, as as well as A Devil Inside at Soho Rep. In addition to his work in theatre, David’s screen credits include his film adaptation of Rabbit Hole (starring Nicole Kidman, Oscar nomination), Dreamworks’ Rise of the Guardians, and The Family Fang, among others. He is also, along with Tanya Barfield, Co-Director of the Lila Acheson Wallace American Playwrights Program at the Juilliard School.
Jeanine Tesori
JEANINE TESORI won the Tony Award for Best Original Score with Lisa Kron for the musical Fun Home. She has also written Tonynominated scores for Twelfth Night at Lincoln Center; Thoroughly Modern Millie (lyrics, Dick Scanlan); Caroline, or Change (lyrics, Tony Kushner); and Shrek The Musical (lyrics, David Lindsay-Abaire). The production of Caroline, or Change at the National Theatre in London received the Olivier Award for Best New Musical. Her 1997 Off-Broadway musical Violet (lyrics, Brian Crawley) opened on Broadway in 2014 and garnered four Tony nominations, including Best Musical Revival. Opera: A Blizzard on Marblehead Neck (libretto, Tony Kushner; Glimmerglass) and The Lion, The Unicorn, and Me (libretto, J. D. McClatchy, Kennedy Center). Music for plays: Mother Courage (dir. George C. Wolfe, with Meryl Streep and Kevin Kline), John Guare’s A Free Man of Color (Lincoln Center Theater, dir. George C. Wolfe), and Romeo and Juliet (Delacorte Gala). Film scores: Nights in Rodanthe, Every Day, and You’re Not You. Ms. Tesori is a member of the Dramatists Guild and was cited by the ASCAP as the first female composer to have two new musicals running concurrently on Broadway. She was the founding artistic director of Encores! Off-Center at New York City Center, and a lecturer in music at Yale University. Most of all, she is the proud parent of Siena Rafter.
the original directors
Rob Ashford
Rob Ashford won the 2012 Olivier Award for his production of Anna Christie starring Jude Law and Ruth Wilson at London’s Donmar Warehouse. The production opened to rave reviews with The Independent’s anointing it as “picture perfect” and David Benedict stating that “the production’s hallmark is its boldness.” Rob most recently directed the Broadway revival of Cat on a Hot Tin Roof starring Scarlett Johansson, and Macbeth with Sir Kenneth Branagh at New York’s Park Avenue Armory and The Manchester International Festival. The Telegraph claimed “This is a Macbeth that won’t just go down as a highlight of the Manchester International Festival but as one of the Scottish Play’s great revivals,” and Ben Brantley of the New York Times proclaimed “Mr. Ashford uses his experience as a celebrated director of musicals to stunning, timebending effect.” Rob received his 8th Tony Nomination for his work on the Broadway revival of Evita starring Ricky Martin, and received the Tony Award for his work on the Broadway production of Thoroughly Modern Millie. Other Broadway credits include How to Succeed in Business (Tony Award Nominations for his direction and choreography), Promises, Promises (Tony Award Nomination), Shrek, John Water’s Cry Baby (Tony Award nomination, Drama Desk, Outer Critics Circle, and Fred Astaire Awards), Curtains (Tony Award nomination), and Wedding Singer (Tony Award nomination).
In London, Rob also directed the highly acclaimed Olivier Award winning revivals of A Streetcar Named Desire starring Rachel Weisz and Parade at The Donmar Warehouse. Rob did the choreography and staging for last year’s Academy Awards with Seth MacFarlane and won the 2009 Emmy Award for Best Choreography for his work on Baz Luhrmann’s production number (featuring Hugh Jackman and Beyoncé) at the 81st Annual Academy Awards. He has also choreographed the opening number for The Tony Awards starring Neil Patrick Harris for the past 4 years. He choreographed the feature film Beyond The Sea directed by and starring Academy Award winner Kevin Spacey and Walt Disney Production’s upcoming film Cinderella directed by Kenneth Branagh. Most recently, Rob directed and choreographed NBC’s The Sound of Music Live!, for which he received a DGA Award Nomination, and this January directed The Barber of Seville at Chicago Lyric Opera. Rob is an Associate Director at The Old Vic Theatre. He also serves on the Executive Board of The Society of Stage Directors and Choreographers and is a Trustee of The Joyce Theatre in New York City.
Jason Moore
JASON MOORE (Director). Broadway: Avenue Q, Steel Magnolias. Carnegie Hall: Jerry Springer: The Opera. Off-Broadway: Speech and Debate (Roundabout), Avenue Q (the Vineyard), Guardians (the Culture Project), The Crumple Zone. Associate directing: Les Misérables (Broadway, national tour), Ragtime (Vancouver). Writer: The Floatplane Notebooks (Charlotte Repertory Theatre). TV directing: episodes of Dawson s Creek, Everwood, One Tree Hill and Brothers and Sisters. Jason has a BS in performance studies from Northwestern University.
music theatre international
Music Theatre International (MTI) is one of the world’s leading theatrical licensing agencies, granting theatres from around the world the rights to perform the greatest selection of musicals from Broadway and beyond. Founded in 1952 by composer Frank Loesser and orchestrator Don Walker, MTI is a driving force in advancing musical theatre as a vibrant and engaging art form.
MTI works directly with the composers, lyricists and book writers of these musicals to provide official scripts, musical materials and dynamic theatrical resources to over 100,000 professional, community and school theatres in the US and in over 150 countries worldwide.
MTI is particularly dedicated to educational theatre, and has created special collections to meet the needs of various types of performers and audiences. MTI’s Broadway Junior® shows are 30- and 60-minute musicals for performance by elementary and middle school-aged performers, while MTI’s School Editions are musicals annotated for performance by high school students.
