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Musical Numbers
ACT ONE
IT HAD TO BE YOU................................................................................Composed by Isham Jones, lyrics by Gus Kahn FLY ME TO THE MOON............................................................................................................
Written by Bart Howard THE BEST IS YET TO COME .............................................................Composed by Cy Coleman, lyrics by Carolyn Leigh COME FLY WITH ME
Composed by Jimmy Van Heusen, lyrics by Sammy Cahn SITTIN’ ON TOP OF THE WORLD
Written by Walter Vinson and Lonnie Chatmon CALIFORNIA HERE I COME!
ALEXANDER’S RAGTIME BAND
Written by Bud DeSylva, Joseph Meyer, and Al Jolson
Composed by Irving Berlin TOOT, TOOT, TOOTSIE (GOO’ BYE!)
Written by Gus Kahn, Ernie Erdman, and Danny Russo MY BLUE HEAVEN
Written by Walter Donaldson and George A. Whiting YES SIR! THAT’S MY BABY .......................................................................Written by Walter Donaldson and Gus Kahn AIN’T SHE SWEET ................................................................................Composed by Milton Ager, lyrics by Jack Yellen PENNIES FROM HEAVEN ...................................................
I FOUND A MILLION DOLLAR BABY
Composed by Arthur Johnston and lyrics by Johnny Burke
Composed by Harry Warren, lyrics by Mort Dixon and Billy Rose SWINGING ON A STAR
Composed by Jimmy Van Heusen, lyrics by Johnny Burke AC-CENT-TCHU-ATE THE POSITIVE
Composed by Harold Arlen, lyrics by Johnny Mercer WHITE CHRISTMAS
Written by Irving Berlin PLAY A SIMPLE MELODY
Written by Irving Berlin DON’T FENCE ME IN
Composed by Cole Porter, lyrics by Robert Fletcher and Cole Porter ROSE OF SAN ANTONE .................................................................................................................
Written by Bob Wills ANYTIME ...............................................................................................................
Written by Herbert “Happy” Lawson BACK IN THE SADDLE AGAIN .........................................................................
Written by Gene Autry and Ray Whitley HAPPY TRAILS
Written by Roy Rogers and Dale Evans TENNESSEE WALTZ
I’M SO LONESOME I COULD DIE
Composed by Pee Wee King, lyrics by Redd Stewart
Written by Hank Williams HE’LL HAVE TO GO
Written by Jim Reeves AT LAST
Written by Mack Gordon and Harry Warren I’VE HEARD THAT SONG BEFORE
Composed by Jule Styne, lyrics by Sammy Cahn GOODY GOODY .......................................................................
Composed by Matty Malneck, lyrics by Johnny Mercer IT’S A GOOD DAY ............................................................................................
I PUT A SPELL ON YOU...............................................................................
Written by Peggy Lee and Dave Barbour
Written by Jalacy “Screamin’ Jay” Hawkins AS TIME GOES BY
Written by Jay Livingston and Ray Evans
Written by Herman Hupfeld QUE SERA SERA
MACK THE KNIFE Composed by Kurt Weill, lyrics by Bertolt Brecht BEYOND THE SEA
Written by Charles Trenet, with English lyrics by Jack Lawrence DREAM LOVER
Written by Bobby Darin SPLISH SPLASH
Written by Bobby Darin and Murray the K HELLO, DOLLY!........................................................................................................................
Written by Jerry Herman YOU’RE BREAKING MY HEART ..............................................................................................
Written by Carl Sigman and Peter de Rose
Written by Harry Nilsson BUONA SERA ...............................................................................................
PAPA LOVES MAMBO ............................................................Written by Al Hoffman, Dick Manning, and Bix Reichner MAMBO ITALIANO
Written by Bob Merrill SWAY
VOLARE-AN EVENING IN ROMA
Written by Norman Gimbel, Pablo Beltrán Ruiz, and Luis Demetrio
Written by Dean Martin SAN FRANCISCO
Written by John Phillips RAGS TO RICHES
Written by Richard Adler and Jerry Ross
IT’S BEEN A LONG, LONG TIME
Composed by Jule Styne, lyrics by Sammy Cahn PACK UP YOUR TROUBLES
IT’S A LONG WAY TO TIPPERARY
Composed by Felix Powell, lyrics by George Henry Powell
Written by Jack Judge and Harry Williams WE’LL MEET AGAIN
Composed by Manning Sherwin, lyrics by Eric Maschwitz
Written by Ross Parker and Hughie Charles A NIGHTINGALE SANG ........................................................
THE WHITE CLIFFS OF DOVER ...........................................................C omposed by Walter Kent, lyrics by Nat Burton
I’LL BE SEEING YOU ...........................................................................
Composed by Sammy Fain, lyrics by Irving Kahal
MONA LISA ......................................................................................................
L.O.V.E.
HEY THERE
Written by Ray Evans and Jay Livingston
Written by Bert Kaempfert and Milt Gabler
Written by Richard Adler and Jerry Ross A MAN WITHOUT LOVE ............................................................Composed by Cyril Ornadel, lyrics by Peter Callander WONDERFUL/WONDERFUL
Composed by Sherman Edwards, lyrics by Ben Raleigh AND I LOVE YOU SO
CATCH A FALLING STAR ...................................................................................
Written by Paul Vance and Lee Pockriss MOON RIVER ............................................................................Composed by Henry Mancini, lyrics by Johnny Mercer TONGUE TWISTERS .......................................................................................................................
DIANA
IT’S NOT UNUSUAL
Written by Jeff Moss
Written by Paul Anka
Written by Les Reed and Gordon Mills CAN’T TAKE MY EYES OFF OF YOU
Written by Bob Crewe and Bob Gaudio LAUGHTER IN THE RAIN
Written by Neil Sedaka and Phil Cody CAN’T SMILE WITHOUT YOU ......................................Written by Christian Arnold, David Martin, and Geoff Morrow BLUE VELVET .................................................................................................
HOME ............................................................................
Written by Michael Bublé, Alan Chang, and Amy Foster-Gillies THE LADY IS A TRAMP ................................................................Composed by Richard Rodgers, lyrics by Lorenz Hart I GET A KICK OUT OF YOU
Written by Cole Porter THE WAY YOU LOOK TONIGHT ...................................................Composed by Jerome Kern, lyrics by Dorothy Fields I’VE GOT YOU UNDER MY SKIN
Written by Cole Porter CHICAGO
NEW YORK NEW YORK
Written by Fred Fisher
Composed by John Kander, lyrics by Fred Ebb MY WAY ...............................................................................
Composed by Jacques Revaux, English lyrics by Paul Anka
the cast
starring
Michael Vanhevel (The Crooner)
Drayton Entertainment: Evita, Over the River and Through the Woods, Duke Henderson in Sh-Boom! Life Could Be a Dream, Big Band Legends. Other theatre: Mitch Albom in Tuesdays With Morrie, The Tony Bennett Songbook, King Arthur in Camelot, Starbright Christmas, Will Vanhorne in Norm Foster’s Outlaw, Hollywood Sings, Songs Of Sinatra (Victoria Playhouse Petrolia); Elvis Presley in Million Dollar Quartet (Magnus Theatre, Thousand Islands Playhouse, Sudbury Theatre Centre, Theatre Calgary, The Grand Theatre); A Stratford Christmas (Stratford Festival Theatre). Film/TV: Billy Bishop in The Ace and The Scout (Electric Motion Pictures). Thank you to my wonderful friends and family for their unwavering support. www.michaelvanhevel.com.
the band
Mark Payne (Music Director/Piano)
Drayton Entertainment (selected): Jesus Christ Superstar, The Crooner, Fiddler on the Loose, I Love a Piano, Godspell, Songs of Sinatra. Mark Payne is a diverse London musician; equally at home on the stage, in the studio, singing, playing, writing and arranging. He is currently the resident Musical Director at the Victoria Playhouse Petrolia, where he arranges the music for the entire season, rehearses the casts, and performs in most of the shows, including Starbright Christmas for the past 13 years. He co-conducts Primus Amabile Men’s Choir in London.
Tony De Luca (Sax)
Drayton Entertainment: Broadway Heroes, Songs of Sinatra. Other theatre: Stratford Festival, Shaw Festival, The Grand Theatre, London Symphonia, The Victoria Petrolia Playhouse, Drayton Entertainment, The Imperial Theatre, Season 10 of America’s Got Talent. Tony is a Canada’s Got Talent Golden Buzzer Winner and Finalist, as a member of The Stacey Kay Band. Tony is a versatile woodwind and keyboard player who works in all musical genres and styles. He holds both a Bachelor of Music Degree with Honors in Music Education and a Bachelor of Education Degree from the University of Western Ontario, with additional studies from Humber College.
Erik Larson (Bass)
Drayton Entertainment (selected): A Gentleman’s Guide…, Fiddler on the Loose, The Marvelous Wonderettes, Fiddler on the Roof, Music Man. Other theatre: Million Dollar Quartet (Grand); Kelly V Kelly (Musical Stage); Mary Poppins (YPT); Forever Plaid (Starvox); Hedwig… (TIFT); Legally Blonde, Rocky Horror Show, Hair, Heathers, Into The Woods, Jesus Christ Superstar (Hart House); and several productions at the Victoria Playhouse Petrolia. Recently, Erik was a bass sub for Mirvish Productions’ smash hit musical Come From Away, and has been fortunate enough to play with some of Canada’s most celebrated musical talents, including Steven Page, The Tenors, Jully Black, and Emilie-Claire Barlow.
Larry Larson (Trumpet)
Drayton Entertainment: White Christmas (2024). Billy Elliot, The Music Man, Cabaret, Threepenny Opera, Fanfare Trumpeter, and regular sub for 25 years (Stratford Festival). Larry was Principal Trumpet of the Kitchener-Waterloo Symphony for 30 years. He continues to enjoy a very healthy freelance career, including “Larry’s Jazz Guys,” a wide variety of solo and chamber music opportunities, and studio recording sessions. He has been honoured to collaborate on stage with Steven Page, Brian Wilson, Herbie Hancock, and Diana Krall, among many others. And what a treat to be playing with his boy Erik, “Son of Lars,” for this production!
Greg Mainprize (Drums)
Drayton Entertainment: Debut. Other theatre: The Tony Bennett Tribute, Camelot (Victoria Playhouse Petrolia). Greg is thrilled to be joining Drayton Entertainment to perform in The Crooner. Greg is an active freelance drummer in the London jazz music scene, backing up Big Bands such as the London Jazz Orchestra, Big Bandemic, and The Baddest Big Band, as well as many jazz combos and London’s best known jazz singers and instrumentalists. Greg is a founding member of The London Percussion Trio, and has performed often with London Symphonia and many other classical groups. Greg has been Percussion Faculty for National Music Camp for over 25 years.
Seth McNall (Trombone)
Drayton Entertainment: Debut. As a very active freelance trombonist in Southern Ontario, Seth has worked with several orchestras and theatre companies, numerous pop and rock performers, chamber groups as well as many jazz groups. Seth is also a director of the London Jazz Festival, chair of the Jazz Association of London Ontario, and President of the London Musicians Association.
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 creative team
Alex Mustakas (Director)
As Founder of Drayton Entertainment, Alex has directed over 120 productions for this award-winning theatre organization and other theatre companies across Canada, including The Full Monty, Million Dollar Quartet, Over The River..., Rock of Ages, The Crooner, We’ll Meet Again, It Runs in the Family, Sorry, I’m Canadian 2, You’ll Get Used To It!...The War Show, Rocky: The Musical, Million Dollar Quartet, the world premiere of Marathon of Hope, Legends of Rock ‘n’ Roll, Spamalot, Les Misérables, and others. Alex holds a Master’s Degree in Arts Administration from City University in London, England, and an Honorary Doctorate from Wilfrid Laurier University. He is the recipient of the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award for Media & Entertainment, the Queen’s Diamond & Platinum Jubilee Medals, the Maggie Bassett Award from Theatre Ontario, and the Governor General’s Meritorious Service Medal for his lasting impact on Canadian arts and culture.
Mark Payne (Music Director & Arranger)
Drayton Entertainment (selected): Jesus Christ Superstar, The Crooner, Fiddler on the Loose, I Love a Piano, Godspell, Songs of Sinatra. Mark Payne is a diverse London musician; equally at home on the stage, in the studio, singing, playing, writing and arranging. He is currently the resident Musical Director at the Victoria Playhouse Petrolia, where he arranges the music for the entire season, rehearses the casts, and performs in most of the shows, including Starbright Christmas for the past 13 years. He co-conducts Primus Amabile Men’s Choir in London.
Jenine Kroeplin (Costume Designer)
Drayton Entertainment (selected): Irving Berlin’s White Christmas, A Closer Walk with Patsy Cline, Marathon of Hope: The Musical, Legends...of Rock ‘n’ Roll, I’ll Be Back Before Midnight, Sleuth, 9 to 5: The Musical, Robin Hood, Country Legends. Jenine is delighted to be back for her 19th season with Drayton Entertainment and her 17th season as the Head of Wardrobe. Jenine is a graduate of York University’s Technical Theatre Program where she specialized in costume and set design. She would like to acknowledge her family and friends for their constant support.
Jeff JohnstonCollins (Lighting Designer)
Drayton Entertainment (selected): Lights: Show Stoppers! (1998), Me & My Girl (1999), Twist & Shout (2005), Legends of Rock ‘n’ Roll (2007), Miss Saigon (2007), Dance Legends (2010), Spamalot (2013), Canadian Legends (2015), Rock of Ages (2017), Million Dollar Quartet (2017), Mamma Mia! (2022), A Gentleman’s Guide to Love & Murder (2024). Technical Director/Lights: Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, Camelot (North American Tours). For over 30 years, I have created set & lighting designs for theatres across Canada, toured numerous productions, and operated a scene shop in my hometown of Hamilton. Thank you to the entire Drayton Family for creating the magic of live theatre. Love and thanks to the light of my life, my wife Susan for her constant support and encouragement. Enjoy!
Allan McMillan (Sound Designer)
Drayton Entertainment (selected): Evita, Grease, Jesus Christ Superstar, Cinderella: The Panto, The Full Monty, Crazy For You, Irving Berlin’s White Christmas, Fiddler on the Roof, Evita, Jersey Boys, Kinky Boots, Man of La Mancha, A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder, Rock of Ages. Allan is a graduate of the Technical Production Program at Sheridan College, and over his 35+ years of experience, has held many positions in production, from Technical Direction, Lighting Design, Carpentry and Production Management.
Ricardo Alvarado (Stage Manager)
Drayton Entertainment: Evita. Other theatre (Selected): Million Dollar Quartet, Native Gardens, The Little Mermaid (Persephone Theatre); The Birds & The Bees (Persephone Theatre/The Globe Theatre); Hamlet, Romeo & Juliet, As You Like It (Shakespeare on the Saskatchewan); Die Harsh (Grindstone Theatre); Spring Awakening, Hand to God, Little Shop of Horrors, Avenue Q, The Rocky Horror Show (Director, Ppl r Ppl Productions). A multidisciplinary theatre artist based in Saskatoon; you can often find them in their painting studio, hosting fundraisers and teaching drag workshops to teens as their alter ego Puffy von Pop-n-Fresh, or cuddling with their two tuxedo cats Hedwig and Yitzhak. Salud! @rjmalvarado
Vivi Valo (Apprentice Stage Manager)
Drayton Entertainment: Cinderella: The Panto, Fiddler on the Roof, Priscilla, Queen of the Desert, Irving Berlin’s White Christmas. Other theatre: Stage management: Twelfth Night (Theatre Erindale); 35mm: A Musical Exhibition (EDSS). Performance: Cockfight, Five Faces for Evelyn Frost (Theatre Erindale). Vivi is a 2024 graduate of the joint University of Toronto and Sheridan College Theatre and Drama Studies program. She is thrilled to be starting out her apprenticing journey with Drayton and hopes you enjoy the show!
