LONDON, ON, June 27, 2018 – The Grand Theatre is pleased to announce that 2018/19 single tickets go on sale to the general public on July 3.  Since subscriptions went on sale earlier this spring, the UK hit BARBER SHOP CHRONICLES is already 50% sold to subscribers who have scooped up seats for this production’s only Canadian engagement. Other productions selling quickly include AN UNDISCOVERED SHAKESPEARE, which is completely sold out, and MAGGIE & PIERRE, which has been extended due to high demand.  

“We’re seeing a fantastic response from our subscribers, both returning and new.  It’s wonderful to have this level of interest in our theatre not only from our region but from further afield as well,” said Executive Director Deb Harvey.  “The coming season offers 12 productions that span both our Spriet Stage and the McManus Stage, and we’re very excited to share it with our patrons.”

The international hit by Playwright Inua Ellams, BARBER SHOP CHRONICLES, which is a co-production of England’s National Theatre, Fuel, and West Yorkshire Playhouse, comes to the Grand November 15 to 24, 2018 for its only Canadian stop. Half of the tickets for this limited engagement have been purchased by subscribers with some performances already sold out. After its run at the Grand Theatre, it travels to the Kennedy Center in Washington D.C.

timeshare’s new production of MAGGIE & PIERRE, starring Kaitlyn Riordan and directed by Rob Kempson, quickly sold out during the subscription pre-sale period. The production, which recently wrapped up a run at the Tarragon Theatre, has been extended and is now on the McManus Stage from February 12 to 23, 2019.

The limited four-show run of Spontaneous Theatre’s new creation, AN UNDISCOVERED SHAKESPEARE, is also sold out but will not be extended. Spontaneous Theatre will workshop this improv production, directed and starring Rebecca Northan, on the McManus Stage as part of the Grand’s COMPASS New Play Development Program in partnership with the Stratford Festival Laboratory.

Advance sales to the Grand’s High School Project, PROM QUEEN: THE MUSICAL, have doubled over the previous season.  The role of Marc Hall will be played by Devon Kenway of A.B. Lucas Secondary School and the Grand’s Artistic Director Dennis Garnhum directs. Following a successful crowd-funding campaign started by rTraction, the Grand is pleased to offer schools more than 1,600 free tickets to the student matinees on September 19 and 20, 2018. Both matinees still have availability.  

Catalyst Theatre’s VIGILANTE, which returns to the Grand after a sold-out run in 2016, is expected to have strong appeal to the region as the production retells the epic tale of the Donnelly tragedy.  The acclaimed Jan Alexandra Smith returns to play Johannah Donnelly.

The rest of the season includes TIMOTHY FINDLEY’S THE WARS, THE BOY IN THE MOON, A CHRISTMAS CAROL, THE PENELOPIAD, AUGUST WILSON’S FENCES, CABARET, and MAMMA MIA!. The season also features Jeans ‘n Classics which returns with five new concerts, Western University’s Walrus Talks, and the Grand’s 100 Schools Tour. ASL and open-captioned performances will again be offered this coming season with dates to be announced.

Single tickets for the 2018/19 Season go on sale at grandtheatre.com, by phone (519-672-8800), and at the box office (471 Richmond Street) on Tuesday, July 3, at 10 a.m.  Single tickets range from $29.95 to $86.50; season subscribers save up to 25% off the regular single ticket price.

Funding partners for this year include Season Sponsor BMO Financial Group, as well as Western Fair District, BlueStone Properties, McCormick Canada, The Tricar Group, Selectpath, London Life, 3M, rTraction, VersaBank, Libro Credit Union, Downtown London, Thames Valley District School Board, London Catholic District School Board, Westminster College Foundation, and many other community partners and donors.

About the Grand Theatre

Under the leadership of Artistic Director Dennis Garnhum and Executive Director Deb Harvey, the Grand is a leading cultural hub located in the heart of downtown London, Ontario. The Grand offers diverse, relevant, and original stories from around the globe through collaborations with national and international performing arts organizations and is committed to developing, producing, and premiering original stories through COMPASS New Play Development program. The Grand supports educational programming with The High School Project, the only program of its kind in North America, and 100 Schools, a community initiative that brings professional theatre to London-area schools at no cost. The Grand’s season runs from September to May.

For more information, contact:
Kate Rapson, Communications Manager, Grand Theatre
519-672-9030 ext. 247 | krapson [at] grandtheatre.com (krapson[at]grandtheatre[dot]com)