Dennis Garnhum News

The Grand Theatre is thrilled to produce Tennessee Williams' THE GLASS MENAGERIE on the McManus Stage. The production, directed by the Grand's Artistic Associate Megan Watson, stars Sarah Orenstein as Amanda Wingfield, Stephen Jackman-Torkoff as Tom Wingfield, Alexander Crowther as Jim O'Connor, and Amy Keating as Laura Wingfield. Nick Blais is the production designer and Christopher Stanton is the music and sound designer.

The Grand Theatre is thrilled to announce a first-time collaboration with the American Conservatory Theater (A.C.T.), bringing A THOUSAND SPLENDID SUNS to the Spriet Stage. This acclaimed stage adaptation, based on the award-winning novel by Khaled Hosseini, had its world premiere in San Francisco in July 2016 and became the bestselling production in A.C.T.'s history. The Grand's production will premiere an all new, all Canadian cast with original staging by A.C.T. Artistic Director Carey Perloff. The Title Sponsor for A THOUSAND SPLENDID SUNS is London's Selectpath. 

Theatre Calgary's new Artistic Director, Stafford Arima, has announced his first season of plays.

The Grand Theatre is proud to officially announce that the 2018 High School Project will be the ground-breaking new production PROM QUEEN: THE MUSICAL, based on the true-life story of Marc Hall.  At an event held yesterday, Artistic Director Dennis Garnhum told attendees that the Grand has secured the exclusive rights to stage PROM QUEEN this upcoming season, marking the first time the Grand's High School Project will produce a new Canadian musical. 

The Grand Theatre has procured the rights to produce the ground-breaking new musical Prom Queen, premiering as the 2018 High School Project. This new, Canadian, award-winning production, originally developed through Sheridan College's The Music Theatre Project (Come From Away) brings an authentic voice to a remarkable story.

The Grand Theatre is thrilled to present on the Spriet Stage BLIND DATE, a Spontaneous Theatre Production created by and starring Rebecca Northan. This unscripted, fly-by-the-seat-of-your-pants adventure has entertained audiences in sold-out houses from Manhattan to London's West End. The Title Sponsor for BLIND DATE is London-based McCormick.

The Grand Theatre is thrilled to present on the McManus Stage WHAT A YOUNG WIFE OUGHT TO KNOW, by one of Canada's most celebrated playwrights, Hannah Moscovitch. The production offers a stark but humorous look at love, sex, and fertility of young mothers inspired by letters from the Canadian birth control movement of the early 20th century.

The Grand Theatre, the Thames Valley District School Board, and the London District Catholic School Board are thrilled to announce that the 100 Schools tour launches this week with the Grand's production of BEETHOVEN LIVES UPSTAIRS, directed by Dennis Garnhum.  100 Schools is a new program by the Grand Theatre that tours professional theatre to elementary school gymnasiums and auditoriums across London and the surrounding area at no cost to the schools.  The tour begins in the gym of St. Mary's Choir & Orchestra Catholic School this Friday, January 26 with its finale on April 21 at Ealing Public School.

he Grand Theatre is thrilled to announce the world premiere of SILENCE, which brings an untold Canadian story to life on stage. This inaugural production from the COMPASS New Play Development program features a cast that embodies the best in Canadian theatre with actors who are hearing, Deaf, and hard of hearing.

The Grand Theatre announces expanded accessibility initiatives for Deaf and hard of hearing patrons. The Grand's commitment to offering an accessible theatre environment spans from the introduction of open-captioned performances to additional American Sign Language-interpreted performances, and from enhanced front-of-house services to productions inspired by stories about historic figures who were deaf, as well as casting that includes actors from the Deaf and hard of hearing community.

The Grand Theatre is thrilled to announce that A CHRISTMAS CAROL will be extended due to high demand. Dennis Garnhum's directorial debut at the Grand, featuring Ben Campbell, Blythe Wilson, Alexis Gordon, and Ian Deakin in a cast of 21, has become an audience favourite since it opened a week ago. A CHRISTMAS CAROL will be extended with one additional performance on Sunday, December 31 at 1pm. (Click for full release with cast and production team bios).

At the 2016/17 Annual General Meeting held yesterday, Deb Harvey, Executive Director, announced an operating surplus of $58,264 for the 2016/17 season, marking the theatre's 18th consecutive year with a surplus. The season was also the first for Dennis Garnhum as Artistic Director.

The Grand Theatre rings in the holiday season with the all-time classic, A CHRISTMAS CAROL. Marking Artistic Director Dennis Garnhum's directorial debut, the show is the largest in the theatre's history, featuring over 20 cast members, sweeping sets, and intricate costumes. A CHRISTMAS CAROL premieres on the Spriet Stage November 28 to December 30, 2017 and the Grand is proud to welcome back London Life as the annual holiday show Title Sponsor.

The Grand Theatre has just announced that ONCE recorded the highest single ticket sales on a regular engagement in the history of the theatre. ONCE single ticket sales set a milestone selling over 13,400 tickets (subscriptions and single tickets combined) during its three-week run.

Following a sold-out run last season, the Grand Theatre will present the return of award-winning, internationally-acclaimed puppeteer, Ronnie Burkett, with THE DAISY THEATRE for a limited engagement on the McManus Stage starting October 23.

The Grand Theatre announces that due to high demand its production of ONCE has been extended.

The Grand Theatre opens the 2017/18 Season with its production of ONCE, the Tony-award winning musical, co-produced with the Royal Manitoba Theatre Centre. Directed by Tracey Flye and featuring actor/musicians Jeremy Walmsley and Amanda LeBlanc, the pre-show begins with an on-stage bar open for business; patrons are invited to mingle over a drink while the cast entertains with music. ONCE is on the Spriet Stage October 17 to November 4. The show's Title Sponsor is BlueStone Properties and the Craft Beer Sponsor is Toboggan Brewing Company.

Sheridan's Canadian Music Theatre Project (CMTP), where the hit Broadway musical Come From Away was first developed, will provide audiences with the chance to be among the first to see CMTP's four new projects.

The Grand High School Project, the only program of its kind in North America, returns with the blockbuster musical, EVITA.  This limited two-week engagement begins in previews on September 19, opens September 22, and runs thru September 30 on the Spriet Stage. 

The Grand Theatre is thrilled to announce an extraordinary line-up of local and national, returning and debuting artists in the 2017/18 Season. The season features a stunning artistic presence including Tara Rosling, Benedict Campbell, Catherine Joell MacKinnon and Daniel Williston. In addition, the Grand welcomes nationally and internationally renowned directors including Peter Hinton, Tracey Flye, Carey Perloff, and the Grand's Artistic Director Dennis Garnhum, who makes his Grand directing debut in his first season. Single tickets go on sale Tuesday July 4, 2017.