Peterborough Actor Stars in Toronto Production Of Rock of Ages

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One of Broadway’s longest running hit musicals Rock of Ages will star Peterborough actor Jonathan Cullen at the Elgin Theatre in Toronto beginning Feb. 23.

photo courtesy of jonathan cullen, facebook.

A concoction of power rock and hilarious comedy, this reimagined version of the iconic 80’s-inspired production promises top tier talent and an unforgettable performance. 

The show, presented by More Entertainment, will hit the stage from Feb. 23 to May 20.

Cullen plays Stacey Jaxx in the production, alongside a rockstar line-up of performers in the cast including AJ Bridel as Sherrie Christian, Trevor Coll as Drew Boley, Kent Sheridan as Dennis Dupree, Louise Camilleri as Justice Charlier and Steffi DiDomenicantonio as Regina Kunz.

“We’re very similar in a lot of ways,” says Cullen about his role in Rock of Ages. “He’s been caught in the underbelly of the rock-n-roll scene in L.A. in the 80’s, so he kind of represents the mountainous highs and the dark, dark lows of super stardom. He’s become lost in that world. There’s a large part of me that can feel compassion and empathy for that as a human.”

Cullen has wowed audiences on stages across North America since 2010. Growing up doing community theatre in Peterborough, he starred in many local productions such as State Fair and The Sound of Music.

“I feel proud to be from Peterborough. I have a very fond place in my heart for where I grew up. There’s such an amazing artistic scene in Peterborough so it’s very nice to be bringing some of that energy to the big City, and on a bigger scale,” he said.

photo courtesy of Strut Entertainment.

He has also toured across Canada with his award-nominated pop/soul group, Silver Lining, and was cast in the Mirvish production of ground-breaking Broadway success Billy Elliot.

Most recently, he played a leading role on the first national tour of the Broadway smash-hit The Book of Mormon.

In Rock of Ages, Cullen says the music will be enjoyed by both a Toronto and Peterborough audience.

“Peterborough has a wonderfully diverse and large artistic scene, the music that comes through our music festivals and the theatre productions by our high schools and community theatres is truly wonderful. The music from the 80’s was such a strong genre and raw musical era, and anyone who enjoys a little bit of rock and a little bit of alternative music would totally dig this show,” said Cullen. “It’s a very music driven show, and I think Peterborough is such a community steeped in music that anyone from (the area) would just love the show.”

For tickets and more information on Jonathan Cullen and Rock of Ages, check out the link.

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Felicia Massey


Lakefield College School Presents 'Something Rotten' Musical

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Lakefield College School is bringing Shakespeare and rock-and-roll to the stage with the musical production of ‘Something Rotten’ starting Feb. 28.

A cast and crew of over 50 staff and students from Lakefield College School (LCS) have been working since October to bring this production of the annual musical to the Bryan Jones Theatre.

Now that pandemic regulations have eased and LCS is able to invite a wider audience to the show, Something Rotten director and producer Geoff Bemrose says that he is excited to see the show come together.

“It’s kind of a show within a show. It’s a good send up of Shakespeare, tons of musical theatre and jokes as well,” he says.

The show is based off of the novel by Karen Kirkpatrick and John O’Farrell. Something Rotten takes place in 1595 London, England. The Bottom brothers, Nick and Nigel are trying to find success by writing plays, but are outshined by the rock-star playwright of the Renaissance, William Shakespeare. Nick gets help from a soothsayer for the next big hit, who foretells that the future of theatre involves singing, dancing and acting at the same time. Nick and Nigel then set out to write the world’s first musical’ Omelette: The Musical.’ But amidst the excitement of opening night, the Bottom Brothers realize that reaching the top means being ‘true to thine own self.’

Ben Freeman, who plays Nicholas Bottom, has been apart of LCS musicals since Grade 9, and is now in Grade 12.

“They’re probably the most fun part of the year, although a little stressful. Because on top of classes and preparing for tests, I also have to memorize all my lines,” says Freeman. “At the end of the day it’s really satisfying and everyone really loves it. Not only the cast, but the people at the school because they get to see their friends on stage.”

“I’m also excited for my friends to see it. I’m not really like my character at all, he’s very egotistical. He’s almost polar opposite of me. So I’m excited to see how I can be like that,” says Alex Bemrose.

Alex, who plays William Shakespeare in his second musical production with the school, says that with many rehearsals under their belt the Something Rotten cast is enjoying the “fun part.”

“As (the show) goes on, you just get more comfortable, and it gets more fun,” he says. “And now we’re at the fun part. You know your lines, you get to play more, and you get to really get into your character.”

Along with the other seasoned musical theatre students, Isabelle Kim, who plays Portica, says that the seniors of the school help to foster a comfortable environment for newer performers.

“It’s been a really supportive, really fun team, and everyone’s just had this shared passion and I think that’s what makes it so fun. People feel free to express themselves, try new things and not be afraid to explore their characters,” she says. “That’s something really cool about Something Rotten, everyone has the ability to develop their own character and how they want that to translate on stage.”

Kim says that the students in the audience can look forward to some familiar jokes and characters in the performance.

“It aligns with what the different English classes are working on right now, they’re all studying Shakespeare, so I think it’ll be really cool for them to kind of connect those dots and see how many jokes they catch on to,” she says.

‘Something Rotten’ will run from Feb. 28 to Mar. 3 starting at 7:30 p.m. (doors open at 7 p.m.). The opening night show is already sold-out.

Those interested in seeing the production can purchase tickets online for $10 (plus applicable fees) here.

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Gibson and Sons Comedy Production Comes to The Peterborough Theatre Guild

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The comedy production Gibson and Sons, written by Kristen Da Silva, is coming to the stage at Peterborough Theatre Guild starting Feb. 24.

photo courtesy of the peterborough theatre guild.

Directed by Jerry Allen and produced by Pat Hooper, this comedy performance stars Luke Foster, Dan Smith, Lyndele Gauci, Jade O'Keeffe, Brian McIntosh, Bethany Heemskerk and Sheila Charleton.

Gibson and Sons at the Peterborough Theatre Guild has multiple dates with showtimes beginning at 7:30 p.m. (Feb. 24, 26, March 2, 3, 4, 9, 10, 11), as well as matinee performances (Feb. 26, March 5) beginning at 2 p.m.

The cast and crew work together to tell Kristen Da Silva’s story of Harry Gibson, who helps his father run the family business (a struggling small-town funeral home) through he sees it beginning to interfere with his love life. Missing his recently departed mother, and hungry for companionship and the chance at having his own family, he secretly turns to an unconventional method of meeting a woman: an online Russian bride service. When his bride Katya and her acerbic older sister Eva arrive on Canadian soil, the sisters are plunged into culture shock while the Gibson family is thrown into a tailspin.

The Theatre Guild notes that the March 9 performance will have a reduced capacity with COVID-19 protocols in place, although masking is encouraged at all performances.

Tickets will be $25 for adults, $22 for seniors and $15 for students and can be purchased online or by phone.

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'The Little Prince' Coming To The Peterborough Theatre Guild in December

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‘The Little Prince’ adapted by Rick Cummins and John Scoullar is coming to the Peterborough Theatre Guild, with shows from Dec. 2 to 4 and 6 to 10.

Photo courtesy of The peterborough Theatre Guild.

The production, based on the book by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry, is directed by Jacqueline Barrow and assistant-directed by Caoimhe MacQuarrie.

After an aviator descends from the sky to find himself in the middle of the Sahara Desert he meets the Little Prince, a young hero on an extraordinary adventure. The story depicts Little Prince on his journey as he meets many fascinating characters who help him learn the magic in a sunset and how to follow your heart.

The cast of 26 performers will dance audiences away into this enchanting “multilayered tale that awakens the child tucked inside all of us.”

Matinee performances begin at 1 p.m. and evening performances at 7 p.m. The Dec. 9 show will be reduced-capacity with COVID protocols. Masking is encouraged at all performances.

Tickets are $10 and a full list of shows can be found at the Peterborough Theatre Guild website, or by calling (705) 745-4211.

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Lindsay Little Theatre Returns From Hiatus With New Shows

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After being sidelined for a few years, Lindsay Little Theatre makes its return to the stage with a new comedy production called “Men Are Dogs” announced Tuesday.

Lindsay Little Theatre has been active since the 1960’s. Photo courtesy of Lindsay Little Theatre.

The production will run on two separate waves on March 31 - April 2 and April 7 - 9 with tickets available for $20.

Written by Joe Simonelli and directed by Seamus McCann, the play is about Cecelia, a successful psychologist who runs a support group for single and divorced women according to the theatre company.

She brings a "volunteer" role-player to help her support group but becomes the victim of all their pent-up frustrations from past relationships.

Tickets are available online on Eventbrite including their next show, Paradise Lost.

Lindsay Little Theatre is a volunteer-run, not-for-profit community theatre, located at 55 George St. W., Lindsay.

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Curtain Opens For "Enchanted April" Friday At Peterborough Theatre Guild

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Enchanted April by Matthew Barber—adapted from the novel by Elizabeth Von Arnim—is brought to life on the stage of the Peterborough Theatre Guild under the direction of Judi Wilson. Set in 1922 in both England and Italy, it follows the story of two women who dream of vacationing in a castle in Italy after discovering an ad in the newspaper—with the cost being quite dear at that time of £60 for a one month stay. So with that, Lotty (Julia Johnston) and Rose (Sheila Charleton) place an ad of their own to find two additional ladies to accompany them on their journey to help share in the cost. Two vastly different women respond to the ad and Lady Caroline Bramble (Emily McFarland) and Mrs. Graves (Jennie Ryan) share the castle with Lotty and Rose, both who are eager to escape their husbands and take in the flowers and sunshine the Italian coast promises to offer. During their stay, the ladies all discover something new about themselves and blossom in ways that they didn't expect and that take them by surprise. 

The production also stars Ray Ulbikas, Kenn Gibb, David Adams and Maria DeCiccio.

The show runs this Friday and Saturday at 8 p.m. and Sunday at 2 p.m. It continues next week from Wednesday to Saturday at 8 p.m. with the finale a 2 p.m. matinee on Sunday, August 17th.

Tickets are available by calling the box office at 705.745.4211.

More pictures from the production here...

[Photos and story by PtboCanada's Julie Morris]

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