# Grand Theatre Announces 2024/25 Casting and Creative Teams ![The Grand Theatre proscenium arch viewed from below. Over top are the words "2024/25 Grand Company".](/sites/default/files/styles/hero/public/2024-08/COMPANY%20ANNOUNCEMENT%20-%20Media%20Release%20%281920%20x%20700%20px%29_1.jpg?h=5b8344af&itok=tiExo84q) ## **Acting legend Kate Hennig, *Canada’s Got Talent* finalist Stacey Kay, and leaders of Canadian theatre join the upcoming Grand Theatre Season.** **August 15, 2024 – London ON** – With exactly two months left until the opening production of the Grand Theatre’s [**2024/25 Season: *A Time for Play***](/202425-season), the theatre is excited to announce the names of the **over one-hundred artists and creative team members** who will make up the company of **Rachel Peake’s first programmed season** as Artistic Director. The 2024/25 season will bring to London artists from **across Canada**, boasting **four productions directed by Artistic Directors from major Canadian theatre companies** (Rachel Peake, Daryl Cloran, Haysam Kadri), and casting that includes **an icon of the Stratford Festival and Shaw Festival stages** (Kate Hennig), ***Canada’s Got Talent* finalist and Juno Award-winning** singer/rapper (Stacey Kay), the London debuts of **two queens from Toronto’s *SIX the Musical*** (Elysia Cruz and Julia McLellan), plus a thrilling lineup of **perennial Grand Theatre favourites.** !["Kate Hennig and Stacey Kay"](/sites/default/files/Kate%20Hennig%20-%20Stacey%20Kay.jpg)***Kate Hennig** (L) and **Stacey Kay** (R) will appear in the Grand Theatre's 2024/25 Season. Hennig will appear in PRIDE AND PREJUDICE, and Kay will appear in WAITRESS.*“I am overjoyed to see Canada represented from coast to coast, both on our stage and in the trusted leadership of these creative teams,” says **Rachel Peake, Grand Theatre Artistic Director.** “Grand audiences will be delighted at the Grand debuts, not to mention the numerous fan favourites that will be returning to London to “play” as part of our 2024/25 Season.” Those returning to the Grand Theatre stage after appearing in previous seasons include: **Michelle Bardach** (*Elf the Musical*), **Tyler Check** (*Million Dollar Quartet*), **Janelle Cooper** (*Fall On Your Knees*), **Belinda Cornish** (An Undiscovered Shakespeare), **Eric Craig** (*The Hobbit*), **Jeff Culbert** (*Charlie and the Chocolate Factory*), **Megan Dallan** (*Grow*), **Carmen Grant** (*The Syringa Tree, Fly Me to the Moon*)**,** **Mark Harapiak** (*Beauty and the Beast, Miracle on 34th Street*), **Kate Hennig** (*Girls in the Gang, Jacques Brel, Liars, Mad Ballades, Secret Garden, My Way*), **Dominique Leblanc** (*Controlled Damage*), **Lawrence Libor** (*Cabaret*)**, Robert Markus** (*Shrek, Dream a Little Dream*), **Clea McCaffrey** (*Grow*), **Heather McGuigan** (*The Spitfire Grill, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat*), **Julius Sermonia** (*Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Shrek, Beauty and the Beast*), **Lee Siegel** (*Dreamgirls, 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, Shrek)*. **Jan Alexandra Smith** (*Grand Ghosts, Mary Poppins, Mamma Mia!, Vigilante, A Christmas Carol* (2018), and others), and **Adam Stevenson** (*Million Dollar Quartet, Hair!*). ![](/sites/default/files/GrandMDQ-photobyDahliaKatz-5034.jpg)***Adam Stevenson** will play Captain Von Trapp in THE SOUND OF MUSIC, after having played Johnny Cash in MILLION DOLLAR QUARTET (2024). Photo by Dahlia Katz.* ![](/sites/default/files/GrandCDamage-photobyDahliaKatz-4700.jpg)***Beck Lloyd** will return to the Grand to play Lizzy in PRIDE AND PREJUDICE after having played Viola Desmond in CONTROLLED DAMAGE (2023). Photo by Dahlia Katz.*![](/sites/default/files/GrandElf-photobyDahliaKatz-7971%20%281%29.jpg)***Michelle Bardach** will return to take on the role of Gwynn Starr in THE SECRET TO GOOD TEA, after having played Jovie in ELF THE MUSICAL in 2022. Photo by Dahlia Katz.*Those making their Grand Theatre stage debuts in 2024/25 include: **Vinnie Alberto, Henry Beasley, Scott Beaudin, Crystal Casera, Nadien Chu, Jennifer Copping, Elysia Cruz, Daniela Fernandez, Raechel Fisher, Donna Garner, Andrew Hodwitz, Jeff Irving, Kelsey Kanatan Way, Stacey Kay, Marsha Knight, Alexandra Lainfiesta**, **Alyssa LeClair, Anton Lipovetsky, Matthew MacDonald-Bain, Devin MacKinnon, Lior Maharjan, Callan McKenna Potter, Jenny McKillop, Julia McLellan, Peter Millard, June Mirochnick, Andrew Moodie, Gillian Moon, Priya Narine, Naomi Ngebulana, Troy O’Donnell, Kamyar Pazandeh, Jeremy Proulx, Annie Ramos, James Dallas Smith, Emily Solstice Tait, Éamon Stocks, Curtis Sullivan, Isaiah Terrell-Dobbs, Emilio Vieira, Leon Willey, Jacob Woike, Robin Wilcock,** and **Sarah Wilson.** !["Julia McClellan and Elysia Cruz"](/sites/default/files/Julia%20McClellan%20and%20Elysia%20Cruz.jpg)*SIX The Musical (Toronto) queens **Julia McClellan** (L) and **Elysia Cruz** (R) will make their Grand debuts in WAITRESS for the 2024/25 Season.* This season’s productions will be helmed by **seven extraordinary creative teams,** bringing their singular visions and expertise to London’s Grand Theatre. The smash-hit, Beatles-meets-Shakespeare production of **[*As You Like It*](/event/as-you-like-it)** will be directed by its co-creator, adaptor, and Sarnia, Ontario-born **Daryl Cloran**, also the Artistic Director of the Citadel Theatre in Edmonton. Cloran previously directed *Helen’s Necklace* at the Grand Theatre. The *As You Like It* creative team includes **Ben Elliot** (Music Supervisor and Music Director), **Jonathan Purvis** (Choreographer, Fight Director), **Pam Johnson** (Set Designer), and **Owen Hutchinson** (Sound Designer). **Grand Theatre Artistic Director, Rachel Peake**, will be making her Grand Theatre directorial debut this holiday season with ***[The Sound of Music](/event/sound-of-music),*** which she has previously directed to rave reviews at the Citadel Theatre and Royal Manitoba Theatre Centre. London’s **Alexandra Kane** will return as Music Director, following recent credits, including *Finding Black Joy, Elf the Musical*, and *Charlie and the Chocolate Factory*. Included in the creative team are **Ainsley Hillyard** (Choreographer), **Lorenzo Savoini** (Set & Lighting Designer), and **Emily Porter** (Sound Designer). **Haysam Kadri** returns to the Grand Theatre to direct Arun Lakra’s crime thriller [***Heist***](/event/heist)*.* The Artistic Director of Alberta Theatre Projects is known to the Grand Theatre as the co-writer and director of *Homes: A Refugee Story*, and director of *A Thousand Splendid Suns*. Joining Kadri on the creative team are **Beyata Hackborn** (Set Designer), **Jessica Oostergo** (Costume Designer), **Siobhan Sleath** (Lighting Designer), **Richard Feren** (Sound Designer), and **Corwin Ferguson** (Projection Designer). !["Rachel Peake, Daryl Cloran, Haysam Kadri"](/sites/default/files/COMPANY%20ANNOUNCEMENT%20-%20EMail%20Header%20%283%29.jpg)***Rachel Peake** (Artistic Director, Grand Theatre), **Daryl Cloran** (Artistic Director, Citadel Theatre) and **Haysam Kadri** (Artistic Director, Alberta Theatre Projects) are among those directing this season at the Grand Theatre.* Interdisciplinary, inter-tribal artist **Renae Morriseau** will, for the second time, be directing **Rosanna Deerchild’s first theatrical play, *[The Secret to Good Tea](/event/secret-to-good-tea).*** The creative team includes **Tim Rodrigues** (Lighting Designer). For her second directorial project of the season, Grand Theatre Artistic Director **Rachel Peake** will be directing the Broadway smash [***Waitress***](/event/waitress)*,* alongside Western University alumnus, and Music Director of the Grand Theatre’s hit production of *Million Dollar Quartet*, **Patrick Bowman** (Music Director), Genny Sermonia (Choreographer), who choreographed the Grand Theatre’s world premiere of *Grand Ghosts*, and **Scott Penner** (Set and Costume Designer), familiar to Grand audiences from his work on *Elf the Musical*, *Charlie and the Chocolate Factory*, and whose scenic designs are currently being enjoyed **on Broadway** in *Job The Play*. !["Alexandra Kane & Patrick Bowman"](/sites/default/files/Alexandra%20Kane%20and%20Patrick%20Bowman.jpg)***Alexandra Kane** (L) and **Patrick Bowman** (R) return to the Grand after having music directed during the 2023/24 season. Kane will music direct THE SOUND OF MUSIC and Bowman will music direct WAITRESS.* London fan favourite, **Rebecca Northan**, makes her Grand Theatre directorial debut on Kate Hamill’s adaptation of Jane Austen’s ***[Pride and Prejudice](/event/pride-and-prejudice),*** following successful reception of her *Goblin: Macbeth* at Stratford Festival, Bard on the Beach, and The Shakespeare Company, as well as several memorable Grand Theatre runs including *An Undiscovered Shakespeare, Every Brilliant Thing,* and *Blind Date.* Joining Northan on the creative team are **Krista Leis** (Choreographer), **Brandon Kleiman** (Set Designer), and **Maddie Bautista** (Sound Designer), who worked most recently at the Grand Theatre on *Kim’s Convenience*. Separate from the 2024/25 Season, but primed to kick off the Grand’s programming in magical fashion is the **2024 Grand Theatre High School Project –** **[Roald Dahl’s *Matilda the Musical*](/event/matilda-musical).** The 26th Annual project will feature 58 London-and-area students in performing, production, and orchestra roles, who are mentored by theatre professionals in the creation and preparation of a large-scale musical. Helming the creative team is **Megan Watson** (Director), known to Grand audiences as the director of *Mary Poppins*, the *Grand Re:Opening Festival*, and as past Artistic Associate. Joining Watson are **Sarah Richardson** (Music Director), **Stephen Cota** (Choreographer), **Scott Penner** (Set Design Consultant), **Lisa Wright** (Costume Designer), **Jareth Li** (Lighting Designer), and **Aaron Ouellette** (Sound Designer). ### ***For the full company listings for each production, see below:*** ## As You Like It By William Shakespeare Adapted & Directed by Daryl Cloran Conceived by Daryl Cloran & Bard on the Beach Shakespeare Festival **OCT 15 to NOV 2 | Opens on OCT 18** ### **Creative Team:** Director - Daryl Cloran Music Director - Ben Elliott Choreographer - Jonathan Purvis Set Designer - Pam Johnson Sound Designer - Owen Hutchison Stage Manager - Christine Leroux Assistant Stage Manager - Suzanne McArthur Apprentice Stage Manager - Emma Jo Conlin ### Cast: **William / Jacques de Boys / Wrestler (The Assassins) / Forest Lord #1** Henry Beasley Vancouver, BC **Forest Lord (Amiens) / Hyman / Wrestler (The Assassins) / Musician (Guitar)** Tyler Check Toronto, ON **Dame Frances / Dame Senior** Nadien Chu Edmonton, AB **Corin / Dame Frances' Attendant** Jennifer Copping Vancouver, BC **Rosalind** Daniela Fernandez Vancouver, BC **Orlando de Boys** Jeff Irving Niagara-on-the-lake, ON **Phoebe / Eleanor Rigby** Alexandra Lainfiesta Vancouver, BC **Silvius / Forest Lord / Keyboards** Anton Lipovetsky Vancouver, BC **Oliver de Boys** Matthew MacDonald-Bain Vancouver, BC **Audrey/Lady Danger** Jenny McKillop Edmonton, AB **Musician (Drums) / Forest Lord** June Mirochnick Vancouver, BC **Celia** Naomi Ngebulan Toronto, ON **Adam / Martext / Wrestler (Mustachio)** Troy O’Donnell Edmonton, AB **Jacques / Le Beau** Jan Alexandra Smith Stratford, ON **Musician** Isaiah Terrell-Dobbs Vancouver, BC **Touchstone** Leon Willey Regina, SK **Charles the Wrestler / Forest Lord** Jacob Woike Vancouver, BC ## The Sound of Music Suggested by "The Trapp Family Singers" by Maria Augusta Trapp Music by Richard Rodgers Lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein II Book by Howard Lindsay and Russel Crouse Music and Lyrics for "Something Good" by Richard Rodgers **NOV 19 to DEC 29 | Opens on NOV 22** ### Creative Team: Director - Rachel Peake Music Director – Alexandra Kane Choreographer – Ainsley Hillyard Sound Designer – Emily Porter Stage Manager – Kelly Luft Assistant Stage Manager – Jordan Guetter Assistant Stage Manager – Melissa Cameron Apprentice Stage Manager – Kelsey Jensen ### Cast: **He/Him Performing Understudy** Vinnie Alberto Winnipeg, MB **Liesl / Nun** Crystal Casera Oakville, ON **Mother Abbess / Party Guest / Fraulein Schwiger** Janelle Cooper Toronto, ON **New Postulant / Ursula / Party Guest / Nun** Megan Dallan Woodstock, ON **Frau Schmidt / Sister Berthe** Donna Garner Toronto, ON **Herr Zeller / Priest** Mark Harapiak Stratford, ON **Max** Andrew Hodwitz Toronto, ON **Maria** Dominique LeBlanc Toronto, ON **Sister Sophia / Frau Zeller / Trio** Alyssa LeClair Hamilton, ON **She/Her Performing Understudy** Clea McCaffrey Toronto, ON **Elsa / Nun / Trio** Heather McGuigan Stratford, ON **Sister Margaretta / Baroness Eberfeld / Trio** Annie Ramos Toronto, ON **Captain von Trapp** Adam Stevenson Hamilton, ON **Rolf / Party Guest** Éamon Stocks Whitby, ON **Admiral von Schrieber** Robin Wilcock London, ON **Franz** Curtis Sullivan Toronto, ON **Baron Eberfeld** Jeff Culbert London, ON ## Heist By Arun Lakra Co-production with The Citadel Theatre **JAN 14 to FEB 1 | Opens on JAN 17** ### Creative Team: Director – Haysam Kadri Set Designer – Beyata Hackborn Costume Designer – Jessica Oostergo Lighting Designer – Siobhan Sleath Projection Designer – Corwin Ferguson Stage Manager – Sang Sang Lee ### Cast: **The Spider** Belinda Cornish Edmonton, AB **Fiona** Priya Narine Edmonton, AB **Angie** Gillian Moon Barrhead, AB **Marvin** Devin MacKinnon Stratford, ON **Ryan** Callan McKenna Potter Toronto, ON **Kruger** Emilio Vieira Pickering, ON ### The Secret to Good Tea By Rosanna Deerchild Directed by Renae Morriseau Co-production with the National Arts Centre Indigenous Theatre **FEB 18 to MAR 8 | Opens on FEB 21** ### Creative Team: Director - Renae Morriseau Lighting Designer – Tim Rodrigues ### Cast: **Michael** James Dallas Smith Toronto, ON **Mr Big Chief** Jeremy Proulx Toronto, ON **Crow** Emily Solstice Tait Winnipeg, MB **Maggie** Marsha Knight Winnipeg, MB **Gwynn** Michelle Bardach Vancouver, BC **Waitress** Music and Lyrics by Sara Bareilles Book by Jessie Nelson Based upon the motion picture written by Adrienne Shelly Directed by Rachel Peake Co-production with Theatre Aquarius **MAR 25 to APR 12 | Opens on MAR 28** ### Creative Team: Director – Rachel Peake Music Director – Patrick Bowman Choreographer – Genny Sermonia Set & Costume Designer – Scott Penner Stage Manager – Al Gadowsky Assistant Stage Manager – Melissa Cameron Apprentice Stage Manager – Julia Lank ### Cast: **Dawn** Elysia Cruz Toronto, ON **Joe** Peter Millard Niagara-on-the-lake, ON **Earl** Lawrence Libor Toronto, ON **Ensemble** Julius Sermonia Stratford, ON **Ogie** Robert Markus Stratford, ON **Dr Pomatter** Kamyar Pazandeh Vancouver, BC **Jenna** Julia McLellan Toronto, ON **Becky** Stacey Kay Cambridge, ON **Cal** Lee Siegel Fort Erie, ON **Ensemble** Megan Dallan Woodstock, ON ### Pride and Prejudice By Kate Hamill Based on the novel by Jane Austen Directed by Rebecca Northan **APR 29 to MAY 17 | Opens May 2** ### Creative Team Director - Rebecca Northan Choreographer – Krista Leis Set Designer – Brandon Kleiman Sound Designer – Maddie Bautista Stage Manager – Kelly Luft Assistant Stage Manager – Suzanne McArthur Apprentice Stage Manager – Tsz Ting Lam ### Cast: **Actor 1 - Jane / Miss De Brough** Raechel Fisher Toronto, ON **Actor 2 - Lizzy** Beck Lloyd Stratford, ON **Actor 3 - Lydia / Lady Catherine** Lior Maharjan Montreal, QC **Actor 4 - Mr Darcy** Eric Craig Toronto, ON **Actor 5 - Mr Collins / Mr Wickham / Miss Bingley** Carmen Grant Stratford, ON **Actor 6 - Mary / Mr Bingley** Sarah Wilson Stratford, ON **Actor 7 - Mrs Bennet** Kate Hennig Stratford, ON **Actor 8 - Mr Bennet / Charlotte Lucas** Andrew Moodie East York, ON ## 2024 GRAND THEATRE HIGH SCHOOL PROJECT Roald Dahl’s Matilda The Musical Book by Dennis Kelly | Music & Lyrics by Tim Minchin Orchestrations and Additional Music by Chris Nightingale Directed by Megan Watson **SEP 17 to 28 | Opens Sep 20** ### CREATIVE TEAM Director – Megan Watson Music Director – Sarah Richardson Choreographer – Stephen Cota Set Design Consultant – Scott Penner Costume Designer – Lisa Wright Lighting Designer – Jareth Li Sound Designer – Aaron Ouellette Stage Manager – Martine Beland Assistant Stage Manager – Jess Gordon -30- ## About the Grand Theatre – World Curious. London Made. The Grand Theatre is known for **world-class theatre created and built in London, Ontario**. As **southwestern Ontario’s premiere producing theatre** and **one of the most beautiful theatre spaces in Canada**, the company has deep ties to the community and to its artists, artisans, and technicians. As a vibrant cultural hub and not-for-profit professional theatre, the Grand serves to gather, inspire, and entertain audiences in London and beyond. At our home in downtown London, we create productions on two stages: the Spriet Stage (839 seats) and the Auburn Developments Stage (144 seats). The Grand season of theatrical offerings runs from September to May, and we collaborate with companies and artists across the country through our co-productions that see London-made artistic and creative work travel to audiences nation-wide. Through our successful **New Play Development Program**, the Grand is committed to developing and premiering new, original works and supporting the growth and reach of theatre writers and creators. Our recently renovated venue offers a contemporary and welcoming environment that is also home to several successful music series’, community arts rentals, and cultural and special events. A cornerstone of the organization is our place as a teaching theatre, exemplified in our many mentorship programs and highlighted in our annual **Grand Theatre High School Project**. As the first program of its kind in the country and currently in its twenty-sixth year, the High School Project involves as many as one hundred high school participants annually from schools across the region. These students participate at no cost and take on roles both on stage and off, in a fully realized mainstage production under the direction of a professional creative team. For more information, visit: grandtheatre.com. Follow us on [Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/TheGrandLondon), [X](https://twitter.com/thegrandlondon), [Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/thegrandlondon/?hl=en), [YouTube](https://www.youtube.com/user/TheGrandTheatre),[ LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-grand-theatre/), and [TikTok](https://www.tiktok.com/@thegrandlondon?lang=en). The Grand Theatre is located on the traditional lands of the Anishinaabek, Haudenosaunee, Lūnaapéewak, and Attawandaron Peoples. We acknowledge with gratitude the significant historical and contemporary contributions of local and regional Indigenous Peoples and of all the Original Peoples of Turtle Island (also known as North America). We are honoured to live, work, and tell stories together on this land. **For more information please contact:** Lia Karidas, Director of Marketing & Digital Strategy lkaridas \[at\] grandtheatre.com (lkaridas\[at\]grandtheatre\[dot\]com) office: 519-672-9030 ext. 280 ## **PHOTOGRAPHY** *For photo requests, please contact Lia Karidas at the information above.* .cast-grid {display: grid; grid-template-columns: 1fr 1fr 1fr; grid-row-gap: 1em; grid-column-gap: 15px; font-size: 85%; align-items: center;} .show-info h2 {margin-top: 1.5em !important;} .show-info h3 {margin-top: 1em;} .show-info p {margin-top: 0.5em;} .cast-grid > div:nth-child(6n + 1),.cast-grid > div:nth-child(6n + 2),.cast-grid > div:nth-child(6n + 3) {background-color: #eee;} **PHOTO CREDITS - EMBEDDED IMAGES (production photography):** *All production photos by Dahlia Katz.* Adam Stevenson in MILLION DOLLAR QUARTET (2024) Directed and Choreographed by Julie Tomaino Music Direction by Patrick Bowman Set Design by Joshua Quinlan Costume Design by Laura Delchiaro Lighting Design by Michelle Ramsay Sound Design by Brian Kenny Beck Lloyd in CONTROLLED DAMAGE (2023) Directed and Choreographed by Ray Hogg Music Directed by Alexandra Kane Set Design by Brian Dudkiewicz Costume Design by Ming Wong Lighting Design by Jareth Li Sound Design by Richard Feren Projection Design by VideoCompany Michelle Bardach in ELF THE MUSICAL (2022) Directed by Dennis Garnhum Music Directed by Alexandra Kane Choreographed by Lisa Stevens Set Design by Scott Penner Costume Design by Dana Osborne Lighting Design by Kimberly Purtell Sound Design by Brian Kenny