# Grand Theatre announces 2024/25 Season

   ![A door stands out of place on an outdoor pathway. Text: A Time for Play. 2024/25 Season.](/sites/default/files/styles/hero/public/2024-03/2425%20MEDIA%20RELEASE%20HEADER.jpg?h=5b8344af&itok=3Go_sg1o) 

 ## Time for connection. Time for adventure. *A Time for Play*.

   
Season Sponsor: **BMO**  
Downtown Community Partner: **Old Oak Properties**

**March 20, 2024 – London ON** – Artistic Director, Rachel Peake and Executive Director, Evan Klassen are proud to announce today the Grand Theatre’s 2024/25 playbill – **“A Time for Play”**. The joyous season lineup includes: six beloved and blockbuster titles, three locally conceptualized and constructed London Proud productions that will go on to shine across the country, four Ontario premieres, and the always sold-out **Jeans ‘n Classics** concert series.

The Grand’s 2024/25 season will launch with nostalgia and music, with a Beatles-infused adaptation of William Shakespeare’s *As You Like It* (conceived by **Daryl Cloran** and **Bard on the Beach Shakespeare Festival**), and a holiday production of *The Sound of Music* directed by Artistic Director **Rachel Peake**. With the new calendar year, *Heist* by Canadian playwright and screenwriter **Arun Lakra** will literally steal the spotlight, to be followed by **Rosanna Deerchild**’s (CBC *Unreserved*) heart-warming mother and daughter story, *The Secret to Good Tea*, in partnership with the **National Arts Centre Indigenous Theatre**. Audiences will laugh, gasp and rush to the Box Office for the season’s final two works – *Waitress,* the Broadway-sensation with songs by Grammy award-winner **Sara Bareilles**, and **Kate Hamill**’s fresh, audacious adaptation of Jane Austen’s *Pride and Prejudice*. Recently announced, Road Dahl’s *MATILDA The Musical* will open the Spriet Stage for the season as the 26th year of the **Grand Theatre High School Project**.

These seven thrilling titles will run on the Grand Theatre’s Spriet Stage from **September 2024 through May 2025**. *As You Like It*, *The Sound of Music*, *Heist*, *The Secret to Good Tea*, *Waitress*, and *Pride and Prejudice*, are included in the six-show 2024/25 season subscription at the Grand Theatre. The High School Project’s production of *MATILDA The Musical* is available as an add-on to the six-show Spriet Stage season subscription. With a busy and bustling community theatre scene and increasing demand for space, the Grand Theatre’s Auburn Stage will be putting the focus on community use through the 2024/25 season.

“The Grand’s 2024/25 Season is about moments where joy, where play, bring about real change in the world. How humour can make us look at ourselves, and each other, in a new light. Some fresh looks on familiar stories, and some new stories that feel like something we know,” shares Grand Theatre Artistic Director, **Rachel Peake**. “With this season, my first season of programming as Artistic Director of the Grand, I wanted to share stories of human connection in many different times and spaces. And we are proudly continuing to produce exceptional Canadian theatre here in downtown London that will carry on from the Grand to stages in Edmonton, Hamilton and Ottawa.”

The Grand Theatre’s 2024/25 subscription continues to offer the perks and comforts that Londoners love – the best prices, hassle-free exchanges, exclusive access – at inflation-proof early bird pricing that is 33% off (equivalent of attending two of the six productions for free). 2024/25 subscriptions will also include the new **show-stopping benefit** of **free parking**, made possible through the extraordinary generosity of the Grand Theatre’s new **Downtown Community Partner**, **Old Oak Properties**.

“**Old Oak**’s unprecedented five-year partnership makes it easier than ever to enjoy and support the Grand, as well as London’s downtown restaurants, shops and all of the creative energy that is London’s world-class arts and culture community,” says Grand Theatre Executive Director, **Evan Klassen**. “With shows six days a week, sometimes twice a day, you’ll be able to plan brunch, dinner, shopping or maybe a pre- or post- show trip to our cities’ libraries, galleries, and museums – with parking on the house and off your mind. We are thrilled and grateful to Old Oak Properties for their extraordinary generosity and support.”

# Roald Dahl’s MATILDA The Musical

Book by Dennis Kelly  
Music & Lyrics by Tim Minchin  
Directed by Megan Watson

**SEP 17 to 28 | Opens SEP 20**

On the heels of last year’s sold-out run, the Grand Theatre’s renowned youth mentorship program, the High School Project (HSP) will be presenting the Tony and Olivier Award-winning *MATILDA The Musical*, with book by Dennis Kelly and original songs by Tim Minchin.

*MATILDA*, based on the beloved children’s book by Roald Dahl, has been staged from the West End to Broadway, toured around the world and now lands at the Grand Theatre. Former Grand Theatre Artistic Associate **Megan Watson** returns to the Grand and the High School Project to direct the production. Megan is well known for her past productions at the Grand including *A Christmas Carol*, *Mary Poppins*, *The Glass Menagerie,* *Shakespeare: The Mixtape*, *Julius Caesar*, and *Juno’s Reward*, as well as curating the Re-Opening Festival in 2021.as well as curating the Re-Opening Festival in 2021.

Learn more about Roald Dahl’s *MATILDA The Musical* at the Grand Theatre in 2024/25: [www.grandtheatre.com/2024-high-school-project](https://www.grandtheatre.com/2024-high-school-project)

# 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**

**A magical, mystery, mashup of Shakespeare’s classic comedy and The Beatles’ greatest hits.**

Re-set in Canada’s Okanagan Valley in the 1960s, Daryl Cloran’s adaptation of *As You Like It* combines one of Shakespeare’s most beloved romantic comedies, with the vibrant escapism of the hippie generation, and a psychedelic medley of The Beatles’ greatest hits.

A bona fide hit in Chicago, Washington, and Vancouver, Cloran’s adaptation of *As You Like It* makes its **Ontario premiere** at the Grand Theatre, joyously celebrating love in all its forms, twists, and shouts.

# 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  
Directed by Rachel Peake

**NOV 19 to DEC 28 | Opens on NOV 22**

**Start the holidays with Maria and the von Trapps in this timeless, beloved, family musical...a very good place to start!**

The abbey life doesn’t seem to fit Maria: an exuberant, free-spirited, would-be nun with the habit of fleeing her studies to sing in the Austrian mountainside.  
  
Questioning her commitment to the religious life, Maria is off to join the von Trapp family household as the latest in a long string of governesses for humourless naval captain Georg von Trapp and his seven disciplined but mischievous children. It isn’t long until the power of song brings much welcome harmony, romance, and the promise of a bright future, into their home. But, against political unrest, the von Trapps’ newfound joy becomes threatened.

Artistic Director **Rachel Peake** helms the Grand Theatre’s 2024 holiday production, based on the Tony Award-winning musical, Academy Award-winning film, and featuring memorable classic songs: “My Favourite Things”, “Do-Re-Mi”, “Sixteen Going on Seventeen”, “So Long, Farewell”, and “Something Good.”

For the **eighth** consecutive year, in conjunction with the holiday production, the Grand will be asking its audiences to help raise funds to support the **Business Cares** program of the **London Food Bank**.

*The Sound of Music* is presented by arrangement with Concord Theatricals on behalf of The Rodgers & Hammerstein Organization. [www.concordtheatricals.com](http://www.concordtheatricals.com)

# Heist

By Arun Lakra  
Co-production with The Citadel Theatre

**JAN 14 to FEB 1 | Opens on JAN 17**

**Diamonds. Deals. Lasers. Betrayal. *Ocean’s Eleven* for the theatrical stage!**

Five criminals team up for one final job after finding themselves betrayed.

*Heist* is an edge-of-your-seat, popcorn-theatre, action adventure with all the necessary players: the charmer, the pretty boy, the sneak, the muscle, and the geek. Prepare for anything and everything, then watch as karma comes collecting in this *Ocean's Eleven*-inspired theatrical production.

Calgary’s breakthrough screenwriter, playwright (and ophthalmologist by day), Arun Lakra brings high-tech, stunt-filled, crime drama from the silver screen to the stage. His mission? To keep savvy audiences on their toes with a fast-paced, twisty whodunnit that has the lobby buzzing in this **Ontario premiere**.

# 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**

**A mother and daughter find their way to each other in a story steeped in humour, truth, and a cozy cup of tea.**

Gwynn is a local radio host. Her mother, Maggie, has a story. Maggie has spent a lifetime building a wall between herself and her memories – as well as between herself and her inquisitive, journalist daughter. Now, with a pot of steaming hot tea as the only thing between them, Maggie and Gwynn work to dismantle that wall, uncovering Maggie’s story in a journey of laughter, revelation, understanding, and the bond of a mother and daughter.

*The Secret to Good Tea* is a vibrant, intimate, and cheeky family portrait based on playwright Rosanna Deerchild (CBC *Unreserved*) and her own mother. Fresh from a world premiere in its home province of Manitoba, again helmed by acclaimed director **Renae Morriseau**, Deerchild’s powerful first play is set to make its **Ontario debut** at the Grand Theatre, in partnership with National Arts Centre Indigenous Theatre.

# 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**

**A small-town girl faces big changes. Are pies her way out? A bright and touching musical featuring songs by Grammy-winner Sara Bareilles.**

Jenna lives a small slice of life, in a small town – baking punny pies at work and trying not to think about her troubled marriage at home. Caught off guard by another type of bun in the oven, a thrilling affair, and nowhere else to turn, Jenna wonders if her pie-making talents are her ticket to finding a soft place to land.

With music baked-to-perfection by Grammy Award-winner Sara Bareilles (“She Used to be Mine”, “When He Sees Me”), a story based on the indie cult-classic film starring Keri Russell, and the presence of a *pretty cute* OB/GYN, *Waitress* is a musical that has charmed its way across Broadway, the United States, the United Kingdom, and will be brought to life on the Grand Theatre Spriet Stage by Artistic Director, **Rachel Peake**.

# Pride and Prejudice

By Kate Hamill  
Adapted fromthe novel by Jane Austen  
Directed by Rebecca Northan

**APR 29 to MAY 17 | Opens May 2**

**Hang on to your bonnets! A fresh take on the classic Austen romance of Elizabeth Bennet and Mr. Darcy.**

They’re the Bennets that you love, and they’re in it to win it (as far as love and marriage are concerned). This time, nothing is off limits if it means securing a husband and a home for all your sisters.

In this laugh-out-loud adaptation of Jane Austen’s classic work, Kate Hamill deftly infuses the beloved Bennets, Bingleys, and Darcys with even more saucy irreverence for society’s expectations; the pearls are clutched, the waistlines are empire, the balls are ballistic, and the genders are bending. Through it all, the timeless love story of Elizabeth Bennet and Mr. Darcy captures the hearts of dear readers, and brand-new Austen fans alike.

With a cult following of her own, the award-winning and incorrigible **Rebecca Northan** (*Blind Date*, *Every Brilliant Thing*) will direct the production on the Grand Theatre’s Spriet Stage.

# Other 2024/25 Season Highlights include:

- Presented by Downtown Community Partner, **Old Oak Properties**, the always-sold-out **Jeans ‘n Classics** is back at the Grand for a seventh year with five new and exhilarating concerts. The 2024/25 lineup includes: *Paul McCartney*; *Every Breath You Take – The Music of Sting and The Police*; *Heartland – Current and Classic Country*; *The Ultimate Symphonic Rock Show*; and *The Who and Led Zeppelin*. On the heels of the current sold-out season, subscribers to the Grand Theatre’s 2024/25 six-show season on the Spriet Stage will be first in line for any Jeans ‘n Classics subscriptions in 2024/25 and will also have early access to an added bonus performance of *The Who and Led Zeppelin*.
- For a second year, the Grand Theatre is grateful to offer **Canada Life** Pay-What-You-Can (PWYC) same-day pricing for the first Sunday Matinee of each Spriet Series production.
- **Educators’ Night Out** (formerly Teachers Club) and **Student Club** return with a six-show package and will include special pre- and post-show events. Educators are invited to attend Wednesday previews at a discounted subscription rate and enjoy exclusive events throughout the season. Elementary, high-school and post-secondary students can enjoy all six Spriet Series productions on Thursday previews for only $99. Learn more at grandtheatre.com/youth-education
- Inaugural year of **specially-priced subscriptions for** **arts workers, volunteers, and participants of community arts organization** on the **Tuesday preview performance** of all six 2024/25 subscription series productions via the new **London Community Arts Night** program.
- Following popular demand, the Grand’s signature Wednesday post-show talk series, **AfterWORDS**, returns for the new season. On Wednesday evenings, immediately after the performance, patrons are invited to stay for a guided discussion with guest artists, creative team members, and Grand staff in the **Drewlo**.
- For the 2024/25 season, patrons can also enjoy stimulating discussion and hear insights into Grand productions through hosted discussion with special guests at **Tea Talks**, offered prior to 1 p.m. Wednesday matinees.
- A performance with ASL will be available for *Pride and Prejudice* as part of the 2024/25 season, on Saturday, May 10 at 2:00 p.m.
- The Grand will also continue to offer **Open Captioned** performances throughout the season for their Spriet Stage productions. Open Captioned performances will be available as a special subscription to patrons. The Open Captioned performances this year will be: *As You Like It* on Saturday, October 26, 2024 (2:00 p.m.), *The Sound of Music* on Saturday, November 30, 2024 (1:00 p.m.), and *Waitress* on Saturday, April 5, 2025 (2:00 p.m.).

The Grand Theatre would like to extend its appreciation to all funding partners, with special thanks to Season Sponsor**, BMO Financial Group**, and Downtown Community Partner, **Old Oak Properties**. A complete list of Title Sponsors and additional supporters of the Grand will be released at a later time.

**2024/25 Season subscriptions**, with savings of up to **33% off** the regular single ticket price, are now widely on sale at [grandtheatre.com](https://grandtheatre.com/), by phone at 519-672-8800, or at the Box Office, 471 Richmond Street. **Single tickets** go on sale to the general public **Summer 2024**.

To learn more about the Grand’s 2024/25 Season: *A Time for Play*, please visit: [grandtheatre.com](https://grandtheatre.com/). Additional facts, photos, and updates can also be found by following **@thegrandlondon** and **\#GRANDPlay** on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

The Grand Theatre gratefully acknowledges Season Sponsor **BMO** and Downtown Community Partner **Old Oak Properties**.

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The Grand Theatre acknowledges and honours the original stewards of the land on which our Theatre stands. We extend our gratitude to and recognize the Attawandaron (also known as Neutral), Anishinaabek, Haudenosaunee, and Lūnaapéewak peoples as the original caretakers of this land upon which we live, work, and tell stories together.

**About the Grand Theatre – World Curious. London Proud.**

In the heart of downtown London, Ontario lies one of Canada’s oldest regional theatres and a leading cultural hub of today: the Grand Theatre. Under the leadership of Artistic Director Rachel Peake, and Executive Director Evan Klassen, the Grand proudly brings diverse, relevant, and original stories from around the globe – and around the corner – to London and the Southwestern Ontario region. The not-for-profit, charitable arts organization is committed to developing, producing, and premiering original stories through its COMPASS New Play Development program. The Grand is also a centre for arts education, as demonstrated through our flagship program, the annual High School Project, through apprenticeships and placements, and by bringing students to subsidized student matinees. 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).

  
**For more information please contact:**  
Melissa Mae Shipley, Communications and Public Relations Manager  
mshipley \[at\] grandtheatre.com (mshipley\[at\]grandtheatre\[dot\]com)  
office: 519-672-9030 ext. 266  
cell: 519 280 4008

**PHOTOGRAPHY**

[https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1\_c8moABUJryJ-HVInjXwK8bD2b7hLibL?usp=sharing](https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1_c8moABUJryJ-HVInjXwK8bD2b7hLibL?usp=sharing)

  
Header image: Still by Danny Dunlop