Port Hope’s Capitol Theatre is celebrating its upcoming summer season with a series of fun fundraising community events from April 21 to 26, culminating with a gala celebration featuring a performance by Lakefield native Royal Wood.
“Our season rollout events invite everyone in the community to get involved and get excited for an amazing summer of theatre ahead,” says the Capitol’s artistic director Rob Kempson in a media release.
“I don’t know of any other theatre company that programs a week of accessible, creative events like these to raise funds, but also — most crucially — to celebrate our community partners, audiences, members, and artists. We’re going to have a lot of fun, and everyone is invited.”
This is the third year the historic theatre has hosted a summer season rollout with community partners, and the week kicks off on Easter Monday with “Alice in Wonderland’s Magical Tea Party” from 1 to 4 p.m. at the Capitol at 20 Queen Street.
Celebrating the arrival of Bad Hats Theatre’s musical Alice in Wonderland to the Capitol from May 16 to June 1, this interactive family-friendly event features a series of Alice-themed activities, including crafts, storytelling, music, and more.
Sponsored by Furby House Books and Happenstance Bakery & Coffee Roastery, tickets are pay what you can ($15 suggested).
VIDEO: Capitol Theatre 2025 Rollout Week & Red Carpet Gala
On Tuesday (April 22) from 6 to 9 p.m., the Capitol will celebrate its mainstage production of Waitress, running from June 13 to 29, with a sweet take on a pub crawl.
The play tells the story of Jenna, an expert pie-maker who dreams of a way out of her small town and rocky marriage by entering a pie competition, and “Sugar, Butter, Flour: A Port Hope Pie Crawl” will see participants have the chance to partake in pies from various Port Hope establishments.
The pie crawl begins at the theatre and ends at the Ganaraska Brewing Company with a “pie social” that includes pie throwing, pie-related games, a pie sale, and entertainment by Jeff Biggar. Sponsored by Ganaraska Brewing Company, tickets are $40.
The summer season rollout continues from 6 to 9 p.m. on Wednesday (April 23) with an event celebrating the Capitol’s production of Steel Magnolias from July 18 to August 3.
The classic play tells the story of an in-home beauty parlour and the women who frequent it, so it’s only appropriate that “Cocktails & Curlers at the Studio” takes place at Studio 100 at 14 Ontario Street.
Attendees can enjoy complimentary sweet tea, hors d’oeuvres, sample spa services, hair tutorials, ’80s glamour shots (big hair optional), and a very special treat served up “shaken not stirred.” Sponsored by Studio 100 and Atelier on John, tickets are $50.
On Thursday (April 24) from 6 to 8 p.m., the Capitol will be celebrating its season-ending world premiere of Rez Gas, a new Indigenous musical written by well-known local musician Cale Crowe and Genevieve Adam that runs from August 22 to September 7.
“Hashbrowns & Harmonies” takes place at the Port Hope Diner at 68 Wellington Street, where attendees can enjoy breakfast for dinner while listening to live music from today’s top Indigenous artists in an intimate setting.
Sponsored by Port Hope Diner, tickets are $25.
The summer season rollout concludes at the Capitol on Saturday (April 26) with the Red Carpet Gala, featuring a building-wide cocktail reception followed by a performance by Juno-nominated Canadian musician Royal Wood.
The gala also includes a live auction hosting by Layne, along with some special surprises. Sponsored by Cameco, tickets are $125.
For tickets to all the summer season rollout events, visit capitoltheatre.com/season-rollout/.
VIDEO: “A Good Enough Day” – Royal Wood
