Tag: theatre news

News

For Immediate Release: Lighthouse Festival Announces The Addams Family Musical as its 2027 Community Show 

Posted on September 28, 2026

Auditions are set for October 19 and 20, 2026, with performances planned for April 2 to 18, 2027

PORT DOVER, ON | Monday, September 28, 2026 – They’re creepy, they’re kooky, and they’re coming to Lighthouse Festival! The delightfully macabre Addams Family will take over the Lighthouse Theatre stage in the spring of 2027 with the hit Broadway musical The Addams Family. 

Directed by Lighthouse Festival Artistic Director David Leyshon, the 2027 Community Show will bring together talented performers, musicians and volunteers from across the region for a spooky, funny and thoroughly entertaining theatrical experience. 

“I can’t think of a better production to showcase the extraordinary talent and enthusiasm found in our community,” said Leyshon. “The Addams Family is filled with memorable, well-known characters, lively music and wonderfully twisted humour. It gives performers plenty to sink their teeth into while offering audiences a fantastic evening at the theatre.” 

In the musical, Wednesday Addams has grown up and fallen in love with Lucas Beineke, a kind and respectable young man from an ordinary family. There is just one problem: Wednesday has confided in her father but asked him to keep the relationship a secret from her mother. When the Addams family invite Lucas and his parents to dinner, Gomez finds himself caught between his promise to Wednesday and his devotion to Morticia. As the two very different families come together, secrets are revealed, relationships are tested and one unforgettable evening changes everyone involved. 

The iconic Addams family became a household name through the beloved 1960s television series before finding new generations of fans through two popular feature films and the enormously successful Netflix series Wednesday. The Broadway musical continues that legacy with a fresh story, a colourful cast of characters and an energetic score, all while celebrating what makes every family wonderfully unique. 

“These characters have entertained generations, and we’re thrilled to welcome them to Lighthouse Festival,” said Leyshon. “The musical has all the dark comedy audiences expect from the Addams family, but underneath it all is a story about love, honesty, acceptance and the wonderfully complicated bonds between parents and children. It will be great fun for the whole family.” 

Lighthouse Festival’s Community Show has become a cherished opportunity for local artists and theatre lovers to work alongside experienced professionals and bring a large-scale production to life. 

“The Community Show is always a special part of our year because it celebrates creativity, collaboration and the tremendous talent found throughout our region,” said Lighthouse Festival Executive Director Nicole Campbell. “The Addams Family promises to be an ambitious and joyfully unusual production, and we cannot wait to see our community come together to make it happen.” 

Auditions for The Addams Family will take place on October 19 and 20, 2026 from 7:00 PM to 9:30 PM both days.  Additional audition information can be found on the Lighthouse Festival website. 

Tickets are expected to go on sale in early December 2026, with the production hitting the stage at Lighthouse Theatre in Port Dover from April 2 to 18, 2027. 

Whether audiences grew up snapping their fingers along with the classic television theme, discovered the family through the feature films or became a fan through Wednesday, The Addams Family offers a frightfully fun theatrical experience for all ages. 

For production updates, audition information and ticket details, visit lighthousetheatre.com or call the Lighthouse Festival box office at 888-779-7703. 

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About Lighthouse Festival

Lighthouse Festival is a charitable organization devoted to the development and production of new and existing Canadian plays. The organization strives to be artistically excellent, support and encourage local and regional artists, and be a source of enjoyment and pride in local communities while promoting local tourism. Located in two beautiful towns on Lake Erie, our theatres operate on a central policy of hospitality, inclusivity, accessibility, and affordability for all.

Lighthouse Festival Digital Assets
For the most up-to-date Lighthouse Festival media assets, including current images of our leadership team, interior and exterior photos of Lighthouse Theatre in Port Dover and Roselawn Theatre in Port Colborne, as well as official logos and brand guidelines, please use the link below. If you are using older Lighthouse assets, please discard them and use the ones found in the link below. These materials are provided for approved media and marketing purposes and should be referenced to ensure all Lighthouse Festival branding and imagery remain current and consistent.

https://lighthousetheatre.com/lighthouse-festival-digital-media-assets/

Media Contact
For media inquiries, interview requests, or further information, please contact:

Don Kearney-Bourque
Marketing & Communications Manager
don@lighthousetheatre.com
Direct: 226-290-0070 | Cell: 289-541-7410

News

LIGHTHOUSE REVIEW: ‘A Woman’s Love List’ a fast-paced comedic adventure (The Haldimand Press)

Posted on September 3, 2026
PORT DOVER—Nicole Wilson plays Carly, Cole Munden plays Blaze, and Stephanie Pitsiladis plays Megan in Lighthouse Festival Theatre’s production of ‘A Woman’s Love List’ by Canadian playwright Norm Foster. —Submitted photo.


By Deb Zynomirski | The Haldimand Press

September 3, 2026

PORT DOVER—I wasn’t sure what to expect from a play entitled ‘A Woman’s Love List’; perhaps a sappy, romantic drama. This play couldn’t be further from that idea! Buckle your seatbelt for a fast-paced comedic adventure.

Lighthouse Theatre’s newest play explores the friendship between Carly and Megan, who conjure up a list for the perfect man.

The only problem is once this man, Blaze, materializes, they’re not quite sure if perfection is all it’s cracked up to be. What ensues is a laugh-a-minute merry-go-round of zany antics that are sure to make even the most stoic attendee slap their knee.

The man in question seems to change at the whim of the women, always a new character trait coming to fruition as they make changes to the list.

This rollicking play does not need a change of scenes and takes place in one apartment. The two acts bring the story full circle as the women discover their own shortcomings as they search out perfection in a mate. Always a favourite, Norm Foster’s writing brings it all together in a magical conclusion.

While a small cast, Stephanie Pitsiladis (Megan), Nicole Wilson (Carly), and Cole Munden (Blaze) fill the stage well together.

The story explores how we view our desires and wishes, how we value friendships, and how we change our mind to suit our current situation. Searching for the imperfect perfection becomes the rule of the day.

‘A Woman’s Love List’ is currently playing at Lighthouse Festival Theatre in Port Dover until September 12 in Port Dover, and from September 16 to 27 at the Port Colborne location.

News

Lighting the Way: Alex Sykes Brings A Woman’s Love List to Life

Posted on August 29, 2026

August 29, 2026

By Don Kearney-Bourque, Marketing & Communications Manager

Lighthouse Festival

When audiences settle into their seats for Norm Foster’s A Woman’s Love List, they enter a world filled with quick-witted comedy, unexpected transformations and moments of genuine heart. Lighting Designer Alex Sykes helps shape that world—and quietly guides the audience through every shift in time, mood, and emotion.

For Sykes, creating the visual identity of a production is not a matter of following a fixed formula. Each play brings together a different script, director, design team and group of performers, so each requires its own creative approach.

“Often, the visual identity I create comes from conversations with the director, the set, the script and my own taste,” Sykes explains. “There isn’t really an exact formula, if I’m being honest, because each show, each team and each world is so different. I create the visual identity through conversation, research and what my heart is telling me.”

That process begins with the script. Long before the lights are hung or cues are programmed, Sykes searches the text for clues about how the play’s world should look and feel. Some of those clues are found in the playwright’s stage directions, which can establish the location, time of day or circumstances of a scene. Others appear in the dialogue and reveal how the characters experience the world around them.

Nicole Wilson, Cole Munden, and Stephanie Pitsiladis are in Norm Foster’s A Woman’s Love. Set design by Megan Cinel; lighting design by Alex Sykes.

For A Woman’s Love List, however, the first strong lighting image did not come exclusively from the script. It emerged when Sykes saw Set Designer Megan’s design in January.

“The most distinct image in my mind came to me when I first saw Megan’s set,” Sykes recalls. “The big window and having light streaming through it. It’s such a central element of the stage, and it creates exciting opportunities to showcase time of day, mood and other fun moments throughout the show.”

That window became an important feature in the production’s visual storytelling. Light entering through it can suggest the passing of time, establish atmosphere and transform the feeling of the room. Because the play unfolds over several days, these visual signals help orient the audience without interrupting the comedy’s momentum.

“The lighting for A Woman’s Love List helps bring the audience into the characters’ world,” Sykes says. “The show takes place over several days, and I hope the lighting helps ground the audience in the journey happening on stage.”

That journey begins when two friends create a list of the qualities they believe would make the perfect man. When a mysterious man named Blaze appears, their harmless exercise takes an astonishing turn: he begins changing as the list changes. The premise allows Foster to explore friendship, relationships and expectations while delivering the fast-paced humour for which he is known.

It also creates opportunities for a little theatrical magic.

Nicole Wilson & Cole Munden in Norm Foster’s A Woman’s Love list. Set design by Megan Cinel; lighting design by Alex Sykes.

“There are several moments of magic in this piece, and the lighting, along with the sound, amplifies these moments and gives them a certain sparkle and pop,” Sykes says.

Lighting is especially valuable in a comedy because it can help define a moment without drawing attention away from the performers. A subtle change can prepare the audience for a new emotional direction, while a more pronounced shift can heighten a surprise or underline the sudden transformation of the characters’ circumstances.

Finding the right balance is essential in a play that moves between big laughs and sincere emotion. Sykes uses several techniques to ensure those changes feel connected to the story rather than imposed upon it. “Sometimes it’s simply letting the lighting state change slowly,” Sykes explains. “Other times I might sneak in new elements early so that when they become prominent, they feel less abrupt. Sometimes a stark lighting shift can feel smooth if you add a small sound effect.”

Not every transition needs to be invisible. When the story calls for surprise, an abrupt change can help the audience experience the same jolt as the characters. “Sometimes these changes are meant to be noticeable or abrupt,” Sykes adds. “If a character is startled or surprised by something, we might use an abrupt shift to let the audience feel that same thing.”

These choices are developed in close collaboration with the director and the rest of the creative team. Sykes often joins the design process after the basic set concept is established, but conversations with the director help shape the production’s visual language before anyone arrives at the theatre.

“Those conversations shape many of the initial decisions made before we all get into the space,” Sykes says. “Once we’re in the theatre, there’s tons of collaboration to make sure everyone is getting what they need.”

The technical rehearsal process is where the many individual parts of a production finally meet. The set, costumes, lighting, sound and performances are brought together, often revealing possibilities—or challenges—that could not have been fully anticipated during the planning stages.

For Sykes, those discoveries are not interruptions to the design process. They are an essential part of it. “Every show provides its own distinct challenges,” Sykes says. “How does this exit work? How do we want this transition to feel? That quick change is taking longer than we imagined. All of that, plus the fact that every play tells a different story, means I’m often stretching tools I’ve used in the past into new situations.”

The performers themselves can also inspire changes. Movement, delivery and comic timing all influence how a lighting cue works in practice. A cue imagined from the script may need to shift once an actor discovers the rhythm of a scene.

“I think this happens almost every time I’m creating a show,” Sykes says. “Theatre is a team sport, and when all of us are together during the tech process, new ideas are always being offered and tried. Some stick and others don’t, but shows change a ton once everyone is on stage for the first time.”

Sykes’s path to lighting design began on the performance side of theatre. Their early experience with improv taught them to create stories in the moment before an interest in the production side led to a new creative direction. “My journey in theatre started with improv, where I was creating and telling stories on the fly,” Sykes says. “Eventually, I found my way into the production side of theatre and fell in love with it. Now, while I no longer perform, I’m blending both of those passions together.”

That blend of technology and storytelling is at the heart of lighting design. Modern theatrical equipment offers an enormous range of colours, textures, movements and effects, but Sykes believes the technology should always remain in service of the play.

“It can be really fun to create dazzling lighting effects, but it’s also important to know when those effects need to be tamed down or cut because they simply don’t serve the collective story being told on stage.”

For audiences, the final result can appear effortless. That is both the goal of the design and one of the most common misconceptions about the work. The lighting seen during a performance represents many hours of planning, paperwork, installation, focusing, programming and revision.

Before arriving at the theatre, Sykes determines where the lights will be positioned, what colours will be used and which moments need particular emphasis. Detailed plans are then created for the technicians who hang and focus the equipment and ensure every fixture receives the power and data it needs. “If you look up from your seat, you’ll see a whole bunch of gear, each piece with its own unique purpose that will ideally blend in by the time it reaches the stage,” Sykes says. At Lighthouse Festival, that work happens within an especially tight production schedule. One show finishes on Saturday, and the next is in front of an audience by Wednesday. Within that short turnaround, lighting states may be edited several times—or completely rebuilt—as the creative team refines each scene.

Sykes also works closely with the stage manager to determine the precise moment when every cue should be triggered. The objective is to make all of that careful work disappear into the performance.

“All this work is done so that when audiences sit down for a show, everything blends together and seems effortless,” Sykes says.

In A Woman’s Love List, the lighting may stream through a window, mark a new day, add sparkle to a magical moment or gently carry the audience from laughter into something more heartfelt. Audiences may not consciously notice every shift, but each one helps make the world on stage feel vivid, cohesive and alive.

News

For Immediate Release: Get Down Tonight! The Ultimate 70’s Soundtrack Brings the Decade’s Biggest Hits to Lighthouse Festival this September

Posted on August 23, 2026

Leisa Way and The Wayward Wind Band hit the stage in Port Dover September 15 to 26 and Port Colborne September 30 to October 3

August 24, 2026 | Port Dover, ON – From the glittering dance floors of disco and the intimate coffee houses of folk to the arena-shaking anthems of classic rock, Leisa Way and The Wayward Wind Band bring the spirit of the 1970s roaring back to life in Get Down Tonight! The Ultimate 70’s Soundtrack — an electrifying new concert packed with some of the decade’s greatest hits.

The production hits the stage at Lighthouse Theatre in Port Dover from September 15 to 26 before moving to Roselawn Theatre in Port Colborne from September 30 to October 3.

Audiences will be transported through a musical time capsule featuring iconic songs made famous by legendary artists including the Eagles, Fleetwood Mac, James Taylor, ABBA, Carole King, Elton John, the Bee Gees, the Rolling Stones, Stevie Wonder, Creedence Clearwater Revival, Marvin Gaye, Carly Simon and many more.

Whether you’re a dancing queen or a rock-and-roll rebel, this high-energy show invites you to grab your sequins, warm up your hustle and get ready to shake your groove thing.

A vibrant celebration of the decade that defined a generation, Get Down Tonight captures the unmistakable sound of the ’70s. Backed by a powerhouse band of award-winning musicians, Leisa Way delivers show-stopping vocals, dynamic storytelling and the remarkable connection with audiences that has become her signature.

Joining Way on the Lighthouse Festival stage are vocalist Jerome Ransome, a notable session and backup singer; guitarist and vocalist Jeremy Fox of the indie band Fox the Hound; bassist and vocalist Mark Dunn of the B-Jazz Orchestra; and drummer John Collin of the Cassie Steele Band. Way’s longtime collaborator Bruce Ley, known for his work on The Tommy Hunter Show and an Academy Award-winning film, performs on piano and arranged the concert.

“I am over-the-moon excited to return to Lighthouse Festival with this new concert,” says creator and star Leisa Way. “We have had so much fun creating this show, and I can’t wait to share it with audiences in Port Dover and Port Colborne.”

The concert also holds deep personal significance for Way, inspired by cherished memories of music, family, and growing up in the 1970s.

“The music of the ’70s brings back so many incredible memories for me,” Way says. “My older sister loved music—and loved to dance. When I was a kid in the ’70s, I’d sit on the living-room floor with a headset on and listen to all of my sister’s albums. When I was about 10, I traded a bunch of her Beatles 45s for some Cher singles. I’m surprised she didn’t disown me after that!

“We lost my sister a few years ago, so putting this concert together has brought back so many happy memories of dancing with her in our living room. It has been such fun to choose the artists and songs for this new concert, and my sister’s favourites will definitely be included.”

Known as “Canada’s Songbird,” Way is an award-winning performer and the creator of more than a dozen acclaimed theatrical concert productions. Her past hits include Sweet Dreams: The Music of Patsy Cline, Country Jukebox, Across the Pond: The British Invasion, Rock ’n’ Roll Is Here to Stay, Rhinestone Cowgirl: A Tribute to Dolly Parton, Opry Gold and Oh, Canada, which toured 44 Canadian cities during the country’s 150th anniversary year.

With a full band, dazzling costumes and a nonstop soundtrack of beloved classics, Get Down Tonight promises an irresistible celebration of music, memories and pure entertainment.

“I’m bringing an extraordinary band of singers and musicians who are going to raise the roof at Lighthouse Festival,” Way says. “We can’t wait to get down with everyone and shake that groove thing!”

Take a trip back to the decade of disco balls, bell-bottoms and timeless tunes with the ultimate ’70s party.

Performance Information

Lighthouse Theatre, Port Dover
September 15–26, 2026

Roselawn Theatre, Port Colborne
September 30–October 3, 2026 Tickets are available at lighthousetheatre.com or by calling the Lighthouse Festival box office at 888-779-7703.

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About Lighthouse Festival

Lighthouse Festival is a charitable organization devoted to the development and production of new and existing Canadian plays. The organization strives to be artistically excellent, support and encourage local and regional artists, and be a source of enjoyment and pride in local communities while promoting local tourism. Located in two beautiful towns on Lake Erie, our theatres operate on a central policy of hospitality, inclusivity, accessibility, and affordability for all.

Media Contact

For media inquiries, interview requests, or further information, please contact:

Don Kearney-Bourque
Marketing & Communications Manager
don@lighthousetheatre.com
Direct: 226-290-0070 | Cell: 289-541-7410

Lighthouse Festival Digital Assets

For the most up-to-date Lighthouse Festival media assets, including current images of our leadership team, interior and exterior photos of Lighthouse Theatre in Port Dover and Roselawn Theatre in Port Colborne, as well as official logos and brand guidelines, please use the link below. If you are using older Lighthouse assets, please discard them and use the ones found in the link below. These materials are provided for approved media and marketing purposes and should be referenced to ensure all Lighthouse Festival branding and imagery remain current and consistent.

https://lighthousetheatre.com/lighthouse-festival-digital-media-assets/

News

For Immediate Release: Big Laughs, Bold Dreams and Stories from the Heart: Lighthouse Festival Unveils its 2027 Season.

Posted on August 13, 2026

New Artistic Director David Leyshon creates an exhilarating season of comed, music, and unforgettable Canadian storytelling.

PORT DOVER, ON | August 13, 2026 – Lighthouse Festival is thrilled to announce its 2027 season, an exciting collection of Canadian stories, musical favourites and theatrical experiences offering something for everyone.

Curated by Lighthouse Festival’s new Artistic Director, David Leyshon, the season brings together comedy, music, and heart. From New Wave rebels and hockey trailblazers to complicated marriages, family reconciliation and the many stages of modern love, the 2027 playbill celebrates people taking risks, confronting change and finding their way back to one another.

“When planning the 2027 season, I kept coming back to the question of why we gather,” says Leyshon. “What brings us together in a theatre, to hear and witness a story, to suspend our disbelief, to give over to laughter, to tears, to engage with a story as a shared experience, and ultimately, leave the theatre changed, in some small or significant way.”

The season includes the world premiere of Mark Weatherley’s Steeplechasers; Mark Crawford’s touching comedy-drama The Golden Anniversaries; the hilarious musical I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change; Norm Foster’s funny and moving Mending Fences; and Tracey Power’s inspiring hockey story Glory.

“The theatre has the special power of being able to invite us to escape, and reflect on these things,” continues Leyshon. “I hope we have put together a season that will allow our patrons to witness and experience joy, love, empathy and humour. So, in 2027, I’m inviting everyone to join in; to join in the telling of stories that shine a bright light on the important things in our lives.”

Executive Director Nicole Campbell says the 2027 season marks an exciting new era for Lighthouse Festival.

“What has impressed me most is not only David’s artistic vision for Lighthouse, but his understanding of the role theatre can play in people’s lives,” says Campbell.  “How it brings communities together, creates connection, and makes a lasting impact. I think patrons will see that reflected in the season David has created. This season is something special, and I hope people will be every bit as excited about it as we are.”

The 2027 Season

Steeplechasers – World Premiere

Written by Mark Weatherley

What happens when the Golden Girls collide with the punk-pop energy of the Go-Go’s?

It’s 1983, and a beloved old church is facing disaster: the steeple has collapsed, the congregation is running out of time and they desperately need money. In one last outrageous attempt to save it, four spirited women swap sensible shoes for fishnets, chorale music for Culture Club and dive headfirst into a local New Wave music contest.

Packed with big laughs, big hair and even bigger heart, this play proves you’re never too old to take a risk to save what you love. Totally rad.

The Golden Anniversaries

Written by Mark Crawford

Every year since they were married, Glen and Sandy Golden have celebrated their wedding anniversary by returning to the same cottage on the lake for a weekend of quiet romance. This year marks a major milestone: 50 years of wedded bliss. Well, mostly bliss.

A week before the play begins, Sandy cancels their big anniversary party and kicks Glen to the curb. Now, he wants to talk. Set over the course of one evening—and across the past 50 years—Glen and Sandy remember the good, the bad and the ugly of spending half a century together while grappling with what comes next.

The Golden Anniversaries is a funny and moving comedy-drama about marriage, memory and long-term love.

I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change – Musical

Book and lyrics by Joe DiPietro
Music by Jimmy Roberts

This witty musical tackles modern love in all its forms—from the perils and pitfalls of a first date to marriage, children and the twilight years of life.

Set in the modern world and told through a series of vignettes and songs, the show traces the arc of relationships throughout a lifetime. Insightful and hilarious, this musical resonates with the experiences we have all faced in the pursuit of love. It is the second-longest-running Off-Broadway musical in history.

Mending Fences

Written by Norm Foster

Harry, a stubborn Saskatchewan rancher, is forced to reconnect with his estranged adult son, Drew, when he returns home after 13 years.

With help from Harry’s neighbour and new love, Gin, father and son navigate strained relationships, long-held secrets and the possibility of reconciliation. Funny and touching, Mending Fences is Norm Foster at his finest.

Glory

Written by Tracey Power

In 1933, four friends set out to prove to Canada that hockey isn’t just a sport for men. With the Great Depression weighing heavily on the nation and political tensions rising in Europe, can they overcome the odds—and other people’s expectations—to forge their own path to glory?

Told through music and dance inspired by the Jazz Age, Glory is a thrilling hockey story that proves a woman’s place is on home ice.

I Love a Violin – Season Topper

Written and hosted by Leah Grandmont

I Love a Violin is written and hosted by Leah Grandmont, a multi-talented fiddler, violinist, singer and comedienne.

Joined by a talented band, Grandmont puts the violin and fiddle centre stage alongside favourite songs and inspiration from legendary entertainers such as Liza Minnelli, Judy Garland, Carol Burnett and Dolly Parton. The show will also feature a wide variety of music performed with special guests and band members.

Uplifting, energetic and comedic, Grandmont encourages a lively back-and-forth with the audience, making every performance feel as though it was created especially for them.

Subscriptions for the 2027 season will be available this fall, with single tickets going on sale in the new year.

For more information about Lighthouse Festival’s 2027 season, visit lighthousetheatre.com/2027-Summer-Season

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About Lighthouse Festival

Lighthouse Festival is a charitable organization devoted to the development and production of new and existing Canadian plays. The organization strives to be artistically excellent, support and encourage local and regional artists, and be a source of enjoyment and pride in local communities while promoting local tourism. Located in two beautiful towns on Lake Erie, our theatres operate on a central policy of hospitality, inclusivity, accessibility, and affordability for all.

Media Contact

For media inquiries, interview requests, or further information, please contact:

Don Kearney-Bourque
Marketing & Communications Manager
don@lighthousetheatre.com
Direct: 226-290-0070 | Cell: 289-541-7410

Lighthouse Festival Digital Assets

For the most up-to-date Lighthouse Festival media assets, including current images of our leadership team, interior and exterior photos of Lighthouse Theatre in Port Dover and Roselawn Theatre in Port Colborne, as well as official logos and brand guidelines, please use the link below. If you are using older Lighthouse assets, please discard them and use the ones found in the link below. These materials are provided for approved media and marketing purposes and should be referenced to ensure all Lighthouse Festival branding and imagery remain current and consistent.

https://lighthousetheatre.com/lighthouse-festival-digital-media-assets/

News

For Immediate Release: Lighthouse Festival Appoints David Leyshon as New Artistic Director

Posted on August 5, 2026

PORT DOVER, ON | August 5, 2026 – Lighthouse Festival is pleased to announce that David Leyshon has been appointed as the organization’s new Artistic Director, effective August 4, 2026, following a national search.

Leyshon has served as Interim Artistic Producer since the fall of 2025, bringing tremendous energy, creativity and leadership to the role. His hard work and dedication contributed to the success of Lighthouse Festival’s 2026 community production of Curtains, while his steady artistic leadership has helped guide the organization’s current summer season. He also directed the world premiere production of Secret Service, which has quickly become an audience favourite.

At the same time, Leyshon has been working to shape the Lighthouse Festival 2027 playbill, which will be announced shortly.

“I’m thrilled to officially step into the role of Artistic Director and hit the ground running,” says Leyshon. “Lighthouse has a remarkable history of bringing Canadian stories, artists and audiences together, and I’m excited to build on that legacy as we look toward the future.”

“One of the greatest joys of this work is collaborating with the extraordinary team at Lighthouse,” Leyshon adds. “Their talent, dedication and passion are evident in everything they do, and I feel incredibly fortunate to work alongside them as we create memorable theatre for our communities.”

“We are so pleased to welcome David as Lighthouse Festival’s new Artistic Director,” says Maryan Gemus, Chair of the Lighthouse Festival Board of Directors. “His creativity, collaborative spirit and deep commitment to Lighthouse have been evident throughout his time as Interim Artistic Producer. We are confident that his leadership will help guide the organization into an exciting new chapter.”

Leyshon was selected following a national search led by the Lighthouse Festival Artistic Director Search Committee. The committee’s recommendation was unanimously endorsed by the Lighthouse Festival Board of Directors.

“The committee undertook a thorough national search and reviewed a strong field of candidates,” says Susan Hodkinson, Chair of the Artistic Director Search Committee. “Throughout the process, David distinguished himself through his strong artistic vision, thoughtful leadership and clear understanding of Lighthouse Festival’s mandate and communities. The committee is delighted that he has accepted the position, and we look forward to seeing his vision take shape.”

“David has already demonstrated thoughtful artistic leadership, enthusiasm, care and a genuine respect for the artists, staff, volunteers and patrons who make Lighthouse so special,” says Nicole Campbell, Executive Director of Lighthouse Festival. “What stood out was not only his vision for Lighthouse’s future, but his understanding of what makes this organization and its communities unique. I’m excited to continue working with him as we strengthen the organization and bring exceptional Canadian theatre to audiences across Southwestern Ontario and the Niagara Region.”

Leyshon’s appointment marks an exciting new chapter for Lighthouse Festival as the organization continues its commitment to producing and supporting Canadian theatre, developing artists and playwrights, and bringing memorable live performances to audiences across the Niagara Region and throughout Southwestern Ontario.

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About Lighthouse Festival

Lighthouse Festival is a charitable organization devoted to the development and production of new and existing Canadian plays. The organization strives to be artistically excellent, support and encourage local and regional artists, and be a source of enjoyment and pride in local communities while promoting local tourism. Located in two beautiful towns on Lake Erie, our theatres operate on a central policy of hospitality, inclusivity, accessibility, and affordability for all.

Media Contact

For media inquiries, interview requests, or further information, please contact:

Don Kearney-Bourque
Marketing & Communications Manager
don@lighthousetheatre.com
Direct: 226-290-0070 | Cell: 289-541-7410


Lighthouse Festival Digital Assets

For the most up-to-date Lighthouse Festival media assets, including current images of our leadership team, interior and exterior photos of Lighthouse Theatre in Port Dover and Roselawn Theatre in Port Colborne, as well as official logos and brand guidelines, please use the link below. These materials are provided for approved media and marketing purposes and should be referenced to ensure all Lighthouse Festival branding and imagery remain current and consistent.

https://lighthousetheatre.com/lighthouse-festival-digital-media-assets/

News

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Perfection Gets Complicated in Norm Foster’s A Woman’s Love List at Lighthouse Festival

Posted on July 21, 2026

Beloved Canadian playwright’s romantic comedy closes out Lighthouse Festival’s 2026 summer season

PORT DOVER, ON | July 20, 2026 – What happens when you create a list of everything you want in the perfect partner – and he actually appears?

Lighthouse Festival closes its 2026 summer season with A Woman’s Love List, a hilarious and heartfelt romantic comedy by Canada’s most-produced playwright, Norm Foster. The production opens August 26 at Lighthouse Theatre in Port Dover before travelling to Roselawn Theatre in Port Colborne.

Carly, a professional sportswriter, and Megan, her best – and perhaps only – friend, decide to create a list describing Carly’s ideal man. Handsome, charming, attentive and equipped with every quality she could possibly want, Blaze Wilson soon walks through the door and appears to be the answer to their romantic experiment.

There is just one problem: perfection is a moving target.

As Carly and Megan revise the list, Blaze changes along with it, shifting from one personality to another faster than anyone can keep up. When Blaze discovers what the women have been doing, their supposedly perfect plan takes an unexpected – and very funny – turn.

Filled with Foster’s signature rapid-fire dialogue, surprising romantic detours and sharply observed humour, A Woman’s Love List explores the difference between finding someone who checks every box and finding someone who is genuinely right for you.

“The characters want love,” Foster says. “They want to feel love. What’s stopping them from getting that love is the mystery of the man they have conjured up.”

Foster says his own experiences helped shape the characters and relationships at the heart of the play.

“I think my relationship experiences help shape this play, and that is probably true with any writer,” he says. “We write what we know. If we haven’t had any life experiences, then how can we write about real people? Real life?”

At its heart, A Woman’s Love List asks a deceptively simple question: if you could build the perfect partner, would perfection really make you happy?

“I love when Norm writes about love,” says Lisa Horner, the director of A Woman’s Love List. “He finds all the angles, asks hard questions, and always finds the funniest things that connect us. Then we all see just how flawed, vulnerable and relentlessly hopeful we all are, deep down.”

A Woman’s Love List stars Nicole Wilson as Carly, Stephanie Pitsiladis as Megan and Cole Munden as Blaze Wilson. The production is directed by Lisa Horner, with set design by Megan Cinel, costume design by Alex Amini, lighting design by Alex Sykes and stage management by Sara Allison (Stage Manager) and Isabella Saranchuk (Apprentice Stage Manager).

A Woman’s Love List runs from August 26 to September 12 at Lighthouse Theatre in Port Dover and from September 16 to 27 at Roselawn Theatre in Port Colborne.

Tickets are available now at lighthousetheatre.com, by calling the Lighthouse Festival Box Office at 888-779-7703 or by visiting the box office at either venue during regular business hours.


Cast and Creative Team


Lighthouse Festival Digital Assets

For the most up-to-date Lighthouse Festival media assets, including current images of our leadership team, interior and exterior photos of Lighthouse Theatre in Port Dover and Roselawn Theatre in Port Colborne, as well as official logos and brand guidelines, please use the link below. These materials are provided for approved media and marketing purposes and should be referenced to ensure all Lighthouse Festival branding and imagery remain current and consistent.

https://lighthousetheatre.com/lighthouse-festival-digital-media-assets/

About Lighthouse Festival

Lighthouse Festival is a charitable organization devoted to the development and production of new and existing Canadian plays. The organization strives to be artistically excellent, support and encourage local and regional artists, and be a source of enjoyment and pride in local communities while promoting local tourism. Located in two beautiful towns on Lake Erie, our theatres operate on a central policy of hospitality, inclusivity, accessibility, and affordability for all.

Media Contact

For media inquiries, interview requests, or further information, please contact:

Don Kearney-Bourque
Marketing & Communications Manager
Lighthouse Festival Theatre Corporation
don@lighthousetheatre.com
Direct: 226-290-0070
Cell: 289-541-7410

News

10 Charming small-town Ontario theatres worth the road trip from Toronto this summer (Streets of Toronto)

Posted on July 17, 2026

July 17, 2026

Streets of Toronto

By Nisean Lorde

Some of Canada’s biggest stages are nestled in Toronto, but Ontario’s most memorable theatre experiences sometimes require leaving the city behind. This summer, iconic performances are taking over everything from historic opera houses and converted barns to intimate playhouses in the province’s prettiest small towns. Bonus: many are close enough to visit as part of a day trip or a weekend getaway.

Here are 10 small-town Ontario summer theatres worth hitting the road for in 2026.

Shaw Festival, Niagara-on-the-Lake

The Shaw Festival is one of the largest repertory theatre companies in North America, but it’s located in the small, picturesque Niagara-on-the-Lake, just 30 minutes from Niagara Falls. The 2026 season runs from April into October, with productions including Funny Girl, One for the Pot, Amadeus and Jeeves & Wooster in Perfect Nonsense. Take some time to explore Queen Street and visit the surrounding wineries! Just under a 2-hour drive from Toronto. 10 Queen’s Parade, Niagara-on-the-Lake.

Drayton Festival Theatre, Drayton

This intimate theatre is housed in a former opera hall built in 1902 in the rural village of Drayton, about 40 minutes from Waterloo. Its summer lineup includes Sister Act, based on the cult-classic ‘90s flick, and the Canadian comedy Sexy Laundry. Pair the show with a detour to Elora and explore the Cataract Trailway, or perhaps make a weekend of it and stay at the Elora Mill. Just under a 2-hour drive from Toronto. 33 Wellington St S, Drayton.

Port Stanley Festival Theatre, Port Stanley

This 200-seat theatre overlooks the harbour in one of Lake Erie’s prettiest beach towns. Its six-show summer season runs until Sept 5, with productions like Kristen Da Silva’s romantic comedy Sugar Road, the world premiere of Deadly Memories and Norm Foster’s Ship to Shore. Just make sure to leave time to stroll along Port Stanley’s Main Beach and explore its harbourfront patios and nearby shops! About a 2.5-hour drive from Toronto. 6-302 Bridge St, Port Stanley.

Huron Country Playhouse, Grand Bend

The Huron Country Playhouse is set on a wooded property outside Grand Bend and combines a large converted-barn mainstage with the more intimate South Huron Stage. Its stacked summer schedule includes 42nd Street, The Full Monty, Disney’s Frozen, Misery and Over the River and Through the Woods! Before the curtain rises, spend the afternoon lounging on Grand Bend beach or browsing the quaint Gift Shoppe. Just over a 2.5-hour drive from Toronto. 70689 B Line, Grand Bend.

Lighthouse Festival, Port Dover

The Lighthouse Festival specializes in Canadian comedies performed just steps from Port Dover’s waterfront. The 2026 season includes The Beaver Club, Crees in the Caribbean, the world-premiere spy farce Secret Service, Liars at a Funeral and A Woman’s Love List. Before you leave, grab some fish and chips at Murphy’s Chip Wagon and take a walk along the pier to round out the perfect day trip! About a 2-hour drive from Toronto. 247 Main St, Port Dover.

King’s Wharf Theatre, Penetanguishene

King’s Wharf Theatre has one of Ontario’s most gorgeous settings, tucked beside Georgian Bay at the historic Discovery Harbour. The summer playbill features Sister Act, Nashville Music City, Over the River and Through the Woods and the Elvis tribute Return to Grace. Arrive early to explore Discovery Harbour’s historic buildings, tall ships and waterfront grounds. About a 2-hour drive from Toronto. 97 Jury Dr, Penetanguishene.

4th Line Theatre, Millbrook

At 4th Line Theatre, shows are staged outdoors at Winslow Farm, with its fields and historic barn as the backdrop for stories rooted in Canadian history. This year’s season features Schoolhouse and the returning Wild Irish Geese. Performances begin at 6 pm, so you’ll have time to explore this storybook village beforehand. Millbrook’s charming heritage façades and indie shops will make you feel like you’ve stepped into a Netflix rom-com! About a 1.5-hour drive from Toronto. Winslow Farm, 779 Zion Line, Millbrook.

Capitol Theatre, Port Hope

Port Hope’s Capitol Theatre is Canada’s last surviving atmospheric theatre, designed to make audiences feel like they’re sitting beneath an open night sky! Summer programming includes the homegrown musical phenomenon Come From Away and an adaptation of Farley Mowat’s And No Birds Sang. While visiting, explore Port Hope’s heritage downtown core, riverfront and antique shops (the town is so magical, no matter the season). About a 1-hour drive from Toronto. 20 Queen St, Port Hope.

St. Jacobs Country Playhouse, St. Jacobs

This timber-and-stone playhouse is located beside the St. Jacobs Market District and makes for a perfect day trip. Its summer schedule includes the Elvis tribute Return to Grace and Neil Simon’s The Odd Couple. Make time to browse the St. Jacobs Farmers’ Market, visit the village’s independent shops or stop for a Mennonite-style meal before the performance! About a 1.5-hour drive from Toronto. 40 Benjamin Rd E, Waterloo.

Nisean Lorde is a contributing writer for Streets of Toronto, covering local news, travel and lifestyle. She has written for various news sites and magazines, including Yahoo Canada and HuffPost.

News

LIGHTHOUSE REVIEW: ‘Secret Service’ serves up laughs in a spy comedy full of flavour (The Haldimand Press)

Posted on July 17, 2026
Janelle Hanna and Cooper Bilton in a scene from Secret Service.
Janelle Hanna and Cooper Bilton in a scene from Secret Service.

By Mike Renzella | The Haldimand Press

July 16, 2026

PORT DOVER—A heaping helping of laughter is on the menu as Lighthouse Theatre presents the world premiere of Secret Service, the third show in its summer 2026 season.

Directed by Interim Artistic Producer David Leyshon, Secret Service blends misunderstandings, undercover operations, and marinara sauce into a theatrical meal sure to satisfy patrons looking for laughs along the shores of Lake Erie this July.

Set inside a popular Italian restaurant in Toronto, the show opens with Harry, a down-on-his-luck waiter played by Cooper Bilton, arriving for his first shift.

However, the restaurant’s manager Quentin, played by Robbie Towns, and chef Maddy, played by Lisa Norton, are not who they appear to be. The pair are actually federal agents preparing a sting operation to capture famous assassin Viviana Scarlotta, played by Janelle Hanna.

Mistaking Harry for world-renowned undercover agent Nick Hardcastle, codenamed “The Condor,” Quentin and Maddy rush the hapless waiter through the details. They hastily set him up to take on Scarlotta before the real Condor, played by Lighthouse veteran Stephen Sparks, steps through the restaurant’s doors, dressed to kill and in no mood to suffer a fool.

Robbie Towns and Janelle Hanna in a scene from Secret Service.

With a hasty plan in place, the four find themselves in a dangerous game of cat and mouse, desperate to stay one step ahead of Scarlotta and finish the mission without blowing their cover.

The show is a classic farce, with no greater ambition than to leave its audience in stitches as the misunderstandings escalate and the plot unravels. Slapstick comedy, deadpan one-liners, and over-the-top Italian accents are just some of the ingredients on the plate giving this show its rich flavour.

All five actors acquit themselves well, playing into their characters’ over-the-top natures with ease and sharing a natural chemistry on stage that really comes together as Harry tries to navigate an increasingly complicated meal with Scarlotta through the show’s second half.

Hanna is absolutely hilarious in her Lighthouse debut. Her scenes with Bilton are the clear highlight of the show, leading to some incredible displays of physical comedy as the operation starts to unravel.

Sparks brings some serious James Bond energy to his role, bristling with incredulity as his agent is sidelined in the operation, and brandishing an itchy trigger finger and barely concealed desire to use his licence to kill with impunity.

Towns and Norton stand out as well, with Norton’s character clearly more concerned over Scarlotta’s review of her family’s Italian recipes than she is of the operation underway, and Towns haplessly trying to hold the operation together and keep big egos in check as everything falls apart around him.

For tickets or more information, visit lighthousetheatre.com or call the box office at 1-888-779-7703.

After studying journalism at Humber College, Mike Renzella desired to write professionally but found himself working in technical fields for many years. Beginning in 2019 as a freelancer, he joined the team full-time later that year. Since then, Mike has won several awards for his articles thanks to his commitment to presenting an unbiased, honest look at the important news and events shaping our community.

News

FEATURE | Where to Catch Theatre Festivals and Performances In Ontario This Summer (Ludwig Van Toronto)

Posted on July 2, 2026

By Denise Lai | Ludwig Van Toronto

June 30, 2026

Summer is upon us, and road trips may be on your agenda. The vast number of theatre festivals and performances blooming all across Ontario may surprise you. Many are taking place in unique, historic venues. What better way to enrich your summer memories by partaking in a few shows, while supporting the local economy too?
Here is a comprehensive list of theatre performances within about three hours’ drive from Toronto happening this summer.

West

Stratford Festival (Stratford)

April 21 – Oct 31

North America’s largest repertory company is presenting 12 productions, from Shakespeare classics like The Tempest and A Midsummer Night’s Dream, to contemporary staples like Death of a Salesman, The Importance of Being Earnest and Waiting for Godot. Along with the world premiere of The Tao of the World, the festival is mounting Guys and Dolls and Something Rotten!, two unforgettable musicals showcasing spectacular dance numbers. Info here.

Here For Now Theatre (Stratford)

July 18 – Aug 30

This independent theatre presents two world premieres, Ghosts of My House by Susanna Fournier, and Early Genius by Steve Ross, as well as the Canadian premiere of Suzannah by Jon Fosse. Info here.

St. Jacobs Country Playhouse (St. Jacobs)

Aug 12 – 30

The Odd Couple, renowned playwright Neil Simon’s masterpiece about two mismatched roommates, will take centre stage. Info here.

Hildebrand Schoolhouse Theatre (St. Jacobs)

June 3 – Aug 2

Sorry… I’m Not Sorry is a comedy by Alex Mustakas filled with Canadiana jokes that will have your elbows up. The historic theatre is housed in a lovingly restored 1867 schoolhouse. Info here.

Hamilton Family Theatre Cambridge (Cambridge)

July 2 – Aug 30

Set along the banks of the Grand River, this performing arts centre is home to Broadway dance spectacle 42nd Street, and Nashville Music City, a musical revue with a jukebox of country music standards. Info here.

Blyth Festival (Blyth)

June 10 – Aug 22

This hidden gem in Huron County’s agricultural heartland exclusively premieres and produces professional Canadian plays. The festival’s playbill celebrates rural life with stories set on factory floors, farm fields, council chambers, and softball diamonds. This summer’s productions include world premieres of ensemble drama Sisters of ’78 and two musicals: The Last Mayor of Rusty River and Curveball: The Fast-Pitch Ladies from the Factory Floor. Info here.

Drayton Festival Theatre (Drayton)

July 2 – Aug 30

Located in a renovated 1902 Opera House, this theatre will present Broadway musical comedy Sisters Act, along with the racy comedy Sexy Laundry this summer. Info here.

Huron Country Playhouse (Grand Bend)

July 2 – Aug 30

The playhouse mainstage will feature two Broadway mega hits: Disney sensation Frozen, and 10-time Tony Award winning musical comedy The Full Monty, which promises to “charm the pants off you.” Info here.

Southwest

Shaw Festival (Niagara-on-the-Lake)

April 2 – Oct 11

It’s not like you need an excuse to visit Ontario’s quaintest town set in the middle of wine country, but the Shaw certainly gives more reason to make the trip. Along with Heartbreak House by the festival’s namesake playwright, this summer’s playbill also includes Sleuth, Amadeus, The Wind in the Willows and One for the Pot, among others. The festival’s 64th season also features a new production of Funny Girl, the Broadway musical sensation that launched the career of Barbra Streisand. Info here.

Hamilton Fringe Festival (Hamilton)

July 15 – 26

Hamilton’s annual favourite summer arts festival takes place over 12 days across 16 locations, featuring more than 50 performance companies with over 400 performances that run the whole gamut of live comedy, indie theatre, music and dance. Info here.

The Foster Festival (St. Catharines)

July 9 – Aug 16

This theatre festival is dedicated entirely to celebrating the witty, heartwarming plays by Canadian icon Norm Foster. This summer boasts the hilarious tangled-relationship comedy The Long Weekend and the world premiere of Euchre Night. Info here.

Port Stanley Festival Theatre (Port Stanley)

July 8 – Aug 15

Experience the world premiere of theatrical thriller Deadly Memories by Steven Gallagher, along with Sugar Road, a romantic comedy by Kristen Da Silva that will have you stomping your feet along catchy country music tunes. Info here.

Lighthouse Festival (Port Dover & Port Colborne)

July 8 – Aug 30

With performances at two locations, this festival will feature two comedic shows: Secret Service and Liars at a Funeral. Info here.

North

Orillia Opera House (Orillia)

July 7 – Aug 25

The venue will showcase Broadway musical hit Newsies and Mitch Albom’s Tuesdays with Morrie. Info here.https://www.orilliaoperahouse.ca/

Theatre by the Bay (Barrie)

Aug 11 – 27

Celebrating its 25th anniversary season, this theatre company presents beloved musical revue Forever Plaid in Gravenhurst, and family musical Treasure Island in Barrie. Info here.

King’s Wharf Theatre (Penetanguishene)

July 2 – Aug 8

This waterfront theatre inside a historic 19th century naval base on Georgian Bay plays host to country music jukebox Nashville Music City and Over the River and Through the Woods, a multigenerational comedy. Info here.

Theatre Georgian Bay (Collingwood)

July 23 – Aug 3

Celebrating the 10th Anniversary season of Bard on the Bay, Theatre Georgian Bay presents Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night, performed outdoors against the breathtaking backdrop of Georgian Bay. Info here.

East

Capitol Theatre (Port Hope)

July 10 – Sept 6

Headlining this summer’s season is the heartwarming Broadway musical Come From Away, along with Gaslight, a classic thriller with Canadian adaptations. Info here.

Thousand Islands Playhouse (Ganonoque)

June 30 – Aug 30

This summer’s playbill includes two musicals: the high energy Grease and the intimate The Last Five Years. Info here.

St Lawrence Shakespeare Festival (Prescott)

July 16 – Aug 8

Headlining this year’s festival is the new musical R&J and Joni. This world premiere adaptation of Romeo and Juliet brings Shakespeare’s words together with the timeless music of Canadian icon Joni Mitchell in a fully staged musical. This is coupled with Macbeth at the Tower, a walk-about production at the Maitland Tower. Info here.

4th Line Theatre (Millbrook)

June 30 – Aug 29

This company exclusively performs large-scale, epic dramas written by Canadians about regional Ontario history in the idyllic, outdoor setting of a 150-year-old active family farm. Following its sold out premiere of Wild Irish Geese last year, the historic drama by Megan Murphy about early Irish settlers is back by popular demand. Also on stage is Schoolhouse by Leanna Brodie. Info here.

Tweed & Company Theatre (Tweed and Bancroft)

June 26 – Sept 6

Along with its main productions of musical hits 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee and Fiddler on the Roof, the Tweed Summer Youth Theatre also presents a pair of popular family musicals, The Little Mermaid and High School Musical. Info here.

The Grove Theatre (Fenelon Falls)

July 4 – Aug 30

Performed in an outdoor amphitheatre, this summer The Grove presents Spamalot, a hilarious musical ripped off from “Monty Python and The Holy Grail.” Info here.

County Stage Company (Prince Edward County)

July 11 – Aug 9

This company brings performing arts to various venues in beautiful Prince Edward County. This summer’s program includes the musical comedy First Date, along with plays Mouthpiece and Pinocchio. Info here.

Happy travels!

News

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Lighthouse Festival presents Sophia Fabiilli’s hilariously chaotic Liars at a Funeral as the fourth production of the 2026 summer season

Posted on June 29, 2026

PORT DOVER, ON | June 29, 2026 – Lighthouse Festival’s 2026 summer season continues with a funeral unlike any other as Liars at a Funeral, written by Sophia Fabiilli and directed by Blair Williams, takes the stage as the fourth production of the season.

Running at Lighthouse Theatre in Port Dover from July 29 to August 15, before moving to Roselawn Theatre in Port Colborne from August 19 to 30, Liars at a Funeral is a fast-paced comedy packed with outrageous secrets, mistaken identities, family feuds, emotional chaos, and one grandmother with a truly unhinged plan.

At the centre of the story is Grandma Mavis, who decides the best way to bring her fractured family back together is to fake her own funeral. Naturally, things do not go smoothly. When a blizzard traps the family inside a funeral parlour, long-buried secrets come flying out, old wounds are reopened, and everyone quickly learns that grief, guilt, and gossip make for a very combustible combination.

For playwright Sophia Fabiilli, bringing the play to Lighthouse Festival is especially meaningful.

“My very first professional acting gig was at Lighthouse Festival in 2011,” says Fabiilli. “It’s a very exciting full-circle moment in my career to have Lighthouse Festival produce my play, and I can’t wait to come visit.”

The idea for Liars at a Funeral began with a deliciously theatrical question: what if someone faked their own death to force a family reunion?

“I really loved the idea of a grandmother faking her own death to reunite her family,” says Fabiilli. “I thought there was a powder keg of comedic potential there. I was also interested in writing a leading role for an older female actor because I think there aren’t enough of them.”

Director Blair Williams says the play offers audiences exactly the kind of theatrical experience that makes summer theatre so much fun, with a topic that isn’t always funny.

“A funeral home is the last place you would think to look for a second chance at life. But Death tends to focus priorities in a way that mere living doesn’t seem to, and Sophia Fabiilli’s hilarious Liars at a Funeral makes us laugh at how far a desperate mother can go to ensure her family has a second chance”

The production features five actors playing nine roles in a whirlwind of quick changes, unexpected reveals, and escalating funeral-home mayhem. The cast includes Charlotte Dennis as DeeDee/Mia, Deborah Drakeford as Evelyn/Leorah, Scott Farley as Quint/Cam, Murray Furrow as Frank/Wayne, and Melanie Janzen as Mavis.

Lighthouse Festival Interim Artistic Producer David Leyshon says the production is a perfect fit for audiences in Port Dover and Port Colborne.

“Liars at a Funeral is exactly the kind of comedy Lighthouse audiences love,” says Leyshon. “It has big laughs, wonderfully ridiculous circumstances, and a family so dysfunctional that most of us will leave feeling much better about our own.”

Leyshon adds that Fabiilli’s voice brings a fresh and exciting energy to the 2026 season.

“Sophia Fabiilli is a tremendous Canadian playwright with a gift for blending heartfelt truth with absolute comic madness,” says Leyshon. “This play is smart, fast, wildly entertaining, and just sentimental enough to remind us that even the messiest families are usually trying, in their own strange way, to love each other.”

With its blend of slapstick, secrets, and surprisingly tender moments, Liars at a Funeral is a gloriously over-the-top tribute to family, forgiveness, and the fine art of pretending everything is fine.

Tickets for Liars at a Funeral are available now. The production runs July 29 to August 15 at Lighthouse Theatre in Port Dover and August 19 to 30 at Roselawn Theatre in Port Colborne.

Tickets can be purchased at lighthousetheatre.com or by calling the Box Office at 1-888-779-7703.


Cast and Creative Team


Lighthouse Festival Digital Assets

For the most up-to-date Lighthouse Festival media assets, including current images of our leadership team, interior and exterior photos of Lighthouse Theatre in Port Dover and Roselawn Theatre in Port Colborne, as well as official logos and brand guidelines, please use the link below. These materials are provided for approved media and marketing purposes and should be referenced to ensure all Lighthouse Festival branding and imagery remain current and consistent.

https://lighthousetheatre.com/lighthouse-festival-digital-media-assets/

About Lighthouse Festival

Lighthouse Festival is a charitable organization devoted to the development and production of new and existing Canadian plays. The organization strives to be artistically excellent, support and encourage local and regional artists, and be a source of enjoyment and pride in local communities while promoting local tourism. Located in two beautiful towns on Lake Erie, our theatres operate on a central policy of hospitality, inclusivity, accessibility, and affordability for all.

Media Contact

For media inquiries, interview requests, or further information, please contact:

Don Kearney-Bourque
Marketing & Communications Manager
Lighthouse Festival Theatre Corporation
don@lighthousetheatre.com
Direct: 226-290-0070
Cell: 289-541-7410

News

LIGHTHOUSE REVIEW: ‘Crees in the Caribbean’ a thoughtful, humorous look at aging, love, and old-fashioned stubbornness (The Haldimand Press)

Posted on June 25, 2026
PORT DOVER—Lawrence Bayne and Krystle Pederson star in ‘Crees in the Caribbean’, the second show of Lighthouse Festival Theatre’s 2026 summer season. —Submitted photos.

By Mike Renzella | The Haldimand Press

June 25, 2026

PORT DOVER—Lighthouse Theatre’s summer season continues to impress with Crees in the Caribbean, the second of five shows planned for 2026 now on stage in Port Dover.

The show stars Lawrence Bayne and Krystle Pederson as longtime married couple Cecil and Evie. They are joined by Andrea Cabeza, playing the maid Manuela, who frequently pops up at both opportune and inopportune moments.

Crees in the Caribbean is a love story told from a unique perspective. Instead of two young lovers whisking away for a week on the beach, Cecil and Evie have already spent a lifetime together raising their family. Despite those years of history, when they walk into their Mexican hotel room they are kicking off their first ever official trip outside of Saskatchewan together.

There is a deep love – and a deep sense of weariness – between the pair as the story begins. It was their children who splurged to send them on the trip, and it’s a trip that Cecil is not excited to make. While sunshine and warm beach air float in through the balcony window, Cecil would rather spend the trip holed up, blinds drawn, watching Spanish television, and complaining about the food.

The couple’s Cree heritage is proudly on display, allowing the audience to become well acquainted with this pair and some of their traditional values and cultural leanings. 

Director Patti Shaughnessy described her directorial process as rooted in the Anishinaabeg concept of O’Kaadenigan Wiingashk, or weaving sweetgrass into the heart of a braid.

“What interests me most are the relationships at the centre of the piece: the humour, tensions, misunderstandings, and moments of connection that emerge as people try to make sense of themselves and each other,” wrote Shaughnessy.

While the show is laced with humour, drawing many laughs from the opening night crowd, there’s a gentleness beneath the bluster of the couple’s relationship that resonates. The love between them feels real and earned, built on a lifetime of accepting each other – faults and all.

As Manuela, Cabeza serves up a welcome break from the early tension between Cecil and Evie, eventually weaving her way into their story, and leaving a mark on both in different ways. Pregnant from a deadbeat father who works in the resort’s kitchen, Manuela is a strong, surprising, and endearing character.

While many Lighthouse shows revel in larger-than-life comedy and outlandish set pieces, Crees in the Caribbean makes its mark in a more quiet, subdued way, drawing people into Cecil and Evie’s story through quiet moments, and genuine, resilient love.

In typical Lighthouse fashion, the show is a technical accomplishment. The hotel room is rendered beautifully on stage, with a bright, inviting, colourful patio door leading to the beach. 

Through lighting, sound, and an offstage fan, the illusion is complete. It really does feel like you could step through that door and onto a beach instead of the backstage of a theatre.

Playwright Drew Hayden Taylor is known for celebrating the Indigenous sense of humour in his work, looking to show audiences how funny Canadian culture and stereotypes can be through the lens of a Cree point of view.

“I have always wanted to write an Elder’s love story,” wrote Taylor. “I think I have managed it here. Evie and Cecil are people I have met, people like this, all across the land. I hope you end up loving them as much as I do.”

Crees in the Caribbean is on stage at Lighthouse Festival Theatre in Port Dover until July 4. It then heads to Port Colborne’s Roselawn Theatre for a run of shows from July 8-19. 

For tickets and more information, visit lighthousetheatre.com or call the box office at 1-888-779-7703.

After studying journalism at Humber College, Mike Renzella desired to write professionally but found himself working in technical fields for many years. Beginning in 2019 as a freelancer, he joined the team full-time later that year. Since then, Mike has won several awards for his articles thanks to his commitment to presenting an unbiased, honest look at the important news and events shaping our community.