10 Canadian shows, five world premieres, three musicals, and more!
Rob Kempson, Artistic Director of The Capitol Theatre Port Hope, has announced the company’s 2026 season, Where Our Stories Begin.
Four ensemble productions grace the Mainstage next summer:
·Broadway smash-hit musical Come From Away by Irene Sankoff and David Hein;
·Tony Award-winning musical You’re A Good Man, Charlie Brown;
·New Canadian classic Liars at a Funeral by Sophia Fabiilli;
· And a Canadian adaptation of the thriller Gaslight, by Johnna Wright and Patty Jamieson.
The Capitol’s 2026 winter holiday musical is the world premiere of RED!…a Big Bad Wolf Panto by Rebecca Northan.
For the second year in a row, the Capitol has programmed a stellar Second Stage Series in the venue’s more intimate Sculthorpe Theatre. The lineup for 2026 includes three world premieres:
· Chris Tsujiuchi’s Big Gay Cabaret written and performed by Tsujiuchi;
· Born to be Bad: The Villains of Broadway written and performed by Tahirih Vejdani;
· and Farley Mowat’s And No Birds Sang adapted by Dave Carley, directed by Rob Kempson
The Capitol also hosts concerts year-round in its historic venue. In 2026 the Capitol’s Music Lovers’ Series will centre around three original works (with more to be announced):
· Heartbreak Hits: Billboard in Concert created by Rob Kempson and Jeff Newberry;
· Tom Thomson’s Wake created and performed by Shipyard Kitchen Party: John Eaton, Sacha Law and Jason Murphy;
· and the world premiere of I’m Every Woman: The Whitney Houston Songbook written and performed by Taylor Lovelace.
Farley Mowat’s And No Birds Sang and I’m Every Woman were both developed through the Capitol’s Creators’ Unit, the home for New Play Development at the Capitol since 2023.
“At the Capitol, we believe in telling the stories of our community, for our community. Over the past few years, that has meant an investment in new play creation—and a commitment to supporting artists in the early stages of theatre-making. There has never been a better time for us to celebrate Canadian stories.
And in 2026, we want the Capitol to be the place where those stories can begin. Some of these stories are familiar. Some are told in ways that will truly surprise and delight. But whether it feels like coming home, or setting out on a new journey, we want to share it with our audiences. That spark of an idea—the catalyst that inspires new creation—is the reason we create theatre, and it’s absolutely invigorating.” – Rob Kempson, Artistic Director, Capitol Theatre
Subscriptions for 2026 productions are now on sale here. General public tickets will be available in early 2026. Visit CapitolTheatre.com for more details.
Capitol Theatre 2026
Where Our Stories Begin
MAINSTAGE
You’re A Good Man, Charlie Brown
Book, Music and Lyrics by Clark Gesner
Additional Dialogue by Michael Mayer. Additional Music and Lyrics by Andrew Lippa
Directed & Choreographed by Rob Kempson
Music Direction by Shane O’Regan
May 15 – 31, 2026
Life, love, baseball—and an opinionated dog named Snoopy.
Based on the beloved comic strip by Charles M. Schulz, this musical comedy chronicles the adventures of
Charlie Brown and the entire Peanuts gang.
Winner of 2 Tony Awards and 3 Drama Desk Awards.
Liars at a Funeral
By Sophia Fabiilli
Directed by Aaron Jan
June 12 – 28, 2026
Grief has never been so hilarious!
When an estranged family gathers to mourn the passing of Mavis, the family matriarch, the funeral erupts into a more dysfunctional family reunion than any of them could have imagined. If everyone can keep it together, they might just break the intergenerational curse and make it out alive!
Come From Away
Book, Music & Lyrics by Irene Sankoff & David Hein
Directed by Rob Kempson
Music Direction by Jeff Newberry
Choreography by Genny Sermonia
July 10 – August 2, 2026
A truly Canadian story of creating community around the world.
This global sensation takes you into the centre of the remarkable true story of 7,000 stranded passengers and the small town of Gander, Newfoundland that welcomed them during the 9/11 terrorist attacks.
Gaslight
By Johnna Wright & Patty Jamieson
Based on Patrick Hamilton’s Play
Directed by Marie Farsi
August 21 – September 6, 2026
The classic thriller comes with even more twists in this Canadian adaptation.
Bella Manningham thinks she’s losing her mind. In the evenings, she hears strange sounds and the gas lights dim for no apparent reason. But is she losing her grip on reality, or is it being loosened for her?
RED!…a Big Bad Wolf Panto
Written by Rebecca Northan
Musical Arrangements by Jeff Newberry
Directed by Aurora Browne
November 20 – December 27, 2026
World Premiere
Never take a shortcut through the woods!
The classic fairytale gets a panto treatment from the writer of 2023’s hit production—Jack: A Beanstalk Panto. When Little Red Riding Hood leaves home with a basket of treats for her Granny, all she has to do is stick to the path and avoid talking to strangers…but there’s a groovy beat in the darkest part of the woods, and every young girl is up for adventure!
SECOND STAGE
Chris Tsujiuchi’s Big Gay Cabaret
Written & Performed by Chris Tsujiuchi
June 4 – 7, 2026
World Premiere
Celebrate Pride with a hilarious night of music!
For over a decade, the enigmatic and multi-talented Chris Tsujiuchi has been creating and performing solo shows, celebrated across the country. This year, exclusively for the Capitol Theatre, he’s creating a brand-new show—one that celebrates the queer community with the anthems that define it.
Born to be Bad: The Villains of Broadway
Created & Performed by Tahirih Vejdani
June 30 – July 5, 2026
World Premiere
A hero is only as good as their villain.
From the evildoers we adore to the scoundrels we love to hate, this new solo show from Capitol Theatre favourite Tahirih Vejdani (Little Shop of Horrors, Sleeping Beauty, Billboard in Concert) shares the best of being bad.
Farley Mowat’s
And No Birds Sang
Adapted by Dave Carley
Directed by Rob Kempson
August 14 – September 6, 2026
World Premiere
A beloved war memoir comes to life in the town where it was written.
Based on Farley Mowat’s acclaimed war memoir, And No Birds Sang tells his autobiographical account of military service during World War II, as a member of the Hastings Prince Edward (or, affectionately, Hasty P’s) Regiment. In this touching world premiere, Mowat transforms from a young man into a combat veteran, alongside the devastating losses that come with wartime.
MUSIC
Heartbreak Hits: Billboard in Concert
Conceived by Jeff Newberry & Rob Kempson
Directed by Margot Greve
February 6 – 8, 2026
An anti-Valentine’s celebration of the darker side of love.
The Capitol’s signature remix of your favourite tunes returns in 2026 with a tribute to the songs about falling out of love
Tom Thomson’s Wake
Created & Performed by Shipyard Kitchen Party: John Eaton, Sacha Law & Jason Murphy
March 6 – 8, 2026
A great Canadian mystery told with East Coast-style tunes.
Two years after renowned painter Tom Thomson’s mysterious death, his friend, his mentor and his lover gather to share their memories of Algonquin Park’s most famous resident.
I’m Every Woman: The Whitney Houston Songbook
Written & Performed by Taylor Lovelace
Music Supervision by Jeff Newberry
Directed by Rob Kempson
October 23 – 25, 2026
World Premiere
The iconic songbook of a legend like you’ve never heard it before.
Capitol Theatre favourite Taylor Lovelace (Waitress, Little Shop of Horrors, A Year with Frog & Toad, Billboard in Concert) pays tribute to one of the most defining artists of the 20th century in this musical celebration of women’s voices.
MORE MUSIC & ON SCREEN
The Capitol’s Cabaret and Kitchen Party programs will be offered throughout the year in the Sculthorpe Theatre, additional Concerts will be featured on our mainstage, and the Capito’s On Screen programming will continue to feature the popular Met Opera program.
CAMP CAPITOL
The Capitol’s popular camp program will continue in 2026 with three week-long offerings for kids between the ages of 8-15. Led by Kelly Perras, this program regularly sells out. Save the Dates: March Break: March 16-20, 2026; Summer Camp: July 6-10 & July 13-17, 2026.
TICKETS
The Capitol’s biggest fans and early birds save the most! Subscription packages are up to 15% off when booked before December 31. Single tickets will be available in early 2026.
Mainstage Subscription – Liars at a Funeral, Come From Away, Gaslight
Mainstage Subscription PLUS – above shows PLUS You’re A Good Man, Charlie Brown
Music Lovers’ Subscription – Heartbreak Hits: Billboard in Concert, Tom Thomson’s Wake, I’m Every Woman: The Whitney Houston Songbook
Second Stage Subscription – Big Gay Cabaret, Born to be Bad: The Villains of Broadway, Farley Mowat’s And No Birds Sang
Flex Pass Subscription – choice of any three shows from Mainstage, Music Lovers’ or Second Stage Subscriptions.
CONNECT & SHARE
X: @capitolporthope
Instagram: @capitoltheatreporthope
Facebook: Capitol Theatre Port Hope
#Capitol2026
The Capitol Theatre gratefully acknowledges regional support from the Canada Council for the Arts, the Ontario Arts Council, the municipality of Port Hope, and the Ontario Trillium Foundation.
The Capitol Theatre Port Hope is home to year-round, world-class, live entertainment. Founded in 1930 as the town’s local cinema, the Capitol is now one of the last remaining atmospheric theatres in the country, where concerts, plays, special events and film screenings are staged, and new Canadian work is developed.The Capitol is also a home for the local arts community, where all individuals, groups, and organisations are welcome to create, collaborate, and connect. The Capitol provides memorable experiences for guests through artistic excellence, a wide variety of programming, and the historic venue itself. For more information, visit capitoltheatre.com.
Author: Pete Fisher
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