Capitol announces an exciting 2026 season
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By Cecilia Nasmith
Port Hope's Capitol Theatre has announced an exciting line-up for its 2026 season that includes 10 Canadian shows, five world premieres and three musicals.
Artistic Director Rob Kempson sums up the season with the phrase Where Our Stories Begin, sharing plans for four Mainstage productions for the summer season.
The Tony Award-winning musical You're A Good Man, Charlie Brown (directed and choreographed by Kempson) is based on the beloved Charles M. Schulz comic strip – life, love, baseball and an opinionated dog named Snoopy. The winner of two Tony Awards and three Drama Desk Awards, it runs May 15 to 31.
The new Canadian classic Liars at a Funeral (by Sophia Fablilli) is a comedy about the most dysfunctional family reunion imaginable, running June 12 to 28.
The Broadway smash-hit musical Come From Away (by Irene Sankoff and David Hein) is based on the remarkable true story of the residents of Gander, Newfoundland, welcoming in 7,000 stranded passengers whose planes are grounded after the 9/11 terrorist attacks. This one runs July 10 to Aug. 2.
And a Canadian adaptation of the thriller Gaslight (by Johanna Wright and Patty Jamieson) follows the struggles of Bella Manningham as she struggles to figure out whether she's losing her grip on reality – or if someone is loosening it for her. This one runs Aug. 21 to Sept. 6.
Prior to that exciting line-up, the Capitol's musical premiere of RED!...a Big Bad Wolf Panto (by Rebecca Northan) brightens this holiday season from Nov. 20 to Dec. 27.
As well, this will be the second year the Capitol has programmed a stellar Second Stage Series in the venue's more intimate Sculthorpe Theatre, with three world premieres.
Chris Tsujiuchi's Big Gay Cabaret (written and performed by Tsujiuchi) is a musical celebration of Pride with anthems that define the queer community. It runs June 4 to 7.
Born to be Bad: The Villains of Broadway (written and performed by Tahirih Vejdani) celebrates the scoundrels we love to hate June 30 to July 5.
Farley Mowat's And No Birds Sang (adapted by Dave Carley and directed by Kempson) is based on the beloved author's memoirs of his service in World War II with the Hastings Prince Edward Regiment as he transforms from young man to combat veteran, with all the devastating losses that entails. It runs from Aug. 14 to Sept. 6.
There are also year-round concerts as well as the Music Lovers' Series that features (at this point) three original works.
Heartbreak Hits: Billboard in Concert (by Kempson and Jeff Newberry) is an anti-Valentine's day celebration of the darker side of love, running from Feb. 6 to 8.
Tom Thomson's Wake (created and performed by Shipyard Kitchen Party – John Eaton, Sacha Law and Jason Murphy) takes place two years after the renowned painter's mysterious death, when his mentor and lover share their memories with East Coast-style music. It runs from March 6 to 8.
The world premiere of I'm Every Woman: The Whitney Houston Songbook (written and performed by Taylor Lovelace) pays tribute to one of the most defining artists of the 20th century, running Oct. 23 to 25.
Other Capitol favourites are back, with the Cabaret and Kitchen Party programs offered throughout the year in the Sculthorpe Theatre, the On Screen programming that features popular Met Opera programs, and other concerts on the main stage.
And Camp Capitol is back in the summer with three week-long offerings for kids aged eight to 15 – March 16-20, July 6-10 and July 13-17. Led by Kelly Perras, this program regularly sells out.
Both I'm Every Woman: The Whitney Houston Songbook and Farley Mowat's And No Birds Sang from the Music Lovers' Series were developed through the Capitol Creators' Unit, the theatre's home for new play development since 2023.
“At the Capitol, we believe in telling stories of our community for our community,” Kempson said in the announcement.
“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,” he stated.
“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.”
Subscription tickets for these productions are now on sale, with general-public tickets available in early 2026. For more details, visit https://capitoltheatre.com/
