Calendar :: Grand Theatre Presents

About Opening Night with Leahy

The 2009-2010 season opens with Canada's treasured musical ensemble of brothers and sisters. A powerhouse of instrumentalists, dancers and singers, the award-winning Leahy will deliver a volcanic explosion of talent and energy, intense emotion, and untamed passion.

Series sponsor: Assurant Solutions

Join us for the Grand Theatre Opening Night Celebration before the Leahy performance! Doors open at 7:00 pm. Please R.S.V.P. by calling the Box Office at 613-530-2050.

About Classic Albums Live Presents: The Who: Who's Next

The incredibly popular Classic Albums Live series opens with one of The Who's legendary albums. Released in 1971, Who's Next features "Baba O'Riley", "Bargain", "Behind Blue Eyes", and the closing track "Won't Get Fooled Again". "...it's all in the details for this ensemble of musicians — every song is played with such precision that even die-hard fans are hard pressed to tell the difference..." — Paul Wiggins

Series sponsor: Bell World Kingston

About Oliver Jones and Ranee Lee

Canadian jazz legend and three-time Juno award winner Oliver Jones and his trio join the renowned jazz vocalist Ranee Lee. This acclaimed duo has been performing together for over twenty years and the fusion of Jones's crisp cascades on the piano and Lee's sensual vocals will open the new Jazz series on a high note.

This performance features tracks from their latest award-winning album Just You, Just Me, including "Autumn Leaves", "Sister Sadie", the title track and more.

Part of the 2009 Kingston Jazz Festival.

About The Backyardigans: Sea Deep in Adventure

Who explores a coral reef, plays in an octopus's garden, and joins the jellyfish ballet ... all before snack time? The Backyardigans! Pablo, Tyrone, Tasha, Uniqua and Austin are back on stage, singing, dancing, as they plunge sea deep in adventure. Dive into the action as the five friends explore clues, discover underwater magic, and match wits with an all-too-tidy octopus and a pair of playful (but messy!) dolphins. And with a splashy range of song-and-dance styles — including psychedelic soul, Bollywood, bossa nova, and more — our heroes save the day. Considered by many parents to the best children's live show in the Esplanade, The Backyardigans return! With non-stop excitement and surprise, this watery tale will mesmerise, entertain and delight audiences of all ages!

Join us one hour before each show for free activities in the lobby. Fun for the whole family!

Series Sponsor: Canadian Tire Cataraqui

About Camelot

Direct from NYC! The Broadway Series opens with this sumptuous tale set in a land where honour and chivalry reign, following the love triangle of King Arthur, his Queen Guenevere and the young Lancelot. This timeless classic features "If Ever Would I Leave You", "Follow Me" and "I Loved You Once in Silence".

Series Sponsor: Empire Life

About Montreal Guitar Trio

Three of the world's top guitarists will perform a program across all genres of music — from film music to opera, oriental legend to Brazilian story, flamenco to Celtic reel. Don't miss the flying fingers of "the hottest guitar ensemble in Canada." — CBC Radio

Series Sponsor: Jensen Building Ltd.

Performance Sponsor: Mackillop Law

About Garth Fagan Dance

Garth Fagan Dance, now in its 37th season, is at the top of its profession. The Tony Award-winning choreographer of Broadway's The Lion King will mesmerize audiences with a mix of modern dance, the energy of Afro-Caribbean forms, balletic speed and precision and rule breaking spatial experimentation.
"Consider the Fagan program a prime example of the versatility and sophistication of concert dance in this new century." — Los Angeles Times

You can visit the Garth Fagan Dance website.

About Afro-Cuban All Stars

Spanning musicians from four generations, with members aged 13 to 81, Afro Cuban All Stars leapt onto the international music scene with the 1997 release of A Toda Cuba Le Gusta , recorded in the Buena Vista Social Club sessions. Juan de Marcos González will lead this ensemble in a performance of many styles of Cuban music, including bolero, chachachá, salsa, son montuno, timba, guajira, danzón, rumba and abakua.

For more pictures and music check out their official website.

About Classic Albums Live Presents: Led Zeppelin I

The debut album of one of the world's top rock bands will be recreated live on stage. Forty years after its release, fans still rock out to "Communication Breakdown", "Dazed and Confused" and "Good Times Bad Times". "The execution of the six people was flawless note for note. You could close your eyes and hear the actual album, and you could open them and see a live band executing it perfectly." — The Daily Gleaner

Series Sponsor: Bell World Kingston

Performance Sponsor: Chez Piggy

For more news, pictures, music and photos, check out Classic Albums Live on the web.

About Barrage

If you loved Bowfire last season, then don't miss Barrage! A high-octane fiddle-fest that features an international, multi-talented cast performing an eclectic mix of music, song and dance. The music of Barrage continues to evolve, combining contemporary world music influences, layered vocal arrangements and pulsating modern beats and rhythms. The cast delivers the show with amazing energy and musical virtuosity that will take your breath away. "Barrage is too Wow for Words!" — Denver Post

Learn more about the show and its performers at the official website!

The Salvation Army In Partnership with The Grand Theatre for the Annual Christmas Food Drive!
Please help us help others!
Donations of non-perishable food items at this event will help The Salvation Army reach out to those in need in our community.
Together we can make a difference!

Series Sponsor: Assurant Solutions

About Yamato: The Drummers of Japan

Exuberantly loud, boisterously active and frenetically energetic, this premier taiko drum ensemble blends theatre and musical arts into a performance of tightly synchronized percussion and expressive solos. Besides using several dozen drums of different sizes, this innovative group performs on such traditional instruments as the bamboo flute, koto, and shamisen. Formed in 1993, Yamato has toured the world with its exciting and highly physical exploration of the true universal language-the rhythmic beat of the drum.

The Salvation Army In Partnership with The Grand Theatre for the Annual Christmas Food Drive!
Please help us help others!
Donations of non-perishable food items at this event will help The Salvation Army reach out to those in need in our community.
Together we can make a difference!

To find out more about the lifestyles, the show itself, and for access to video links visit the Drummers of Japan online!

About The Very Hungry Caterpillar and Other Favorites

Giant puppets that glow under black lights will delight! Included in this show are the stories of The Very Hungry Caterpillar, the fanciful account of Little Cloud's travels through the sky; and The Mixed-Up Chameleon's discovery of his own unique nature. Watch a giant cutout of the ravenous larva munch his way to his beautiful butterfly metamorphosis! This production will encourage literacy and the love of reading, and has acquainted thousands of young people and their parents with the excitement of live performance.

Join us one hour before the show for free activities in the lobby. Fun for the whole family!

The Salvation Army In Partnership with The Grand Theatre for the Annual Christmas Food Drive!
Please help us help others!
Donations of non-perishable food items at this event will help The Salvation Army reach out to those in need in our community.
Together we can make a difference!

To refresh your memory of this telling tale here's a rendition on YouTube.

Series Sponsor: Canadian Tire Cataraqui

About Blind Boys of Alabama

These five-time Grammy award-winners have been performing for 70 years, with a mix of gospel and secular music. This performance will highlight selections from their latest album, Down in New Orleans."A superweapon of roots-music uplift..." — Rolling Stone

Check this out for information about the group, upcoming shows, merchandise, videos and music links!

The Salvation Army In Partnership with The Grand Theatre for the Annual Christmas Food Drive!
Please help us help others!
Donations of non-perishable food items at this event will help The Salvation Army reach out to those in need in our community.
Together we can make a difference!

Series Sponsor: Assurant Solutions

About Black Umfolosi

The group much loved around the world, offer its sweet sounds of acapella with marvellous harmonies and gospel singing, as well as their captivating dancing including the gumboot dancing of South Africa. Black Umfolosi delivers its performance with fun and joyful enthusiasm and this bare-torsoed, hard-hatted group, never fail to captivate its audience. "...extraordinary exuberant dancers...stunning, colourful and one hundred and one percent engaging..." — The Scotsman

The Salvation Army In Partnership with The Grand Theatre for the Annyal Christmas Food Drive!
Please help us help others!
Donations of non-perishable food items at this event will help The Salvation Army reach out to those in need in our community.
Together we can make a difference!

World Rhythms Series Radio Partner: 98.3 FLY-FM

About Dianne Reeves

One of the premier jazz and blues vocalists in the world today, this four-time Grammy Award winner makes her Kingston debut with a special holiday performance. Ms. Reeves will spread the festive spirit with selections like "The Christmas Song", "Carol of the Bells", "Let It Snow", as well as tracks from her latest album, When You Know.

For more music and media on Dianne Reeves check out her website.

The Salvation Army In Partnership with The Grand Theatre for the Annual Christmas Food Drive!
Please help us help others!
Donations of non-perishable food items at this event will help The Salvation Army reach out to those in need in our community.
Together we can make a difference!

Performance sponsor: CIBC Wood Gundy

Performance radio partner: 98.3 FLY FM

About Classic Albums Live Presents: A Very Lennon Christmas

A holiday show for the rest of us! Classic Albums Live presents: A Very Lennon Christmas: Imagine There's No Hunger is a special concert in the Classic Albums Live series that has touched the hearts, souls and imaginations of all who have heard and experienced this performance. Highlights include "Happy Christmas (War is Over)", "Revolution" "Give Peace a Chance" and "Imagine".

For show schedules and more information check out Classic Albums Live on the web.

Series Sponsor: Bell World Kingston

The Salvation Army In Partnership with The Grand Theatre for the Annual Christmas Food Drive!
Please help us help others!
Donations of non-perishable food items at this event will help The Salvation Army reach out to those in need in our community.
Together we can make a difference!

Performance Sponsor: Kingston Community Credit Union

About Ballet Jörgen

Bring your children and grandchildren to this holiday classic. Created by the acclaimed choreographer Bengt Jörgen to Tchaikovsky's well-loved score, this breathtaking interpretation features professional dancers performing through the beauty of Canada's north. With backdrops from Canada's Group of Seven, this memorable performance will transport audiences of all ages into a magical wintery wonderland.

To learn of the performance schedule, repertoire, and the dancers of this innovative, warm, and beautiful Canadian Ballet company visit them online.

The Salvation Army In Partnership with The Grand Theatre for the Annual Christmas Food Drive!
Please help us help others!
Donations of non-perishable food items at this event will help The Salvation Army reach out to those in need in our community.
Together we can make a difference!

Event Sponsor: Empire Life

About Hairspray

Broadway's Tony® Award-winning musical-comedy phenomenon takes you back to 1962 Baltimore, as 16-year old Tracy Turnblad sets out to dance her way onto TV's most popular show. Can a big girl with big dreams — and even bigger hair! — change the world ... and still have time to win the boy she loves?

This mega-hit is piled bouffant high with laughter and romance — and enough deliriously tuneful new songs to fill a nonstop platter party. It's the winner of eight 2003 Tony® Awards, including Best Musical.

"IRRESISTIBLE! If life were everything it should be, it would be more like "Hairspray". Stocked with canny, deliriously tuneful songs and the freshest array of young singers and dancers since "Rent", "Hairspray" succeeds in recreating the pleasures of old-fashioned musical comedy without seeming old-fashioned."
— Ben Brantley, The New York Times

Visit the official Hairspray website.

You can become a fan on Facebook.

Series Sponsor: Empire Life

This performance of Hairspray is part of artignite a celebration of art in all forms: more than 40 performances, events, exhibits and happenings across Kingston from Jan 29 to Feb 14. Visit queensu.ca/artignite for the full calendar of events.

About La Pieta

One of Canada's most prominent virtuoso violinists, Angèle Dubeau and her all-female string ensemble La Pieta present a unique spin on classical music will impress and delight any music lover. "This ensemble has everything. Lyricism? Got it. Excitement? Got it. Style? Got it. Élan? Got it. Enthusiasm? Got it. It's the hottest chamber ensemble around." — Soundstage

Polka ALFRED SCHNITTKE (arr. Sergei Dreznin)
Overture: "The Beauty and the Beast" PHILIP GLASS
Sarabande G.F. HAENDEL
Romanian Folk Dances BELA BARTOK
Gallop of a Thousand Horses KAYHAN KALHOR
Kamendja CLAUDE GAGNON (orch. Gilles Ouellet)
Arabesque, "Gypsy Heart" CHRISTOS HATZIS
Circus Fantasy ISAAK DUNAYEVSKY (arr. Sergei Dreznin)
Overture: "Orphée aux Enfers " JACQUES OFFENBACH - BINDER (arr .L-A Baril)

Series Sponsor: Jensen Building Ltd.

Performance Sponsor: Stan and Marie Rose Gibson

This performance of La Pieta is part of artignite, a celebration of art in all forms: more than 40 performances, events, exhibits and happenings across Kingston from Jan 29 to Feb 14. Visit queensu.ca/artignite for the full calendar of events.

About Coleman Lemieux & Compagnie

The internationally renowned dance ensemble feature their latest collaborative project with a performance entirely choreographed by former Artistic Director of the National Ballet of Canada, James Kudelka. Fifteen Heterosexual Duets features duos that are "remarkable for their fluency and variety" (The Globe and Mail,Toronto), The performance continues with Soudain, l'hiver dernier, a stunning male duet to the music of Gavin Bryars — a performance that is sure to leave the spectator once again "spellbound by the emotional drama on the stage" (The Gazette, Montreal). Let yourself be swept up in the swirling, hypnotic work In Paradisum, a masterpiece of emotional power and technical brilliance.

To see video excerpts of In Paradisum visit the Coleman Lemieux & Companie website.

This performance of In Paradisum is part of artignite, a celebration of art in all forms: more than 40 performances, events, exhibits and happenings across Kingston from Jan 29 to Feb 14. Visit queensu.ca/artignite for the full calendar of events.

About Classic Albums Live Presents: Supertramp's Crime of the Century

Crime of the Century, Supertramp's third album release, with the classic tracks "Bloody Well Right", "Asylum" and "Dreamer," marked the beginning of a long and illustrious career for a band that originally came together through the 'Musicians Wanted' section of a British paper. Experience the keyboard-powered and sax-coloured progressive pop sounds recreated live.

For more information visit Classic Albums Live online!

Series Sponsor: Bell World Kingston

About New Shanghai Circus

Astonishing athletes defy gravity and execute breathtaking feats as they stretch the limits of human ability in this spellbinding show. Fearless performers with boundless energy bring you more than two thousand years of Chinese circus traditions. If it's humanly possible-and even if it's not! - Shanghai's acrobats, jugglers and contortionist do it with spectacular flair. "Show-stopping rarities of daunting difficulty" — Los Angeles Times

For info, video links, and performance schedules visit New Shanghai Circus online.

Performance Sponsor: Braebury Homes

About The Art of Time Ensemble, Featuring Steven Page

Hailed as "chamber's engaging new hope" (William Littler, Toronto Star), Art of Time Ensemble was formed in 1998 by pianist Andrew Burashko. It is a collective that comprises some of the most unsurpassed classical and jazz musicians in Canada. Featuring Canadian musical icon Steven Page, this performance is an eclectic blend of classical, world and contemporary music and promises to deliver "...a program full of surprises, fine performances and at least one transcendental moment of great beauty." — Robert Harris,Globe & Mail

Series Sponsor: Jensen Building Ltd.

Performance Sponsor: Stan and Marie Rose Gibson

About Lizt Alfonso Dance Cuba

The all-female company of beautiful and technically superb dancers performs "with amazing unanimity" (New York Times) and with "sheer technical finesse" (Chicago Sun-Times) under the inspired creative direction of dancer-choregrapher Lizt Alfonso. Dance Cuba fuses the rapidly clacking heels of the flamenco, with the flowing grace of classical ballet, added to the hot passion of Afro-Cuban dance with a touch of jazz featuring live musicians. Altogether it is exciting, riveting — and highly sensual. And as the dance critic in El Paso TX said: "If you ever get a chance to see this company, jump on it!"

For more information visit Lizt Alfonso Company Website.

Performance Sponsor: Regina and Irving Rosen

About Théâtre de l'OEil

A zany mystery with a musical comic-strip twist! With a set in the form of a fairground stall which can be transformed at will, the actors and puppets, giant or tiny, try to outwit each other as they act, sing and dance their way through this zany yet tender "cow"mical story.

Join us one hour before each show for free activities in the Lobby. Fun for the whole family!

Series Sponsor: Canadian Tire Cataraqui

About The Wedding Singer

Broadway's hit romantic musical comedy, The Wedding Singer is based on the 1998 film with Drew Barrymore and Adam Sandler. With a score that pays loving homage to the 80s, take a nostalgic look back to a time when hair was big, greed was good, collars were up and a wedding singer might just be the coolest guy in the room. "I haven't seen an audience have this much fun since Mamma Mia. AWESOME!" — People Magazine

All ticket buyers are invited for a free Retro Tuesday party starting at 6pm. The Davies Lounge will come alive with the sounds of our favourite decade with DJ Chico, and best 80s costume will win an overnight stay at the Four Points Sheraton or the Ambassador Resort Hotel. Dig out your leg warmers and acid washed jeans and join Kornicky from K-Rock 105.7 for this wicked party!

You can follow the "Wedding Singer 2009-2010 Tour" on Facebook!

For photos, downloads and fun stuff visit the official site.

Series Sponsor: Empire Life

Radio Sponsor: K-Rock 105.7

About Inti-illimani

In 1973, while on tour in Europe, this young Chilean musical group learned that dictator Augusto Pinochet had come into power and these six young musicians found themselves in political exile. Italy became their home for the next 14 years, where they managed to not only stay together, but flourish, as a group. Although a difficult and unlikely success, the experience broadened Inti's exposure to different musical forms and styles, adding depth and complexity to their already rich texture of sounds and stories from their indigenous cultures. Today, they produce an original fusion of Latin American, jazz, Afro-Latin and Italian/European sounds.

For artist biographies and more photos visit Inti-illimani online.

Series Sponsor: Assurant Solutions

About Brad Mehldau Trio

World-class jazz will grace the Grand stage with the expressive, vivid and spontaneous sounds of the Brad Mehldau Trio. This two-time Grammy-nominated trio features Mehldau on piano, Larry Grenadier on bass and drummer Jeff Ballard. This ensemble fuses jazz, classical and rock to produce an exceptional sound experience. "Universally admired as one of the most adventurous pianists to arrive on the scene in years." — Los Angeles Times

For news, music, and media information visit the Brad Mehldau Trio online.

About Aszure Barton & Artists

One of Canada's most talented young choreographers, Aszure Barton is rapidly carving out a place for herself on the international dance scene. She founded the acclaimed company "Aszure Barton and Artists" in 2002, and has toured the world with her striking choreography inspired from classical ballet to contemporary dance. "The brilliant New York-based Barton produces delectable works that are quirky, deep, cheeky and poignant." — Globe and Mail

To learn more visit Aszure Barton & Artists online.

Read the Toronto Star's excellent article detailing Ms. Barton's collboration with the National Ballet of Canada.

About J.R.R. Tolkien's the Hobbit: Théâtre Sans Fil

This renowned company from Montreal, whose name means "theatre without strings", will mesmerize audiences with life-size puppets, black lights, and lasers. For Tolkien's adventures of Bilbo Baggins, the wizard Gandalf and their dwarf friends, Théâtre Sans uses dozens of huge puppets to create a fantastic display with magical effects.

Join us one hour before each show for free activities in the Lobby. Fun for the whole family!

Series sponsor: Canadian Tire Cataraqui

Reminder: Infants and our ticket policy: All patrons, regardless of age, must have a ticket. As a courtesy to other audience members, please use discretion if bringing a young child to an evening performance. [More about our policies.]

About Cabaret

"Wilkommen!, Bienvenue!, Welcome!", sings the emcee of the Kit Kat Club through painted lips, as the people of 1929 Berlin join him. Whatever your troubles, you will forget them at the Cabaret. The 12-time Tony Award winner including Best Musical and Best Revival, memorable tunes from this hit show include "It Couldn't Please Me More", "Wilkommen", "Cabaret", "Don't Tell Mama" and "Two Ladies".

Series sponsor: Empire Life