2024/2025 Slam Dunk Season

HAMILTON, ON — Artistic Director Mary Francis Moore and Executive Director Kelly Straughan announced Theatre Aquarius’ 2024/2025 season to an enthusiastic crowd at the first preview performance of Shirley Valentine on Wednesday evening. “We’ve come to play in our 51st season. Our all-star lineup has it all: clever comedy, biting satire, full-course fun, heart-mending humanity and lavish musicals,” said Moore. “We’ve assembled a dream team that reflects our world-class theatre and the calibre of the plays, and we’re excited to share more details in the coming months,” added Straughan. “We’re honoured to co-produce with Alberta Theatre Projects and The Royal Manitoba Theatre Centre and welcome Crow’s Theatre back to Hamilton.”

Billed as a “Slam Dunk,” the 51st season opens with Rajiv Joseph’s critically acclaimed comedy King James, in association with Alberta Theatre Projects. Told over twelve years, from LeBron James’ rookie season to an NBA Championship, King James is an intimate exploration of the place sports occupy in our lives and relationships. Crow’s Theatre returns to Theatre Aquarius after the successful run of Uncle Vanya in January 2024 with another smash hit, The Master Plan. Written by Michael Healey, The Master Plan is a biting satire about the stunning failure to build a smart city in Toronto. Adapted from award-winning writer and The Globe and Mail journalist Josh O’Kane’s best-selling book, Sideways: The City Google Couldn’t Buy, The Master Plan lampoons the corporate drama, epic personalities and iconic Canadian figures involved in the messy affair between Sidewalk Labs and Waterfront Toronto.

Mary Francis Moore will grant the wish of family theatregoers with the lavish spectacle A Christmas Story, The Musical, which she will direct. The musical is based on the famous Christmas movie favourite of the same name with a book by Joseph Robinette and music and lyrics by the powerhouse team behind Dear Evan Hansen, Benj Pasek and Justin Paul. It’s a package of naughty and nice nostalgia to warm up audiences of all ages on even the coldest winter night.

Inspired by Princess Diana’s historic visit to Toronto’s Casey House in 1991, Nick Green‘s Casey and Diana is a tremendously moving portrait of the men at the heart of the AIDS crisis and their devoted caretakers. A co-production with The Royal Manitoba Theatre Centre, Casey and Diana is one of this generation’s most talked-about new Canadian works. Fully Committed is a devastatingly funny one-act comedy that follows a day in the life of an out-of-work actor, Sam Peliczowski, who works at the red-hot reservation line at Manhattan’s number-one restaurant. Written by Becky Mode, the satire pokes fun at all the wannabes that coerce, threaten and bribe Sam to get the best seat in the house.

Closing out the slam dunk season is the irresistible Broadway musical Waitress, with a book by Jessie Nelson and music and lyrics by Grammy award-winner Sara Bareilles, based on the motion picture written by Adrienne Shelly. Waitress celebrates the power of friendship, dreams, the family we choose and the beauty of a well-baked pie. Audiences will leave Theatre Aquarius at the end of the season feeling full of the region’s best theatre. Moore and Straughan look forward to welcoming returning patrons and are eager to share the 2024/2025 season with new audiences. “We have it all: exceptional plays, stunning designs, beautiful music, and top-notch players from coast to coast to coast that bring their A-game to Theatre Aquarius. Find it all right here in Hamilton!”

2024/2025 SLAM DUNK SEASON

King James
By Rajiv Joseph
In association with Alberta Theatre Projects
September 25 – October 12, 2024

The Master Plan
A Crow’s Theatre Production
Written by Michael Healey
Based on the award-winning book Sideways: The City Google Couldn’t Buy by Josh O’Kane
October 30 – November 16, 2024

A Christmas Story, The Musical
Book by Joseph Robinette. Music and lyrics by Benj Pasek and Justin Paul
December 4 – December 21, 2024

Casey and Diana
By Nick Green
A co-production with The Royal Manitoba Theatre Centre
February 19 – March 8, 2025

Fully Committed
By Becky Mode
March 26 – April 12, 2025

Waitress
Book by Jessie Nelson
Music and Lyrics by Sara Bareilles
Based on the motion picture written by Adrienne Shelly
April 30 – May 17, 2025

Subscribers can renew their seats until May 11, 2024. New Subscription are on sale by calling or visiting the Box Office. Single tickets go on sale July 8, 2024.

Theatre Aquarius Box Office
190 King William St, Hamilton, ON L8R 1A8
905-522-7529
boxoffice@theatreaquarius.org
www.theatreaquarius.org

For more information and to arrange interviews, contact:
Neal Miller
Director of Marketing and Communications
nmiller@theatreaquarius.org