GENEROUSLY SUPPORTED BY
The Brave New Works Festival is Theatre Aquarius’ annual new works showcase, dedicated to championing new Canadian plays. Selected works receive dramaturgical support, a professional reading, and the opportunity to engage with the artistic community through talkbacks and workshops.
This year, professional actors will read new plays out loud during the day while working with the playwright in real time. After working on the play during the day, it will be read out loud for an audience in the evening.
Admission to the readings is free.
Public reading in the Studio Theatre
In the Studio Theatre
Oct 1, 2025 to Oct 18, 2025
Nov 19, 2025 to Dec 21, 2025
Jan 21, 2026 to Feb 7, 2026
Mar 4, 2026 to Mar 21, 2026
Apr 22, 2026 to May 16, 2026
Step into a world of pure imagination at our Theatre School’s enchanting year-end show, The Wilderful World of Roald Dahl! Join us as our talented students bring to life beloved tales like Matilda, James and the Giant Peach, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, and more — each reimagined with their own creative twist. It’s an afternoon bursting with magic, mischief, and unforgettable characters that will delight audiences of all ages. Don’t miss this joyful celebration of storytelling, adventure, and young talent — a truly “wilderful” afternoon awaits!
Come and see what our 6 classes have been working on since January. Selections from Matilda, James and the Giant Peach, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and more!
Junior Showcase 12:00 PM
Once Upon a Stage: Charlie and the Chocolate Factory
Drama Dreamers: James and the Giant Peach
Showstoppers: Matilda
Senior Showcase 2:30 PM
Theatre Lab: Fantastic Mr. Fox
Spotlight Intensive: The Witches
Triple Threat Teens: The Life of Roald Dahl
General Admission Seating
Adults $20.00 • Seniors $10.00 • Children under 18 $10.00
Direction by Treasa Lavasseur, Katie Edwards, Skye Rogers, Andrea Runge, Amanda Hinkle-Wallace and Jody Boston.
gritLIT is thrilled to welcome R.F. Kuang to Theatre Aquarius in celebration of her new book, Katabasis.
Rebecca F. Kuang is the #1 New York Times and #1 Sunday Times bestselling author of the Poppy War trilogy, Babel: An Arcane History, and Yellowface. Her work has won the Nebula, Locus, Crawford, and British Book Awards. A Marshall Scholar, she has an MPhil in Chinese Studies from Cambridge and an MSc in Contemporary Chinese Studies from Oxford. She is now pursuing a PhD in East Asian Languages and Literatures at Yale, where she studies diaspora, contemporary Sinophone literature, and Asian American literature.
Upon purchase, guests will also have the opportunity to buy a signed deluxe limited edition copy of Katabasis. Available only on the first printing this collector’s hardcover features stenciled edges, case effects, and illustrated endpapers. Books will be pre-signed by the author.
A custom Canadian tour stamp will also be available on-site so attendees can add it to their books as a special keepsake of this exclusive event.
Additional copies of Katabasis, and other books by R.F. Kuang will be available for purchase at the event thanks to our bookstore partner Epic Books.
– #1 New York Times bestselling author, Leigh Bardugo
About Katabasis
DANTE’S INFERNO MEETS SUSANNA CLARKE’S PIRANESI in this DARK ACADEMIA FANTASY from R. F. KUANG, in which two graduate students must put aside their rivalry and journey to Hell to save their professor’s soul—perhaps at the cost of their own.
Katabasis, noun, Ancient Greek: The story of a hero’s descent to the underworld
– Rebecca Ross, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Divine Rivals
Breaking from the traditional mold of tribute and cover band shows, Neon Nostalgic is the world’s only live rock and roll show that syncs the band’s performance to the original, iconic music videos. In this day and age of social media, people expect more from a live performance and Neon Nostalgic delivers a show that appeals to all of the senses! Performed by musicians who have toured in over 15 countries around the world, Neon Nostalgic delivers an entertaining and high energy show that is built around interacting and engaging with the audience. The show has received rave reviews across North America and was dubbed ‘A musical and visual triumph’ by the Bermuda Sun, after a sold-out headline performance in Bermuda for New Years Eve in 2017. The show includes a vast array of more than 100 different covers from the 1980s to today. Prince, Bon Jovi, INXS, U2, Oasis, Pearl Jam, Michael Jackson, The Killers, Duran Duran, The Cure and many, many more.
Neon Nostalgic is considered one of the top nostalgia acts in the world. Recreating the soundtrack of your life, live on stage, with energy, world class musicianship and audience engagement, Neon Nostalgic has received rave reviews from audiences, promoters and critics alike.
TICKET PRICES INCLUDE HST & FEES
In support of
Sponsored by:
– Hard Rock Live
– The Bermuda Sun
A Fully Completely & Fabulously Canadian Musical Theatre Celebration
TICKETS – $350TABLE OF 10 – $3000
(Charitable receipt portion provided)
For more information, including tickets, tables and sponsorship opportunities, contact Suzanne Lanthier – slanthier@theatreaquarius.org
Wednesday, June 11 at 5:30 PM
Theatre Aquarius190 King William St, Hamilton
Playwright/Director/Performer
Jenna
GREAT THINGS TO COME
Check back soon
PRESENTING SPONSOR
MAPLE LEAF SPONSOR
HAMILTON PROUD SPONSORS
WINE PARTNER
CATERING PARTNER
Join us at Westinghouse HQ (286 Sanford Road) on April 2 as we welcome the creators, cast, and creative team who have travelled from across the country and celebrate the first day of rehearsals for Beautiful Scars!
Beginning at 7:00 PM in Sanford Hall, we’ll introduce you to Tom Wilson and Shaun Smyth, the writers of the new musical Beautiful Scars, our director, Mary Francis Moore, and other members of the creative team.
You’ll get a behind-the-scenes glimpse of the set and costume designs and be the first audience to hear songs from the show. You’ll meet some actors playing the characters in Beautiful Scars and get an exclusive chance to mingle with the creative and musical team behind the newest Canadian rock musical sensation.
Your $25 ticket includes complimentary sweet and savoury charcuterie. A cash bar will be available. Only 200 tickets for this WELCOME PARTY will be sold – so don’t delay!
Our Welcome Party host is Marie Phillips from Next Steps Planning with IPC Securities. The team at Next Steps Planning examines all aspects of your financial well-being – from evaluating your current state to understanding your dreams and aspirations – to build the plan that’s right for you.
Marie has been a fan of Tom Wilson’s music since the ’90s when she first discovered Junkhouse. Fast forward 20 years, when at Tom’s daughter Madeline’s invitation, she first sponsored Tom’s collaboration with Darcy Hepner and the Hamilton Philharmonic Orchestra, Symphonic Scars.
Marie has continued to champion Tom’s work, sponsoring Mohawk Symphony, a concert in honour of Bunny Wilson that supports the McMaster Indigenous Scholarship and showcasing his art in several pop-up art shows.
Westinghouse HQ286 Sanford Ave. NorthHamilton ON L8L 6A1
Tuesday, April 2 at 7:00 pm
HOSTED BY:
HOW WE GOT TO JERSEY: A TALE OF TWO FRANKIES
How We Got To Jersey: A Tale of Two Frankies is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to hear not one, but TWO Frankie Vallis in a showstopping concert revue that takes you behind the scenes of the blockbuster Boadway smash hit, Jersey Boys.
Find out how two small-town Canadian kids grew up to BOTH play a bonafide Rock-And-Roll Hall-Of-Fame superstar on stages around the world, to an audience of millions.
You’ll hear all your favourites from Jersey Boys, including SHERRY, WALK LIKE A MAN, BIG GIRLS, DON’T CRY, CAN’T TAKE MY EYES OFF OF YOU, plus deep-cut hits from Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons as Jeff and Adrian take you through the highs and lows, the fame and folly of playing one of the greatest legends of pop music who ever lived.
How We Got To Jersey has already vowed audiences at venues across Ontario, and is ready to send you wild with its blend of hot music, cool guys, a great story, a killer band, and photo-video projections that bring this globe-trotting story to life.
A fundraising event for Theatre Aquarius
Theatre Aquarius Mainstage190 King William St, Hamilton
gritLIT presents Margaret Atwood
gritLIT celebrates the beginning of its 20th Anniversary Festival with an evening with Canada’s most iconic author. Margaret Atwood shares stories from her long and celebrated career and discusses her latest work, Old Babes in the Wood.
Doors open at 6:00 PM, and the show starts at 7:00 PM. Please plan to arrive early. Due to the nature of this event, we may not be able to seat latecomers.
We invite you to stay after the show. The bar will be open, light refreshments available and the Epic Books table available for browsing *
This is also a great time to learn more about the rest of the 2024 gritLIT Readers & Writers Festival, as well as the final show of the Theatre Aquarius season, Beautiful Scars, written by and based on the memoir of noted Hamiltonian – and gritLIT presenter – Tom Wilson.
In partnership with Theatre Aquarius
April 9 at 7:00 pm
THE UNCOMFORTABLE PROJECT
Experience what audiences call “powerful,” “thrilling,” “moving” and “important.”
The Uncomfortable Project is an inter-arts dance show exploring the uncomfortable realities of inequality, systemic racism, misogyny, homophobia and other social justice issues through the lens of Hip-Hop. Through dance, live and recorded pieces of music and poetry, The Uncomfortable Project invites audiences to face the realities and experiences of marginalized people through the spoken and unspoken expression of dancers, poets and MCs.
CREATED AND DIRECTED BY JOSH TAYLOR
Assistant Director/Stage Manager: Alyssa Nedich
Choreography: Josh Taylor, Janessa Pudwell & Miguel Ramirez
Poetry: Josh Taylor and Fareh Malik
Featuring original live music from Elley Jeeze, original audio Leon ‘Eklipz’ Robinson
Dancers: Alexi Menjivar, Amelia Menjivar, Brian Estime, Emilie Pires, Chantal Carillo, Claris Menjivar, Dylan Vandemaele, Janessa Pudwell, Jade Jager Clark, Jordan Barrack, Jenna Harris, Josh Taylor, Tyrell Black
Care Coordinator: Veronica Taylor
February 1, 2, & 3 at 7:30 pm
The HAAC Studio Theatre190 King William St, Hamilton
ADVISORY
This show contains mature themes of racism, race-based violence, misogyny, misogynoir, homophobia, transphobia, and explicit language, including racial and homophobic slurs.
16+ Parental discretion is strongly advised
Shot by Zary Photography
Edited by Josh Taylor
Cast featured: Fareh Malik, Elley Jeeze, Alexi Menjivar, Amelia Menjivar, Brian Estime, Emilie Pires, Chantal Carillo, Chris Duarte, Claris Menjivar, Dylan Vandemaele, Janessa Pudwell, Jordan Barrack, Jade Jager Clark, Jenna Harris, Josh Taylor, Tyrell Black, Vince Magcalas
BUDDY HOLLY’S ROCKIN’ PARTY
WE’VE ADDED A SECOND SHOW DUE TO POPULAR DEMAND!
Hamilton’s own Jeff Giles made his professional debut on the Aquarius stage when he was barely a teenager, but Hamilton audiences may best remember him as Rock & Roll pioneer Buddy Holly in Theatre Aquarius’ smash-hit production of Buddy: The Buddy Holly Story, which broke box office records, saw rave reviews, and had audiences dancing in the aisles night after night.
Since then, Jeff’s kept the party going across Canada, in the U.S., and in Europe, sharing his love of Rock & Roll’s golden era alongside some of the world’s best entertainers. And now, Jeff is bringing Buddy Holly back to the Aquarius stage for a very special performance, complete with special guests and backed by a hotshot band featuring some of the area’s finest musicians.
So get ready to clap your hands, laugh, bop and sing along to the music of Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens, Dion and more! Buddy Holly’s Rockin’ Party is a fun filled evening for the whole family. And remember…dancing in the aisles is encouraged!
A fundraising event for Theatre Aquarius’ 50th Season
SECOND SHOW ADDED!
March 26 & 27, 7:30pm