The Capitol Theatre in Port Hope has announced an ambitious 2026 season called Where Our Stories Begin – a year Artistic Director Rob Kempson says is all about celebrating Canadian creativity and community connection.
The season features 10 Canadian productions, three world premieres, and the blockbuster summer musical Come From Away. Kempson says the new lineup reflects the theatre’s identity and ambition to reach a wider audience.
In programming next year’s line up, Kempson says he works to respond to the conversations that are happening in our world, without being so far ahead in his thinking that he loses track of what’s happening right now. The 2026 season features 11 productions-10 of which are Canadian.
Kempson says this season stands apart from other theatres across the country for its strong Canadian representation.
The Capitol will also present a record three world premieres, including Chris Tsujiuchi’s Big Gay Cabaret, Born to Be Bad: The Villains of Broadway, and Farley Mowat’s And No Birds Sang.
Anchoring the season will be Come From Away, the Broadway sensation by Canadian writers Irene Sankoff and David Hein. The award-winning musical tells the true story of the 7,000 airline passengers diverted to Gander, Newfoundland, during the 9/11 attacks — and the extraordinary compassion shown by the small town that welcomed them.
In addition to Come From Away and You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown, the Capitol’s 2026 Mainstage lineup will include Liars at a Funeral, Gaslight, and the world premiere holiday panto RED!…a Big Bad Wolf Panto.
The Second Stage Series will feature Chris Tsujiuchi’s Big Gay Cabaret, Born to be Bad: The Villains of Broadway, and Farley Mowat’s And No Birds Sang. The Music Lovers’ Series includes Heartbreak Hits: Billboard in Concert, Tom Thomson’s Wake, and I’m Every Woman: The Whitney Houston Songbook.
Subscriptions for the 2026 season are now available, with single tickets going on sale early next year.
Visit CapitolTheatre.com for details.
(Written by: Joseph Goden)
