Celebrate the season with Norm Foster Christmas Show

Ethan Claymore’s Christmas

Upper Canada Playhouse audiences can expect a very special and entertaining gift for Christmas this year – a new Norm Foster comedy written especially for the Yuletide Season.

Ethan Claymore’s Christmas is filled with all those things that make for a wonderful theatre experience – an engaging story, unforgettable characters and tonnes of humour and heart. And since it’s the holiday season, the laughs and magic will be a plenty! Foster has recently remarked that Christmas is his favourite time of the year. So Canada’s favourite playwright has conceived a show that will spread cheer, laughter and intrigue from November 28th through December 15th.

The play centres around Ethan Claymore, a recently widowed and struggling egg farmer, who is down on his luck and largely keeps to himself. That is until Douglas McClaren, a nosey yet well-meaning neighbour, pays him a visit. He encourages him to get into the Christmas spirit, get out and about to socialize with the townsfolk and meet Teresa Pike, the new teacher in town.

But that’s not the only visitor Ethan gets. Since it’s a Christmas story, you might expect a ghost to make an appearance. And you’d be right. Ethan is paid a visit from the ghost of his recently deceased and witty brother, Martin, who arrives to settle a score that has alienated the two of them their whole lives. Ethan’s attempts to deal with this wise-cracking Christmas spirit are both hilarious and poignant. Flashbacks to their childhood give Ethan and the audience a chance to witness first-hand what caused the brothers to be estranged.

Playing Ethan is Jesse Collins who is no stranger to performing in and directing Foster’s comedies. Collins has directed several productions for The Playhouse including The Affections of May, Bedtime Stories, The Ladies Foursome, Halfway There, Dean and Jerry-What Might Have Been and this season’s Where You Are and Same Time Next Year. He is Artistic Director of Orillia Opera House and has had a successful TV and film career winning an Emmy Nomination and also starring in the 5-season CTV series Katts and Dog. Playing the sharp-tongued Martin is Jamie Williams who recently starred in The Playhouse’s production of Lunenburg. Williams has also appeared in a host of Foster plays such as Bedtime Stories, The Affections of May and Halfway There, plus the hilarious Ray Cooney farces Run For Your Wife and It Runs in the Family. He also wrote and directed the premiere of last year’s comedy It’s Your Funeral.

Neighbour Douglas McClaren is played by Sweeney MacArthur who has entertained audiences in The Christmas Express, The Foursome, Looking and many other Playhouse productions. MacArthur also appeared in a long run of Mama Mia for Mirvish productions and just returned from an appearance at Magnus Theatre in Thunder Bay.

Viviana Zarrillo, known to audiences for her recent starring performances Same Time, Next Year, Plaza Suite, Last of The Red Hot Lovers and Whose Wives Are They Anyway, returns to play Teresa Pike. Zarrillo has appeared at major theatres across the country including Shaw Festival, Magnus Theatre and Sudbury Theatre Centre to name a few.

The flashback scene character of Young Martin is played by local actor Gavin Veinotte, who was seen in the Playhouse Christmas show Miracle on 34th Street. Sharing the role of Young Ethan are local actors Jack Peets, who has appeared in several Playhouse Theatre School productions and newcomer to the Playhouse stage, Liam McMahon.

Directed by Donnie Bowes and designed by Sean Free, Ethan Claymore’s Christmas is appropriate for adults and children 10 years and up.

Show Information

Ethan Claymore’s Christmas runs from November 28th to December 15th with 2 pm and 8 pm show times. There are still School Performance seats available. For more information, please call 613-543-3713 or 1-877-550-3650 or visit www.uppercanadaplayhouse.com.

For information on tickets and to book online, please click here.

About the Upper Canada Playhouse

Upper Canada Playhouse is one of Eastern Ontario’s most successful professional theatre companies, with over 3 decades of operation. The Playhouse is located in a former Toothbrush and Argyle Sock Factory, converted to a charming, intimate, climate-controlled, accessible and totally-equipped theatre with plenty of parking, licensed canteen and state of the art seating where everyone’s close to the action.

Located in the quaint village of Morrisburg, on the picturesque St. Lawrence River, the theatre is easily accessible from the 750 Exit of Highway 401, midway between Cornwall and Brockville and in close proximity to northern New York State and the major centres of Ottawa and Montreal.

For more information, please click here.

Additional Events

Looking for other fun things to do in the area? Make sure to check out our Events page for info on upcoming events in Cornwall and SDG Counties.

Dine with us!

From casual to fine dining, local favourites to tastes from around the world, Cornwall has something for everyone. Check out one of our many great restaurants during your visit! For more information, please click here.

Accommodations

Make a night of it and stay in Cornwall! There are a variety of amazing accommodations, from cozy bed and breakfasts to full-service hotels. For more information, please click here.

Visit Cornwall!

Do you have other questions? Cornwall Tourism can help. Email us at info@cornwalltourism.com to request a copy of our Visitor Guide or contact us at (613) 938-4748. You can also stop by the Cornwall Tourism office at the Cornwall Civic Complex (100 Water Street). The office is open Monday to Friday from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm – we would be happy to answer your questions and provide you with recommendations and information to make your visit to Cornwall even more memorable!

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