The Port Stanley Festival Theatre is kicking off what Artistic Director Liz Gilroy calls a “hysterical and fast” 2025 summer season this month, packed with comedies, music, and a powerful world premiere.
Running May 21st through September, the new season features a dynamic lineup of six mainstage productions, Musical Mondays on the waterfront patio, Talk Back Tuesdays, and—for the first time ever—ASL-interpreted performances.
The season launches with Dump Guys, a heartfelt comedy by former Artistic Director Simon Joynes. He wrote the play for his best friend and frequent collaborator Murray Furrow, who will direct the production.
The story follows former high school friends Dwayne and Ted, brought back together to clean up a town dump after the death of the woman who once came between them. The play is a comedic but emotional exploration of friendship, loss, and forgiveness—told from the male perspective.
Following Dump Guys, the season continues with Opry Gold—a toe-tapping musical tribute to Grand Ole Opry legends—and Norm Foster’s retirement-home romp, Doris and Ivy in the Home.
Sophia Fabiilli’s Liars at a Funeral, directed by former New York City Rockette Julie Tomaino, brings a high-speed farce to the stage with five actors playing nine roles.
In August, The Kitchen Witches and their live cooking show gone hilariously wrong takes the stage, and it’s one you’re not going to want to miss shares Gilroy.
Rounding out the summer is goldfish, a world premiere by Steve Ross. The play offers humor and heart while delicately exploring themes like dementia, transgender identity, and suicide. “That sounds heavy, but I promise—it’s funny too,” Gilroy noted.
The theatre will also be hosting two ASL-interpreted performances of goldfish, a first for PSFT.
This year, all evening performances will begin at 7:30 p.m., aligning with other summer theatres in Ontario notes Gilroy.
Musical Mondays return to the patio overlooking the harbor, featuring local talent and sunset views. Talk Back Tuesdays is new and will offer audiences a chance to meet the cast and ask questions after select shows.
“We’re still selling subscriptions until June, and interest is up from last year,” Gilroy added. “People are coming back. After everything that’s happened since 2019, there’s this hunger for the collective experience of live theatre.”
Tickets are available at www.psft.ca or through the box office at 519-782-4353.
Written by: K. Freeman
