DAY TRIPS TO SUMMER THEATRES IN EASTERN ONTARIO By Ken Harley

Ken and Maxine Harley

Maxine and I have, over the past few summers, enjoyed traveling to some of the many summer theatre venues in Eastern Ontario. One particular attraction is that most companies offer afternoon performances, which means we can enjoy a pleasant country drive to the theatre, perhaps stopping in at one of the Historical Sites mentioned elsewhere in this series, enjoy a unique lunch, take in a good show and then arrive back home before the sun is down! You can also do the Historical visit, attend the theatre, and then enjoy a pleasant dinner; heading for home or spending the night in one of the many B&B’s that dot the countryside, as you wish.

Whatever your preference, listed below in no particular order are some of the Theatre companies we have enjoyed. We hope you enjoy this activity as much as we have.

Upper Canada Playhouse is located in Morrisburg, ON; right on the St Lawrence Seaway. The playbill is available at this link for the website and telephone is 1-877-550-3650. From Ottawa either take Hwy. 416 south and exit heading east toward Montreal on Hwy 401 and watch for exit 750. Head South on exit 750 to Hwy #2. The theater is located on the south side of Highway #2, just west of the junction of Hwy #2 and Hwy #31; or, for a more leisurely drive, take Bank Street south - it becomes Hwy #31 to Morrisburg. At the junction of Hwy. # 2 you will see the theatre just on your right. It is adorned with one of the murals described in Tour 10 of our series. Tour 10 also provides a good sampling of other points of interest in and around Morrisburg, as well as suggested dining places.

Thousand Island Playhouse. Is actually two theatres located in Gananoque, ON; right on the St. Lawrence Seaway. The Firehall Theatre is located at:

185 South St.

while the Springer Theatre is located at

690 Charles St

. The Playbill for both theatres is available with this link to the website and the tel is 1-866- 382-7020. From Ottawa, take Hwy 416 south to the junction of Hwy # 401-aboput a 1 hour drive. At Hwy 401 head west toward Kingston. Take exit 648 toward Gananoque. At the Junction of Hwy #2 turn left on Hwy #2 to

William St. South
. Turn left on

William St
. South to South St. Turn right on

South St.
and the theatre will be on the left.

St. Lawrence Shakespeare Festival is located on the St. Lawrence River waterfront in Prescott, ON. It is an outdoor venue, located near the clock tower, although there is a back-up indoor option in case of rain. The 2013 Playbill is available at this link to their website and their telephone is 1-613-925-5788. To get to Prescott take Hwy. 416 South toward Hwy. 401. As you approach Hwy 401 watch for the exit to Prescott, which is just before you merge with the 401 west. Stay on the road to Prescott (which becomes Edwards Street) and keep driving towards the water. At the traffic light at

King Street
turn right and then turn left at the clock tower and head toward the water. You will see a large parking lot on your left. Park the car and walk to the harbour entrance on the East end of the parking lot. The theatre entrance is just past the gate.

Brockville Arts Centre (BAC) is located in BrockvilleON. In addition to summer theatre, the BAC also hosts musicals, comedy, etc. See the full Playbill via this link to their website, and telephone is 1-877-342-7122. To get to the BAC take Hwy# 416 South to Hwy. #401. Exit 416 west toward Kingston. Watch for exit 698 for

North Augusta Road
toward Brockville. Take the first left onto

N. Augusta Road
. Stay on N Augusta to the junction of King St. Turn right on

King Street
. The Theatre is located at

235 King Street West
.

These are but a few of the Summer theatre attractions in our region. We hope to take in some of the additional ones in Perth, Sterling, Almonte and Kingston. Check again later for our take on them. As they say in Show Business..break a leg!.

Tags: Ken Harley