FEBRUARY 12-15, 2026
Auburn Stage - Grand Theatre
Written By
Lynn Seward
With Contributions from
Kevin Avram, Antonio Fowler, and Lucas Andersen
About the show
Join us for a dazzling night of vintage charm with a bold new twist!
Take a seat in our studio audience to witness the magic (and mishaps) of a live television variety show with BRIGHT AND BOLD - A Golden Age Winter Special. Our performers will enchant you on stage while revealing some of the behind-the-scenes antics that keep this show alive! Come see us recreate the golden age of television with star-studded performers that represent the beauty and diversity of our communities today. We're not just recreating history, we're rewriting it, in technicolour!
#MTPBrightBold
Enjoy Special Performances
Pay-What-You-Can Preview!
Thursday, February 12, 2026 (7:30pm): Audience members are invited to join us for the very first performance, at the price that is accessible to you!
Sparkle and Shine: An Enchanting Evening of Vintage Glamour
Friday, February 13 - Opening Night (7:30pm): Audience members are invited to dress to impress—vintage style!
Under the Spotlight: A Celebration of Love
Saturday, February 14 - Evening Show (7:30pm): Audience members are invited to dress to express! Whether it’s glitter, bold colour, or your own unique flair!
THE CAST
CAST BIOS
Renae Wolfesberger is thrilled to be joining the Bright & Bold cast! Having completed her BMus in voice performance at the University of Toronto, Renae has gone on to perform around the GTA, before translating her love of language and voice into a career as a Speech-Language Pathologist. Past musical theatre performances include 25th Annual/Spelling Bee (Rona Lisa), Rent (Maureen), Joseph/Dreamcoat (Narrator) and Mamma Mia (Sophie). She has also music directed a multitude of youth shows in her hometown of Uxbridge, Ontario, including Legally Blonde, Freaky Friday, School of Rock, and many more. This one goes out to B!
Sue Harrington: Past MTP Credits: Amos Calloway (Big Fish), Susan (Company), Ensemble/Tottendale Understudy (co production with Allswell), Grace- Cinderella (co production with LCP). Other Theatre: Witch (Shakespeare’s Oz), and Ross (The Elephant Man) for Odesa Company. Iris (The Gravitational Pull of Bernice Trimble/Scooter Productions), Plugra- Civil Dawn (Banished by the King). You can see Sue play Gloria in Banished by the King’s ‘The Family Creetin’ at The Palace Theatre in April. Sue would like to thank her partner Chris for being her biggest supporter and for making sure our fur babies get their cuddles when she’s at rehearsal.
Emma Vanderkuyl is thrilled to return to the stage in her second production with MTP London, following her debut in Defying Gravity: A Musical Cabaret. Shortly after, she studied Theatre at the University of Guelph, then explored the global arts community in South Korea. This production is especially meaningful to Emma, having been written and directed in her hometown. She is beyond excited to bring the character of Sid to life for London locals and visitors alike. Emma extends heartfelt thanks to her family and friends for their unwavering support, and to her grandmother for always encouraging her passion.
Dylan Borshell is thrilled to return to MTP in this hilarious original production! Select credits include GUARD in SHAKESPEARE'S OZ- ODESA, SAMMY in BLOOD BROTHERS - MTP, DAVID in COMPANY - MTP, MACBETH in MACBETH - FANSHAWE’S THEATRE ARTS PERFORMANCE. Dylan is a theatre graduate with a passion for F1, music, community, and theatre. He would like to thank each and every one of you for supporting local artists and local theatre! “ELBOWS UP!"
Julia Mastrangelo is thrilled to be returning to MTP for Bright & Bold as the third stage manager, Janet! Past credits: Ensemble (Blood Brothers/MTP), Ensemble (Children of Eden/MTP). Julia claims to have an excess of education, but nothing relevant to musical theatre. She would much rather pretend to be someone else, anyway.
Brittney-Lee Lowey past credits: Producer (Big Fish/MTP), Assistant Director (The Beauty Underneath/MTP), Jacob (Joseph), Clarke (A Killer Party), and Woman (Quarantine Story). Upcoming: Director (Shrek/MTP). Brittney-Lee is very excited to be acting like she’s stage managing for a second time with MTP (her first being in A Killer Party in 2021!) Her most recent theatre credits include Schwarzy in the 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee with Allswell, and Pat in Kinky Boots with LCP. She has also performed in campus productions such as Godspell, Carrie, Little Women (Kings Players), and Guys and Dolls (Canadore College).
Jacob Wiley: selected Credits include: Toto in Shakespeare’s Oz (Odesa Company) Angel/ Referee in Kinky Boots, Raccoon in Cinderella, Broom in Beauty and the Beast (PTAC), Director of Big Fish, Girl Scout in The Beauty Underneath, George in The Drowsy Chaperone, Shane in The Wedding Singer (MTP), Playwright of How Did We Get Here?, Sebastian in The Tempest (London Fringe). Jacob sends love to Dylan and his parents. Jacob would also like to send his thanks to the many volunteers that make local theatre possible.
Ben Kennes is thrilled to return to MTP to be a part of Bright & Bold. Past musicals with MTP include Heathers (Ram Sweeney), The Little Mermaid (Chef Louis) and a Co-production with Allswell Productions in Sweeney Todd (Beadle). Ben thanks Amy and the Fam Jam for their continued support. Prepare to be serenaded by this motley crew!
Matt Butler is happy to be back at it with so many old (and new) faces in this show. He relishes any chance to play an outrageous character since those usually are the ones that get a lot of downtime backstage. Good thing he brought his Switch! Matt would like to thank his best friend Kirsten for all her support and book recommendations.
Hayley Kell past credits: Josephine (Big Fish/MTP), Ensemble (Shakespeare's Oz/MTP), Newsies, Into the Woods, The Drowsy Chaperone (TMTC), Mary Poppins, West Side Story (BMT). Hayley has had so much fun working on this show. She would like to dedicate her performance to her Grandma who is celebrating her 93rd birthday on Friday, February 13th! Hayley would like to thank all the kind-hearted cast and crew who worked so hard on this production. Special shoutout to her awesome friends and family, lovely parents, and wonderful boyfriend Aidan for all the love and support.
Gabrielle Ferguson last appeared in a musical in the 1990s in Carousel, confirming that theatre kids never really retire. She was previously a member of The Voices of Broadway Show Choir, performing at the Forest City London Music Awards, and has experience as both a soloist and ensemble singer in a variety of community settings. Gabrielle is thrilled to dust off her stage shoes and return to the world of musical theatre.
Bronwyn Powell: For MTP Bright & Bold: Dolores Del Rey (Bar Singer/Ensemble). Bronwyn is delighted to share the stage with this Bright & Bold cast, and to have worked with B&B’s marvelous creator and production team! She performed here most recently in Shakespeare’s Oz, as the wand waving wish granting Glinda, and in Company, as the lady who lunches lush, Joanne. Look for her next at The Palace, playing tarty Tanya in Mamma Mia this May. She wishes to thank friends, family, and the audience for their support.
Bazzle (Basil) Gracious is having his debut in the world of musical theatre since his performance in Joseph, Annie, and Oedipus in a far away land. He is back after 30 years. The music was always there with performances at retirement homes, fundraisers & wedding’s. He realized that he needed to dance while the music still played on. He thanks’ God for his ability to still hurt an ankle (break a leg), sing, dance, and tell a good story. He thanks his wife and kids for encouraging him and especially Lynn for having the faith and confidence that he could still Razzle, Dazzle, and be Bazzle.
Belinda Gracious was born and raised in Bombay, India, where she was fortunate to belong to a community that valued music - and joyful celebration - thanks mum! Though she hasn’t been on the stage for many years, the music has never stopped for her, and she thanks her husband Basil and her children and grandchildren for keeping her singing and dancing and bopping on the piano. To all the cast of Bright & Bold, sincere thanks for the coaching, encouragement, laughs and memories. Special thanks to Lynn for “A Winter Wonderland” opportunity especially during this Canadian winter! Many thanks to Sam - it’s you- its you- Its you…
Tricia Flatley past credits: Ensemble/Fisherman (Big Fish/MTP). Tricia would like to thank her family and friends for their support. She is excited to hit the stage for another MTP musical, despite breaking her ankle in December.
Autumn Eyles: past credits for MTP: Soloist (The Beauty Underneath). Other notable credits include Kitty (Chicago, OKTC) and Rhoda (White Christmas, OKTC). Autumn has always loved dancing and is currently teaching at the Magic in Motion studio as well as doing choreography for Original Kids. She is studying French at Kings University College in hopes of becoming an elementary school teacher. She would like to thank her parents and her boyfriend for their immense support.
Antonio Fowler past credits: Ensemble (Children of Eden/MTP), Ephraim (Moon on a Rainbow Shawl/Freeport Players Guild), Peter (The Gravitational Pull of Bernice Trimble/Scooter Productions), Simon Sr./Ensemble (Kinky Boots), Bobby (Exit Laughing), Simon (The Game’s Afoot), Madigan (The Donnellys), Judas (The Black Bonspiel) with the London Community Players and Inspector Tuggins (Finding Hyde, Banished by the King) Antonio would like to thank his London theatre friends for the opportunity to be on stage again, “albeit virtually”. Special shoutout to Kevondre Hield, Wybe Magazine, and Lignum Vitae Cafe.
Sarah Vernon-Scott is pumped for her MTP debut as part of the Ensemble. She has extensive choral experience in barbershop and show choirs, most recently enjoying performing with the Aeolian Pride Chorus. Other stage credits include the cabaret Whispers of Whimsy with Magic in Motion Performing Arts. Sarah is always grateful to her family for their support of her creative endeavors, especially since rehearsals occur in the few waking hours she is not working as a clinical psychologist.
Celine Medeiros past credits for MTP: Aysha (Children of Eden), Set Designer (Blood Brothers). Selected Credits: Molly Jensen in GHOST The Musical (COS), Performer and co-writer of Dated Humour Sketch Show (London Fringe, TBT Collective), Elizabeth Benning in Young Frankenstein: The Musical (MAVIS), June Baker in Welcome to Bon Echo (AlvegoRoot Theatre). All her love to mom and dad, J+M, and forever H.
Kathleen Gunther is excited about her MTP Debut! Kathleen is thrilled to be making her big comeback to musical theatre since her breakout role in SOCS’s production of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat as Ensemble Member #17 amid the hallowed walls of her high school cafeteria. Nowadays, her musical performances are primarily in London – most notably up and down the aisles at the Gammage Superstore on Sundays. Seriously… I am so excited to be a part of this show. Big thanks to the cast and crew who have made me feel at home. I’m having a blast! And much love to my family for their enthusiastic support.
Eric Jamieson: past credits for MTP: Ensemble (Joseph and the Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat), Ensemble (Cinderella), Soloist (The Beauty Underneath), Ensemble (Blood Brothers). Other notable credits include Kinky Boots (Palace Theatre) and ASM for Rocky Horror (Infuse Productions). Eric spends his time studying psychology and disability studies at Kings, works for Community Living London’s respite program, is an avid rock climber, and member of the Amabile Primus Choir. Eric would like to thank his family and friends for all their support in his various endeavours.
Jesse Grant has had fun in MTPs Bright & Bold. Having done shows such as Kinky Boots and The Sondheim Review at The Palace Theatre, as well as 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee with the St. Marys Players, this marks Jesse's first show with MTP. Jesse highly values the musical theatre community here in London. He is so grateful to his wonderful friends, family, and partner for their support and encouragement.
Ivan Cohen is delighted to be returning to the stage after rekindling his love of performance in recent years. In his twenties, he was an active performer with Ottawa Little Theatre, where he built a strong foundation in live theatre and a lasting appreciation for the craft and camaraderie that come with it. After a long hiatus, he stepped back into the spotlight with Groovin’ for Good, a fundraiser in support of the London Food Bank—an experience that reminded him just how powerful community theatre can be. In December 2025, he appeared in Miracle on 34th Street, embracing the joy (and chaos) of bringing a holiday classic to life for local audiences. He is excited to continue exploring new creative opportunities and is looking ahead to making his film debut later in 2026. When he’s not on stage, he enjoys supporting local arts initiatives and cheering on the vibrant theatre community that welcomed him back with open arms.
Nancy Cohen discovered her love of drama in high school and has joyfully returned to the stage. In 2025, she was cast in Groovin’ for Good with Silver Spotlight Theatre and appeared in Miracle on 34th Street. Beyond theatre, Nancy has appeared twice on Dragon’s Den, securing a deal—proof she’s as confident on camera as she is on stage. After retiring from a 48-year nursing career, Nancy now invests her time in performing and has been cast in her first film, shooting in 2026.
The team
Videos
MTP’s BRIGHT & BOLD Audition Announcement
Video by Dylan Trahan
MTP’s 2025-26 Season Trailer
Trailer created by Henry Troung
