By Pam Wright
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
As it heads into its 15th season, Chatham’s Capitol Theatre has plenty of star power in the lineup.
According to Devon Hansen, Chatham-Kent’s project manager for the Capitol, the goal is to give the people what they want.
“I’m really excited for this season,” he said at a kickoff event at the Capitol June 10. “What people really wanted was name recognition, so this season is a full season of name recognition – people you know – and there are big name groups.”
Canadian comedian Howie Mandel starts it off Oct. 3. The entertainer is making a return to Chatham, having performed in the Capitol’s inaugural season in 2010.
“We’ll see if he remembers the place,” Hansen joked, noting Mandel left his signature on a picture on the wall. “He’s a fantastic comedian and it’s going to be an incredible night.”
In speaking to the crowd, Hansen emphasized the importance of arts and culture.
“Arts matter,” Hansen told the gathering. “They matter to Chatham-Kent and they matter to every community. The arts connect us to the generations across social divides by giving us shared experiences and a medium to understand one another. A theatre is not just a venue for entertainment, it is a public space of imagination.”
It’s important, he said, for theatres to be part of the community.
“This theatre belongs to Chatham-Kent,” Hansen added. “It’s a place where everyone is welcome. These shared experiences build the social fabric of Chatham-Kent, one show at a time.”
Audrey Ansell, C-K’s director of community, culture and connections, said it’s rare for a week to go by that the theatre doesn’t receive compliments, noting many performers say it is their favourite venue.
Last season was the most successful ever, Ansell said, with more than 55,000 tickets sold.
“The Capitol Theatre is now widely recognized as a preeminent performing centre in Ontario and beyond,” Ansell said.
Mayor Darrin Canniff said a thriving Capitol Theatre is part of the arts renaissance taking place in C-K.
“This forms part of that vibrant community,” Canniff said. “This theatre is so important to moving forward with our future.”
The Capitol Theatre first opened in 1930 as a movie palace and live entertainment theatre and flourished for decades before closing in 1993. The Municipality of Chatham-Kent purchased it in 1994. A group of citizens formed the Chatham Capitol Theatre Association. In 1996, the group became a non-profit and purchased the property from the municipality.
The theatre, back in municipal hands, officially opened its doors in 2010.
Over the years it had different owners, including St. Clair College, before returning to the municipality’s ownership in 2016.
Hansen acknowledged the many volunteers and donors have contributed to the Capitol’s success, naming Bob Fox, the late Dale Ripley, and Lesley Grand for their efforts in building the centre.
“Truly we could name every board member, every volunteer, every usher,” Hansen said as he led a round of applause for the volunteers.
The James Barker Band will follow Mandel on Oct 30; Billy Bishop Goes to War will be performed on Nov. 7, and the Jann Arden Christmas Tour comes to town Dec. 8.
And 2026 will see the Sam Roberts Band perform Feb. 19, followed by bagpipe rockers the Red Hot Chili Pipers Feb. 20.
On March 3, leading environmentalist David Suzuki will take the stage with his daughter in a performance titled “What You Won’t Do for Love.”
Country singer Tenille Towns is coming March 19; Curious George – The Golden Meatball is Mar. 20 and the Just for Laughs roadshow will hit the theatre April 9.
