'Diverse as the community': Greater Sudbury's YES Theatre announces lineup for 2025 season

The City of Greater Sudbury's YES Theatre is out with its production lineup for the 2025 season, and it says there's a little something for all..

The season kicks off in February 2025 with Groundhog Day: The Musical, which brings the beloved 1993 film to the stage. Other productions include Alice in Wonderland, Jesus Christ Superstar, A Midsummer Night's Dream, Casey and Diana, Annie, CHOIR!, and Dining Hall.

In June, YES Theatre performers will present Never Break The Chain: The Music of Fleetwood Mac at the outdoor Refettorio venue, featuring live vocals and a band.

Additionally, YES Theatre will present special events, such as a drag brunch with Carmen Dior at Steve's Encore Bar and Lounge and at the Refettorio. There will also be an event called A Night on Broadway, featuring cast members from broadway productions in New York. 

Alessandro Costantini, YES Theatre's artistic director, emphasized the importance of the stories being told in the productions.

"There are stories about young people learning to articulate themselves in the world and finding themselves. There's a lot of pieces that are about monumental societal change," said Costantini.

"But predominantly, the most exciting part is that we are going to be able to engage upwards of 150 to 200 artists in this season alone, which will, in turn, reflect in the audience."

Costantini says the productions aim to build and celebrate community. 

"We want to make sure that either the narrative of the stories that we're telling on their own, they [have] a cultural relevance to our community… When people come into our spaces, they feel welcome, they feel loved, and that they're cool places to be," said Costantini.

Will Morin, YES Theatre's Indigenous arts and culture advisor, echoed these sentiments. "[The productions are] not geared to a specific demographic. It's as diverse as the community is," said Morin.

He highlighted YES Theatre's planned version of  Shakespeare's  A Midsummer Night's Dream as a celebration of diversity. Directed by Jani Lauzon, who has both settler and Indigenous ancestry, the play follows four young lovers facing rapid societal changes, including feminism, the sexual revolution and the American Indian Movement.

"Most of us in society today, we don't get taught our history. And because we don't get taught our history, we make the same mistakes. If we're not at the table, if we're not on the stage, if we're not behind the stage, if we're not part of the process, then well, we're the garbage that goes out at the end of the day," said Morin.