May 2025 | Volume 74
THE HAT GAZETTE
THIS ISSUE: Under the HAT with HANNAH MACINTOSH | DINNER & A SHOW | SUMMER CAMPS
UNDER THE HAT: HANNAH MACINTOSH
Tom: Hi Hannah Mac! For those who may not be familiar with your work, can you start us off with a brief rundown of your relationship to the arts?
Hannah: I first auditioned for the HAT at 14 and was cast as a dancer in Kitchen Party in 2016. I had been dancing since I was very young, but this was a new experience that I instantly fell in love with. From then on, I’ve been a part of the Shakespeare musicals (like Dream, As You Like It, Disco Nights), many Confidentials, Christmas traditions like A Christmas Carol, the Pantos (Jack and the Beanstalk, Blow Me), and more. The arts have always been a big part of my life, and I can’t imagine life without them.
Tom: You’ve been part of the HAT for so long and I’m so glad we finally get to feature you here. Like you said, everything from straight forward musicals, to pantomimes, to dinner theatre, you’ve really been a consistent part of the team and all of our many traditions. Looking back to something like Disco Nights, how do you feel the HAT has grown in your experience of it when you compare it to the pantomimes like Blow Me: A Big Bad Musical Comedy?
Hannah: I think Disco Nights was the second or third show I had done at the HAT. I was still a little unsure of what I was doing, and was still trying to get comfortable with singing and dancing at the same time. Flash forward to shows like the pantomimes, which proves the growth that has happened within the HAT, and I’m still getting comfortable with doing new things! The pantos have given me the opportunity to dance, sing, and operate puppets. At the HAT, I’m always getting the chance to try new things and challenge myself. Pantomimes have also made me fall in love with doing family friendly shows. It’s such a delight to see the kids so excited, and to hear them shouting out “IT’S MILKY WHITE” every time she comes on stage.
Tom: I’m going to get to Back To Broadway in a moment, but first I NEED to ask you about the last Confidential Musical Theatre Project, Chicago, in which you played the lead role of Roxy Hart. What was your experience of it like? The highlights? The low lights? From all accounts you absolutely smashed it!
“We have so much amazing talent on this island, especially within the HAT community, so during this show, everyone is getting a chance to show off their talents.”
Hannah: Thank you so much! Roxie has always been a dream role of mine. As someone who grew up in the dance world, the show is just the end-all, be-all. It was my first time leading a show, and it being a confidential, I was so nervous. I don’t think my hands stopped shaking until the second act. It was such an amazing experience, with such a great cast, that I’ll never forget. I also don’t think I will get tired of telling people that Kiersten and I did not choreograph the final number beforehand!
Tom: No surprise you two were able to whip something up in real time at that level. SO, Back To Broadway! You’re one of the cast members returning from the first show Best Of Broadway. To be clear this is a sequel of sorts, not a remount, how are you all upping the anti going into this brand new show?
Hannah: Something really interesting that the creative team has done this time is no featured soloists. We have so much amazing talent on this island, especially within the HAT community, so during this show, everyone is getting a chance to show off their talents. We are also upping the dancing in this production. Any patrons who were fans of Kiersten Penny’s choreography during Christmas at Sacred Heart or the Bublé dinner and a show can expect that same amazing dancing, turned up another level. This is my third dinner and a show, and I feel like it gets better and better every time. For example, Sacred Heart has gone above and beyond to make sure no one has a bad seat with new video walls and cameras that follow the action of the show.
Tom: Can you describe how the evening works for anyone who has yet to treat themselves to the spoils of these collaborations with Sacred Heart and Mise en Place Catering? What makes it special and unique? And have you gotten the chance to try the food? If so, what’s it like?
Hannah: This really is a unique experience, unlike anything I’ve seen before in Cape Breton. Sacred Heart Downtown provides such a wonderful venue, with many different staging opportunities. Not only will patrons be watching the performers on stage, but they will also see us on balconies, dancing around (or on) the bars, and we are always making sure that we interact with every table. When we are not singing your favourite Broadway tunes, we will be serving patrons the delicious food from Mise en Place Catering. Like I said earlier, this is my third dinner and a show at Sacred Heart. At the end of every show, you can usually find the cast hanging around the kitchen, seeing if there are any extras that we can steal. We then usually take the two or three extra dishes to the dressing room, and crowd around the dishes with several forks! The food alone is worth coming to the show!
Tom: The food is genuinely SO good. I don’t know that people talk enough about that side of things. Especially when you consider how much you normally pay for a meal these days after tax and tip, it’s a steal getting food on this level plus an entire evening of entertainment built in.
Hannah: We then usually take the two or three extra dishes to the dressing room, and crowd around the dishes with several forks! The food alone is worth coming to the show!
Tom: You’ve been with us for over 8 years, as a performer, a teacher, a creative. What keeps you coming back to the HAT? (Which we are SO happy you are for the record).
Hannah: The HAT has become a huge part of who I am. It feels like a second home. Whether I’m on stage, at the academy, behind the bar, or in the box office, I love spending time there. It’s the people who make it so special; from the talented performers to our loyal patrons who show up again and again, to the wickedly talented students at the academy. Being surrounded by so much talent, kindness, and collaboration makes the HAT the wonderful community that it is.
Tom: Call me biased, but I couldn’t agree more. Finally, what would you say to anyone on the fence about attending Back To Broadway?
Hannah: I would say that if you love musical theatre, whether it’s show-stopping numbers, a heart-warming ballad, or a romantic duet, there is something for everyone in this show. The cast is hard at work, and we can’t wait to share what we’ve been working on. And on top of that, you get an amazing meal and a great night out with friends and family at such a beautiful venue.
Tom: You heard it here first! Thank you so much for doing this Hannah.
Hannah: This was so much fun, thank you!
What PATRONS Are Saying about:
"Last night's show was amazing: a funny, entertaining, unpredictable, lavish, top-notch musical production from beginning to end."
RL
“GO SEE THIS PLAY! It was so good, hilarious, well performed. I give it an 11 out of 10.”
DW
“Just got home and we didn’t stop laughing all night. What an amazing cast and show. GET TICKETS AND GO, this is the best of the best.”
gm
THE PRODUCERS RETURNS THIS THURSDAY, MAY 29th for one night only!
LIMITED TICKETS REMAIN
THE MAY RADICAL ACCESS
TICKET LOTTERY
Each month we hold a draw exclusive to RA donors, to remind them how amazing we know they are. The draws are completely random and all donation levels are included.
This month’s prize?
2 tickets to WES BARKER: MAGIC IS FUNNY
WINNERS
LeeAnne MacLeod-Archer
Genevieve Sauve
Steffan MacNeil
Sneak peek: BACK TO BROADWAY - Dinner & Show
A Singularly Sensational Dinner and a Show
Directed by Wesley J. Colford
A partnership with Sacred Heart Downtown and Mis en Place Catering.
Be transported to the beautiful world of Broadway, all abuzz and brimming with your favourite showstoppers! With incredible talent and incomparable cuisine, an evening sure to leave you thoroughly razzled and dazzled!
Food provided by Mise en Place Catering
If you loved Best of Broadway, you'll fall head over heels again for BACK to Broadway! Featuring an incredible cast of local talent and the glitz and glam of Sacred Heart Downtown.
PLUS: Enjoy an enhanced experience with Sacred Heart Downtown's new camera and video screen display! Bigger and brighter for your viewing pleasure.
DINNER OPTIONS:
Please select when choosing your ticket type.
Main Course:
Sundried Tomato Stuffed Chicken w/ Parmesan Cream, Garlic Whipped Potatoes, Roasted Vegetables.
Gluten-Free, Vegan, and Lactose-Free Alternatives Option:
Buddha Bowl-Citrus Quinoa, Maple Greens, Pickled & Marinated Vegetables, Curried Chickpea Patties
Dessert:
Salted Caramel Cheesecake w/ Baileys Whipped Cream
All food provided by Mise en Place Catering.
ANNOUNCING The Summer 2025 Line up
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BACK TO BROADWAY: DINNER & A SHOW
June 5, 6, 7, & 8
Doors open: 5:30 PM
Dinner: 6:30 PMBe transported to the beautiful world of Broadway, all abuzz and brimming with your favourite showstoppers! With incredible talent and incomparable cuisine, an evening sure to leave you thoroughly razzled and dazzled!
Food provided by Mise en Place Catering
If you loved Best of Broadway, you'll fall head over heels again for BACK to Broadway! Featuring an incredible cast of local talent and the glitz and glam of Sacred Heart Downtown.
PLUS: Enjoy an enhanced experience with Sacred Heart Downtown's new camera and video screen display! Bigger and brighter for your viewing pleasure. -
HAIRSPRAY
July 30 to August 2nd / 7:30 PM
August 3rd / 2:00 PM & 7:30 PM
A Cape Breton Premiere of the Beloved Musical
Welcome to the ’60’s! It's 1962 in Baltimore, and the lovable teen, Tracy Turnblad, has only one desire – to dance on the popular "Corny Collins Show." When her dream comes true, Tracy is transformed from social outcast to sudden star. She must use her newfound power to win the affections of heartthrob and integrate a TV network... all without denting her 'do!
Winner of 8 Tony Awards including Best New MusicalRadical Access Donors get an exclusive discount on tickets!
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DISNEY'S DARE TO DREAM JR
August 12th to 15th / 7:00 PM
August 16th / 3:00 PMFeaturing performers ages 10-18 from the HAT Summer JR Production Company
Disney’s Dare to Dream JR is a 60-minute musical revue that follows an eager group of trainees on their first day at a fictional Walt Disney Imagineering Studio. As the group sets out to help each other discover their dreams, they work together to explore the power of dreams to unite, inspire, and make anything possible.
Drawing from a century of beloved Disney films, Dare to Dream JR. features songs appearing for the first time ever in a Disney stage musical, including fan-favorites from The Princess and the Frog, Coco, Encanto, and Frozen II. This musical revue is a thrilling mix of contemporary songs, timeless classics, and brand-new medleys that are sure to surprise and delight Disney lovers of all ages.
Well friends, we’ve made it to the end of a truly incredible Winter/Spring Season! With every department, from the performers to the designers, stepping up their game and creating new personal bests, it’s hard to imagine how we’ll top this. But our sights are already set on our Summer ambitions!
We’ve got one final encore performance of THE PRODUCERS tomorrow (Thursday, May 29th) and then BEST OF BROADWAY kicking off one week later. Following that we’ll be bringing the long awaited hit musical HAIRSPRAY to the mainstage. Meanwhile, over at the Academy we’ll be preparing for DISNEY’S DARE TO DREAM - led by a HAT favourite you haven’t seen in a minute (more on that soon). If you know a young person looking to get involved in theatre this summer we have a handful of spots left in our Production Camps. Act fast to secure their spot today, then catch them on the mainstage in August! All that plus The Sea Shanty Show and Punch Up will both be touring to the Chester Playhouse this Summer.
Things are just heating up and we haven’t even mentioned the Fall… yet.
FINAL REMINDER TO RA DONORS!
Don’t forget to transfer your donations into the new system and start getting your perks!
Already in action for those of you in the new system: discounted tickets for Hairspray, some free film screenings being announced shortly, and more coming this Fall!
Not sure if you’re switched into the new system? Email us at info@highlandartstheatre.com and we can let you know!
** EFT DONORS ARE ALREADY TRANSFERRED **
SHOWING IN JUNE
