October 2025 | Volume 77
THE HAT GAZETTE
THIS ISSUE: Under the HAT wITH Ella Jacobs|Fall In Full Effect|Season Announcement? Almost…
SPOOKY SEASON IS IN FULL EFFECT!
Hello newsletter folks! We’ve missed you. We are just coming out of a short break, in time for our first offical Fall Production kicking off tomorrow night - BEETLEJUICE THE MUSICAL JR!
So far this October, in keeping with the season, we’ve seen Ghost Tours, Evil Dead the Musical (thanks to the Confidential Musical Theatre Project), and the Stampeders! That last one wasn’t spooky but it was fantastic.
All of this building to the ghostest with the mostest hitting the HAT Mainstage with some of the best up-and-coming tlaent Cape Breton has to offer!
The end of 2025 is all about traditions and next month we are bringing our 3rd Pantomime to the stage - full of pop songs, dazzling dances, histerical comedy, and sheer joy. Pricked! A Sleepingly Beautiful Pantomime is sure to delight, as its team kicks into overdrive!
The legendary Canadian Comic, Ron James, will also be paying a visit to the HAT in early November so between him and the panto, funny bones shall be tickled as November sets in.
Plus a new HAT Academy showcase is now onsale! Featuring brand new classes and a brand new format. Experience 5 mini productions in one evening, showing off the wonderful cohorts at the Academy.
RA DONORS of $25+/Monthly!
Don’t forget to book your 2 COMPLIMENTARY TICKETS to Beetlejuice The Musical JR and Pricked: A Sleepingly Beautiful Pantomime, PLUS make use of your $10.00 off discount on your first 4 tickets for A Christmas Carol!
** CALL OR EMAIL US TODAY TO START A MONTHLY DONATION **
UNDER THE HAT: ELLA JACOBS
Tom: Hello Ella! For those who may not be familiar with you, can you kick us off with a brief rundown of your relationship to the HAT and the arts?
Ella: Hi! I first came into collaboration 7 years ago during Suessical! My grandmother introduced me to the HAT and got me to try it and I’ve been in love with it ever since, being in shows such as Mary Poppins JR, Music Man JR, and SpongeBob the Musical JR!
Tom: All of which you were fantastic in, and now you’re literally taking center stage as the title character!!! Let’s start with the main man himself: Betelgeuse a.k.a. Beetlejuice! How did you first come into contact with this character? And were you already familiar with the musical prior to this process?
Ella: I first came into contact with him by learning what the movie was at a young age, then as I got older I learned there was a musical as well, and instantly fell in love with the musical.
Tom: There’s a lot to love! For the people who are only familiar with the iconic film, can you give us a run down on some of the ways this stage production maintains the spirit of the film alive?
Ella: Obviously it brings back the iconic characters of the original movie, but it also keeps the humour of the original film as well. Making it enjoyable to the people who might’ve only watched the movie.
Tom: This is similar to my last question but inverted; in what ways does the musical make its own mark?
“It’s a lot of fun for everyone with the humour, the acting and the songs as well. If you want a good laugh, come to this show!
”
Ella: The musical changes a bit of the story from the original but it’s not enough that you wouldn’t think it had nothing to do with the movie. The music is also a key factor in what makes the musical so extraordinary. Mixing different types of music together along with the basic musical theatre type song musical lovers are used too.
Tom: That’s a great summation. And I would also add, I think the changed bits are just enough to keep fans on their toes. Nothing that spits in the face of the original. You’ve got a lovely duo of directors for this project! Sasha Young and Kiera Evely are co-directing the project. What’s it like working with two directors? And what was your relationship to them prior to this process?
Ella: They are a lot of fun to work with. They really encourage you to go to your full potential and to go big. I knew Sasha and Kiera from previous shows I’ve either been in or seen, and it’s so fun working with them after seeing them in other shows
Ella Jacobs as “Sheldon J. Plankton” in 2024’s The Spongebob Musical JR. Photo by Corey Katz.
Tom: We’ll wrap up in a moment, but I wanted to ask you about the Academy. You’ve been involved at the HAT Academy for a number of years now. Can you tell us a bit about why you keep coming back and what the Academy community is like for you?
Ella: I love the people and the overall community that is there. They are so nice and welcoming to everyone and they really push you to be the best you can be!
Tom: It makes me so happy to hear that. Okay, final question. Who would you say Beetlejuice The Musical JR is for, in terms of audience?
MacKenzie: I’d say just about everyone! People who have only seen the movie, people who’ve only seen the musical and anyone in between. It’s a lot of fun for everyone with the humour, the acting and the songs as well. If you want a good laugh, come to this show!
Tom: Thank you so much for doing this Ella! I hope you all have a wonderful run!
Ella: Thank you for giving me this opportunity!
BEETLEJUICE THE MUSICAL JR opens THIS WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 22nd and runs until October 26th. Limited tickets remain so act fast! Radical Access Donors of $25+/monthly receive 2 free tickets, so if you haven’t booked yet now’s your chance.
What PATRONS Are Saying about:
“These young people are amazing. We have so much talent on this Island.”
RL
“There is nothing like a night of entertainment at THE HAT. Disney's Dare to Dream featured some of our best and brightest performers. Seeing them perform our favourite Disney songs was Magical and Vibrant. Bravo to everyone involved in this production.”
LB
“Absolutely incredible show! All of the performers have 100% and shined! Would see it again and again! They all have so much talent.”
RB
CATCH MANY OF THESE RETURNING TALENTS IN
BEETLEJUICE THE MUSICAL JR
THE October 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 RUM RAGGED LIVE AT THE HAT
WINNERS
Irene Grezel
Bill McNeil
Alexis Butler
This month’s winners will literally have first pick of the seats for this upcoming event. Ticket sales start October 24th at noon, so set your alarms if you want to get in early!
Next Up: BEETLEJUICE THE MUSICAL JR
Directed by Kiera Evely & Sasha Young
Choreographed by Kiersten Penny
Music Directed by Jocelyn Hynes
The ghost-with-the-most comes to the stage in Beetlejuice The Musical JR, the frightfully funny musical based on the beloved motion picture turned Broadway phenomenon.
Lydia Deetz is a strange and unusual teenager, still grieving the loss of her mother and obsessed with the whole “being dead thing.” When Lydia calls on Beetlejuice to scare away anyone with a pulse, this double-crossing spectre shows his true stripes, unleashing a (Nether)world of pandemonium.
Featuring Cape Breton’s finest up-and-coming talent in a show created for the generation that made it a hit, Beetlejuice JR. is a wacky theatrical party for all!
It’s showtime!
FALL 2025 LINE UP
Catch these incredible events in a few months, including exciting new productions, and more than one beloved tradition. Watch the announcement video below, or click the button underneath to view all upcoming events!
All on sale NOW!
(Plus you might be seeing a new season announcement very soon...)
HAPPY BIRTHDAY FROM THE HAT!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY FROM THE HAT!
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ON THE HORIZON
