Tuesday, March 3, 2026

Can you hear the tragedy if no one speaks?

In a captivating interview on CBC’s The Morning Edition, legendary stage director Robert Lepage sits down with host Craig Norris to pull back the curtain on his most daring production yet: a wordless, high-octane reimagining of The Tragedy of Hamlet: Prince of Denmark.

Leaving behind the 4-hour monologues, Lepage and world-renowned choreographer Guillaume Côté have stripped Shakespeare to its “skeleton”—relying on muscle, breath, and pure visual storytelling to bring the Prince of Denmark to life.

Why “Mute” the Bard?

Robert Lepage explains that by removing the famous text, the audience is forced to engage with the visceral energy of the story.

• The Power of Physicality: Discover how classical ballet represents the rigid royalty of Gertrude and Claudius, while contemporary dance captures Hamlet’s internal descent into madness.
• Visual Magic: Lepage describes his “visual surtitles”—where the word “Words” on screen literally morphs into “Swords,” mirroring Hamlet’s shift from contemplation to violent action.
• A Haunting Atmosphere: Learn how a minimalist set of light, shadow, and “pillowy sheets” blurs the line between the living and the ghostly.

“We wanted to see what remained of the play once the words were gone. What we found was a sprint of pure emotion.” — Robert Lepage

Hear the Full Story

Listen to the 10-minute deep dive into the creative process behind this world-class production. [ Play CBC Interview]

See it Live at Centre In The Square

Don’t miss this “gripping and intensely athletic” (Margaret Atwood) production during its strictly limited run in Kitchener.

• Date: Thursday, March 5, 2026
• Time: 8:00 PM
• Location: Centre In The Square, 101 Queen St N, Kitchener

[ GET YOUR TICKETS NOW] Limited seating available for this exclusive engagement.

Listen to the interview on CBC’s website

By Luisa D’Amato, Reporter
Luisa D’Amato is a Waterloo Region Record reporter and columnist. She writes on issues affecting day to day life in the area. She can be reached at ldamato@therecord.com.

Monday, March 2, 2026

On Thursday, Kitchener’s Centre in the Square will pass a major milestone.

The internationally renowned dance production — created by two Canadian artists, choreographer Guillaume Côté and stage director Robert Lepage — “The Tragedy of Hamlet, Prince of Denmark” will be presented at this theatre.

The production itself will be fascinating. The story is told through movement, music, light and shadows. In this portrayal of Shakespeare’s masterpiece, known chiefly for its words, not a word will be spoken.

The Centre quotes the author Margaret Atwood’s words of praise for the production as “gripping, intensely athletic, and visually enchanting.”

Thursday’s performance also represents a pivotal moment for the Centre, says its executive director, Eric Lariviere.

Only two and a half years ago, the 2,000-seat performing arts centre abruptly lost its biggest tenant when the Kitchener-Waterloo Symphony ceased operations and cancelled its 2023-24 season due to crushing financial troubles.

Before then, the symphony concerts had mostly taken place at the Centre. The building had even been constructed for the symphony.

But when the orchestra stopped performing, the Centre suddenly lost a third of its business.

The Centre’s strategy after that was “very business-focused. You need the revenue, so you open up for rentals,” said Lariviere.

Along with the tribute bands and variety shows that came in, there was also room for outreach. The Centre offered more diverse art forms, including tabla music, fado singing, tango and Japanese cinema.

Lariviere offered rental of the Studio (a smaller performance space within the facility) for $80 a night to community organizations. He also welcomed rentals for high school graduations and dance competitions as a way to make the building part of a special time in someone’s life.

(Full disclosure: I’m the part-time executive director of the Grand Philharmonic Choir, which rents the Centre for three concerts a year.)

This strategy has been working well. And now, Lariviere says, it’s time to “elevate the work that we bring here, and bring the best touring Canadian theatre or global productions that are available.”

That’s what this reimagination of “Hamlet” represents.

The dance production premiered in 2024 in Toronto. It sold out for multiple performances in Toronto and Montreal, and is now on a secondary tour including Ottawa, Toronto, Kitchener and Vancouver.

Lariviere says Waterloo Region deserves “great life experiences for its population. We’re a university town, we’re a high-technology town, we’re a business town … We’re at the door of Stratford.”

For him, this performance represents “the best work that you can see in Canada and from around the world.”

Lariviere thinks people will travel 150 kilometres to see this show, and he has invited leaders in the artistic community to attend as well.

“How many of the great theatre directors’ works have we seen in this house in the past 10 years?” he asks.

“Hamlet” is “the kind of thing you only see in big cities. We have the big-city infrastructure here.”

So we do.

I’ve often thought of Centre in the Square as a sleeping giant. Under the leadership of Raffi Armenian, former artistic director of the symphony orchestra, the hall opened in 1980 with one of the finest acoustic environments in North America. And Armenian also made sure it was equipped to host the largest and most technically challenging of operas, Wagner’s epic Ring Cycle.

All this happened in a medium-sized city like Kitchener, because there were enough people here who felt we deserved the very best. Decades later, it is thrilling to still feel that spirit.

Luisa D’Amato is a Waterloo Region Record columnist. Reach her by email at ldamato@therecord.com.

Read the original article at The Record

By Luisa D’Amato, Reporter
Luisa D’Amato is a Waterloo Region Record reporter and columnist. She writes on issues affecting day to day life in the area. She can be reached at ldamato@therecord.com.

The Kitchener-Waterloo Symphony has found its way home.

Two years after a devastating financial crisis, the organization has rebuilt and will give a historic performance Thursday at Centre In The Square of Mahler’s Second Symphony, known as the “Resurrection.”

Resurrection, indeed.

The Kitchener concert hall is a beautiful acoustic space, considered one of the finest in North America. The sound is warm and clear, and even the slightest vibration of a harp string carries to the back row.

This is the symphony’s performing home, originally built for that purpose with support from the region’s generous music loving community.

The hall opened in 1980 with a performance of this same monumental “Resurrection” symphony.

The orchestra was the hall’s major tenant until the sudden layoffs of musicians and staff in September 2023, followed by the shocking announcement that the organization was filing for bankruptcy.

There has been anguish, soul searching and hard work over the past two years as the orchestra sought a sustainable future under new management.

This concert, in this hall, marks its rebirth. “It is quite emotional being back in Centre In The Square now, after all we have been through,” said bass player Ian Whitman after the first rehearsal on Tuesday.

Whitman and his wife, violinist Allene Chomyn, lost their jobs when the symphony collapsed in 2023. They and fifty others were informed just days before the new season was set to begin.

The announcement came without warning. There was no chance to negotiate solutions such as a temporary pay cut.

Some musicians were forced to leave the region and find work elsewhere. Many, like Whitman and Chomyn, pieced together income by teaching and freelancing, commuting across southern Ontario to perform. Whitman called it the “401 Philharmonic.”

Musicians also organized community concerts and raised 495,000 dollars through GoFundMe to support performance costs, emergency needs and legal guidance.

The grim numbers emerged slowly. The symphony had been running large deficits even before the pandemic. In 2018 to 2019, the deficit was 730,000 dollars.

When concerts shut down in March 2020, finances briefly improved thanks to government support.

By July 2022, the deficit had been reduced to 200,000 dollars.

In person concerts returned in 2022, but audiences did not. Many were still hesitant to gather in public spaces.

Season subscription sales fell from 8,000 in 2019 to 2,000 in 2023. The symphony hoped for emergency federal funding and renewed support from major donors, but neither materialized.

By late summer 2023, the accumulated deficit had climbed above one million dollars, creating potential personal liability for the board of directors. They closed the organization and all resigned except board chair Rachel Smith-Spencer, who stayed to guide next steps.

Documents later showed the symphony owed 916,183 dollars and had assets valued at 273,620 dollars consisting of the music library, some large percussion instruments and office equipment.

Creditors included ticket and subscription holders owed 706,987 dollars, and forty six families with youth orchestra memberships owed 27,889 dollars.

Some musicians believed bankruptcy could still be avoided. That would allow the symphony to keep its name, charitable status and track record with granting agencies.

Musician Kathy Robertson approached arts supporter Bill Poole, known for leadership roles at the Centre for Cultural Management at the University of Waterloo and the Canadian Clay and Glass Gallery. He would later become chair of the new board.

“If ever I am thanked for saving the symphony, I say it is the musicians who saved the symphony because they refused to let it go,” Poole said.

A new board was elected by ninety three members in June 2024. It held a creditors’ meeting proposing zero cents on the dollar. Creditors accepted.

Meanwhile, the K-W Symphony Foundation, which had continued to operate independently, paid the organization’s only secured creditor, RBC Bank, which was owed 75,000 dollars.

The bankruptcy was officially annulled in October 2024. With a skeleton staff, the new board began reconnecting with donors and granting agencies.

Poole said they received support from the cities of Kitchener and Waterloo and the Region of Waterloo. The Canada Council for the Arts had even held funds for the organization in anticipation of its return. The Ontario Arts Council did not provide funding, which Poole described as a huge disappointment.

Some major donors have returned, although the symphony struggled to retrieve its donor database and could not contact several previous supporters. The organization aims to raise 480,000 dollars by next July and has already secured 250,000 dollars.

“Rebuilding trust was a huge piece of it,” Poole said. “We had to convince people that we are committed to operating in a really responsible way. There has been a lot of wait and see, and I completely understand that. This is a very challenging road.”

The new business model reflects a sharp focus on sustainability. The operating budget is just over one million dollars, about twenty percent of the previous size. All fifty two musicians are now freelancers rather than employees. There are six staff members, and only executive director Jason Doell works full time.

Concert venues have also changed. Centre In The Square is expensive and difficult to fill. There will be only three performances there this season, with most concerts taking place in smaller venues like churches. In 2022 to 2023, the symphony performed forty times in the main hall.

Whitman now works part time as the orchestra’s learning and community engagement coordinator. He is arranging performances in accessible community settings including schools, retirement homes, libraries, local restaurants and possibly Pride festivals and the Christkindl Market.

“We are ready to be of service to the community,” he said. “Things look incredibly hopeful.”

Mahler’s Second Symphony requires a massive ensemble of ninety musicians and a large choir. It is extremely costly to present, but this performance is supported by a major donation from philanthropist George Lange, described as a “Mahler nut.”

(Full disclosure: the choir performing in this concert is the Grand Philharmonic Choir, of which I am the executive director and also a singer.)

At rehearsals this week, you could feel history correcting itself as the sound filled the hall once again.

Mahler’s symphony is a magnificent work that saves its most powerful moment for the end. The choir begins almost imperceptibly, like a breath of wind, rising to a triumphant climax.

“Aufersteh’n, ja aufersteh’n wirst du, Mein Herz, in einem Nu.”

It means: Rise again, yes, you shall rise again. My heart, in the twinkling of an eye.

And so they did.

Read the original article at The Record

From the moment the lights went up, students were clapping, drumming, singing, and dancing along. With instruments in hand and smiles on their faces, the young audience helped bring the performance to life in true SAMAJAM fashion.

For many, this was their first time attending a live performance in a professional theatre setting. The energy in the room was electric, and the joy was contagious. Teachers, chaperones, and Centre staff alike were thrilled to see the theatre buzzing with enthusiasm and participation.

Thank you to all the schools that joined us and helped make this event such a vibrant success. Moments like these remind us why live arts matter — they inspire, educate, and bring communities together.

Check out some highlights from the shows below!

Learn more about Centre In The Square’s Education Series

It’s been just over a year since Eric Lariviere became executive director of Kitchener’s Centre in the Square.

He started in the role just months after the city owned performing arts space’s calendar was left with large holes due to the bankruptcy of the K-W Symphony.

But he had a goal to help revitalize and rejuvenate the iconic space. 

Lariviere joined CBC K-W’s Craig Norris, host of The Morning Edition, to talk about the direction of the city-owned space.

Audio of this interview can be found at the bottom of this story. 

This interview has been edited for length and clarity.

Craig Norris: Last time we spoke, Centre in the Square was getting set to open the Studio Theatre to different community groups. Let’s start there. How’s that been going?

Eric Lariviere: Yeah, this has been a good initiative. This is part of one of our priorities that we established for 2024 and reopening the studio was one of the big goals of the community engagement strategy. 

We created this platform called Kitchener Creates to make sure that we could have that space that really can do a lot of things with about 200 people or less depending on the configuration. And then that led to multiple activities. We’re going to have the full season of the theatre creation company Pat the Dog. 

We had the great comedy dinner theatre show Faulty Towers, which really animated the studio for over eight performances. 

We’re talking to Empty Space, the other great company that we have in town, and there’s other news coming this year for next season. 

So I think it’s on the right trajectory. At the end of the day, another priority is to build capacity, and as we build that capacity we’re going to be able to do more partnerships and invest more in that space. 

I believe this space is going to be very busy. You’ll see more coming for next season. So we’re happy with the results so far.

Norris: You also did some pretty major renovations in the main auditorium. What have you been hearing feedback-wise from the community on those changes?

Lariviere: I think it’s been very positive. The new accessibility space, those that need that space, for instance, they really have a different experience because now they’re facing the stage. 

So it’s been more and more uptick on that and good comments as far as the new seats, a lot of good comments. Also, you get more space and it’s comfy of course, they’re brand new. My predecessor did the job on that one, but it’s been quite well received.

Norris: When the symphony filed for bankruptcy, it left a lot of dates empty at Centre in the Square. How were you able to bounce back from?

Lariviere: I think the team’s done a good job in bouncing back because when you looked at the symphony’s activity in 2023, I think 2022 we had about 92 events total. So if you take out the symphony, it was about 66 and we ended up at 112. So it’s over 70 per cent increase. I think it went well. 

• K-W Symphony says it’s emerged from bankruptcy and plans concerts before year’s end

We established some priorities. Basically, we had four major strategic pillars: We had the destination, we had community engagement, capacity building and branding. 

So when you look at the destination, basically the goal was to increase and strengthen our position as a best in class destination for live experiences and to do so, of course, we worked with our current clients and we expanded. 

We had a business plan that expanded vertically and horizontally for our business, our commercial business and other business. 

As far as our programs, we expanded on diversity and variety of programs. 

So we work with promoters that for instance, bring, for example, Samay Raina from India, who is a huge, very popular comedian and we sold out two shows. We brought, you know, Fadu Diva Mariza … And these were good experiences and as you do those experiences, of course, some will work well, some will work OK and that’s part of the plan of investing and growing.

Norris: So the bankruptcy for the symphony has been annulled. Do you foresee Centre In The Square having the symphony back in the coming season?

Lariviere: Well, I think the symphony has done an amazing job in coming back. Really the musicians, the board, Bill Poole the chair of the board, and the group of musicians that have worked incredibly hard. They had a good season in the community and the church. I was at a concert last week. It was a sold out concert there. 

One of the first things I did when I came, I reached out to them and we started a dialogue and I think I’m quite optimistic in seeing the orchestra back at the Centre in the Square in some shape and form.

I mean, it’s a tough challenge for an orchestra because the funding is so critically important and then building the audience is another key factor. 

The way people, let’s call it, consume their free time or their leisure has really drastically changed in the past years and with the pandemic, even more so. So at the end of the day, I think, as all of us in the live experiences business and industry, we have that challenge that we have to be really paying attention to.

Norris: What are you personally most excited about as you enter into your second year at the helm of Centre in the Square?

Lariviere: Same things I guess I was excited about a year ago. You have a jewel here. It’s a great space. What it can do is just unbelievable. 

With more investments we can continue to grow in variety, diversity and work with the community – the community engagement is incredibly important. 

I think there’s some projects that we’re going to start announcing on May 29 and I think on the longer term, there’s even more that really showcase how lucky this community is to be able to have that kind of infrastructure.

Listen to the interview with CBC’s Craig Norris here: https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/kitchener-waterloo/eric-lariviere-centre-in-the-square-renovations-1.7531491

May 5, 2025

Eric Lariviere is the executive director at Kitchener’s Centre In The Square.

Brent Davis/Waterloo Region Record

By Brent Davis Reporter

It’s been more than a year and a half since Kitchener’s Centre In The Square lost its biggest tenant.

The Kitchener-Waterloo Symphony’s surprise announcement that it had filed for bankruptcy in September 2023, just as its season was set to begin, shocked the arts community and the venue the orchestra had called home since 1980.

More than 30 performance dates on the centre’s 2023-2024 calendar were suddenly empty. Pre-pandemic, the symphony had accounted for about 50 dates a year.

“That was a third of the activity and probably half of your set rentals, so it was very significant, the loss, very significant,” said Eric Lariviere, the centre’s executive director.

But in the months since, Centre In The Square has bounced back, with diverse programming, a revitalized Studio Theatre (a smaller performance space) and a strategy to grow both audiences and fundraising revenue.

Lariviere is a relatively new addition as well, having assumed his role in April 2024.

The city-owned venue hosted 92 performances in 2023 and 112 last year, and Lariviere is hoping for between 130 and 150 events and performances this year — a return to pre-pandemic levels, when the symphony was a marquee tenant.

The symphony is rebuilding, too, having seen its bankruptcy annulled in November.

Its musicians have returned to the centre’s stage, in support of the Grand Philharmonic Choir, and presented a few concerts at a Kitchener church. They’ll also perform at the opening night gala at the Elora Festival in July.

And if and when the time is right, Centre In The Square officials say they’d welcome the symphony back on a more frequent basis.

“Hopefully the symphony can have a couple of dates at the centre next year, some of their bigger shows,” said board chair Dan Carli.

“I’d love to see them back. It is a venue that is built for their music. It’s one of the best-sounding music halls in the country.”

Lariviere said Centre In The Square ended 2024 with a $416,000 surplus.

As a not-for-profit corporation and registered charity, that surplus is reinvested for capital purposes such as stage equipment.

The centre receives an annual operating grant from the city, set at about $2.138 million for 2025. Budget documents presented to city council last fall forecast a break-even year as the organization invests in marketing and fundraising infrastructure.

“This is a clear signal we’re investing and developing a business model that will grow and be sustainable for the type of events that we’d like to have,” Lariviere said.

“There’s a lot of work to do,” he said. “Our whole direction right now, it’s all about growth and investment, and it means that we not only need to be successful in having good audiences, but also to engage the whole community to be able to actually raise money.”

Carli said the board supports the strategy. “I think it’s important to build for the long term.”

When Lariviere arrived, he said he wanted to ensure the community’s diversity was reflected in the Centre’s programming.

The 2024-2025 lineup has seen tried and true favourites like Blue Rodeo, the Canadian Brass and Jeans ‘N Classics concerts.

But audiences have also flocked to see Portuguese singer Mariza, or Indian comedian Samay Raina, who sold out the main theatre for two Hindi-language shows.

Both of those acts drew fans from across Waterloo Region and beyond, from the Greater Toronto Area and even border states, Lariviere noted.

“You touch that diversity here, but at the same time you become a destination.”

That serves to bring more visitors, and a broader economic spinoff, to the region as well, Carli pointed out.

Community engagement, which Lariviere feels has been lacking, is also a key priority.

A focus on youth has more than doubled the number of school performances (weekday shows geared to young audiences).

A summer performing arts camp program is being revived this year, with one and two-week sessions designed for ages 4 to 5, 6 to 8, and 9 to 12.

“These camps are amazing for the building of skills, working in groups, teamwork, self-confidence,” said Lariviere.

The Studio Theatre, a more intimate space behind the main theatre, has also been reopened.

Formerly a rehearsal space for the symphony until the Conrad Centre for the Performing Arts on King Street West took on that role a few years ago, the studio has been relaunched as a flexible performance space.

The new Kitchener Creates initiative offers rehearsal and performance space in the studio at affordable rental rates.

“We developed a platform to make it accessible, inclusive and diverse,” Lariviere said. “I think there’s a lot of potential.”

Pat the Dog Theatre Creation is one local group taking advantage of the space, and other partnerships are expected to be announced in the coming months.

“I really am excited about the fact that we’re returning the Centre In The Square to what I could call the crown jewel of the performing arts in the region,” Carli said.

“We’re back on that path.”

Brent Davis covers business and breaking news for Waterloo Region Record.

Cadence Bishop – Performing Arts Summer Camp Director

Cadence Bishop joins us as our new Performing Arts Summer Camp Director, bringing over a decade of experience inspiring young performers through accessible, engaging theatre education. A trained playwright with a background in drama instruction across Milton, Mississauga, and Toronto, Cadence has written and directed more than 15 original plays performed by her students. Her passion lies in helping children aged 6 to 14 develop confidence, creativity, and stage skills through hands-on learning in improvisation, tableaux, acting, and performance.

This summer, Cadence will lead our Kinder, Junior Stars, and Centre Stage Performing Arts Camps — helping to shape the next generation of performers with energy, imagination, and heart.

Learn more and register for Summer Camps here

Myles D. Rusak – Senior Manager, Programming

We also welcome Myles D. Rusak as our new Senior Manager, Programming. A nationally recognized arts and culture leader, Myles has spent over 20 years curating live events and building memorable audience experiences across North America. From launching Toronto’s newest outdoor stadium venue (The Bowl at Sobeys Stadium) to revitalizing legacy festivals and consulting on major cultural strategies, Myles brings a powerful mix of strategic vision and creative innovation.

He has held senior roles with The Feldman Agency, Niagara Falls Tourism, and the Burlington Sound of Music Festival, where his bold programming and community-first approach earned national acclaim and multiple industry awards. At Centre In The Square, Myles will focus on delivering inclusive, high-impact programming that showcases both iconic artists and rising stars.

We are thrilled to have him helping to shape the future of live performance in our community.

The World’s Most Followed Magician Makes Ontario Debut for One Night Only at Kitchener’s Centre In The Square

Xavier Mortimer: Master of Magic

One Night only – 7:30 p.m. – March 12, 2025

Centre In the Square – Kitchener

Tickets on sale Now!

For Immediate Release – Kitchener, Ontario – March 7, 2025 — Kitchener fans are in for a magical treat! Award-winning magician Xavier Mortimer, the most followed magician on social media with over 15 billion video views, is ready to dazzle audiences with a performance that defies the ordinary.  Appearing for ONE-NIGHT ONLY live at Centre In The Square on Wednesday, March 12, this Ontario debut performance promises to be a captivating blend of magic, humor, and stunning stunts, making it a must-see for all ages.

Mortimer’s performance is a captivating blend of originality, comedy, and breathtaking stunts, making it a family-friendly spectacle you won’t want to miss. “If you’re expecting back-to-back tricks or endless levitations, prepare for a surprise,” says Corey Ross, CEO of Starvox, who hails from Cambridge, Ontario, has showcased Mortimer worldwide. “This show is uniquely crafted, combining storytelling and laughter in a way that must be seen live to fully appreciate its viral appeal—his latest gravity-defying video alone has amassed over 30 million views!”

Xavier Mortimer‘s appearance in Kitchener is a co-presentation by Starvox Entertainment and Centre In The Square. This is notably his first appearance in Ontario. His performance takes place on the theatre’s main stage – The Raffi Armenian Theatre.

An enchanting performer who skillfully blends magic, comedy, drama, and illusion into a truly unique experience that captivates audiences of all ages, Mortimer‘s impressive career that has taken him to over 30 countries. He has established himself as a global sensation, particularly through his starring role in Cirque du Soleil’s acclaimed production, Michael Jackson One. In 2016, he made history by becoming the first Cirque performer to launch a headlining residency on the Las Vegas Strip, a testament to his extraordinary talent and creativity. His mesmerizing show, which is directed by the renowned French superstar Alex Goude and legendary Vegas headliner Michael Goudeau, combines stunning visuals and engaging storytelling, making each performance unforgettable. Mortimer’s production has received numerous prestigious accolades, including First Place at the Albano International Congress in Italy and a Gold Star at the L’Eau d’Olle magic festival in France. Most impressively, it has been voted the Best Magic Show in Las Vegas for two consecutive years by the Las Vegas Review Journal, solidifying his status as a must-see performer in the entertainment capital of the world.

Don’t miss your opportunity to experience the magic that has enthralled audiences worldwide; Xavier Mortimer: Master of Magic promises to be a breathtaking journey into the realm of wonder and excitement! 

For more information and to purchase tickets visit: https://centreinthesquare.com/event/xavier-mortimer-master-of-magic/

–  30 –

For all enquiries, interviews and further information contact:

Victoria Lord PR & Communications

victoria@vlpr.com | 647.519.8577

Please add to your event calendar listings

Production: Xavier Mortimer: Master of Magic

Location: Centre In The Square – Raffi Armenian Theatre – 101 Queen Street North, Kitchener, ON

Ticketing: Tickets start at $40.00 plus tax and can be booked online at  Xavier Mortimer: Master of Magic – Centre In The Square

Website: www.starvoxent.com

ABOUT Starvox Entertainment

Starvox Entertainment has been producing and delivering exciting and ground-breaking shows and live entertainment experiences throughout North America and globally since 2003. Founded in Toronto by Corey Ross, Starvox Entertainment has ranked in Profit Magazine’s Fastest growing Canadian companies for 5 years in a row. Starvox produces, manes, represents, and promotes crossover performing arts shows and exhibitions that tour Canada, the United States, and internationally.

Mr. Ross has produced multiple theatrical shows and exhibits in the US, including the Harry Potter parody Potted Potter and Champions of Magic, and is a producer of the world-renowned blockbuster Immersive Van Gogh Exhibit.

In Las Vegas, Mr. Ross produces three shows for Caesars Entertainment – Wow, Rouge, and Potted Potter. In the world of art exhibitions, Mr. Ross produces Immersive Van Gogh, Immersive Disney Animation, and more. For more information please visit, www.starvoxent.com

About Centre In The Square

Established in 1981, The Centre In The Square Inc. (CITS) is a not-for-profit corporation and registered charity dedicated to managing Kitchener’s premier performing arts theatre. With over 140 annual events, CITS showcases top local, national, and international talent, enriching the cultural landscape with concerts, plays, lectures, and more. Located in Downtown Kitchener, the theatre is a cultural hub that also houses the Kitchener Waterloo Art Gallery and partners with local groups like the Grand Philharmonic Choir. Emphasizing on multidisciplinary programming and accessibility, CITS offers diverse artistic experiences for all ages, supporting artists and major national and international touring productions with state-of-the-art facilities and technical expertise.

Our brand new International Series featuring captivating international events plus new additions of the hottest comedians to our Comedy Series is here!

This incredible line-up promises:

• Unforgettable international events to broaden your horizons and ignite your wanderlust.
• Side-splitting stand-up that will have you in stitches.

Whether you’re a travel enthusiast or comedy aficionado, we have something to make you roar with laughter and create memories that last a lifetime.

International Series Line-up:

• Mariza – Tuesday, October 22, 2024 at 8PM | On sale: Thursday, June 27 at 10AM

• Gipsy Kings Featuring Nicholas Reyes – Monday, November 4, 2024 at 8PM | On sale: Thursday, June 27 at 10AM

• Les Ballets Trockadero de Monte Carlo – Monday, November 18, 2024 at 8PM | On sale: Thursday, June 27 at 10AM

• Canadian Brass – Thursday, November 21, 2024 at 8PM | On sale: Thursday, June 27 at 10AM

• Swan Lake – P. Tchaikovsky: The State Ballet of Ukraine – Saturday, December 7, 2024 at 7:30PM | On sale: Thursday, June 27 at 10AM

• Forever Tango – Saturday, February 8, 2025 at 8PM | On sale: Thursday, June 27 at 10AM

• Jesse Cook Live In Concert: Presented by Attila Glatz Concert Productions – Saturday, March 1, 2025 at 7:30PM | On sale NOW!

• Zakir Hussain – Friday, April 2, 2025 at 8PM | On sale: Thursday, June 27 at 10AM

Comedy Series Line-up:

Russell Howard Live: Presented by Live Nation – Thursday, September 26, 2024 at 7:30PM | On sale NOW!

Whose Live Anyway? – Monday, October 7, 2024 at 8PM | On sale NOW!

The Debaters Live On Tour Holiday Special – Thursday, December 12, 2024 at 7:30PM On sale: Thursday, June 27 at 10AM

HYPROV: Improv Under Hypnosis Starring Colin Mochrie & Asad Mecci – Saturday, February 15, 2025 at 7PM | On sale NOW!

Pauly Shore Stick With The Dancing: Funny Stories From My Childhood – Friday, March 28, 2025 at 8PM | On sale: Thursday, June 27 at 10AM

Whether you’re a globetrotter at heart or comedy connoisseur, we have something to make you smile!

Please join us in celebrating Gary’s life on Thursday, May 30, 2024, from 4pm – 7pm at Centre In The Square, located at 101 Queen Street North, Kitchener. Let’s come together to share stories and memories of this remarkable man who touched so many lives.

All are welcome to pay tribute to Gary and the profound impact he had on our community.

As expressions of sympathy, donations to St. Mary’s Hospital Foundation or Canadian Cancer Society would be appreciated by the family (cards available at the funeral home).