Theatre Aquarius’ NCNM selects three new musicals for 2025-26 development
iPhoto caption: Banner provided by Theatre Aquarius.
The National Centre for New Musicals (NCNM) at Hamilton’s Theatre Aquarius has announced the selections for its 2025-26 season, spotlighting three new Canadian musicals in development and incubation.
Following a successful inaugural year that launched the Hamilton-based initiative as a key hub for musical theatre development in Canada, this new season builds on that momentum with a diverse slate of projects.
The works were selected by a 16-member curatorial team and an advisory committee led by Michael Rubinoff, Lily Ling, Sean Mayes, producer Jenny Weisz, and Theatre Aquarius artistic director Mary Francis Moore.
“Our inaugural season was a huge success, and we’re thrilled to welcome these gutsy, beautiful new works to the National Centre for New Musicals,” wrote artistic director Mary Francis Moore in a press release. “The Danish Guest, The Blue Castle, and My Beef with Beef each bring such distinct worlds to life — from Victorian London to early-1900s Muskoka to a modern kitchen haunted by a ghost cow.”
Read more about the selected works below.
The Danish Guest (in development)
Book by Steven Gallagher
Music and lyrics by Anton Lipovetsky
When Hans Christian Andersen turns up uninvited at Charles Dickens’ home, his five-week stay throws the household into chaos — and reignites both writers’ creativity in unexpected ways.
The Blue Castle (in development)
Book and lyrics by Saleema Nawaz
Music by Scott Christian
Based on the L.M. Montgomery novel, this musical follows a woman breaking free from her family’s expectations in early-1900s Muskoka. It’s a journey of independence, love, and finding the courage to finally live for herself.
My Beef with Beef (in incubation)
Book, music, and lyrics by Srutika Sabu
One forbidden beef curry. Two clashing timelines. And a ghost cow with opinions. This dark comedy musical unpacks food, identity, and generational guilt as a South Asian family’s past collides with their daughter’s vegan future.
Find out more on the Theatre Aquarius website.
Theatre Aquarius is an Intermission partner. Learn more about Intermission’s partnership model here.
Krystal Abrigo
Krystal is Intermission's Publishing and Editorial Coordinator. A Scarborough-based writer of Philippine and Egyptian descent, she graduated cum laude with an Honours BA in Professional Writing from York University, specializing in Book Publishing and Corporate/Organizational Communication. She enjoys reading bell hooks, Audre Lorde, and James Baldwin. At any given moment, you can probably find her at a concert or on a long walk somewhere in Toronto.
LEARN MORE
iPhoto caption: (L to R) Kelsey Verzotti, Kennedy Kanagawa, and Ma-Anne Dionisio. Photo by Tim Nguyen.
Theatre Calgary announces casting for world premiere musical The Tale of the Gifted Prince
Starring as Prince Ren is Kennedy Kanagawa, known for his recent Broadway appearance in Into the Woods. Joining him is Ma-Anne Dionisio as the Woman, and Kelvin Moon Loh as the King and Magistrate.
iPhoto caption: Headshot by Andy Moro.
Tara Beagan wins 2025 Governor General’s Award for drama
Published by Playwrights Canada Press, her multilingual play Rise, Red River connects environmental devastation with the intergenerational impacts of colonial violence.
Announcing the ON Criticism: 2025/26 Theatre Critics Lab cohort
Caelan Beard (Brampton), Alexandrea Marsh (London), Phillip Dwight Morgan (Toronto), Izzy Siebert (London), Joe Szekeres (Oshawa), and Hunter Weaymouth (Hamilton) will work with Intermission senior editor Liam Donovan and editorial director Karen Fricker in this six-month-long training and professional development program.
iPhoto caption: A headshot of Jonathan Church. Photo courtesy of The Stratford Festival.
Stratford names Jonathan Church as its new artistic director
“The Festival is fortunate to have attracted such a celebrated and accomplished artistic leader,” wrote Stratford executive director Anita Gaffney in a press release.
iPhoto caption: Liz Der, Vivien Endicott-Douglas, Philippa Domville, and Sofia Rodriguez. Photo by Dahlia Katz.
Chelsea Woolley world premiere to kick off 2025-26 Nightwood season
A highly physical and unexpectedly comedic work, Enormity, Girl, and the Earthquake in Her Lungs explores refuge, resilience, and survival. At its centre is Vic, a young woman who finds herself in a shelter under extraordinary circumstances.
iPhoto caption: A stock image of Lighthouse Festival Theatre in Port Dover.
Lighthouse Festival reveals 2026 summer lineup
“Our 2026 season is bursting with stories we can’t wait to share with you,” wrote artistic director Jane Spence in a press release.
iPhoto caption: (L to R) Kelsey Verzotti, Kennedy Kanagawa, and Ma-Anne Dionisio. Photo by Tim Nguyen.
Theatre Calgary announces casting for world premiere musical The Tale of the Gifted Prince
Starring as Prince Ren is Kennedy Kanagawa, known for his recent Broadway appearance in Into the Woods. Joining him is Ma-Anne Dionisio as the Woman, and Kelvin Moon Loh as the King and Magistrate.
iPhoto caption: Headshot by Andy Moro.
Tara Beagan wins 2025 Governor General’s Award for drama
Published by Playwrights Canada Press, her multilingual play Rise, Red River connects environmental devastation with the intergenerational impacts of colonial violence.
Announcing the ON Criticism: 2025/26 Theatre Critics Lab cohort
Caelan Beard (Brampton), Alexandrea Marsh (London), Phillip Dwight Morgan (Toronto), Izzy Siebert (London), Joe Szekeres (Oshawa), and Hunter Weaymouth (Hamilton) will work with Intermission senior editor Liam Donovan and editorial director Karen Fricker in this six-month-long training and professional development program.
iPhoto caption: A headshot of Jonathan Church. Photo courtesy of The Stratford Festival.
Stratford names Jonathan Church as its new artistic director
“The Festival is fortunate to have attracted such a celebrated and accomplished artistic leader,” wrote Stratford executive director Anita Gaffney in a press release.
iPhoto caption: Liz Der, Vivien Endicott-Douglas, Philippa Domville, and Sofia Rodriguez. Photo by Dahlia Katz.
Chelsea Woolley world premiere to kick off 2025-26 Nightwood season
A highly physical and unexpectedly comedic work, Enormity, Girl, and the Earthquake in Her Lungs explores refuge, resilience, and survival. At its centre is Vic, a young woman who finds herself in a shelter under extraordinary circumstances.
iPhoto caption: A stock image of Lighthouse Festival Theatre in Port Dover.
Lighthouse Festival reveals 2026 summer lineup
“Our 2026 season is bursting with stories we can’t wait to share with you,” wrote artistic director Jane Spence in a press release.
Comments