2026 Signature Season
Play On
Celebrating 25 Years of Professional Theatre
Welcome to our 25th anniversary season.
For a quarter of a century, Theatre by the Bay has brought professional live theatre to Barrie — stories that entertain, challenge, delight and connect us. In 2026, we honour that legacy while looking ahead with clarity, ambition and purpose. This season has been carefully curated to reflect who we are and where we are going.
Why This Season Matters
Because live theatre changes how we feel — and how we connect. In our 25th anniversary year, the 2026 Signature Season marks a defining moment for Theatre by the Bay and for Barrie’s cultural future. This season matters because:
With thanks to our sponsor
Gravenhurst Performance
Performances
- August 11, 2026 – August 15, 2026
- August 11, 2026 – August 15, 2026
- August 18, 2026 – August 19, 2026
- August 18, 2026 – August 19, 2026
Creative Team
Performers
Perfect for: Music lovers, multi-generational outings, group celebrations, nostalgic souls, and anyone looking for a joyful night at the theatre.
Harmony. Heart. A second chance at song.
Theatre by the Bay’s Main Company presents Forever Plaid, the internationally celebrated musical revue written and originally directed and choreographed by Stuart Ross.
On the night of their first big break, four eager young singers are tragically killed in a car accident while on their way to see The Beatles’ American debut on The Ed Sullivan Show. In a magical twist of fate, they are granted one final opportunity to return and perform the show they never had the chance to give.
The Plaids — earnest, charming, and impeccably coordinated — present a nostalgic program of beloved hits including “Three Coins in the Fountain,” “Moments to Remember,” “Love is a Many Splendored Thing,” and “Heart and Soul.” Their seamless harmonies, playful choreography, and heartfelt humour create an evening that is both entertaining and unexpectedly moving.
Featuring performers with Broadway and Mirvish credentials, this polished production brings world-class artistry to Muskoka and Barrie, delivering a theatrical experience that feels intimate, uplifting, and irresistibly fun.
Forever Plaid is presented through special arrangement with Music Theatre International (MTI). All authorized performance materials are also supplied by MTI.
Join us for an evening performance — or a relaxed Wednesday or Saturday matinee — and experience the harmonies that have delighted audiences for generations.
Seats are limited. Reserve early.
With thanks to our sponsor
Barrie Performance
Performances
- August 21, 2026 – August 29, 2026
- August 22, 2026
- August 26, 2026
- August 29, 2026
Creative Team
Performers
Perfect for: Music lovers, multi-generational outings, group celebrations, nostalgic souls, and anyone looking for a joyful night at the theatre.
Harmony. Heart. A second chance at song.
Theatre by the Bay’s Main Company presents Forever Plaid, the internationally celebrated musical revue written and originally directed and choreographed by Stuart Ross.
On the night of their first big break, four eager young singers are tragically killed in a car accident while on their way to see The Beatles’ American debut on The Ed Sullivan Show. In a magical twist of fate, they are granted one final opportunity to return and perform the show they never had the chance to give.
The Plaids — earnest, charming, and impeccably coordinated — present a nostalgic program of beloved hits including “Three Coins in the Fountain,” “Moments to Remember,” “Love is a Many Splendored Thing,” and “Heart and Soul.” Their seamless harmonies, playful choreography, and heartfelt humour create an evening that is both entertaining and unexpectedly moving.
Featuring performers with Broadway and Mirvish credentials, this polished production brings world-class artistry to Muskoka and Barrie, delivering a theatrical experience that feels intimate, uplifting, and irresistibly fun.
Forever Plaid is presented through special arrangement with Music Theatre International (MTI). All authorized performance materials are also supplied by MTI.
Join us for an evening performance — or a relaxed Wednesday or Saturday matinee — and experience the harmonies that have delighted audiences for generations.
Seats are limited. Reserve early.
Treasure Island
Performances
- August 19, 2026 – August 22, 2026August 24, 2026 – August 29, 2026
- August 19, 2026 – August 20, 2026August 24, 2026 – August 25, 2026August 27, 2026 – August 28, 2026
Creative Team
Performers
Performance Times: Runtime 1 hour
Morning performances at 11:00 AM
Afternoon performances at 2:00 PM
No 2:00 PM performances on Wednesdays or Saturdays
Perfect for: Families, grandparents and grandchildren, school groups, summer camps, and anyone who believes adventure should be shared.
Adventure awaits. The map has been found.
When a mysterious pirate takes lodging at the inn run by Jim’s mother, it sets in motion the adventure of a lifetime.
On his deathbed, the infamous Billy Bones entrusts Jim with a map to the legendary Treasure Island. With the help of a well-meaning — and slightly bumbling — doctor, Jim sets sail in search of buried treasure and the promise of something greater.
But not everyone aboard can be trusted.
A motley crew of pirates, cleverly disguised as innocent crewmates, plot and deceive as the journey unfolds. Yet it is Jim’s kindness and courage that begin to soften even the toughest hearts — including that of the formidable Long John Silver.
This lively, pantomime-inspired adaptation of the classic tale is filled with humour, audience interaction, and larger-than-life characters. Beneath the swashbuckling adventure lies a story about friendship, sharing, and the power of choosing what is right.
Bring the kids. Invite the grandparents.
Choose a morning or afternoon performance.
And join us for a high-seas adventure the whole family will remember.
Stars Come Out
Performances
- September 28, 2026
Creative Team
Evening performance and gala celebration
Perfect for: Theatre supporters, corporate hosts, elegant nights out, arts champions, and anyone who loves Broadway-calibre talent up close.
Where the stars shine for a cause.
Stars Come Out is Theatre by the Bay’s signature gala — an unforgettable evening that brings celebrated performers from stage and screen together for a one-night-only theatrical event.
This is not a typical fundraiser. It is a professionally produced cabaret experience featuring powerhouse vocals, dynamic staging, and moments of surprise — all in support of professional theatre in Barrie.
The evening includes a red-carpet atmosphere, live musical performances, and opportunities to support the future of Theatre by the Bay through sponsorship, philanthropy, and community engagement.
Each performance is crafted with the same artistic care and polish as our mainstage productions, creating a night that feels both celebratory and meaningful.
When you attend Stars Come Out, you are doing more than enjoying an extraordinary evening.
You are investing in emerging artists.
You are strengthening cultural life in our city.
You are helping ensure that professional theatre continues to thrive for the next 25 years.
Dress up. Gather your guests.
Be part of the celebration.
Seats are limited and this event sells quickly. Reserve early.