Walters Theatre opens for its 13th season with line-up of music and theatrical performances

For Immediate Release

The Walters Theatre, Bright, Ontario is in its 13th season with a "fantastic line-up" of live music and theatrical performances for another stellar season.

The Walters Dinner Theatre is in a converted barn on the family farm. (Barb Fox photo)

It was a milestone realized for The Walters Family when they opened their own dinner theatre on the family farm.

A beautifully transformed 180-year-old wooden beamed barn theatre welcomes thousands of visitors from all over the world each season to their 120-acres country oasis, just minutes from Highway 401, between Woodstock and Kitchener.

"We have a fantastic group of artists that can’t wait to perform here this summer!", says Kimberly Walters, one of the Walters members. There will be 14 different series of shows performed throughout the 2013 Season which begins June 4 and ends September 28.

A popular theatre troupe from Pennsylvania will be making their return to Ontario with their continuing series of theatre shows. This year their performance will be about an Amish Wedding with the title of "Amish Vows in Paradise".

Members of the Walters family entertain in their converted barn with county music and family humour. From left, Shirley, Darren, Kimberly and Brad. (Jim Fox photo)

Direct from Branson, Missouri, "Branson on the Road" and “The Ozark Jubilee” will be bringing Branson to Bright in 2 separate show series. There is no need to travel all the way to Branson when you can see it all in Bright!

The most anticipated show is "The Dennis Lee Show" coming in from Florida! This entertainer has "wowed" audiences all over the world with his entertaining show and is excited to be performing at The Walters Theatre this June!

All the way from Nashville, Tennessee, Jason Petty and his talented band will be performing two separate show series. “The Swinging Cowboys” will take you on a trip down memory lane with the songs from the cowboy era such as “San Antonio Rose”, “Home on the Range” and “Back in the Saddle”.

Jason will also star in “Country Royalty” along with award winning vocalist, Carolyn Martin (from the Time Jumpers). This show has packed theatres across North America with their tribute to Hank Williams and Patsy Cline.

You’ll be amazed by acclaimed performer, Jim Curry, as he takes a trip from California to The Walters Theatre to perform his John Denver tribute. Jim and his band are favourites around the world including the Holland America Cruise Line.

America’s #1 Rock n’ Roll Review, The Van-Dells will perform their fun and entertaining show beginning in the 50’s and ending up in the 60’s!

The 22-piece Toronto All-Star Big Band and Grammy award winning, Walter Ostanek will be making their return appearances by popular demand and, of course, The Walters Family Band will be performing 3 series of their own shows.

The late Rita MacNeil was scheduled to perform for the second year in a row at The Walters Theatre this summer. In her honour, The Walters Family have decided to keep the theatre black for the 2 week duration that would have been her show period.

As well, during The Walters Family Anniversary Show, The Walters are performing their favourite Rita MacNeil song in a moving tribute to her.

The Walters Family are composed of 5 entertaining family members (brothers, sister, mother) who have performed their entire lives together.

Dad, Garry, has retired from the band but is still an instrumental part of the behind-the-scene operations. Music is a way of life for this multigenerational and multi-talented family. The youngest member, 11-year old Schyler makes guest appearances on stage, as he sings and plays the violin.

The Walters passion for music has been their life and they have toured the world bringing their upbeat performances to audiences at concerts, on cruise ships, in theatres and world-wide events. In the course of their career, they have had several of their own television series and specials, have extensively toured, recorded many albums and currently operate their own extremely successful theatre.

A couple of years ago, The Walters Family fulfilled a dream as they performed at The Ryman Auditorium in Nashville, paralleling the 84th Birthday Celebration of The Grand Ole Opry. The historic Ryman
Auditorium is Nashville's Premier Performance Hall. With the coming of the Grand Ole Opry show in 1943, the Ryman found its identity as the Mother Church of Country Music.

At the end of their busy season at The Walters Theatre, The Walters Family host tour groups throughout the States and the world. This past Fall and Spring took them to Britain, Ireland, Scotland, Wales, Hawaii and several American destinations.

The Walters Theatre - RR #3, Bright, Ontario, Canada 519-463-5559 www.walterstheatre.com