Sir John A. Macdonald - The Musical Tickets

Theater has always been a platform for exploring history, politics, society, and culture in creative ways. One of the latest additions to the canon of historical dramas is "Sir John A. Macdonald - The Musical," which tells the story of Canada's first Prime Minister and one of its most controversial figures.

Sir John A. Macdonald was born in Glasgow, Scotland, in 1815, and immigrated to Canada with his family when he was five years old. He became a lawyer and politician, and was instrumental in the creation of the Dominion of Canada in 1867. He served as Prime Minister for nearly 19 years, through four terms in office, until his death in 1891.

Despite his achievements, Sir John A. Macdonald has been criticized for his policies towards Indigenous peoples, including the forced relocation of the Métis people, and for his role in the Chinese Head Tax and Exclusion Act. Nonetheless, Macdonald is still widely respected for his role in shaping Canada as a nation.

"Sir John A. Macdonald - The Musical" seeks to portray the complex legacy of this figure through a lively mix of song, dance, and drama. It was written by Craig Cassils, with music and lyrics by Steve Thomas, and was first performed at the Thousand Islands Playhouse in Ontario in 2015, to coincide with the bicentennial of Macdonald's birth.

The musical takes us on a journey through Macdonald's life, from his early days as a lawyer in Kingston, Ontario, to his political triumphs and struggles, including the Pacific Scandal that almost brought down his government. Along the way, we meet some of the key figures in Macdonald's life, including his wife Agnes, his rival George Brown, and his friend and colleague D'Arcy McGee.

The musical also explores some of the darker aspects of Macdonald's legacy, including his involvement in the residential school system for Indigenous children, and his attempts to suppress the Métis uprising led by Louis Riel. These scenes are handled with sensitivity and nuance, and serve to remind us that Macdonald was not simply a hero or a villain, but a complex and flawed human being.

By presenting Macdonald's story through music and theater, "Sir John A. Macdonald - The Musical" invites us to engage with history in a new and dynamic way. It encourages us to explore the contradictions and complexities of our past, and to reflect on how they continue to shape our present. For theater-goers in Canada and beyond, this musical is an important contribution to the ongoing conversation about who we are as a nation, and where we want to go from here.