LIGHTHOUSE REVIEW: ‘Curtains’ stitches together laughs, mystery, and music (Haldimand Press)

By Nick Fearns | The Haldimand Press

April 16, 2026

PORT DOVER—Murder, mayhem, and musical theatre make for a winning combination at Lighthouse Theatre this month, with Curtains delivering big laughs, strong vocals, and polished choreography.

The community production keeps the crowd engaged throughout with a steady stream of jokes, a playful backstage mystery, and a clever story that pokes fun at the world of theatre while also celebrating it.

Set in 1959 Boston, Curtains centres on the doomed opening night of a new musical called Robbin’ Hood, where the death of the show’s leading lady turns a struggling production into a murder investigation.

At the centre of it all is Lieutenant Frank Cioffi, played by Jim Donovan, the theatre-loving detective tasked with solving the case before the killer strikes again. Donovan anchors the production well, balancing Cioffi’s police work with the character’s obvious affection for the stage.

Around him, the large cast embraces the material’s quick pace and self-aware humour. There are plenty of laughs from the audience as the show bounces between murder mystery, romance, rehearsal-room dysfunction, and affectionate jabs at theatrical egos.

The meta aspect of the story, a play about people trying to save a play while chaos erupts around them, gives the production much of its appeal.

Shelby Mulder brings poise to Georgia Hendricks, several times showcasing her vocal abilities, while Brent Millard plays Christopher Belling well, showing his own range with a flamboyant flair.

Nathan Clarke’s Daryl Grady adds another strong comic layer, and The Haldimand Press’ own Mike Renzella gives Bobby Pepper plenty of swagger and stage presence. Jada Dawson as Nikki Harris also helps keep the show moving smoothly, playing both a love interest and murder suspect.

Lorraine Deming has an especially memorable, albeit short, part as Jessica Cranshaw, the untalented star whose fate sets the plot in motion, while Ross Hanna and Shaena Riekermann add to the backstage tension and humour as Sidney and Carmen Bernstein. Carmen in particular produces many hearty laughs with her clever comments, often at the expense of her husband.

Kiana Littlemore, Andy Dominick, Brian Reichheld, Daniel Traina, Melisa Schoeman, Devon Otterman, Eli Senko, Naomi Auld, Christy Miedema, Sammy Rixman, and Mackenzie Tigwell round out the company with strong ensemble work that gives the production energy from beginning to end.

One of the production’s biggest strengths is how fully it sells the musical side of the evening. The singing is consistently strong, and the choreography looks crisp and confident. The cast makes clear that the months of rehearsal paid off.

That same preparation shows in the overall flow of the performance. The production keeps things moving at a brisk pace, which is important in a show built on quick jokes, escalating misunderstandings, and shifting suspicions.

The result is a production that feels playful and well-rehearsed, without losing its spontaneity. The audience reaction is a big part of the night’s success, with laughter rolling through many scenes and helping build momentum as the mystery unfolds.

Taken together, Curtains makes for a fun and highly entertaining evening out. With its strong ensemble, clever backstage premise, and a cast that clearly put in the work, Lighthouse Theatre’s latest community show proves both funny and polished from start to finish.

Curtains continues at Lighthouse Theatre in Port Dover until April 26. For tickets or more information, visit lighthousetheatre.com or call the box office at 1-888-779-7703.

After studying journalism at Niagara College, Nick Fearns began his reporting career immediately after graduation with the Macklin Mirror in Macklin, Saskatchewan. He later returned to Niagara, where he worked for Niagara This Week, writing for seven different newspapers across the peninsula. Nick joined The Haldimand Press in the summer of 2024 and has since focused on community-driven reporting that highlights local voices and issues. He is an Ontario Community Newspaper Association award winner and is passionate about community journalism.