ALL EYES ON US
Celebrations Dinner theatre has been a staple of the Winnipeg theatre scene for over 25 years. Our talented cast takes on the best in pop culture, crafting hilarious parodies of the biggest names in movies, music and TV for an altogether unforgettable show. Take in the excitement (and the stunning live vocals) while you enjoy a delicious three-course dinner being served by our character servers.
Break from your routine and immerse yourself in a truly Canadian experience – we guarantee a good time (and we know all your favourite songs).
It’s a live show so anything could happen. Play along and the actors might just include you in the act!
Our cast never breaks character and audiences always have a good time. Each show features classic hit songs – we dare you not to sing along.
THE VISIONARY
Janet Cunningham
[email protected]
Janet was raised in Flin Flon, Manitoba, the eldest of seven children. She spent her adult life in Winnipeg, where she was regional controller for Keg Restaurants (10 years) and controller for Athlete’s Wear Sporting Goods (8 years). She graduated the CGA program in 1983 and joined Doug Stephen & Jim Armstrong in WOW Hospitality Concepts in 1995. Janet and her husband Ken have two grown children and four grandchildren who are all now young adults.
During the tumultuous year of 2020 Janet decided to bow out of Wow Hospitality Concepts while in turn, Doug Stephen decided to move on from the dinner theatre business. This led to an amicable deal which gave Janet sole interest in the Jubilations Dinner Theatres in Calgary and Edmonton, as well as Celebrations Dinner Theatre in Winnipeg and Aussie Rules Piano Bar in Calgary. These businesses are now operated by her as part of her newly formed company Act Three Entertainment Inc.
PRINCIPLES
Bob Cunningham
President/ Artistic Director
In 1992 Bob was performing at a small local dinner theatre in Winnipeg that was on the verge of shutting its doors for good when he had the fortuitous idea to contact his mother, who had spent many years in the restaurant business, to see of she new anyone who might be interested in this intriguing interactive dinner theatre concept. Much to the delighted surprise of Bob and all the other actors in the show whose bags were half packed, she did indeed know just such a person and Doug Stephen was his name. Doug and Bob’s mother, Janet Cunningham, stepped up and voila… 30 years later Celebrations Dinner Theatre in Winnipeg, along with Jubilations Dinner Theatre in Edmonton and Calgary are alive and kicking.
Bob is very proud to still be part of this family business all these years later. Doug Stephen moved on from the dinner theatre business in 2020 and Janet became the sole owner. Under the banner of the newly formed company Act Three Entertainment, the three dinner theatres and Aussie Rules Piano Bar remain staples of their communities and a testament to the fact that there is still a place in todays world for small/medium family owned businesses. Bob’s mother Janet Cunningham is mostly retired now, but as company president Bob continues to work closely with her to try and maintain her core values and original vision for the theatres, while also instilling some fresh ideas and innovations.
Syreeta Bennie
Vice President
Syreeta started with Wow hospitality in 1995 as a performer doing several shows until moving to NYC for ten years to pursue her acting career. After moving back from NYC and touring Canada as a performer, she settled down roots in Calgary. Syreeta wanted to come back to the company she knew and loved. In 2008 Syreeta became the Theatre Operations Manager and climbed the ladder over the years to GM.
In 2020 when Act Three was established, Syreeta was promoted to Vice President of the Dinner Theatres and Aussie Rules Piano Bar. She is thrilled to be still a part of such a creative and inspiring team and excited to take this next journey.
“Thank you so much for supporting live theatre and allowing so many of us to live our dream; it means more than you know.”
WHO RUNS THE SHOW
Randy Apostle
General Manager
For over 25 years Randy served as the Artistic Director for Celebrations and Jubilations dinner theatres in Winnipeg, Edmonton and Calgary, performing as writer on many productions and director of the vast majority.
Over his years in the Canadian arts, Randy has worked in many theatres across Canada as a Producer, Technician, Stage Manager, Writer, Actor, Singer, Musician, Artistic Director and Director. Randy has also appeared in various film and television productions. He is now enjoying his latest role as General Manager of Celebrations Dinner Theatre.
(Bit of trivia – Randy was born and raised in Moose Jaw Sask. which is why there has always been a Moose Jaw mention in our shows.)
Randy would like to thank all of our audiences for their many years of laughter and support and looks forward to welcoming guests to our theatre for many years to come!
Cassandra Purchase-Page
Floor Manager
Born and raised in Winnipeg MB, Cassandra grew up with a passion for costumes, set design and theatre. As a young adult Cassandra worked in many varying positions in the service industry liking the pace and bustle but, feeling creatively unfulfilled. That is, until Cassandra joined the Celebrations family as an additional cast member in 2018. Cassandra’s love of the energy and people at Celebrations later translated into her taking on a larger role with the company as Assistant to the Stage Manager. This gave Cassandra valuable insights and experience for understanding the inner workings of what it takes to successfully run an evening at Celebrations. With this experience, Cassandra moved up to take on the role of Floor Manager in October of 2022. Being able to provide a fun and unforgettable experience each night through her staff the additional cast, is what makes the position so fulfilling for Cassandra.
Brent Buchanan
Stage Manager
Brent was born and raised in Carman, Manitoba where is love for theatre and music was evident at an early age. After starting his professional theatre career at Rainbow Stage in Winnipeg, Brent became a part of the Celebrations family in 1993. Brent is graduate of George Brown Theatre School in Toronto and his acting career has taken him to almost every major city in Canada over the past 17 years. A love for theatre and craft makes stage managing at Celebrations a perfect fit for Brent right now and he looks forward to the opportunity to be a positive influence on the production side of the shows here at our amazing theatre in Winnipeg.
Caleb Schellenberg
House Technician
Caleb Schellenberg was born in Winnipeg, Manitoba in 1991. He succumbed to the Celebrations call in 2013. Initially, Caleb was hired as an additional cast before he began learning from the best in the biz/audio and light guru/previous house technician and long time Canadian visual and aural artist, Jessica Rose, in 2016. In his spare time, he likes to go for walks with his partner, play CHEL, and spend time with family. Caleb is now excited to bring you a homegrown dinner (though he promises to not be involved in that part) theatre experience!”