A special theatre company will hit the Music Hall’s stage for a one-time show next week.

The Smile Theatre Company’s latest production, At the Hop, will be performed for the public at the Uxbridge Music Hall on Sat. April 14 at 7:30p.m.

Smile Theatre is the only professional non-profit theatre company in Canada dedicated to performing for senior citizens. For over 30 years, The Smile Theatre Company has been bringing professional musical theatre and smiles to those who would otherwise not have the opportunity to get out to a show, be it for health, transportation or financial reasons. The actors travel to long-term care facilities, retirement homes and seniors’ centres across the country, including here in Uxbridge.

Each year, Smile Theatre brings two showcase performances to the public, but this will be the first time the showcase will be performed outside of Toronto.

Sylvia Eng, Smile’s development officer (and a former Uxbridger), said the audience should expect a high-energy show form high-quality actors.

“It’s a great show for any age, from 99 to 5,” she said.

Like all Smile productions, the show is song-based. At the Hop features 1950s favourites like Chantilly Lace and Great Balls of Fire.

“It’s been found that seniors benefit from singing along with the songs - it brings back memories and they feel revitalized,” Sylvia explained.

All proceeds from the evening will go directly to the company and the seniors it serves.

“A very generous local donor is sponsoring the rental fee for the hall,” Sylvia said. “The actors are not being paid extra for this show. So, the money raised will go directly to the fundraiser, which then allows us to pay for getting to more seniors’ homes this year.”

This year, the company will perform in Ontario, on Prince Edward Island and in Montreal. A small show fee is charged, but it’s largely subsidized by donors.

“The Showcase is called a showcase because usually we only perform in senior’s residences, “ Sylvia said. “It could be anywhere in there, could be the library, the dining hall, anywhere really that there’s a space.”

It is important that people realize that the show is created and geared towards travelling and towards seniors, she added.

“So, the set won’t be as opulent as some of the usual things people see at the Music Hall. But, we’re there to show what we’re doing for seniors.”

At the Hop shows Sat. April 14 at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $20.

The Uxbridge Cosmos, Thursday, April 5th, 2007.