Making the Rene M. Caisse Memorial Theatre an entertainment destination is easy when you have a great lineup mix that includes something for all ages and tastes.

The 21-act lineup for the next six months includes a mix of entertainment that includes comedy, musicals, dance and magic shows at the 300-seat theatre that boasts a full complement of stage lights and a state-of-the-art sound system.

A host of locals and internationally renowned artists will be performing at the theatre, which opened in September 2007 at 100 Clearbrook Trail in Bracebridge, from February until the end of June.

Theatre manager Janice Frenssen said her lineup is organized into three series: variety (comedy, illusionist, and plays), music (jazz, popular and classical), and family (Willy Wonka and the Complete Works of William Shakespeare.

Frenssen adds this theatre wants to showcase “up-and-coming Canadian talented performers . . . everybody had to start somewhere,” she said.

To kick off the lineup on Feb. 2 is jazz vocalist Emilie Claire Barlow, who has been considered “the next big thing in jazz” by CBC, even garnering a nomination for a Juno and successive years (2005, 2006) as Vocalist of the Year at the National Jazz Awards.

Following this act, opening Feb. 21 and ending Saturday, March 1 is the highly anticipated Cole Porter classic Kiss Me Kate staged by the Bracebridge Rotary Club. This Broadway musical features the songs Too Darn Hot and Wunderbar.

On Saturday, March 8 the theatre has the Complete Works of William Shakespeare that parodies all 97 plays in 90 minutes. It’s expected to be an irreverent, fast-paced romp through all the works that students and adults will appreciate.

Between March 10-14, the theatre will give musical theatre lovers a chance to hit the stage, learning with March Break Camp. Campers will be given opportunities to develop acting, dancing and vocal skills during the week.

On March 15, singer/songwriter and guitarist Lily Frost, whose father lives in the area, brings her smoky voice and love-inspired lyrics of songs that are a blend of pop and folk. Frost has released eight albums.

On Thursday, March 27 the longest-running solo play in Broadway history will have the audience laughing. Defending the Caveman comes to illustrate the differences in how men and women relate. It has been performed in more than 30 countries in more than 15 different languages.

Get your feet tapping when the Mitch Beube Jazz & Swing Band, accompanied by Toronto vocalist Beverly Taft, performs standard swing, blues and Latin favourites on Friday, March 28. The 10-piece band will present arrangements in the classic style.

On Friday, April 4 a world-class illusion show comes to wow audiences. The Magical Moments show performed by Ted and Marion Outerbridge gives a comedic magic show that showcases mind-bending illusions.

Led by Tobin Spring, a guitarist and singer from Huntsville, the Northern Blues V is a collection of 22 musicians that includes Sherisse Stevens, Mike Moretto, Bill Spring and Papa John who will perform blues, rhythm and blues, soul and jazz. They will be performing on Friday, April 11.

On Saturday, April 12 local favourite singer Deric Ruttan, who has extended family in the area, returns to perform. This past year he was the recipient of the SOCAN Songwriter of the Year (along with co-writers Aaron Pritchett and Mitch Merrett) at the Canadian Country Music Awards.

During Canada’s Cancer Awareness Month, Amy Bridle will perform the one-woman show “Yes I can, cer!” The show depicts the battle of one woman as a healer and health-care practitioner on Friday, April 25 and Saturday, April 26.

Local Grade 11 and 12 guitar students will bring their rocking renditions to the stage as Rock Nugget 5 on Thursday, May 1.

The cabaret stylings of singer Patricia O’Callaghan, whose shows are described as “eclectic and theatrical blend of repertoire ranging from Edith Piaf to Rufus Wainright, with lots of Leonard Cohen and Kurt Weill in-between,” will perform on Saturday, May 3. O’Callaghan has released her fourth CD, Naked Beauty.

On Saturday, May 17 Theatre Muskoka’s Best of Broadway will feature seven acts, performed by singers from the Muskoka area and around the province from the theatre community.

Rik Emmett, a founding member of Triumph and an inductee to the Canadian Rock Hall of Fame in 1993, has had a prolific run of albums from classical to jazz to acoustic pop and folk vocal stylings since leaving Triumph. Dave Dunlop will accompany.

Organized by Dave Veitch and Al Hutchings, a fundraising concert on Saturday, June 21 will be held to raise proceeds in the name of Jayson Snoddon, who died from cancer on June 22, 2006.

Special rates are available for local and non-profit groups.

When Frenssen shows people the theatre for the first time, the reaction is always amazing.

“Anytime anyone has been given a tour of the theatre, the most rewarding thing is their reaction to seeing the theatre,” she said.

Support for the facility is strong, especially the support of the 100-plus volunteers who take care of everything involved with the theatre such as the technical aspects to the ushering and ticket taking.

“We couldn’t do it without them,” she said.

For more information about the shows call (705) 645-8400 or visit the website at renemcaissetheatre.ca.