Hello, Love: A New Musical

PENNY & POUND THEATRE | NEW WORKS SERIES

A NEW MUSICAL IN FOUR WARS
Music and Lyrics by Lori Robinson Distel
Book by Piper J. Distel

Directed by Piper J. Distel and Lori Robinson Distel
Choreography by Mya Leworthy and Tyler Hergott

NOVEMBER 13-15, 2026
PRESTON COMMONS STUDIO THEATRE
(810 King St East. Cambridge, Ontario, Canada)

SHOW INFORMATION

Spanning a century of love, loss, and legacy, Hello, Love is a sweeping musical that follows four generations of one Canadian family, each defined by a different war: World War I, World War II, Vietnam, and Afghanistan. Told through four short plays, the story explores the enduring human cost of conflict and the fragile threads of connection that bind families together across time and distance. The journey begins with John, a young doctor from Toronto, who pens reluctant letters from the muddy trenches of the Somme to Mary, the spoiled heiress he is expected to wed following his return. His son, Eugene, a talented USO performer during World War II, writes home to his childhood sweetheart Betty-Anne. Micheal, a slacker reluctantly drawn into the chaos of Vietnam, develops an unlikely love affair with Chi— a young woman caught in the midst of conflict. Finally, Michael’s daughter Morgan, a career soldier deployed to Kandahar, shares her reflections and fears via her personal online blog, revealing the emotional toll of modern warfare. As the letters are read aloud and come to life on stage, each voice becomes a song — a duet between past and present, duty and desire, pain and hope. Through rich harmonies, stirring choreography, and a hauntingly beautiful score, Hello, Love celebrates the resilience of the human heart across generations.

RECOMMENDED AUDIENCE: Age 12+

NOTE: HELLO, LOVE features coarse language, as well as discussion about war and death, implied smoking, drinking and violence. Viewer discretion is advised.

ABOUT THE NEW WORKS SERIES

Penny & Pound’s New Works Series invites audiences to be among the first to experience fresh, original stories as they come to life on stage. Featuring exciting new plays, musicals, and theatrical experiences, the series offers a glimpse into the future of theatre while celebrating the creativity and imagination of today’s artists. Discover new Canadian voices, experience stories you won’t find anywhere else, and be part of the journey as groundbreaking work takes its first steps from page to stage.

PERFORMANCE INFORMATION

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 13th at 7:30 PM — DISCOUNT PERFORMANCE
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 14th at 2:00 PM
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 14th at 7:30 PM — GALA PERFORMANCE/Q&A
SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 15th at 2:00 PM

PRESTON COMMONS STUDIO THEATRE
(810 King St East. Cambridge, Ontario, Canada)

TICKET PRICING

All tickets purchased online may be subject to additional fees and HST.

GENERAL ADMISSION: $35.00
SENIOR ADMISSION (65+): $30.00
STUDENT ADMISSION (Under 25) & VETERANS : $25.00
GROUP RATE (Groups of 10+): $27.50

DISCOUNT PERFORMANCE: $25.00

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

WHAT IS THE RUNNING TIME OF HELLO, LOVE?
HELLO, LOVE runs approximately 2.5 hours, with a 20-minute intermission between
ACT I and ACT II.

IS SEATING RESERVED OR GENERAL?
Seating for this production is general. Those purchasing at the door will be admitted on a first-come-first-serve basis.

CAN I PURCHASE TICKETS AT THE DOOR?
Yes! Tickets can be purchased at the door with cash, credit or E-Transfer. However, we highly recommend purchasing online in order to avoid disappointment.

WILL CONCESSIONS BE AVAILABLE FOR PURCHASE?
Yes! Non-alcoholic beverages and snack items will be available for purchase prior to, during and following the performance.

WHAT TIME DO THE DOORS OPEN?
Doors open 30 minutes prior to the scheduled performance time: 1:30 PM for a 2:00 PM performance, and 7:00 PM for a 7:30 PM performance.

WHAT HAPPENS IF I ARRIVE LATE?
Latecomers will be admitted at the discretion of Front of House staff and may be required to wait for an appropriate break in the performance before being seated. To minimize disruption, late patrons may be seated in alternate locations until intermission.

IS PRESTON COMMONS ACCESSIBLE?
We strive to make our performances accessible to all patrons. Please contact the box office at pennyandpoundtheatre@gmail.com in advance if you require accessible seating or other accommodations.

CAN I TAKE PHOTOS OR VIDEOS DURING THE PERFORMANCE?
Photography, video recording, and audio recording are not permitted during the performance unless otherwise announced.

DO I NEED TO PRINT MY TICKETS?
No. Printed tickets are not required. You may present your ticket on your mobile device or provide your name at the box office.

DOES PENNY & POUND OFFER REFUNDS?
Unless in the case of a cancelled performance, Penny & Pound Theatre does not offer refunds. If you are unable to attend a performance, contact pennyandpoundtheatre@gmail.com as you may be eligible for company credit.

IS THIS PRODUCTION APPROPRIATE FOR ALL AGES?
Age recommendations vary by production. Please review the show's content advisories and age guidelines before purchasing tickets. Babes in arms are not permitted.