Alex Mustakas joked there’s finally a light at the end of the tunnel and, fortunately, it’s not an oncoming train.

The artistic director and CEO of Drayton Entertainment has likely felt tied to the tracks since March 2020 when the doors closed in Cambridge and St. Jacobs due to the COVID-19 pandemic after a total of 14 performances between the two venues.

Four of Drayton’s other theatres, in Drayton, Grand Bend, Penetanguishene and the smaller schoolhouse theatre in St. Jacobs, didn’t even open.

Mustakas told the Times in 2020, with indoor capacity limits, there was no way the theatres could open, as most of the bodies allowed in the buildings would be actors and crew.

But the news came down Oct. 8 that full capacity would be allowed in theatres.

That was music to Mustakas’ ears.

“We’re obviously thrilled, because this has been devastating for our industry as a whole, not to mention tourism and the hospitality industry,” Mustakas said.

“It’s just so nice to think that we’re on a cautious road to recovery. I think we’re ready.”

The city is also ready to have Drayton’s Cambridge branch, Hamilton Family Theatre, back in operation.

Mayor Kathryn McGarry said the Hamilton Theatre is a “jewel” and has exponential spinoffs for the city.

When it comes to restaurants and shopping, Mustakas told council last year the company yields $17.8 million in visitor spending to the immediate area surrounding the theatre, according to a provincial tourism economic impact model.

Besides the dollar figure, McGarry noted people coming into the city for a production will see other landmarks, such as the river and Butterfly Conservatory, and return for them. It also has drawing power for families and businesses looking to relocate.

“We often point to the list of amenities that Cambridge offers that are unique to our community compared to others, and often that is the final box that site selectors will tick when they are promoting Cambridge as a place to expand.”

With restaurants and small businesses still trying to get back on their feet, McGarry added the Hamilton Family Theatre opening will be a boost to downtown establishments. Not to mention improving a long-missed social atmosphere in the city.

Drayton did have its struggles, though, during the pandemic, racking up around $3 million in losses in 2020. The company ended up buoyed by monthly 50/50 draws, and a grant of $192,500 for “keeping the lights on over the next year,” according to Mustakas in September 2020.

McGarry said an investment in the company to keep it going, which didn’t sit well with some residents, would come back tenfold to the local economy.

“It is a city-owned building, and those costs would fall to the city if Drayton theatre had to pull out or failed. So, we would still have to pay those costs annually,” she said.

While restrictions are lifted, Mustakas said the theatre isn’t quite going full steam ahead.

Prior to the announcement of the 2022 season in January, Cambridge and St. Jacob’s will run holiday shows: “Back Home For The Holidays” at the Hamilton Family Theatre and “A Closer Walk with Patsy Cline” at the St. Jacobs Country Playhouse.

Selected shows will run at full and half capacity, Mustakas said, to meet people’s varying degrees of confidence in crowds.

“It’s like follow the numbers,” Mustakas said, adding people will have to be double vaccinated to attend shows and wear a mask throughout.

“At the end of the day, a great show is always the icing on the cake, but we want people to feel safe and to feel comfortable.”

And as live theatre comes back, Mustakas is eager to see how people respond.

“They’ve seen everything on Netflix and it’s time to have that communal experience.”

Story behind the story: With the Hamilton Family Theatre Cambridge reopening to shows, starting in December, the Times wanted to delve into what the theatre means to the city financially and beyond.