It is with great sadness that we have learned of the passing of Dan Costain — beloved performer, craftsman, collaborator, and cherished member of the Kaleidoscope family.
A song-and-dance man whose career spanned decades and stages across Canada and beyond, Dan originated the role of Moody McPherson in the quintessential Canadian musical Anne of Green Gables at the Charlottetown Festival in 1965. He returned to the production for nine seasons, performing the show nearly 1,000 times and touring with the show to Japan and New York, where it opened off-Broadway in 1971. He also toured across Canada and abroad as a member of the celebrated Canadian folk dance company Les Feux Follets. Characteristically humble about his achievements, Dan rarely spoke about the remarkable scope of his stage career.
His theatrical work extended far beyond Anne. Dan appeared in numerous Charlottetown Festival productions including Johnny Belinda, Guys and Dolls, and Puttin’ On the Ritz. Over the years he performed on stages from Dawson City to Vancouver, appearing in beloved musicals such as Dames at Sea, Beauty and the Beast, Evita, Hello, Dolly!, South Pacific, Brigadoon, and Anything Goes (just to name a few)! In addition to his work as a performer, Dan’s artistry was evident behind the scenes as well, contributing to numerous organisations on countless productions as a technical director, scenic carpenter, and designer.
Dan (Danny to his friends) was also part of the creative ensemble that helped shape Kaleidoscope Theatre in our early years. Working alongside our first Artistic Director, Liz Gorrie, he helped develop imaginative new work for young audiences as an actor-creator and songwriter. His creativity and collaboration helped define the playful, inventive spirit of those formative productions, including the beloved The AlliHippoRhinoCrocodilligator. Dan was also part of the cast of Kaleidoscope’s infamous production of The Ant and the Grasshopper, which toured internationally and brought the company’s work to audiences abroad, including performances in Singapore and Brunei. The foundation he helped build continues to inspire generations of young artists and audiences today.
Dan remained closely connected to Kaleidoscope throughout his life. In 2018 he returned to the Kaleidoscope stage as Thunder Karlson in Pippi Longstocking: The Family Musical. For many years he also served as Kaleidoscope’s primary Scenic Carpenter, building sets for numerous productions. In recent seasons these included The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane, The Giver, The House at Pooh Corner, Pinocchio, The Secret Garden, and many more. In fact, many of the pieces Dan created remain in use today — including elements seen in our most recent production of Thumbelina.
In an article preserved in the Kaleidoscope archives, Dan once reflected on his long career with characteristic humility:
“Even the bad times have made me learn things I can put to good use.”
From Kaleidoscope’s Artistic & Executive Director Pat Rundell:
“Dan was truly one of a kind. I first saw him on stage in 2000, and a few years later had the privilege of working with him on Anne of Green Gables with Kaleidoscope. During our breaks between performances we would tap dance together in the wings, a small glimpse of the joy and playfulness he carried with him everywhere he went.
Over the years I had the privilege of working alongside Dan many times, as an actor, as a designer, and through his work with IATSE Local 168. No matter the role he was playing, Dan brought an infectious spirit to the room. He always had a joke ready, a mischievous sparkle in his eye, and a song just waiting to burst out. But more than anything, he had an enormous heart and a deep love for theatre and the people who make it.
Dan helped build the artistic community we are part of today, and Kaleidoscope owes so much to his creativity, his generosity, and his unwavering belief in the magic of theatre. We are all better for having known him.”
Dan’s impact on our theatre community, on stages, in workshops, and behind the scenes, will be felt for generations. His humour, generosity, craftsmanship, and boundless love of theatre shaped the work and the people around him.
We extend our deepest condolences to Dan’s family, friends, and the many artists whose lives he touched.
He will be deeply missed.
