ScriptLab to Present Canadian Musical Theatre Festival

ScriptLab, a non-profit developer of new muscial work, will present the first annual Canadian Musical Theatre Festival, November 21-26, 2006 at the restored Papermill Theatre at Todmorden Mills (67 Pottery Road) in Toronto.  The six day festival will showcase the work of Canadian musical theatre writers of the past, present and future.  Out of the 100 artists involved, participating are composer Leslie Arden and performances by Louise Pitre (Something Good), Don Harron (Everybody Loves Opal), Adam Brazier (The Woman in White and Into the Woods), Victor A. Young (The Lord of the Rings stage production in Toronto) and Charlotte Moore (Meet Me in St. Louis). 
         
"We're looking forward to celebrating the history and the future of the Canadian Musical Theatre.  It's exciting to have a forum where we can feature some of our best shows, our best writers, and our best performers and musicians.  It will be a great opportunity to hear some wonderful material - some familiar, some new, and some unjustly forgotten," said Jim Betts, Festival Artistic Director.

"Musicals written by Canadians have entertained international audiences with great success.  The most current example is The Drowsy Chaperone, the acclaimed Broadway hit that was started in Toronto and written by Canadians. This Festival will provide Canadians with the rare opportunity to showcase and develop their work at home. It is our goal to provide new and existing shows with a launching pad so that they can be produced on main stages in Canada and around the world. This is an exciting first step," explained Festival Executive Producer and ScriptLab President, Michael Rubinoff.

Tickets for the Gala Actors' Fund Benefit are $40 all other events are $10. Tickets are available at www.TicketKing.com or by phone at 416-872-1212 or toll free 800-461-3333.  Visit www.scriptlab.ca for more information.

The schedule follows:

"An Entertaining And Fast-Paced Tribute To The History Of Musical Theatre in Canada"
Tuesday, November 21 at 8pm
The Festival will begin with a tribute to the history of musical theatre in Canada.  This event is a benefit in aid of the Actors' Fund, presenting songs from My Fur Lady to The Drowsy Chaperone.

"Where We've Been, Where We Are, and Where We're Going"
Wednesday, November 22 at 8pm
A symposium on The Canadian Musical Theatre will be moderated by writer and Toronto Star theatre critic, Richard Ouzounian.

A Tribute To Norman Campbell
Thursday, November 23 at 8pm
A tribute to Norman Campbell, (Composer of Anne Of Green Gables, The Wonder Of it All, and Turvey) along with the establishment of The Norman Campbell Award for Canadian Musical Theatre Writers. The evening will also include a staged reading of Turvey, a musical by Campbell, Elaine Campbell and Don Harron.

Fireweeds
Friday, November 24 at 8pm
A showcase reading of Fireweeds (Women Of The Klondike) by Cathy Elliott.

Musicals in Development
Saturday, November 25 from 2 to 5pm
Five musicals that currently in development will be showcased. Hot Dog by Nelles Van Loon, The Elusive Tart by Clive VanderBurgh and Justine - Love Me by Robert Swerdlow, Vinetta Strombergs and Justine Collective.

The Giant's Garden
Saturday, November 25 at 8pm
A reading of The Giant's Garden by Scott White and Peter Fenton.

A Concert of Songs from Musicals in Development
Sunday, November 26 from 2 to 5pm
The Festival will conclude with a concert of songs from a number of musicals currently in development.