Kelly Cameron - Page 12

Acting Up Stage presents TAPESTRIES this Monday, a unique concert featurin the music of Carole King and James Taylor as arranged by Reza Jacobs. These concerts take place once a year and feature some of Canada's best and brightest musical theatre talent paying tribute to some of the most well-known and loved music of the past century. This year's show features Cynthia Dale, Josh Young, Jake Epstein, Arlene Duncan, Sterling Jarvis and more. Reza spoke to BWW about how he goes about putting the show together, how he feels about Toronto's musical theatre landscape and why people should come see the show.

Terminus was a smash-hit at last year's Summerworks Festival, and now it is the first offering in the inaugural Off-Mirvish Season. The new endeavour from Mivish Productions aims to showcase smaller, independent works to a larger audience within Toronto. BWW spoke to Terminus director Mitchell Cushman about the show, and about how he feels getting the chance to showcase it to a larger audience.

On Saturday November 17th Torontonians came out to support Gilda's Club of Greater Toronto at the eleventh annual It's Always Something variety show and fundraiser. The event was once again hosted by Russell Peters and featured performances by Eric McCormack, Nelly Furtado, Glass Tiger, Louise Pitre and more. All proceeds went to support Gilda's Club, which provides an invaluable support system and resource for people's who's lives have been touched by cancer. BWW is thrilled to bring our readers photos from the event.

Colm Wilkinson is having an exciting year. He's one of the founding artists of Theatre 20, he will be appearing in the much anticipated feature film version of Les Miserables and he's about to embark on a Christmas tour entitled Christmas, Broadway and Beyond. Featuring Christmas tunes as well as favourites from his solo albums, Colm will be dazzling audiences throughout Canada over the holiday season. BWW caught up with him recently to talk about the new show, as well as passing the Jean Valjean torch to Hugh Jackman.

On Saturday night I took my Conservative father out to see Studio 180's production of The Normal Heart, in an attempt to prove this is a piece of theatre that can transcend pre-existing stereotypes and appeal to a person's basic humanity. Thankfully he thoroughly enjoyed the show, and the experience reminded me of why I think this is such an important piece of theatre. Part human rights, part love story, part history lesson - The Normal Heart examines the best and the worst of the human spirit in a powerful evening of theatre. It is because of the lasting impact it has and the lessons of tolerance it teaches that I believe everyone should see this show.

The 2nd Annual Hope Rising Benefit took plays this week at Roy Thomson Hall to benefit the Stephen Lewis AIDS Foundation, an organization that helps women and children with HIV/AIDS in Africa. Annie Lennox returned to Toronto for one night only to lend her gorgeous vocals to the cause, along with Canadian sensation Sarah McLachlan and African singer Angelique Kidjo. Hosted by Jian Ghomeshi, the very special evening was both heartbreaking and inspiring. BWW was on hand to capture photos from the event.

La Cage Aux Folles is wrapping up their first National Tour in Toronto at The Royal Alexandra Theatre with Canuck Jeigh Madjus in the role of Jacob. This is Jeigh's first time on a Mirvish stage, and he spoke to BWW about what his last year on tour has been like, how he's enjoyed being the only Canadian in the cast and how important it is to always be true to yourself.

Canada has spoken, and Danielle Wade has been given the coveted red ruby slippers and the role of Dorothy in Lord Andrew Lloyd Webber's production of The Wizard of Oz. Wade, 20, won the eight week long reality competition 'Over the Rainbow' Monday night after a nation-wide vote eliminated runners-up AJ Bridel and Stephanie LaRochelle. Danielle will headline the Mirvish presentation of The Wizard of Oz, opening this Christmas at the Ed Mirvish Theatre.

Speaking in Tongues is the latest offering from Company Theatre, and it opened this past week at the Berkeley Street Theatre where it will run until November 24th. The show tells the story of nine interconnected people and explores issues such as infidelity, intimacy, and human connection. It is directed by Company Theatre co-founded Philip Riccio, who sat down to talk to BWW about the challenges that come with directing a play such as this, the mature subject matter and his vision for Company Theatre.

On Monday Oct 29th members of the original Canadian cast of RENT gathered together with graduates from Sheridan College to perform a special benefit concern in support of Fife House. Produced by Michael Rubinoff, the event celebrated the 15th Anniversary of the Canadian production of the Tony Award Winning musical, and was a fantastic evening filled with songs and lots of love. On hand to celebrate were Chad Richardson, Cary Shields, Dominique Roy, Karen LeBlanc, Jenifer Aubry, Gavin Hope and Thom Allison. BWW is thrilled to bring its readers photos from the evening.

The 15th Anniversary of the Canadian cast of RENT is upon us, and alums from the original production are getting together with Sheridan College students for a very special concert to raise money for Fife House and honour the spirit of the show. Thom Allison, currently a judge on CBC's Over the Rainbow, has recently been added to the growing list of alum coming back for this one special night. He spoke to BWW about the message of RENT and how it's changed for him over the years, as well as how it applies to the young girls vying for the role of Dorothy in The Wizard of Oz.

Designing 007 opened this Friday at the TIFF Lightbox in Toronto after a successful run in London, England. The exhibit celebrates the last 50 years of James Bond films with a collection of props, costumes, designs and concept mock-ups from all 23 movies (and many props from the highly anticipated Skyfall). BWW is thrilled to be able to bring our readers photos of all the Bond goodies.

On October 29th members of the original Canadian Cast of RENT will join together with Sheridan College students to perform a special 15th Anniversary tribute to Jonathan Larson's musical and raise money for Fife House. BWW is speaking with the alum about what RENT has meant to them and about the special evening. Today we're speaking with Jenifer Aubry, currently on stage in Toronto with Cirque du Soleil, about her time in RENT and what it meant to her.

On October 29th members of the original Canadian Cast of RENT will join together with Sheridan College students to perform a special 15th Anniversary tribute to Jonathan Larson's musical and raise money for Fife House. BWW is speaking with the alum about what RENT has meant to them and about the special evening. Today we're speaking with Dominique Roy, a swing in the original Canadian production and one of the Mimi's on Broadway. Dominique talks to us about the message of love that RENT taught her, and how she holds it true to her today.

On October 29th members of the original Canadian Cast of RENT will join together with Sheridan College students to perform a special 15th Anniversary tribute to Jonathan Larson's musical and raise money for Fife House. BWW is speaking with the alum about what RENT has meant to them and about the special evening. First up is Chad Richardson, who played Mark with the Canadian company and on Broadway. Chad talks about the meaning of the show and how he has applied it to day to day life, about his RENT baby with Cristina Fadale and his hope for future generations of RENT stars.

Studio 180 Theatre kicks off their 10th Season with a remount of their 2011 smash-hit production of The Normal Heart. Directed by Joel Greenberg, the play tells the story of a group of friends in NYC during the early stages of the HIV/AIDS crisis who try and speak out against the ignorance and suppression coming from doctors, politicians and the press. Martin Happer joins last year's cast in the role of Bruce Niles, and he spoke to BWW about being the 'new kid on the block' and about why this show is so important today.

La Cage Aux Folles is ending a year long direct from Broadway tour in Toronto, where it plays The Royal Alexandra Theatre for the next six weeks. Starring George Hamilton and Christopher Sieber, the show tells the story of a manager of a Saint-Tropez nightclub and his cross-dressing lover/lead entertainer. The two stars sat down to talk to BWW about life on the road, switching roles, the message behind the show and how 'gay walks'.

Bloodless: The Trial of Burke and Hare is the first offering from Theatre 20, a brand new Canadian theatre company with a goal to foster the development of new Canadian musicals. Written by Winnipeg playwright Joseph Aragon, the show tells the true story of the West Port murders in Edinburgh in 1829. With a solid cast and some great original music, the show is a brave first choice for Theatre 20.

Theatre 20's much anticipated first production opened last night at The Panasonic Theatre in Toronto. Bloodless: The Trial of Burke and Hare, is something unique and rare: a new Canadian musical. Written by Joseph Aragon, the show was a hit at The Winnipeg Fringe where Theatre 20 Artistic Director Adam Brazier picked it up and decided to use it for Theatre 20's inaugural show. The result is a dark and twisted musical that showcases the incredibly talented triple threats our country is so rightly proud of. BWW is thrilled to bring readers photos from the production.

The 1st National Tour of Sister Act opened at the Ed Mirvish Theatre last week to an audience that included local critics, nuns and even some would-be Dorothys. The show, featuring original music by Alan Menken, is based on the popular 1992 movie of the same name starring Whoopi Goldberg. This new production is a fun treat for the whole family, with memorable tunes and some stand-out performances.