Kelly Cameron - Page 14

The Toronto Symphony's 2012-2013 Pops Season kicks off this week with Some Enchanted Evening, the first show of newly appointed Principal Pops Conductor Steven Reineke's new season. The evening pays tribute to Rodgers and Hammerstein, and joining Steven are Ashley Brown, Aaron Lazar and Jonathan Estabrooks. Originally from Canada, Jonathan took a few minutes to talk to BWW about his journey so far, and about why young people should come check this show out.

Last week The Star leaked news that David Mirvish woudl be demolishing The Princess of Wales to build condominiums with architect Frank Gehry. The theatre community was stunned, and many people are left wondering what this means for Toronto. Perhaps the real reason we should be angry however, is not because we're losing a theatre, but rather because of what this decision says about our commercial theatre industry as a whole. Toronto deserves better, and we have to choose not to settle for anything less than the very best.

Queen for a Day had its world premiere Friday night at The Richmond Hill Centre for the Performing Arts, with a stellar cast including America's Favourite Dad Alan Thicke in the role of Jack Bailey. The show examines the popular American reality show Queen for a Day, which gave everyday housewives the chance to appear on national television and vie to have a wish granted if they became 'Queen for a Day'. Thicke and the rest of the cast are the stand-outs of this particular production, which still needs to correct some clunky dialogue and overly predictable plot lines but shows some real promise down the road.

Tony and Emmy Award Winner Andrea Martin is back in Toronto this week, lending her unique blend of comedy and vocal talent to the eight girls vying to become Dorothy in Lord Andrew Lloyd Webber's The Wizard of Oz. BWW was on hand to capture pictures of the girls spending some time with Andrea in the rehearsal hall.

Tony and Emmy Award Winner Andrea Martin visited the set of CBC's Over the Rainbow today to mentor the eight girls still in the competition vying for the lead role of Dorothy. After rehearsals, she spoke with BWW about how you can't teach humour, how improv and theatre is good for self-confidence and about her upcoming role as a hip granny in Diane Paulus' Pippin.

Sam Sniderman, founder of the infamous Sam the Record Man music store chains, has passed away at the age of 92. Much loved citizen of Toronto and music aficionado, Sam was appreciated by many for his contribution to the arts and culture scene across Canada by promoting Canadian music. His Toronto store's trademark sign, with two flashing records, was a landmark in the city for many years. The stores are all gone now, and with the passing of Sam, we are seeing the end of an era.

Tap Dogs returns to Toronto tonight for a limited engagement at The Royal Alexandra Theatre. Two Canadians are in the current cast, including swing MacKenzie Greenwell who took some time to talk with BWW about the challenges associated with this daring and dangerous production, as well as why this is a show you can see many times and have a different experience each time.

Tony and Emmy Award Winner Kristin Chenoweth visited Toronto today to coach and mentor the nine girls currently vying for the role of Dorothy on the CBC reality TV show Over the Rainbow. The Broadway superstar sat down to talk with BWW about her advice for the girls, her recent injury, embracing being different and why she hopes Lord Andrew Lloyd Webber will create a great role for a forty-something short blonde girl!

Toronto and to all of Canada in their living rooms. Featuring Lord Andrew Lloyd Webber himself, the show is a nation-wide search to cast Dorothy in the new Mirvish Production of The Wizard of Oz. Joining Lord Lloyd Webber on the search are judges Arlene Philips, Thom Allison and Louise Pitre and host Daryn Jones. BWW was on hand for the first show to bring readers all the excitement as these girls battle it out for a chance to don the ruby slippers and become a star.

Cody Scott Lancaster is living a theatre geek's dream, making his Broadway debut as Franz in Rock of Ages and calling the Big Apple his new home. He was part of the original Canadian Cast of Rock of Ages before being transported to the Broadway company, and recently he spent the day with BWW explaining what an average day is like in the life of a Canuck on the Great White Way.

Cirque du Soleil's newest creation, AMALUNA, opened this past Thursday with a bang. The atmosphere was electric, with all guests being treated to cocktails, popcorn and ice cream under the big top. With many VIPs in attendance, Cirque debuted their newest production (directed by Diane Paulus) to Toronto. The show is loosely based on Shakespeare's The Tempest, and is a feast for the eyes and ears. BWW was on hand for opening and is thrilled to bring its readers photos from the performance.

Backbeat the Musical tells the story of arguably the world's biggest and most well-known band, the Beatles. The show examines how the band came to be the best known band in the world by looking at their humble beginnings and exploring the fascinating love triangle which existed between original bassist Stuart Sutcliffe, John Lennon and Astrid Kirchherr. The show enjoyed a successful run on London's West End and is playing in Toronto with its original British cast intact. BWW spoke with director David Leveaux about the challenges associated with tackling such 'popular' material, the reasons for exploring the early years of the band, the reaction from Toronto audiences and why this isn't a 'jukebox musical'.

Daniel Robert Sullivan spent over a year in Toronto playing Tommy DeVito in the smash-hit Canadian run of Jersey Boys, and next week he's returning to the Great White North to launch his new book Places, Please! (Becoming a Jersey Boy). Daniel sat down to talk with BWW about why he wrote the book, why he's launching it in Toronto and his journey so far.

Million Dollar Quartet is currently rocking The Toronto Centre for the Arts through the end of the week, and BWW had the opportunity to sit and chat with three of the four men responsible for bringing these iconic rock and roll characters to life each night. Martin Kaye (Jerry Lee Lewis), Lee Ferris (Carl Perkins) and Derek Keeling (Johnny Cash) tell us all about what it's like to portray such well known musicians, what the music means to them and why Million Dollar Quartet has something for everyone.

BWW is thrilled to bring readers photo coverage of the Anandam Dance Theatre's latest offering, Divergent Dances for Windows and Walls. On now at the Bata Shoe Museum, this choreographic installation combines dance and aerial arts and includes performances on the exterior walls of the complex.

Daniel Robert Sullivan spent over a year in Toronto playing Tommy DeVito in the smash-hit Canadian run of Jersey Boys, and next week he's returning to the Great White North to launch his new book Places, Please! (Becoming a Jersey Boy). Daniel sat down to talk with BWW about why he wrote the book, why he's launching it in Toronto and his journey so far.

The stars of War Horse Toronto were out in full force today in Toronto, where they galloped down King Street and visited the farmer's market in David Pecaut Square, some children at CBC Kids Day and the Royal Ontario Museum. BWW is thrilled to bring its readers photos from the event.

BWW is thrilled to bring its readers photos of the opening night performance of Million Dollar Quartet, currently playing at The Toronto Centre for the Arts. We were also on hand for the special press event they held earlier that day at the TCA, where they gave members of Toronto's press a performance and posed for photographs. The show plays until July 29th, 2012.

Beauty and the Beast opened Thursday night in Toronto, becoming the second to last show that Dancap Productions will produce in Toronto before closing up shop after five years. BWW was on hand to capture photos of the opening night.

The 2012 Dora Mavor Moore Awards took place this past Monday night, honouring the best of the best of the past year in Toronto theatre. The evening featured a pre-show VIP reception at The Sony Centre, a gala awards ceremony and the ever popular street party that takes place after the show under the stars on Front St. BWW was on hand to bring you pictures from the event and all the winners!