Jeff Madden News

Dani Girl is a new musical by New York writing duo Michael Kooman and Christopher Dimond, and it opens this weekend in Toronto. The show tells the story of a nine year old girl battling terminal cancer, and explores how she uses music and her imagination to handle her disease. BWW sat down to speak with Gabi Epstein (who plays 'Dani') about what the show means to her, the challenges associated with the difficult subject matter, and having Richard Ouzounian as her director.

The 2012-2013 Mirvish Production season announcement took place this morning, and features the World Premiere of Jason Robert Brown's Honeymoon in Vegas, an all-Canadian cast for Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice's The Wizard of Oz and the smash-hit Book of Mormon. Members of the media, subscribers and eager theatre lovers filled the Ed Mirvish Theatre to hear the announcement, which also included La Cage Aux Folles, Sister Act and Backbeat plus the pre-Broadway run of Flashdance and the directorial debut of Colm Wilkinson in Bloodless.

Theatre 20 announced an exciting inaugural season in a star-studded event this past Monday, January 23rd at Toronto's National Club. Legendary musical theatre performer (and Toronto native son) Colm Wilkinson will make his directorial debut with Bloodless: The Story of Burke and Hare, Theatre 20 will partner with Sheridan College for a production of UK Fringe hit Raindogs and finally, Adam Brazier will direct a re-imagining of Stephen Sondheim's hit Company. BWW was on hand to bring its readers photos of the event, as well as all the details on what's to come for Theatre 20.

On Monday January 23rd Theatre 20 announced its inaugural season in a very special event held at Toronto's The National Club. On hand for the announcement were most of Theatre 20's founding members, as well as members of the arts community, city councilors, special musical guests and invited members of the press. BWW is thrilled to brings its readers these photos of the very special night.

On Sunday night the stars of Toronto's musical theatre scene came out to pay tribute to Des McAnuff as he received an honourary doctorate from Ryerson University for his contribution to the arts over the last few decades. Including cast members from the original Toronto production of Jersey Boys and the current Stratford Festival production of Jesus Christ Superstar, the evening was filled with good music and fantastic tales from Des' extraordinary life. BWW was on hand to bring its readers exclusive photos from the performances and the after party.

On Sunday October 23rd the Ryerson Theatre School is holding a special one night only concert at Koerner Hall to celebrate the achievements of Tony Award Winning director Des McAnuff. It has been a banner year for McAnuff, with his production of Jesus Christ Superstar a runaway hit at the Stratford Festival and bound for Broadway in March of 2012. The concert will feature songs from many of Des' shows, as well as cast members from Jesus Christ Superstar, Toronto's Jersey Boys and more. BWW spoke to Peggy Shannon, Chair of the Ryerson Theatre School, on what we can expect at the event and on the new scholarship the school is offering in Des' honour.

Louise Pitre will take on the role of Iris Langdon in the new comedy (with a bit of music) BEAmused as part of Theatre Orangeville's New Play Development Program. The piece will be directed by Adam Brazier (last seen on Broadway as Walter Hartwright in Sir Andrew Lloyd Weber's musical The Woman In White).

Louise Pitre will take on the role of Iris Langdon in the new comedy (with a bit of music) BEAmused as part of Theatre Orangeville's New Play Development Program. The piece will be directed by Adam Brazier (last seen on Broadway as Walter Hartwright in Sir Andrew Lloyd Weber's musical The Woman In White).

On July 6th Donny and Marie took Toronto by storm with their revamped Vegas show Donny and Marie Live! The pair tore up the Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts with hits both old and new, as well as memorable Broadway tunes, pop songs and good old fashioned banter. BWW was on hand opening night to report on all the excitement that followed their Toronto debut.

Theatre 20 kicked off it's 2011-2012 concert season on Monday May 9th with The Story Begins, an evening of songs from story driven musicals. Featuring special guest Colm Wilkinson and some of Toronto's best and brightest stars, it was a truly magical evening of amazing musical theatre talent. BWW was on hand to bring you exclusive photos from the event.

Theatre 20, a new musical theatre company in Toronto, today announced an exciting three-concert series for 2011, to be held at the Panasonic Theatre.

Theatre 20, a new musical theatre company in Toronto, today announced an exciting three-concert series for 2011, to be held at the Panasonic Theatre.

The votes have all been counted and audited and we're VERY excited to announce the results of the first ever BroadwayWorld.com Toronto Awards! Tens of thousands of votes were cast during six weeks of intensive voting on over 430 nominees in 25 categories. Thank you to all who voted and congratulations to all the winners!

The Toronto Production of the Tony Award Winning Musical JERSEY BOYS closed last Sunday, August 22nd after a successful two year run. BWW brings you pictures from this very special evening.

Jersey Boys has been a smash hit musical ever since it opened on Broadway in 2006. Critically acclaimed and warmly received by the public, the show now has productions running in many different cities, including a very successful and wonderfully talented Canadian Cast. The Toronto Production comes to a close this Sunday August 22nd, 2010 after two years at the Toronto Centre for the Arts. In honour of the show's closing BWW is taking a look back at some of the unique and fun events the Toronto Production has done during its run, and also sat down to talk with Dancap President Aubrey Dan about saying goodbye to the show, and about what comes next:

Celebrating two years on stage, more than one million customers, and three Dora Mavor Moore Awards, the Toronto production of JERSEY BOYS will say 'Bye, Bye Baby, Baby Goodbye' to the city they have called home, on Sunday, August 22, 2010, their second anniversary. Many of the key players in this production also want to celebrate their stay in Toronto and say goodbye!

Celebrating two years on stage, more than one million customers, and three Dora Mavor Moore Awards, the Toronto production of JERSEY BOYS will say 'Bye, Bye Baby, Baby Goodbye' to the city they have called home, on Sunday, August 22, 2010, their second anniversary. Many of the key players in this production also want to celebrate their stay in Toronto and say goodbye!

Celebrating two years on stage, one million tickets sold and three Dora Mavor Moore Awards, the Toronto production of JERSEY BOYS will say 'Bye, Bye Baby' to Toronto on Sunday, August 22, 2010, the date of their second anniversary.