Joel Cumber News

At an online media announcement - pre-taped in front of Meridian Hall with physically distanced protocols in place - streamed June 8 on the Dora Awards YouTube channel, the Toronto Alliance for the Performing Arts (TAPA) announced 243 nominations for the 41st annual Dora Mavor Moore Awards.

Pinocchio is not a new story by any means, and according to director Sheila McCarthy's program note, it's been translated into 260 languages since it was written in 1881. With such a wealth of imaginings and interpretations already in the world, Brian Hill (book) and Neil Bartram (music and lyrics) wisely decide to let the simplicity of the fairy-tale take centre stage in THE ADVENTURES OF PINOCCHIO.

a??a??a??a??a??a??a??Young People's Theatre (YPT) is thrilled to announce that this year's holiday musical is the Canadian premiere of The Adventures of Pinocchio! Multi-award-winning actor Sheila McCarthy returns to YPT after more than 35 years to direct this rollicking new musical, which follows the beloved marionette on his mischievous quest to become a real human being. The Adventures of Pinocchio will be presented on the Mainstage from November 11, 2019 to January 5, 2020.

In a Gotham-like city, a 20-year drought causes a terrible water shortage, leading to a government-enforced ban on private toilets. The citizens must use public amenities, regulated by a single malevolent company that profits by charging admission for one of humanity's most basic needs. Amid the people, a Hero decides that he's had enough and plans a revolution to lead them all to freedom.

On Sunday night, audiences in Stratford Ontario were treated to a performance of a new musical that had most recently been seen at Toronto's Fringe Festival. EVERY SILVER LINING was brought to the stage at Stratford City Hall for one night only as a way to continue to workshop it and to be a homecoming of sorts for former Stratford resident Jennifer Stewart, who directed the show and is in the ensemble. Written by book writer Laura Piccinin and Composer/Lyricist Allison Wither, EVERY SILVER LINING tells the story of young people processing death and dying. With beautiful music and dialogue that is at times both witty and profound, the show explores the complex emotions felt by a family coping with their son/brother's illness and eventual death, as well as how his teenage friends process such an unthinkable loss.

Fresh off an acclaimed run at the Toronto Fringe Festival, new musical EVERY SILVER LINING is coming to Stratford City Hall for what is sure to be a moving and memorable performance on Sunday August 25th. BWW had the opportunity to chat with Producer, Playwright, and star, Laura Piccinin about how this musical came to be, the deep and moving themes it explores, and the journey it has taken to get to this point.

We are pleased to announce the winners for the 2018 BroadwayWorld Toronto Awards, brought to you by BroadwayHD! Nominations were reader-submitted and voted on by you - the local theatergoers!

It's the last week to vote for the 2018 BroadwayWorld Toronto Awards, brought to you by BroadwayHD! Readers are already setting records as they vote for their favorites. Regional productions, touring shows, and more are all included in the awards, honoring productions which opened between October 1, 2017 through September 30, 2018. Our local editors set the categories, our readers submitted their nominees, and now you get to vote for your favorites! Voting will continue through December 31st, 2018.

There's just two weeks left to vote for the 2018 BroadwayWorld Toronto Awards, brought to you by BroadwayHD! Readers are already setting records as they vote for their favorites. Regional productions, touring shows, and more are all included in the awards, honoring productions which opened between October 1, 2017 through September 30, 2018. Our local editors set the categories, our readers submitted their nominees, and now you get to vote for your favorites! Voting will continue through December 31st, 2018.

There's just two weeks left to vote for the 2018 BroadwayWorld Toronto Awards, brought to you by BroadwayHD! Readers are already setting records as they vote for their favorites. Regional productions, touring shows, and more are all included in the awards, honoring productions which opened between October 1, 2017 through September 30, 2018. Our local editors set the categories, our readers submitted their nominees, and now you get to vote for your favorites! Voting will continue through December 31st, 2018.

There's just one month left to vote for the 2018 BroadwayWorld Toronto Awards, brought to you by BroadwayHD! Readers are already setting records as they vote for their favorites. Regional productions, touring shows, and more are all included in the awards, honoring productions which opened between October 1, 2017 through September 30, 2018. Our local editors set the categories, our readers submitted their nominees, and now you get to vote for your favorites! Voting will continue through December 31st, 2018.

There's just one month left to vote for the 2018 BroadwayWorld Toronto Awards, brought to you by BroadwayHD! Nominations were reader-submitted and now our readers are already setting records as they vote for their favorites. Regional productions, touring shows, and more are all included in the awards, honoring productions which opened between October 1, 2017 through September 30, 2018. Our local editors set the categories, our readers submitted their nominees, and now you get to vote for your favorites! Voting will continue through December 31st, 2018.

Take an exclusive first listen to the standout Act 2 ballad "Wherever You Go, I Will Go", from the Canadian musical comedy RUMSPRINGA BREAK! by songwriting duo Colleen & Akiva.

This past Tuesday 2013 Bistro Award winner Michael Hughes was reunited on stage with one of his best friend's (Mamma Mia's Callandra Dendias) for a very special cabaret which paid tribute to the music of Academy Award Winner Stephen Schwartz (with some Disney thrown in for good measure). Joining this dynamite duo were special guests Kritty Uranowski, John Connolly, Lindsey Frazier, Joel Cumber and Mark Selby on the piano. BWW has photos from the special night.

DEFYING GRAVITY: THE MUSIC OF STEPHEN SCHWARTZ will be presented tonight, June 18th at Toronto's Jazz Bistro. The 9 p.m. performance features vocalists, Michael Hughes (2013 New York City Bistro Award Winner, MICKEY & JUDY) and Callandra Dendias (Toronto's MAMMA MIA!), who last joined forces in 2010 for their sold-out concer t"Unexpressed" at the Berkeley Street Theatre, will reunite for DEFYING GRAVITY: THE MUSIC OF STEPHEN SCHWARTZ. With performances by special guests, including multiple East Coast Music Award nominee, John Connolly, Lindsey Frazier (star of Neptune Theatre's LEGALLY BLONDE), singer/songwriter Kritty Uranowski (Patti Cake), newcomer Joel Cumber, and accompanist Mark Selby.

Vocalists, Michael Hughes (2013 New York City Bistro Award Winner, Mickey & Judy) and Callandra Dendias (Toronto's Mamma Mia!), who last joined forces in 2010 for their sold-out concert 'Unexpressed' at the Berkeley Street Theatre, will reunite for Defying Gravity: The Music of Stephen Schwartz tonight, June 18th at Toronto's Jazz Bistro.

Vocalists, Michael Hughes (2013 New York City Bistro Award Winner, Mickey & Judy) and Callandra Dendias (Toronto's Mamma Mia!), who last joined forces in 2010 for their sold-out concert "Unexpressed" at the Berkeley Street Theatre, will reunite for Defying Gravity: The Music of Stephen Schwartz on June 18th at Toronto's Jazz Bistro. With performances by special guests, including multiple East Coast Music Award nominee, John Connolly, Lindsey Frazier (star of Neptune Theatre's Legally Blonde), singer/songwriter Kritty Uranowski (Patti Cake), newcomer Joel Cumber, and accompanist Mark Selby.

BroadwayWorld collected as many of yesterday's evening Saturday Intermission Pics as we could to bring you Part 2 of our November 17th SIP round-up! Yesterday's evening photos featured shots of the cast of EVITA paying homage to THE PERFORMERS, PHANTOM taking on TWILIGHT, plus peeks backstage at The Public's GIANT, NICE WORK IF YOU CAN GET IT, THE MYSTERY OF EDWIN DROOD, NEWSIES, BRING IT ON, ELF, THE BOOK OF MORMON, MARY POPPINS, THE LION KING, THE ADDAMS FAMILY, ANYTHING GOES, INNER VOICES, BEAUTY AND THE BEAST, 8 MILLION PROTAGONISTS, EMOTIONAL CREATURES, and possibly the most regional SIPs we've collected yet!

Nominated for 15 Drama Desk Awards, the most received by a production in a single year, and four Tony Awards, including Best Score, 9 to 5: The Musical is a comedy about office politics that also strikes a chord for its invigorating story of friendship and female empowerment.

Drayton Entertainment has kicked off the 2012 Season at the St. Jacobs Country Playhouse with 9 To 5: The Musical, the comedy based on the 1980 film starring Dolly Parton.