BWW Interviews: Geoffrey Tyler Talks MAKING OTHER PLANS

Geoffrey Tyler is a very busy man these days. Fresh off a star-turn in the critically acclaimed Birdland/Talk is Free production of Assassins, Geoffrey is putting on his one man show "Making Other Plans" in Toronto this Saturday night. A unique type of evening, the show involves music and stories, as well as French food and wine. Mark Selby will be playing the keys, and Geoffrey will be singing songs both new and familiar.

This type of event is unique and fairly new to Toronto, channeling the salon-style French cabarets of a forgotten era. The idea came from Geoffrey's desire to revive the cabarets of musical theatre days gone by, and provide an evening of entertainment where the audience can have a true interaction and connection with the performer.

What he has created is an event that allows for this type of interaction in a sophisticatEd Manner. Music is front and centre, but there is also art, French food and wine to be enjoyed. Desserts are being provided by artisan pastry chef, Emanuela Constantini of Seven Cooks Inc and wine is also included in the price of admittance. Geoffrey promises an evening of fun but also an evening of heart, where you can hear great music and enjoy it with the people around you.

This type of intimate evening is a rare thing in today's culture, and BWW sat down to talk to Geoffrey about exactly what people can expect, and about the reasons why people should come out on Saturday night and give something like this a try:

In your own words, describe what you are trying to accomplish with these "Salon" evenings?

The first thing I hope to accomplish is to entertain people. Plain and simple. To make sure that those who've taken some of their precious time and given it to me, leave feeling they've spent it well. But with this particular presentation, we're also trying to give people more than just a "come sit in the dark, watch a show, leave" kind of experience. We have art, food, wine, and a great social atmosphere to offer along with what we feel is a great show. How often does one find that out there in the entertainmentshpere these days?

What type of music can people expect to hear?

All the music in the show is musical-theatre style cabaret songs, some classics, and some modern and new. One song actually is just a pop song that fits great with the rest of the show. But they are all in service of the story of the show, and all them, (even if you are not familiar with them) will be ones you'll want to hear more. I like to call them "Hit songs you just haven't heard yet". There are some great old songs out there that aren't necessarily on the radar by very famous composers (eg: Irving Berlin) but due to the sheer volume of their material, they aren't always put forth with the other super hits of theirs. And then there are also some GREAT new young composers out there (eg: Kooman & Dimond, Georgia Stitt) that you just haven't had the opportunity to hear yet. But you will at my show. There's something I just love about singing a great song that people haven't heard before. Their discovery is my discovery as well.

You talk a lot about the food and wine at your Salons, what can people expect? Where does your food come from?

You're going to get some beautiful French desserts provided by our artisan pastry chef, Emanuela Constantini of Seven Cooks Inc. Creme Brulee tarts; Chocolate Pot du Creme; Tarte Tatin; and many more very beautiful desserts. Gahh! My mouth is watering just remembering them from our tasting last month!

For those who aren't as familiar with musical theatre and showtunes, might they learn something if they come out?

One certainly doesn't need to be familiar with musical theatre to enjoy the show. In the end, great music is great music, whether it's Bach or Blur. But one of the things you're going to learn are a whole bunch of new songs. If you're a singer, you're going to want to seek them out, and if you're a listener, you will want to hear them again. We also picked songs that weren't necessarily well known because we wanted people to come in without the pre-sentimental attachments we often have to the big hits. But we do want you to have new ones with these new songs, and we're pretty sure you're going to with these ones. Plus, who doesn't like discovering great new music?

And will we also learn a bit about you?

The show is very autobiographical so yes, you'll learn lots of things about certain sides of me. You'll find them funny at times, and touching at others. But it's not just a random selection of stories and songs, all the stories and songs are part of a larger story. It's told through the lens of a certain milestone in my life that made me reflect and try and figure out how I got to where I am now. I think this is something that everyone can relate to, because everyone has experienced it no matter what their age. It's a story we all share in many ways, and because of that I hope people will find themselves in it.

Finally, what is the one thing you would say to encourage a younger crowd to come out on a Saturday night?

At the risk of sounding like an "old dude" I think that younger people these days have such a different way of interacting socially and getting their entertainment. I LOVE social media, but it does put up a bit of a barrier between people sometimes. We talk online, we watch online, we listen online - often more than we ever do in person. And no matter how "live" it is online, it's not really live. Throughout history there has never been, and never will be, a substitute to hearing, seeing and feeling live people in a live room. Those people are together, interacting, laughing, talking and getting to know each other. In the case of my show, singing and playing live instruments while making each other laugh and smile. That's rare.

If you think of your favourite band; given the opportunity to listen to them on your iPod or go see up close and personal, which would you choose?

There is no substitute for a live performance by people who are really good at what they do, and who have something lasting and effecting to say. That is a rare experience these days I think, and here is a unique chance to get it!

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When and Where?
Peacock Productions Presents: Geoffrey Tyler - Making Other Plans

Saturday February 26th, 8PM

Labspace Studios
2A Pape Avenue
Toronto, Ontario M4M 2V6
Canada

Tickets are $50 and can be purchased in person at the door or online

$35 Student Tickets with VALID ID

 

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