Canadian Music Theatre Project to Kick Off April 10

The Canadian Music Theatre Project is Canada's first incubator for the development of new Musical Theatre Works by Canadian and international composers, lyricists and book-writers. The first two works being developed are COME FROM AWAY, by David Hein and Irene Sankoff (My Mother's Lesbian Jewish Wiccan Wedding, 2010 New York Music Theatre Festival "Outstanding New Musical" and "Excellence in Writing" awards), under the direction of David Ferry and musical direction of Callum Morris and CENTRAL PARK TANGO, by Robert Gontier and Nicky Phillips (Johnny Mercer Songwriters Project, In Flanders Fields), under the direction of Jim Betts and musical direction of Aaron Eyre.

Readings of both new musicals will premiere at Toronto's Panasonic Theatre on Tuesday, April 10 at 2PM and 8PM and will be performed by second and third year students in Sheridan's prestigious Music Theatre Performance Program. Admission to the Toronto readings is a pay what you can contribution to Theatre Sheridan. Presentations will continue, Thursday, April 12 - Saturday, April 21, at Sheridan College's Peter Gilgan Centre at the Trafalgar Campus in Oakville. Both works will be presented at each performance.

"Establishing a permanent headquarters for the development of new musicals is a culturally significant event in Canada. Sheridan is Canada's largest arts school and this ground-breaking initiative continues its proactive role as the country's centre for creative innovation," said Michael Rubinoff, Associate Dean of Performing Arts at Sheridan and Toronto theatre producer. "Our rehearsal halls have been creative laboratories led by some of Canada's most accomplished theatre practitioners."

COME FROM AWAY
Book, Music and Lyrics by David Hein and Irene Sankoff
COME FROM AWAY is based on the true story of when seven thousand people landed on the doorstep of Gander, Newfoundland... and the people of Gander "put the kettle on." A rocking musical about when 38 planes from around the world were diverted to a small, Canadian community on September 11th, 2001 - doubling its population in an instant. While the world witnessed the worst acts of humankind, the stranded passengers had their faith in humanity restored by the spirited people who comforted those who had come from away.
The Company: David Alves, Karina Bershtyn, Curtis Brown, Kirsten Comerford, Mike Cox, Trevor Curran, Jake Foy, Joanna Fraser, Matt Nethersole, Alycia Novak, Samantha Piper, Jaclyn Sere, Erin Winsor and Luke Witt.

CENTRAL PARK TANGO
Book and Lyrics by Robert Gontier, Music and Lyrics by Nicky Phillips.
CENTRAL PARK TANGO is based on the real life story of Roy and Silo, two male chinstrap penguins from the Central Park Zoo who wish to have a family of their own. In this new musical we learn how Roy and Silo meet. We see how their relationship grows and how the penguin community around them challenges and reacts to their union. A penguin musical about the modern day family.
The Company: Dave Ball, Camille Eanga-Selenge, Aaron Hastelow, Julia McLellan, LeAnne Miller, Melissa Peters, Alyssa Reeve, Andres Sierra and Chad Trembley.

Long recognized for excellence in music theatre performance and technical theatre production, Sheridan College offers an innovative learning environment celebrated for academic excellence, applied research and creativity. Alumni perform on stages and work backstage in theatres across the world including on Broadway, in London's West End and at the Stratford Shakespeare and Shaw Festivals. Theatre Sheridan presents six musicals a year at the Trafalgar Road campus in Oakville. The December 2011 production of RENT transfers to Toronto's Panasonic Theatre May 15th. Sheridan College/The Canadian Music Theatre Project is a proud member of the National Alliance for Musical Theatre. Visit theatre.sheridancollege.ca and follow on Twitter at twitter.com/theatresheridan for more information.