Thom Allison to Perform Benefit Concert for MCC Toronto, Nov 30

Thom Allison, the thrilling actor/singer who is stopping the show nightly in the Shaw Festival's current hit production of "Guys and Dolls," will return to perform in a fundraising concert for Metropolitan Community Church Toronto (MCC Toronto) on Saturday, Nov. 30th.

The concert will take place in the church's sanctuary on Simpson Avenue in Toronto's Riverdale neighborhood.

"What an explosion of versatile talent! It's a wonder the church is still standing!" raved Song & Script online following Allison's November concert last year. "Multiple standing ovations with screaming, shouting and even tears from a near capacity audience greeted the extraordinary Ragtime star who fed from their energy."

Allison's performance will be the fourth and last performance in MCC's exciting "Two of a Kind" concert series that has featured some of Toronto's most accomplished talents including Jackie Richardson, Micah Barnes, Sterling Jarvis and Heather Bambrick among others.

Joining Allison will be one of his closest friends and associates Lola Cruikshank. "No one knows me better," Allison said. Special guests will be Pride & Joy, a singing group comprised of member of the Choir of Metropolitan Community Church.

Allison's show-stopping performance as Nicely Nicely Johnson in "Guys and Dolls" has inspired public and critical acclaim, including the Toronto Star's Robert Crew: ""One of the great things about theatre is just when you think you've seen a definitive production or performance, along comes another one of such blazing originality that it knocks your fedora off. A case in point: Thom Allison's performance as Nicely Nicely Johnson in this year's Shaw Festival production of the classic musical `Guy and Dolls.' ... (He) piles inspiration on top of inventiveness, and ends up bringing the house down... (He) is simply not to be missed."

"Guys and Dolls," along with "Lady Windermere's Fan, have helped the Shaw Festival to achieve one of its strongest box offices in recent years. Midway through its 2013 season, it's up 12 percent over 2012. Combined, both shows are playing to 72 percent capacity at its flagship Festival Theatre.

Tickets for Thom Allison's "Two of a Kind" concert Nov. 30th are $20 in advance or $25 at the door. To purchase online, visit www.mcctoronto.com. Call (416) 406-6228, ext. 103 to order by phone. The concert will be held in MCC Toronto's Sanctuary located at 115 Simpson Avenue. Concert is at 8 p.m. Doors open at 7:30 p.m.

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