World Premiere Reading Announced for New Canadian Musical JACK & THE BEANSTALK

On Saturday, December 8, 2018, Canadian composer and lyricist William Lavigne presents the World Premiere workshop reading of his new Canadian musical, and first major work for the stage, Jack & The Beanstalk, featuring nine acclaimed Canadian vocalists in the world of opera, jazz and musical theatre. Tickets are now on sale for this exclusive performance.

A new reimagined interpretation of the classic fairy tale, Jack & The Beanstalk features a contemporary, original score and book by Lavigne, including some new twists and turns and memorable characterizations that will elicit more than a few laughs. Suitable for the entire family.

Jack & The Beanstalk features the following cast:

Jack's Mother - Alyssa DiMarco Jack - Stephen Bell Bessy the Cow and Male Chorus - Bruce Yungblut Gorvenal, the Magician - Benoit Boutet Gwendolyn, Gorvenal's Daughter - Clarisse Tonigussi Serafina, the Unfriendly Ogre's Wife - Gabrielle Prata The Unfriendly Ogre - William Lavigne Greta, the Grouchy Goose - Adi Braun Heather, the Hysterical Harp - Clarisse Tonigussi

Musical accompaniment by Tom King, piano and Pat Collins, double bass.

Composer and Lyricist William Lavigne is a graduate of the music program at Cambrian College in Sudbury. He also attended the University of Toronto's Faculty of Music, where he studied voice and opera. William has been affiliated with the Canadian Opera Company, Toronto's Gilbert & Sullivan Society, and as a guest soloist with Sudbury's Bel Canto Choir. In 2009, he launched Awakening, his debut recording of original piano music.

He has also written solo and choral vocal music, including two sets of art songs based on poetry by Canadian poets John McCrae and Bliss Carman. Jack & The Beanstalk is his first major work for the stage.

Tickets for Jack & The Beanstalk are $20 and can be purchased at the TELUS Centre for Performance and Learning box office at 273 Bloor Street West, or online at www.rcmusic.com.