Michael Rubinoff and Mark Selby present the return of TONY AWARD-WINNER JASON ROBERT BROWN on Monday, November 23, 8PM at the Glenn Gould Studio in the CBC Broadcasting Centre, 250 Front St. W. Backed by his band the Caucasian Rhythm Kings, the evening will feature songs from his award winning and internationally performed musicals SONGS FOR A NEW WORLD, PARADE, LAST FIVE YEARS and 13, his solo album Wearing Someone Else’s Clothes and some new material. Brown will be joined by the Toronto Youth Music Theatre Company Choir and some outstanding Canadian talent to be announced.
“JASON ROBERT BROWN has been hailed as “one of Broadway’s smartest and most sophisticated songwriters since Stephen Sondheim” The New York Times refers to him as “a leading member of a new generation of composers who embody high hopes for the American musical.” With The Last Five Years, Brown won Drama Desk Awards for Best Music and Best Lyrics. Brown received a 1999 Tony Award for his score to Parade, which is currently playing to rave reviews in Los Angeles. Songs for a New World opened Off-Broadway at the WPA Theatre in the fall of 1995, and has since been seen in more than three hundred productions around the world. “Wearing Someone Else’s Clothes” is his solo CD (available on Sh-K-Boom Records).”
Sounds, incredible! See ya there!
mary walsh
From the Canadian Comedy Awards, TWISI wishes to proclaim loudly, amid trumpets and cherubs that “The Princess Warrior has triumphed again!” Last weekend in St. John, New Brunswick, the 2009 Canadian Comedy Awards were presented, including the Dave Broadfoot Award for Comic Genius to Mary Walsh. The Dave Broadfoot Award for Comic Genius was created by Roger Abbott and Don Ferguson from Royal Canadian Air Farce in 2006 as an annual celebration of comic genius in honour of Canadian funnyman Dave Broadfoot. The award includes a cash prize of $2500 has been given to Mike McDonald, Russell Peters, Jeremy Hotz and now, Mary Walsh.
“Over 35 years into her career, Mary is still creating new tv projects, and winning strong reviews for film acting. She’s created successful projects not just for herself, but for other writers and performers. And in a somewhat male-dominated field, she’s a mentor and beacon to women in comedy. Most of all, for 35 years she’s made people laugh with smart, sharp wit. Once we started thinking of Mary, she was the perfect choice as a “comic genius” reflecting all of the values Dave Broadfoot has always stood for.” Roger Abbott
Mary’s most recent film, Crackie, was screened at TIFF (an official selection) and the Globe and Mail said “Mary Walsh gives her finest ever dramatic performance here!”
Mary is shooting a new sitcom for Canwest, recently appeared on the Murdoch Mysteries, and just wrapped the film, The Love Child, with Donald and Rossif Sutherland.
“I couldn’t have been more surprised, or thrilled, to win this award. Under the rouse of presenting the award to someone else (why not me I wondered) I was floored, and literally fell to the floor, when Don and Roger said my name. I really couldn’t be more surprised, or thrilled, or proud!” said Mary.
Congratulations Mary Walsh for being a Comedy Genius!
Here is some interesting and inspiring news from Halifax, Nova Scotia. On October 12th, 2009 there will be an eveving of monologues and song called Women of Halifax at the Bus Stop Theatre (2203 Gottingen Street) as a fundraiser to support a mission trip to Northern India. The performance begins at 8:00pm with a Silent Auction at 7:30pm. Tickets are $20.00 and are available at the door or by contacting Lisa Rose Snow at 902.497.6654 or emailing lisarosesnow@hotmail.com.
According to the press release: “Women of Halifax Fundraiser is an evening to celebrate the talented actresses that live and work in this city. Through monologues and songs these fantastic ladies will be sharing their gifts with us, reinforcing the strong and sometimes overlooked talent that comes from this part of the country. Each woman will do a monologue, piece of theatre or song of their choosing, whether it be a piece that they’ve always wanted to do in front of an audience, or an old favorite. Come celebrate with us at the intimate Bus Stop Theatre and have a great time, all while supporting a fantastic cause!” It features performances by the extremely talented and impressive lineup of performers: Martha Irving, Ann-Marie Kerr, Geneviève Steele, Andria Wilson, Keelin Jack, Emily Forrest, Courtney Seibring, Kristi Anderson, Margaret Legere, Katie Swift and Lisa MacCormack.
“All funds raised will be going to support a missionary trip to Northern India. Lisa Rose Snow will be traveling to India, where she will spend most of her time working at the North Bengal Outreach Ministry, an orphanage and school that currently cares for 107 children in the small village of Satali. Lisa will spend her time working and playing with the children, who have been learning English, and helping out around the facility. Our fundraiser celebrates the wonderful women of Halifax who make a difference not only in their own community, but also in communities around the world.” Brilliant.
daniel macivor
Speaking of Daniel MacIvor, you know what my definition of bliss would be? Well, terrified bliss, but bliss nonetheless? It would be creating and developing an original text with Daniel MacIvor. If you are a playwright, I highly recommend that you apply for this Master Class at the Banff Centre for the Arts. Play Finding with Daniel MacIvor. Program dates: December 11, 2009 – December 13, 2009. Application deadline: October 23, 2009. Arrival: Thursday, December 10, 2009 Departure: Monday, December 14, 2009. “Join celebrated playwright Daniel MacIvor and investigate the process of creating and developing original text — whether it be a monologue, dialogue, a fully-formed idea, or a vague notion. MacIvor will guide you over the course of this intensive workshop in finding the differences and connections between yourself and your idea. Through specially designed conversations and exercises, MacIvor will lead and inform participants to take their creations to the next level. This workshop is designed for playwrights and actors who are interested in creating performance text. Workshop Capacity: The workshop will accept a maximum of 10 participants. For more information on how to apply- please visit this website.
Start time is 8pm (doors 7:30pm) and the show is, as always, “Pay What You Think” (after the show, the audience is given the opportunity to pay whatever they think the show is worth). This show’s performers are: Jennifer Goodhue (Comedy Inc.), Jan Caruana (Second City), Matt Baram (Second City), Naomi Snieckus (Second City), Paul Constable (Second City) and more. Music by Steve Cruickshank (The Bad Dog Theatre).
Each show, David Shore (Second City) interviews a number of guests. After an interview segment, David throws the focus to the Monkey Toast players who then use the interview as the inspiration for their improvised scenes.
The Gladstone Hotel Ballroom, 1214 Queen St. West, Toronto, Ontario.
North America’s largest and oldest Fringe Festival, the glorious Edmonton Fringe Festival, has its 2010 Fringe applications available online at http://www.fringetheatre.ca/. I would strongly urge all those with artistry and passion for the theatre to apply to the Edmonton Fringe Festival, as there is none other quite like it in the world! Also the Canadian Association Fringe Festival Touring Applications are available online at http://www.fringefestivals.com/.
