Preview: 9 to 5

Opening tonight at the Yonge Centre for the Performing Arts is 9 to 5 the new musical comedy based on the film, of the same name. The show, which ran on Broadway last year, has some great music and is sure to be a crowd pleaser. Set in the Rolodex era, the stage production features the film's title song Nine to Five, along with a ton of other original music by the legendary Ms. Dolly Parton. I first fell in love with the show when I heard Stephanie Block perform "Get Out and Stay Out" on YouTube. (The Tony version of the song is below. It is a real diva jam.)

Patricia Resnick, who co-wrote the original screenplay also wrote the stage adaption. It is great to see so many of the original creative team on-board to adapt the film to the stage. Despite 9 to 5's shortish run on broadway, (less than six months) it was a crowd favourite and garnered four Tony nominations in 2009. The show also received fifteen Drama Desk nominations, the most ever for a single production. Justin is taking his mum to see the show tonight, and I am going to see it with a girlfriend tomorrow. Can't wait! Click the header for ticket information.

Dora Mavor Moore Award Winners

Buddies in Bad Times - stole the show, winning Outstanding Production, Best Direction as well as a slew of design awards. Below is the entire list of winners from The Star article.

2011 DORA MAVOR MOORE AWARDS RECIPIENTS

GENERAL THEATRE PRODUCTION DIVISION

Outstanding New Play

Anusree Roy Brothel #9

Outstanding Production

Blasted Buddies In Bad Times Theatre

Outstanding Direction of a Play / Musical

Brendan Healy Blasted

Outstanding Performance by a Male in a Principal Role

Joseph Ziegler Death of a Salesman

Outstanding Performance by a Female in a Principal Role

Yanna McIntosh Ruined

Outstanding Performance in a Featured Role / Ensemble

Jane Spidell Doc

Outstanding Set Design

Julie Fox Blasted

Outstanding Costume Design

Tim Chappel & Lizzy Gardiner Priscilla Queen of the Desert

Outstanding Lighting Design

Kimberly Purtell Blasted

Outstanding Sound Design/Composition

Richard Feren Blasted

Outstanding Musical Direction

Harry Bicket Orfeo ed Euridice

Outstanding Choreography

Peter Darling Billy Elliot

Outstanding Touring Production

The Andersen Project Canadian Stage presents Ex Machina

INDEPENDENT THEATRE PRODUCTION DIVISION

Outstanding New Play or New Musical

Sky Gilbert The Situationists

Outstanding Production

Through the Leaves The Company Theatre

Outstanding Direction

Nina Lee Aquino paper SERIES

Outstanding Performance by a Male in a Principal Role

Gavin Crawford The Situationists

Outstanding Performance by a Female in a Principal Role

Sandy Duarte Blood

Outstanding Performance in a Featured Role / Ensemble

Christopher Stanton The New Electric Ballroom

Outstanding Set Design

John Thompson Through the Leaves

Outstanding Costume Design

Melanie McNeill Madhouse Variations

Outstanding Lighting Design

Trevor Schwellnus Nohayquiensepa (No one knows)

Outstanding Sound Design/Composition

Richard Lee paper SERIES

DANCE DIVISION

Outstanding Original Choreography

Roberto Campanella & Robert Glumbek in between

Outstanding Production

Out of Context — for Pina

Harbourfront Centre’s World Stage presents Alain Platel/Les Ballets C. de la B.

Outstanding Performance

Juan Ogalla Espejo de Oro / Mirror of Gold

Outstanding Original Sound Design/Composition

Joby Talbot Chroma

THEATRE FOR YOUNG AUDIENCES DIVISION

Outstanding Production

Routes Lorraine Kimsa Theatre for Young People presents Concrete Theatre

Outstanding Performance

John Cleland Edward The “Crazy Man”

MUSICAL THEATRE DIVISION

Outstanding New Musical / Opera

Rufus Wainwright Prima Donna

Outstanding Production

A Year With Frog and Toad Lorraine Kimsa Theatre for Young People

Outstanding Performance by a Male in a Principal Role

Tony Sheldon Priscilla Queen of the Desert

Outstanding Performance by a Female in a Principal Role

Kate Hennig Billy Elliot

OPERA DIVISION

Outstanding Performance

Alan Oke Death in Venice

Outstanding Production

Orfeo ed Euridice Canadian Opera Company

PRIDE Week has begun...

There is a lot going on at Buddies this week and weekend for the annual Pride Celebration! This is one show that is appearing on the Buddies stage this coming Wednesday. Stay tuned for more upcoming events for our favourite queer theatre in the city!

Viva Cabaret Tribute to the greatest Divas

This show is part of Queer Pride 2011 at Buddies in Bad Times Theatre. A Festival for the Community.

Tribute to the greatest Divas of all times in two acts with dancers, live piano and 25 divas. Doors at 7 show at 8 p.m. Guest performance by Enrik Marks!

www.rushow.ru

Box Office: 416-975-8555
12 Alexander St
Toronto, ON
Tickets are $15.
buddiesinbadtimes.com

Factory Summer Youth Intensive

The summer is a notoriously slow time in the theatre world. But that isn't stopping Factory Theatre. In fact, they are using the downtime to expand their year old student summer intensive program. This past weekend I spoke with Sara Meurling, the Factory's Managing Director, who initiated the youth program, last year. Below is some information about the program from our conversation.

Me: Why a student summer program at Factory?

Sara: Factory Theatre is a world class theatre company, but outside of student matinees, we don't connect with young people as often as we would like. And we are space rich, and while we use the space for productions that adults enjoy we wanted to reach out to young generations and get them involved with the company. We have had connections to Secondary students but many of our productions are very challenging for youth audiences. While they do come to the theatre as school audiences, we wanted to offer them another program created especially for them. This is an opportunity to engage them further. Young people bring a different kind of energy to the Factory. It is very exciting to have them in the building.

Me: What is this program all about?

Sara: The Youth Playbuilding Ensemble is a holistic approach to theatre production. We wanted to provide young people with more than just acting training. We want them to understand all aspects of non-profit theatre production, from creative training to technical training and production development. We based the program on other programs but this summer's structure is more streamlined than the pilot project last year.

Me: How have you attracting students for the program?

Sara: Last year, we got funding approval very late so we did a limited amount of outreach. We knew we wanted to focus on our local community. We started by reaching out to the high schools in our area, speaking with teachers and asked them to recommend students they felt would enjoy the program. It was very ad hoc, as it was the first year. But, this year we were more experienced so we expanded our approach. Again we used teachers and school administrators as our primary liaisons with students, but did more outreach and started the outreach earlier.

Me: The program has a participation cost. Are their scholarships or subsidies available for students who can't afford to participate.

Sara: The program is very affordable, $300 for the two week session. But there are subsides available for students who express an interest and who would not be able to participate otherwise. The application process is fairly straightforward at this point. We ask students to submit a letter of interest, in which students can request subsides.

Me: Is there a public presentation? Or what is the relationship of the program and the audience at large.

Sara: Right now we do a presentation at the end of the two weeks, show casing what the students have been working on. But the audience is largely friends and family members, as well as internal staff. This is a learning experience for these students, some of whom have never been part of a theatrical production before, so we wanted to keep the pressure as low as possible. The emphasis is on training.

We also spoke briefly about Sara's vision for the program in the long term. As of this summer all applicants have been accepted, but as the program grows that could change.

This year Factory is holding two sessions of the Youth Playbuilding Ensemble. The first started this past Friday, but the late session doesn't get underway until August 15th and runs till the 26th. You can get more information on signing up for the late session by clicking the header.

Join us for the SummerWorks Festival Launch

Click the image to enlarge, for details. Or click the header to be taken to the SummerWorks events page.

Shawn Hitchins is back!

Our friend Shawn Hitchins is back onstage this weekend. Opening tonight with Anne Barnshaw at the Flying Beaver Pubaret Shawn he's adapted his show, from the fall, Single White Douche and created Survival of the Fiercest. Survival of the Fiercest tackles urban life with humour and song, including covers by Guns N' Roses, Neil Young, Madonna and Lady Gaga. With his emphasis on pop culture, theatrical background and hilarious timing Shawn always entertains and sometimes even enlightens. Survival of the Fiercest plays tonight and tomorrow night at 8pm. Don't miss this one. Click the header for theatre location, ticket prices and and reservations. Dinner is available at the show, beforehand, so make a night of it!

Harbourfront Centre Programming

Our friends at the Harbourfront Centre have been sending us listings of all their summer programming and a lot of the events look really fun, including outdoor movies, and canoe rides on the Natrel pond. There are also a whole bunch of food festivals, live performances and music. A lot of good family fun, and fun stuff for young people. So be sure to click the links and check out all the awesome stuff Harbourfront Centre has going on this summer. There is definitely something for everyone.

Our favourite moments of the Tonys

A great start to a great show!

Super fun and well done. I thought it was ad-lib until they started singing.

Sutton Foster is pretty awesome.

Neil Patrick Harris and the Best Play winner War Horse

And the night's highlight (in my opinion)

The Book of Mormon looks amazing!

List of the 2011 TONY Award Winners!

Thank you to playbill.com...

Winners are marked by a *.

2011 TONY AWARD NOMINEES AND RECIPIENTS

Best Musical
*The Book of Mormon
Catch Me If You Can
The Scottsboro Boys
Sister Act

Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Musical
*Norbert Leo Butz, Catch Me If You Can
Josh Gad, The Book of Mormon
Joshua Henry, The Scottsboro Boys
Andrew Rannells, The Book of Mormon
Tony Sheldon, Priscilla Queen of the Desert

Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Play
Brian Bedford, The Importance of Being Earnest
Bobby Cannavale, The Motherf**ker with the Hat
Joe Mantello, The Normal Heart
Al Pacino, The Merchant of Venice
*Mark Rylance, Jerusalem

Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Musical
*Sutton Foster, Anything Goes
Beth Leavel, Baby It's You!
Patina Miller, Sister Act
Donna Murphy, The People in the Picture

Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Play
Nina Arianda, Born Yesterday
*Frances McDormand, Good People
Lily Rabe, The Merchant of Venice
Vanessa Redgrave, Driving Miss Daisy
Hannah Yelland, Brief Encounter

Best Revival of a Musical
*Anything Goes
How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying


Best Lighting Design of a Play
*Paule Constable, War Horse
David Lander, Bengal Tiger at the Baghdad Zoo
Kenneth Posner, The Merchant of Venice
Mimi Jordan Sherin, Jerusalem

Best Lighting Design of a Musical
Ken Billington, The Scottsboro Boys
Howell Binkley, How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying
Peter Kaczorowski, Anything Goes
*Brian MacDevitt, The Book of Mormon

Best Play
Good People Author: David Lindsay-Abaire
Jerusalem Author: Jez Butterworth
The Motherf**ker with the Hat Author: Stephen Adly Guirgis
*War Horse Author: Nick Stafford

Best Scenic Design of a Musical
Beowulf Boritt, The Scottsboro Boys
Derek McLane, Anything Goes
*Scott Pask, The Book of Mormon
Donyale Werle, Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson

Best Revival of a Play
Arcadia
The Importance of Being Earnest
The Merchant of Venice
*The Normal Heart

Best Book of a Musical
Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson Alex Timbers
*The Book of Mormon Trey Parker, Robert Lopez and Matt Stone
The Scottsboro Boys David Thompson
Sister Act Cheri Steinkellner, Bill Steinkellner and Douglas Carter Beane

Best Scenic Design of a Play
Todd Rosenthal, The Motherf**ker with the Hat
*Rae Smith, War Horse
Ultz, Jerusalem
Mark Wendland, The Merchant of Venice

Best Performance by an Actor in a Featured Role in a Musical
Colman Domingo, The Scottsboro Boys
Adam Godley, Anything Goes
*John Larroquette, How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying
Forrest McClendon, The Scottsboro Boys
Rory O'Malley, The Book of Mormon

Best Costume Design of a Musical
*Tim Chappel & Lizzy Gardiner, Priscilla Queen of the Desert
Martin Pakledinaz, Anything Goes
Ann Roth, The Book of Mormon
Catherine Zuber, How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying

Best Performance by an Actress in a Featured Role in a Musical
Laura Benanti, Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown
Tammy Blanchard, How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying
Victoria Clark, Sister Act
*Nikki M. James, The Book of Mormon
Patti LuPone, Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown

Best Costume Design of a Play
Jess Goldstein, The Merchant of Venice
*Desmond Heeley, The Importance of Being Earnest
Mark Thompson, La Bête
Catherine Zuber, Born Yesterday

Best Direction of a Play
*Marianne Elliott and Tom Morris, War Horse
Joel Grey & George C. Wolfe, The Normal Heart
Anna D. Shapiro, The Motherf**ker with the Hat
Daniel Sullivan, The Merchant of Venice

Best Direction of a Musical
Rob Ashford, How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying
Kathleen Marshall, Anything Goes
*Casey Nicholaw and Trey Parker, The Book of Mormon
Susan Stroman, The Scottsboro Boys

Best Sound Design of a Play
Acme Sound Partners & Cricket S. Myers, Bengal Tiger at the Baghdad Zoo
Simon Baker, Brief Encounter
Ian Dickinson for Autograph, Jerusalem
*Christopher Shutt, War Horse

Best Performance by an Actor in a Featured Role in a Play
Mackenzie Crook, Jerusalem
Billy Crudup, Arcadia
*John Benjamin Hickey, The Normal Heart
Arian Moayed, Bengal Tiger at the Baghdad Zoo
Yul Vázquez, The Motherf**ker with the Hat

Best Sound Design of a Musical
Peter Hylenski, The Scottsboro Boys
Steve Canyon Kennedy, Catch Me If You Can
Brian Ronan, Anything Goes
*Brian Ronan, The Book of Mormon

Best Performance by an Actress in a Featured Role in a Play
*Ellen Barkin, The Normal Heart
Edie Falco, The House of Blue Leaves
Judith Light, Lombardi
Joanna Lumley, La Bête
Elizabeth Rodriguez, The Motherf**ker with the Hat

Best Choreography
Rob Ashford, How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying
*Kathleen Marshall, Anything Goes
Casey Nicholaw, The Book of Mormon
Susan Stroman, The Scottsboro Boys

Best Original Score (Music and/or Lyrics) Written for the Theatre

*The Book of Mormon
Music & Lyrics: Trey Parker, Robert Lopez and Matt Stone

The Scottsboro Boys
Music & Lyrics: John Kander and Fred Ebb

Sister Act
Music: Alan Menken
Lyrics: Glenn Slater

Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown
Music & Lyrics: David Yazbek

Best Orchestrations
Doug Besterman, How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying
Larry Hochman, The Scottsboro Boys
*Larry Hochman and Stephen Oremus, The Book of Mormon
Marc Shaiman & Larry Blank, Catch Me If You Can

***


Recipients of Awards and Honors in Non-Competitive Categories

Special Tony Award for Lifetime Achievement in the Theatre
Athol Fugard (Recipient)
Philip J. Smith (Recipient)

Regional Theatre Tony Award
Lookingglass Theatre Company (Chicago, IL) (Recipient)

Isabelle Stevenson Award
Eve Ensler (Recipient)

Special Tony Award
Handspring Puppet Company (Recipient)

Tony Honor for Excellence in the Theatre
William Berloni (Recipient)
The Drama Book Shop (Recipient)
Sharon Jensen and Alliance for Inclusion in the Arts (Recipient)

Audience Choice Award at the Dora Awards

Please click the header above to vote for your favourite show this year!

Again, we here at EAP congratulate all the nominees!!!

See you at the theatre

2011 Dora Nominations Announced!

At a press conference held June 7 at the Young Centre for the Performing Arts, the Toronto Alliance for the Performing Arts (TAPA) announced 171 nominations for 197 eligible productions that opened between June 1, 2010 and May 31, 2011 for the 32nd annual Dora Mavor Moore Awards which honour excellence in the performing arts in Toronto.

For the 2010-2011 season, 106 producing companies registered eligible productions. A total of 35 Dora Awards plus the Silver Ticket Award, the Pauline McGibbon Award and the Audience Choice Award will be given out in a glittering ceremony hosted by Craig Lauzon and Michaela Washburn on Monday, June 27 at the St. Lawrence Centre for the Arts in the Bluma Appel Theatre.

In the General Theatre Production Division, Soulpepper Theatre Company leads overall with 9 nods for 6 productions in this division (plus 1 in the Musical Theatre Division for a total of 10 nods). Buddies in Bad Times Theatre's Blasted and Factory Theatre's Brothel #9 tie for top production with 7 nominations each.

Thank you to Broadwayworld.com

GENERAL THEATRE PRODUCTION DIVISION

OUTSTANDING PRODUCTION
The Railway Children Matthew Gale and Jenny King for The Touring Consortium (RC) International and Robert Richardson for Marquis Entertainment
Ruined Obsidian Theatre Company in association with Nightwood Theatre
Peggy Pickit Sees the Face of God - The Africa Trilogy Produced by Volcano Theatre, presented by Luminato
Brothel #9 Factory Theatre
Blasted Buddies In Bad Times Theatre

OUTSTANDING TOURING PRODUCTION
The Andersen Project Canadian Stage presents Ex Machina
Studies in Motion - The Hauntings of Eadweard Muybridge Canadian Stage presents the Electric Company Theatre
South Pacific Dancap Productions Inc.
L'Orchestre D'Hommes-Orchestres Performs Tom Waits The Theatre Centre
Jake's Gift Factory Theatre presents Juno Productions

OUTSTANDING NEW PLAY
Roland Schimmelpfennig Peggy Pickit Sees the Face of God - The Africa Trilogy
Produced by Volcano Theatre, presented by Luminato
Maja Ardal The Cure for Everything Theatre Passe Muraille
Brendan Gall Wide Awake Hearts Tarragon Theatre
Anusree Roy Brothel #9 Factory Theatre
Andrew Kushnir The Middle Place Canadian Stage and Theatre Passe Muraille collaborate to produce

OUTSTANDING DIRECTION OF A PLAY / MUSICAL
Philip Akin Ruined Obsidian Theatre Company in association with Nightwood Theatre
Nigel Shawn Williams Brothel #9 Factory Theatre
Gina Wilkinson Wide Awake Hearts Tarragon Theatre
BrenDan Healy Blasted Buddies In Bad Times Theatre
Allen MacInnis A Year With Frog and Toad Lorraine Kimsa Theatre for Young People

OUTSTANDING PERFORMANCE BY A MALE IN A PRINCIPAL ROLE
Sterling Jarvis Ruined Obsidian Theatre Company in association with Nightwood Theatre
Joseph Ziegler Death of a Salesman Soulpepper Theatre Company
Diego Matamoros Oleanna Soulpepper Theatre Company
David Ferry Blasted Buddies In Bad Times Theatre
Ash Knight Brothel #9 Factory Theatre

OUTSTANDING PERFORMANCE BY A FEMALE IN A PRINCIPAL ROLE
Yanna McIntosh Ruined Obsidian Theatre Company in association with Nightwood Theatre
Pamela Sinha Brothel #9 Factory Theatre
Michelle Monteith Blasted Buddies In Bad Times Theatre
Jane Spidell Peggy Pickit Sees the Face of God - The Africa Trilogy
Produced by Volcano Theatre, presented by Luminato
Anusree Roy Brothel #9 Factory Theatre

OUTSTANDING PERFORMANCE IN A FEATURED ROLE / ENSEMBLE
The Ensemble Our Class Studio 180 Theatre in association with Canadian Stage
Oliver Dennis Jitters Soulpepper Theatre Company
Jane Spidell Doc Soulpepper Theatre Company
Ari Cohen Death of a Salesman Soulpepper Theatre Company

OUTSTANDING SET DESIGN
Scott Reid The Clockmaker Tarragon Theatre
Robin Fisher A Year With Frog and Toad Lorraine Kimsa Theatre for Young People
Julie Fox Blasted Buddies In Bad Times Theatre
Joanna Scotcher The Railway Children Matthew Gale and Jenny King for The Touring Consortium (RC) International and Robert Richardson for Marquis Entertainment
Glen Charles Landry À toi, pour toujours, ta Marie-Lou Théâtre français de Toronto

OUTSTANDING COSTUME DESIGN
Tim Chappel & Lizzy Gardiner PRISCILLA QUEEN OF THE DESERT The Musical
Bette Midler; James L. Nederlander; Garry McQuinn; Liz Koops; Michael Hamlyn; Allan Scott Productions; Roy Furman/Richard Willis; Terry Allen Kramer; Terri and Timothy Childs; Ken Greiner; Ruth Hendel; Robert G. Bartner; Chugg Entertainment; Michael Buckley; Stewart F. Lane/Bonnie Comley; Bruce Davy; Thierry Suc/TS3; Volcano Project; Paul Boskind and Martian Entertainment/Spirtas-Mauro Productions/MAS Music Arts & Show; David Mirvish
Shawn Kerwin Brothel #9 Factory Theatre
Robin Fisher A Year With Frog and Toad Lorraine Kimsa Theatre for Young People
Joanna Scotcher The Railway Children Matthew Gale and Jenny King for The Touring Consortium (RC) International and Robert Richardson for Marquis Entertainment
Charlotte Dean The Misanthrope Tarragon Theatre

OUTSTANDING LIGHTING DESIGN
Thomas Hase Prima Donna Luminato
Richard G. Jones The Railway Children Matthew Gale and Jenny King for The Touring Consortium (RC) International and Robert Richardson for Marquis Entertainment
Lorenzo Savoini A Midsummer Night's Dream Soulpepper Theatre Company
Kimberly Purtell Blasted Buddies In Bad Times Theatre
Ken MacKenzie (Re)Birth: E.E. Cummings In Song Soulpepper Theatre Company

OUTSTANDING ORIGINAL SOUND DESIGN/COMPOSITION
Richard Feren Blasted Buddies In Bad Times Theatre
Mike Ross (Re)Birth: E.E. Cummings In Song Soulpepper Theatre Company
Mike Ross A Midsummer Night's Dream Soulpepper Theatre Company
Debashis Sinha The Post Office Pleiades Theatre
Craig Vear / Christopher Madin The Railway Children Matthew Gale and Jenny King for The Touring Consortium (RC) International and Robert Richardson for Marquis Entertainment

OUTSTANDING CHOREOGRAPHY
Tim French [title of show] Angelwalk Theatre
Teddy Masuku / Heidi Strauss Shine Your Eye - The Africa Trilogy
Produced by Volcano Theatre, presented by Luminato
Ross Coleman PRISCILLA QUEEN OF THE DESERT The Musical Paul Boskind and Martian Entertainment/Spirtas-Mauro Productions/MAS Music Arts & Show; David Mirvish
Peter Darling
BILLY ELLIOT The Musical David Mirvish presents, Universal Pictures STAGE PRODUCTIONS, Working Title FILMS, Old Vic Productions in association with WEINSTEIN LIVE ENTERTAINMENT
Jen Shuber A Year With Frog and Toad Lorraine Kimsa Theatre for Young People

OUTSTANDING MUSICAL DIRECTION
Steuart Bedford Death in Venice Canadian Opera Company presents The Aldeburgh Festival, Opéra national de Lyon, Bregenz Opera and Prague State Opera
Pablo Heras-Casado Nixon in China Canadian Opera Company presents a Co-production of Opera Theatre of St. Louis, Chicago Opera Theatre, Opera Colorado, Houston Grand Opera, Minnesota Opera and Portland Opera
Harry Bicket Orfeo ed Euridice Canadian Opera Company presents Lyric Opera of Chicago
Diane Leah A Year With Frog and Toad Lorraine Kimsa Theatre for Young People
Anthony Bastianon [title of show] Angelwalk Theatre
OPERA DIVISION

OUTSTANDING PRODUCTION
Prima Donna Luminato
Orfeo ed Euridice Canadian Opera Company presents Lyric Opera of Chicago
Nixon in China Canadian Opera Company presents a Co-production of Opera Theatre of St. Louis, Chicago Opera Theatre, Opera Colorado, Houston Grand Opera, Minnesota Opera and Portland Opera
La Cenerentola Canadian Opera Company presents a Co-production of Houston Grand Opera Association, Welsh National Opera, Gran Teatre del Liceu and Grand Théâtre de Genève
Death in Venice Canadian Opera Company presents The Aldeburgh Festival, Opéra national de Lyon, Bregenz Opera and Prague State Opera

OUTSTANDING PERFORMANCE
Sondra Radvanovsky Aida Canadian Opera Company
Lawrence Zazzo Orfeo ed Euridice Canadian Opera Company presents Lyric Opera of Chicago
Jane Archibald Ariadne auf Naxos Canadian Opera Company presents Welsh National Opera Production
Alan Oke Death in Venice Canadian Opera Company presents The Aldeburgh Festival, Opéra national de Lyon, Bregenz Opera and Prague State Opera

MUSICAL THEATRE PRODUCTION DIVISION

OUTSTANDING PRODUCTION
PRISCILLA QUEEN OF THE DESERT The Musical Bette Midler; James L. Nederlander; Garry McQuinn; Liz Koops; Michael Hamlyn; Allan Scott Productions; Roy Furman/Richard Willis; Terry Allen Kramer; Terri and Timothy Childs; Ken Greiner; Ruth Hendel; Robert G. Bartner; Chugg Entertainment; Michael Buckley; Stewart F. Lane/Bonnie Comley; Bruce Davy; Thierry Suc/TS3; Volcano Project; Paul Boskind and Martian Entertainment/Spirtas-Mauro Productions/MAS Music Arts & Show; David Mirvish
Parade Acting Up Stage & Studio 180 Theatre
BILLY ELLIOT The Musical David Mirvish presents, Universal Pictures STAGE PRODUCTIONS, Working Title FILMS, Old Vic Productions in association with WEINSTEIN LIVE ENTERTAINMENT
A Year With Frog and Toad Lorraine Kimsa Theatre for Young People
[title of show] Angelwalk Theatre

OUTSTANDING NEW MUSICAL/OPERA
Conceived by Timothy French and Avery Saltzman To Life Harold Green Jewish Theatre Company
Rufus Wainwright Prima Donna Luminato
The Ensemble (Re)Birth: E.E. Cummings In Song Soulpepper Theatre Company

OUTSTANDING PERFORMANCE BY A MALE
Will Swenson PRISCILLA QUEEN OF THE DESERT The Musical Paul Boskind and Martian Entertainment/Spirtas-Mauro Productions/MAS Music Arts & Show; David Mirvish
Tony Sheldon PRISCILLA QUEEN OF THE DESERT The Musical: Paul Boskind and Martian Entertainment/Spirtas-Mauro Productions/MAS Music Arts & Show; David Mirvish
Justin Bott [title of show] Angelwalk Theatre
Darren A. Herbert Parade Acting Up Stage & Studio 180 Theatre
Allen MacInnis A Year With Frog and Toad Lorraine Kimsa Theatre for Young People

OUTSTANDING PERFORMANCE BY A FEMALE
Shelley Simester [title of show] Angelwalk Theatre
Ma-Anne Dionisio Miss Saigon Dancap Productions Inc.
Louise Pitre A Year With Frog and Toad Lorraine Kimsa Theatre for Young People
Kate Hennig BILLY ELLIOT The Musical David Mirvish presents, Universal Pictures STAGE PRODUCTIONS, Working Title FILMS, Old Vic Productions in association with WEINSTEIN LIVE ENTERTAINMENT
Gabi Epstein To Life Harold Green Jewish Theatre Company

INDEPENDENT THEATRE PRODUCTION DIVISION

OUTSTANDING PRODUCTION
The Company Theatre Through the Leaves
Eldritch Theatre Madhouse Variations
Doghouse Riley Productions Blood
Cahoots Theatre Company in association with The Young Centre for the Performing Arts paper SERIES
Cahoots Theatre Company A Taste of Empire

OUTSTANDING NEW PLAY OR NEW MUSICAL
Sky Gilbert The Situationists Cabaret Company
Maev Beatty and Erin Shields, with Andrea Donaldson Montparnasse Groundwater Productions in association with Theatre Passe Muraille
Jovanni Sy A Taste of Empire Cahoots Theatre Company
Eric Woolfe Madhouse Variations Eldritch Theatre
Darrah Teitel The Apology Rabiayshna

OUTSTANDING DIRECTION
Trevor Schwellnus Nohayquiensepa (No one knows) Aluna Theatre
Philip Riccio Through the Leaves The Company Theatre
Peter Pasyk Blood Doghouse Riley Productions
Nina Lee Aquino paper SERIES Cahoots Theatre Company in association with The Young Centre for the Performing Arts
Audrey Dwyer The Apology Rabiayshna

OUTSTANDING PERFORMANCE BY A MALE IN A PRINCIPAL ROLE
Nicholas Campbell Through the Leaves The Company Theatre
Matthew MacFadzean Tom's A-Cold Starving Artists / Nextstage Festival
Gavin Crawford The Situationists Cabaret Company
Eric Woolfe Madhouse Variations Eldritch Theatre
Cyrus Faird Mojo Ezra's Atlantic Co-op

OUTSTANDING PERFORMANCE BY A FEMALE IN A PRINCIPAL ROLE
Sandy Duarte Blood Doghouse Riley Productions
Rosemary Dunsmore The New Electric Ballroom MacKenzieRo: The Irish Repertory Theatre Company of Canada
Peggy Baker Are You Okay Peggy Baker Dance Projects in association with Necessary Angel Theatre Company
Maria Vacratsis Through the Leaves The Company Theatre
Kyra Harper Vincent River Cart/Horse Theatre

OUTSTANDING PERFORMANCE IN A FEATURED ROLE / ENSEMBLE
The Ensemble The Apology Rabiayshna
The Ensemble paper SERIES Cahoots Theatre Company in association with The Young Centre for the Performing Arts
The Ensemble Montparnasse Groundwater Productions in association with Theatre Passe Muraille
The Ensemble Nohayquiensepa (No one knows) Aluna Theatre
Christopher Stanton The New Electric Ballroom MacKenzieRo: The Irish Repertory Theatre Company of Canada

OUTSTANDING SET DESIGN
Steve Lucas The Situationists Cabaret Company
Lindsay Anne Black The Atomic Weight of Happiness Stand Up Dance
John Thompson Through the Leaves The Company Theatre
Jackie Chau Brown Balls fu-GEN Theatre Company
Camellia Koo paper SERIES Cahoots Theatre Company in association with The Young Centre for the Performing Arts

OUTSTANDING COSTUME DESIGN
Rosemarie Umetsu The New Electric Ballroom MacKenzieRo: The Irish Repertory Theatre Company of Canada
Melanie McNeill Madhouse Variations Eldritch Theatre
Jung-Hye Kim Montparnasse Groundwater Productions in association with Theatre Passe Muraille
Jessica Botelho Paradise By The River Shadowpath
Camellia Koo paper SERIES Cahoots Theatre Company in association with The Young Centre for the Performing Arts

OUTSTANDING LIGHTING DESIGN
Trevor Schwellnus Nohayquiensepa (No one knows) Aluna Theatre
Michelle Ramsay paper SERIES Cahoots Theatre Company in association with The Young Centre for the Performing Arts
Michelle Ramsay The Atomic Weight of Happiness Stand Up Dance
Kevin Hutson Hard Times Puppetmongers in association with the night kitchen and Theatre Passe Muraille
Gareth Crew Madhouse Variations Eldritch Theatre

OUTSTANDING SOUND DESIGN/COMPOSITION
Thomas Ryder-Payne Nohayquiensepa (No one knows) Aluna Theatre
Richard Lee paper SERIES Cahoots Theatre Company in association with The Young Centre for the Performing Arts
Mike Filippov Madhouse Variations Eldritch Theatre
Christopher Stanton The New Electric Ballroom MacKenzieRo: The Irish Repertory Theatre Company of Canada
Anna Fritz 300 TAPES The Theatre Centre/Public Recordings Co-production

THEATRE FOR YOUNG AUDIENCES DIVISION
OUTSTANDING PRODUCTION
The Grace Project: SICK The Sick Collective / Jack Grinhaus and Sarah Miller-Garvin / Next Stage Festival
Routes Lorraine Kimsa Theatre for Young People presents Concrete Theatre
Offensive Fouls Hustle N' Bustle Theatre in association with Roseneath Theatre
Head à Tête Theatre Direct
DISS - An interactive presentation about the risks of gang involvement Mixed Company Theatre, a division of Maple Leaf Theatre for Social Responsibility

OUTSTANDING PERFORMANCE
The Ensemble DISS - An interactive presentation about the risks of gang involvement
Mixed Company Theatre, a division of Maple Leaf Theatre for Social Responsibility
The Ensemble The Grace Project: SICK
The Sick Collective / Jack Grinhaus and Sarah Miller-Garvin / Next Stage Festival
Olaf Sham Edward The "Crazy Man" Workman Arts Project of Ontario
John Cleland Edward The "Crazy Man" Workman Arts Project of Ontario
Colin Doyle Offensive Fouls Hustle N' Bustle Theatre in association with Roseneath Theatre

DANCE DIVISION

OUTSTANDING PRODUCTION
Harbourfront Centre's World Stage presents Dave St-Pierre Un peu de tendresse bordel de merde! (A little tenderness for crying out loud!)
The National Ballet of Canada Chroma
ProArteDanza Šin betweenŠ
Luminato presents Chunky Move Two Faced Bastard
Harbourfront Centre's World Stage presents Alain Platel/Les Ballets C. de la B. Out of Context - for Pina

OUTSTANDING CHOREOGRAPHY
Wayne McGregor Chroma The National Ballet of Canada
Tedd Robinson Sticks DanceWorks presents tiger princess dance projects
Sharon B. Moore The Great Farini Project Sharon B.Moore/ Derek Aasland productions
Roberto Campanella & Robert Glumbek Šin betweenŠ ProArteDanza
Andrea Nann & Brendan Wyatt Beside Each Other Young Centre for the Performing Arts presents Dreamwalker Dance Company

OUTSTANDING PERFORMANCE
The Ensemble Chroma The National Ballet of Canada
The Ensemble Šin betweenŠ ProArteDanza
Peter Chin Sriwijaya CanAsian Dance Festival
Juan Ogalla Espejo de Oro / Mirror of Gold Esmeralda Enrique Spanish Dance Company
Brian Solomon The Great Farini Project Sharon B.Moore/ Derek Aasland productions

OUTSTANDING SOUND DESIGN/COMPOSITION
Nicolás Hernández, José Valle Espejo de Oro / Mirror of Gold Esmeralda Enrique Spanish Dance Company
Lorenzo A. Castelli Homeland Godot Art Productions
Joby Talbot Chroma The National Ballet of Canada
Gord Downie Beside Each Other Young Centre for the Performing Arts presents Dreamwalker Dance Company
Charles Quevillon Sticks DanceWorks presents tiger princess dance projects


We will see you all there! Congratulations to all the nominees.

Preview: Chocolate Woman Dreams the Milky Way

Show Description: The Chocolate Woman Collective’s latest creation is Chocolate Woman Dreams the Milky Way. This innovative and unexpected blend of physical theatre and visual story-weaving takes you on a trip down the rabbit-hole, Kuna style. Experience the magical blend of creation, conflict, and curing in a night of theatre that celebrates feminine strength from a distinctly indigenous perspective.

Written by Toronto playwright and performer Monique Mojica and directed by internationally renowned Kuna actor and director Jose A. Colman.


**Tickets are available for purchase through TO Tix online at totix.ca or at the booth. Tickets may be reserved by calling 647-717-6129 or emailing wnanibush@gmail.com.

Helen Gardiner Phelan Playhouse
79 St. George Street
Opens: June 2nd, 2011
Closes: June 19th, 2011

Performances:
Tuesday-Saturday at 8 PM
Sunday at 2 PM
Phone: 647-717-6129
Adult: $20
Student: $10
Senior: $10

Preview: Festival of Clowns

Starting tomorrow is the sixth annual Toronto Festival of Clowns. For four days only, some of the world’s top clowns, bouffons and physical theatre performers will be unleashed in Toronto. Promising some of the most hilarious, peculiar, imaginative and outlandish shows, the 2011 festival opens at the Pia Bouman School for Ballet and Creative Movement.

Many people associate clowns with water squirting, red-nosed, drivers of small circus cars, but in reality clowning dates back to the court jester days in ancient Egypt, Rome and the powerhouses of Europe. A true art form, clowning inspired some of the greatest comedians of all times, including Lucille Ball, the Three Stooges and Charlie Chaplin. The festival is sure to present a range of clowning styles, from the traditional to the experimental. This should be a great, family friendly event. Be sure to click the link for the festival line up and ticket information.