Canadian Stage Announces Their 2013/14 Season Lineup

Canadian Stage has announced their upcoming season line up, with a big promotional subscription offer.  If you don’t want to miss visionary Robert Lepage, stunning dance spectacles from choreographers Akram Khan and Crystal Pite, or a new productions of a 5-star musical documentary from London’s National Theatre and an award-winning plays from Broadway, or the World Premiere of a mixed-media masterpiece from director Kim Collier then be sure to check out the offer available now through the CanStage Website by clicking here.

Why subscribe now? Because this dynamic mix of programming includes production runs of 1 week to 4 weeks, your seat, reserved by other subscribers in a different week for our longer-run shows, could be purchased by one of those subscribers for our shorter-run shows. Remember: seats for short-run shows are booked on a first come, first served basis, so ordering now is your best chance to get your preferred seat for all shows.

Whether you're a renewing subscriber or joining for the first time, you'll get the regular subscriber benefits:  saving over 25% on ticket prices, the option to buy extra tickets at the subscriber discount, savings at local restaurants, and free ticket-exchange privileges.

The best time to order is right now, during the subscribers’ advance renewal period. If you're a 2012.13 subscriber, your renewal package will be in the mail in the next few days.

Preview: Ordinary Days

We are super excited for tonight's opening of  Ordinary Days at the Toronto Centre for the Arts.  This is a show that we have been excited about since it came out in 2009 at the Black Box Theatre in New York.  Although the show went on to have a very short run on the Great White Way it has developed a second wind through regional productions.

 Angelwalk Theatre has also made a name for itself here in Toronto by producing: high-caliber, lesser known and new musical theatre, bringing more variety and sophistication to audiences, at their uptown home.  The show, which opens tonight, runs until December 9th, and would make the perfect early gift for the theatre lover in your life.  Click here for ticket information.

When Deb loses her most precious possession – the notes to her graduate thesis – she unwittingly starts a chain of events that turns the ordinary days of four New Yorkers into something extraordinary.  From one of musical theatre's most exciting new composers, ORDINARY DAYS is a funny and refreshing story about four young 20-30 year olds whose lives intersect as they search for fulfillment, love and happiness.


Music and Lyrics by Adam Gwon
Orchestrations by Joseph Aragon
Directed by Kayla Gordon
Music Directed by Paul De Gurse
Choreographed by Brenda Gorlick
Set and Costumes Designed by Scott Penner
Lighting Designed by Siobhán Sleath
Starring…
Justin Bott, Jay Davis, Connie Manfredi, Clara Scott

Co-produced with Winnipeg Studio Theatre.  Don't miss this CANADIAN PREMIERE!

Preview: A Brimful of Asha

Returning to The Extra Space at Tarragon is a season highlight from last year, A Brimful of Asha. We haven't seen the piece yet but we have heard through the community that performances are strong and the humour plentiful. Check below for details or click here for tickets:

Show Description/Press Release:

This acclaimed (and very Canadian) laugh-out-loud true story returns after a sold-out extended run this past season. Real-life mother and son, Asha and Ravi Jain, tell the tale of how Ravi’s parents planned a surprise trip to India to intercept him on his vacation and arrange his marriage. Ravi resents the intrusion but, as far as his parents are concerned, it’s time for him to get a wife.

The title A Brimful of Asha comes from a song written by British alternative rock band Cornershop (www.cornershop.com) in 1997 and is based upon the history of film culture in India. Asha is my mother's name. In Hindi it means Hope. This play is about the challenges that arise out of the hope for happiness that you want for your parents (or for your kids).

A BRIMFUL OF ASHA

A Why Not Theatre Production

Written and performed by Ravi Jain and Asha Jain
Directed by Ravi Jain
Set Design by Julie Fox
Lighting and Video Design by Beth Kates (Playground Studios)
Production Manager Joey Morin
Interview Videos by Kate Fraser and Nabil Shash (Heartist Productions)

A Very Spicy Christmas

EAP is super excited to see our friends Wannabe - The Spice Girls Tribute Band perform their first Christmas Concert!

When it comes to celebrations, epic dance parties and conjuring up serious nostalgia, no one does it better than the darlings of Wannabe: The Spice Girls Tribute! Join Sporty, Baby, Ginger, Scary and Posh for an unforgettable night featuring all the Spice hits, sing-alongs, dance-alongs and a little holiday cheer!


THURSDAY DECEMBER 6 - 8:00PM at the Lower Ossington Theatre.  Click here for tickets (they are only $20.00)  See you there!

Preview: Ignorance

Canada’s foremost adult puppet troupe, The Old Trout Puppet Workshop, is bringing their newest piece Ignorance to the Berkeley Street Theatre for a 3-week run starting Tuesday Nov, 27th..

Funny, wildly creative, and visually stunning, Ignorance is a playful show that questions where we went wrong in our search for happiness. Can our grunting, howling, prehistoric ancestors help us find our lost bliss? Bouncing between primitive and modern man, urban sprawl and prehistoric cave life, Ignorance explores this question with humour, over-sized puppet heads, balloons, video effects, and more. Don’t miss this unique opportunity to see Calgary’s world-renowned troupe in Toronto.

On stage November 27 to December 15. Tickets $22 to $49 at our website. Click here for tickets.

SummerWorks call for submissions

Open for submissions


We are pleased to announce that Summerworks has officially opened submissions for the 2013 SummerWorks Performance Festival.  Currently SummerWorks is accepting submissions for both the Theatre Series (formerly Local Series) and the National Series. The call for submissions for the Live Art Series will be open in the new year.

NATIONAL SERIES
The National Series provides the opportunity for independent artists from outside Ontario to showcase their work in Toronto. The Festival will cover successful applicants travel, accommodation and shipping costs. Companies are responsible for production costs with some negotiated assistance from the Festival. Download the application package by CLICKING HERE. This year, artists are required to submit their work online as well as in hard copy.

Deadline for submissions are January 7th, 2013.

THEATRE SERIES
The Theatre Series is now open for submissions. Download the application package by CLICKING HERE. This year, artists are required to submit their work online as well as in hard copy. Please note that SummerWorks welcomes National and International applicants for the Theatre Series, though successful applicants are required to cover their own travel and accommodation expenses.

Deadline for submissions are February 1st 2013


Good luck to all applicants.

ARTATTACK! at BUDDIES happening on Thursday evening!

QUEER ART COMMUNITY COMES TOGETHER FOR AN AUCTION IN SUPPORT OF BUDDIES IN BAD TIMES THEATRE

The most outrageous auction of the holiday season, ARTATTACK!, is back. Buddies’ signature fundraising event offers a remarkable line-up of contemporary art by Canada’s hottest queer artists, along with an exciting array of design, entertainment and travel packages – all in support of Buddies in Bad Times Theatre.

ARTATTACK! is a chance for collectors to grab work by the next big names in queer art before they’re famous, and to enjoy a fun, sexy, surprise-filled evening that is un-like anything else.

ARTATTACK! 

hosted by Shawn Hitchins 

curatorial advisor Chris Ironside 

curators Bill Clarke, Cecilia Berkovic, Elise Victoria Louise Windsor, Johnson Ngo and Keith Cole 

Thursday, November 22, 2011 

Preview & Silent Auction 7PM. Live Auction 8PM. 

Tickets $25 / VIP Tickets $100 

Box Office             416-975-8555       or buddiesinbadtimes.com 

Buddies in Bad Times Theatre 12, Alexander Street, Toronto ON

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Established in 1979, Buddies in Bad Times Theatre is a professional Canadian theatre company dedicated to the development and presentation of queer theatre. Over the course of its history, it has evolved into the largest facility-based queer theatre company in the world and has made an unparalleled contribution to the recognition and acceptance of queer lives in Canada.

Preview: The Arsonists

The Arsonists, a funny yet dark post-war farce, is on stage now at the Bluma Appel Theatre.  Featuring a live band performing original music, and some stellar vocal performances, this is a one-of-a-kind show that’s sure to heat up your holidays.

This show has been generating serious buzz with local critics. And is a definitely must see this season. The cast sizzles in their dynamic roles: don’t miss the chance to see Michael Ball, Christine Bougie, Dan Chameroy, Sly Juhas, Sheila McCarthy, Fiona Reid, Justin Rutledge, and Shawn Wright on stage.

Check out the Canadian Stage's website for show info, tickets, videos, design images and more.

BONUS: There's a pre-show chat with set designer Ken MacDonald this Tuesday at 7:15 pm. Free with your ticket to that night’s performance.

The Competition is Heating Up at the Opera House

From the COC -

 Out of a pool of 146 young, aspiring opera singers from across the country, the Canadian Opera Company has selected 10 to compete in the Second Annual COC Ensemble Studio Competition on
November 29, 2012 at 6:30 p.m. in the Richard Bradshaw Amphitheatre at the Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts.  The young singers competing are: bass-baritone Gordon Bintner (Regina, Sask.);
mezzo-soprano Charlotte Burrage (Woodstock, Ont.); soprano Aviva Fortunata (Calgary, Alta.); baritone Clarence Frazer (Toronto, Ont.); tenor Andrew Haji (London, Ont.); mezzo-soprano Danielle MacMillan (Toronto, Ont.); bass Nathan Keoughan (Charlottetown, P.E.I.); tenor Michael Marino (London, Ont.); soprano Lara Secord-Haid (Winnipeg, Man.) and soprano Kelsey Vicary (Niagara Falls, Ont.).

The 10 finalists were chosen following preliminary auditions in Toronto, Montreal, Vancouver and New York City.  Over the course of the two-hour event on November 29, each finalist will perform two arias showcasing their vocal technique and range before an audience and panel of judges.  Select finalists will be invited to join the COC’s 2013/2014 Ensemble Studio, with the number of offers to be determined by the judging panel.  First, second and third prizes, worth $5,000, $3,000 and $1,500, respectively, will be awarded, in addition to a People’s Choice Award, selected by audience vote, worth $1,500.


The Ensemble Studio Competition highlights the finest young opera talent from across Canada.  Winning a place in the COC’s Ensemble Studio can be these singers’ first step towards an international opera career.  The audience at the vocal competition will be hearing the singers selected to follow in the footsteps of such renowned Ensemble Studio graduates as Ben Heppner, Isabel Bayrakdarian, John Fanning, Joseph Kaiser, David Pomeroy and Krisztina Szabó, among many others.

The Second Annual Ensemble Studio Competition is almost sold-out, with only a limited number of standing-room tickets available.  Standing-room rickets are $15 and may be purchased online here, or by calling COC Ticket Services at 416-363-8231.  Tickets are also available in person at the Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts Box Office, located at 145 Queen St. W., Monday to Saturday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Last week/end to check out THE NORMAL HEART in Toronto!

One of the most incredible pieces of theatre you will ever witness on stage has its last shows this week at Buddies in Bad Times. Passion drives this intense early study of HIV/AIDS. The Toronto production delivers here and I must say you will be spellbound and held breathless by curtain time as this cast is so strong and rhythmically bang on. CHECK IT OUT!

Click the header for tickets or for more info please!

Preview: Lord of the Flies

Opening next Thursday November 22nd, at the Lower Ossington Studio Theatre is the classic Lord of the Flies.  If you have never seen this play or read the book then you do not want to miss this opportunity to see this incredible show at one of Toronto's hottest new theatres.

Lord of the Flies tells the story of a group of school boys who are the only survivors of a deadly plane crash. Stranded on a desert island with no adults and no rules, their fragile sense of civilization quickly crumbles in this dynamic exploration of power, democracy, and the dichotomy of good and evil.

Lord of the Flies runs from Nov 22nd - Dec 9th.  Click here for tickets and click here to see all of LOTs offerings this season.  They have a great line-up of family friendly shows and great date night offerings.  

Romeo and Juliet Premieres at Hart House Theatre

 

Premiering this week at Hart House Theatre is the highly buzzed (within the arts community) production of Romeo and Juliet from up and coming director, Jeremy Hutton. Mr. Hutton was the director behind the brilliant Boeing Boeing piece last spring through Rogue Theatre Co-op and last seasons Richard III and Dirty Rotten Scoundrels with Hart House. Expect passion, ingenuity and vigor.

Info and ticket link below:

Romeo and Juliet

By: William Shakespeare
Directed by: Jeremy Hutton
Set and Costume Design by: Brandon Kleiman
Lighting Design by: Andre de Toit
Sound Design by: Jeremy Hutton
Dramaturgy by: Susan Bond
Choreography by: Melanie Mastronardi

November 7 - 24, 2012
at Hart House Theatre (7 Hart House Circle)

Performances:
Week 1: Wednesday - Saturday at 8PM
Week 2: Wednesday - Saturday at 8PM
Week 3: Wednesday - Saturday at 8PM + Saturday at 2PM

Ticket Prices:
Adults $25; Student & Seniors $15
$10 Student Tickets every Wednesday

Tickets can be purchased at UofTtix Box Office by phone, 416.978.8849 , online at www.uofttix.ca or in person.

Hart House Theatre offers weekday matinees for $15/ticket. For more information and to book a performance please call the Box Office.

For more information please visit www.harthousetheatre.ca.

Talk Backs and Discussions:

Postshow Talk Back:
Date: Saturday, November 10, 2012 after the performance

Preshow Artist Chat:
Date: Saturday, November 24, 2012 @ 1:00PM

Ticket Prices:
Free and open to the public

Avenue Q Returns at the Lower Ossington Theatre This December

After a sold out run Avenue Q is set to return to the Lower Ossington Theatre on December 13, and will run until January 20th.  This show is back by popular demand, and with special savings available now get your tickets early.  Avenue Q is a hilarious crowd pleaser and you do not want to miss it.

 Avenue Q tells the story of Princeton, a bright-eyed college grad who moves to NYC with big dreams and a tiny bank account. The only apartment he can afford is way out on Avenue Q, where everyone’s looking for the same things he is: a decent job, a stable relationship, and a “purpose.” Eventually, Princeton learns to embrace the ups and downs of city life and realizes that “the real world” isn’t so bad, after all! *Not intended for children.

Click here for tickets.  And if you book now until Nov. 15 with the promo code MOREFUN you can get special 50% off ticket rates.  Don't delay.

Weekend Theatre Picks

Looking for a show to see this weekend?  Well look no further than Tarragon Theatre's Miss Caledonia. A one woman show developed and performed by Melody A. Johnson, Miss Caledonia, was first seen at the 2010 Summerworks Festival where it was a critical hit.  This time around Ms. Johnson brings her much developed piece about small town life and 1950's pageantry, to Tarragon until November 22nd.  The show has been a hit with local critics and audiences.

Miss Caledonia  is the story of a small town girl with big time dreams.  Peggy Ann idealizes Debbie Reynolds, and wants to become a star too.  And just like her idol she dreams of being discovered while competing in beauty pageants.  A timely and well developed comedy Ms. Johnson soars in Miss Caledonia.  

Miss Caledonia  written and performed by Melody A. Johnson
musical accompaniment and original score by Alison Porter
and directed by Rick Roberts and Aaron Willis
Click here for ticket information and performance information.


Also this weekend at Soulpepper are two very different offerings.  Samuel Beckett's classic but bleak Endgames  and Alligator Pie  a family friendly and life affirming adaption of work by classic children's poet Dennis Lee.  Both shows opened at The Young Centre of Performing Arts last weekend and run for several weeks.  Click here for information for both shows.

Endgame - Directed by Daniel Brooks
Featuring Diego Matamoros, Eric Peterson, Maria Vacratsis and Joseph Ziegler

Alligator Pie - Poems by Dennis Lee
Created by and featuring Ins Choi, Raquel Duffy, Ken MacKenzie, Gregory Prest and Mike Ross

Angelwalk Announces Cast and Creative for Ordinary Days

One show EAP is looking forward to seeing this season is Angelwalk's production of Ordinary Days.  This show got a lot of buzz and even made it to the Great White Way before fizzling out in a disappointing four day run.  However, many who saw the show,during Its New York debut thought it was wonderful, if not a Broadway sensation.  So when Angelwalk's announced that they would be bringing Ordinary Days to Toronto we were intrigued   Yesterday the company announced its cast and creative for the run, which is November 29 - 9th.

As previously announced, the cast will star past Angelwalk Theatre performers Justin Bott, Jay Davis, and Clara Scott, along with newcomer Connie Manfredi, who is making her Toronto and Angelwalk Theatre debut.

Ordinary Days follows four young 20-30 year olds whose lives intersect as they search for fulfillment, love and happiness. When Deb loses her most precious possession - the notes to her graduate thesis - she unwittingly starts a chain of events that turns the ordinary days of four New Yorkers into something extraordinary. Ordinary Days made its world-premiere at the Roundabout Theatre in New York City in 2009 to rave reviews. "Full of idiosyncratic charm" (Time Out New York), Ordinary Days contains an emotionally powerful score with lyrics that are "arrestingly poetic" (LA Times). Remotegoat London gave the show five stars and calls it "one of the best musicals I have seen all year".


Angelwalk Theatre and Winnipeg Studio Theatre are excited to announce that they have commissioned Canadian musical theatre composer, arranger and playwright Joseph Aragon (Theatre20's Bloodless: The Trial of Burke and Hare) to arrange the first-ever orchestrations for Ordinary Days. Canadian audiences will be the first to hear these new arrangements, which will go on to be included in future productions of Ordinary Days.

Angelwalk is making a name for itself in Toronto by bringing new and unseen musical theatre to the Toronto audience.  Their development work on this show helps to push them onto the international stage.  Dora-nominated producers of I Love You Because, Off-Broadway On Stage, [title of show] and Altar Boyz, Angelwalk Theatre, is thrilled to reveal the creative team for its upcoming Canadian premiere of Ordinary Days, being co-produced with Winnipeg Studio Theatre. From exciting new composer Adam Gwon, this honest, touching and funny musical runs at Manitoba Theatre Centre's Tom Hendry Warehouse Theatre from November 21-25, 2012 before opening at the Toronto Centre for the Arts on November 30, 2012 and running until December 9, 2012.

From the release -

Most recently seen in from Justin to Kelly, Justin Bott returns to Angelwalk Theatre after his Dora-nominated performance in [title of show] and his performance in Songs for a New World. Other credits include Dirty Rotten Scoundrels (Moonpath), The Wedding Singer and Joseph and the Technicolor Dreamcoat (Stage West), Romeo & Juliet and Macbeth (Classical Theatre Project), and A Midsummer Night's Dream (Citadel Theatre). Jay Davis was recently seen in Queen For A Day: The Musical (Richmond Hill Centre for the Performing Arts), The Last Five Years (Rose Theatre), and Next to Normal (Clearwater Theatre Co.). Jay was a part of Angelwalk Theatre's Dora-nominated production of I Love You Because and also performed in Birdland Theatre's Assassins. Clara Scott appeared in last season's Dora-nominated production of Off-Broadway On Stage. Other credits include Project Actif (Mixed Company), Spring Awakening and Reefer Madness (L.O.T.), Before Breakfast and After the Sun (Williamstown Theatre Festival). Connie Manfredi has appeared in Avenue Q (District Theatre Collective), The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee and Spring Awakening (Winnipeg Studio Theatre), and The Littlewoods (zone 41). Connie is a graduate of the acting program at the University of Winnipeg.

Also previously announced, Ordinary Days will be directed by Kayla Gordon, Winnipeg Studio Theatre's Artistic Director, music directed by Paul De Gurse, and choreographed by Brenda Gorlick. Set and costumes will be designed by Scott Penner with lighting design by Siobhán Sleath.

Subscriptions for Angelwalk Theatre's 2012/2013 two-show subscription season (Ordinary Days & I Love You, You're Perfect, Now Change), are now on sale, with Early-Bird prices in effect until October 31st. In addition to the subscription discount, subscribers also save because there are no additional service fees on subscription tickets, and tickets can easily be exchanged for any other performance.


SHOW DETAILS

Runs: November 29 - December 9, 2012
Opening: November 30, 2012
Schedule: Tues-Sat @ 8 p.m.; Sun @ 2 p.m.
Tickets: $35-$45
Tickets are on sale now and can be purchased online here
by phone at  1-855-985-2787,
and in person at the Toronto Centre for the Arts .