Preview: [Title of Show] at the Lower Ossington Theatre

Playing for just a few more days is one of our favourite musicals ever conceived! [title of show] is playing at the new hot spot for musical theatre in the city - the fantastic Lower Ossington Theatre. Please check out the details below...

Show Description:

Young talent bring witty musical [title of show] to The Lower Ossington Theatre

Toronto, ON. February – The hilarious Obie Award-winning musical [title of show] comes to The Lower Ossington Theatre starting February 8th, 2013. An intelligent, quirky show described by The New York Times as “a postmodern homage to the grand tradition of backstage musicals,” this show-within-a-show features struggling writers Hunter and Jeff as they face the New York Musical Theatre Festival deadline and decide to take a risk and write an original musical in only three weeks. They quickly find that their conversation about what to write is more engaging than other story ideas. With the help of their friends, singers Heidi and Susan (with Larry on the keys), [title of show] becomes a production about its own creation as a group of friends write a musical about writing a musical for Broadway - starring themselves.

The cast of talented up-and-coming performers includes Forbes MacQuarrie as Hunter, Adam Norrad as his writing partner Jeff, Michelle Nash as Susan, and Bianca Heuvelmans as Heidi, with David Ruggiero as the pianist Larry.

Popular for its clever dialogue, for co-producer Adam Norrad (Jeff), it is the music which makes [title of show] such a stand-out. “I love the beautiful harmonies that we get to sing,” he says. “All of the music is very modern and refreshing – it’s the most fun music I have ever sung!”

[title of show] opens at The Lower Ossington Theatre on Friday, February 8, 2013, 8:00pm. Shows run Friday, Saturday and Sunday until February 16th...

8:00PM –Feb. 8, 10, 15 and 16 || 2:00PM – Feb. 9 & 16 || 4:00PM – Feb. 10 & 17

Tickets $49.00 (use code “title50” for 50% off regular ticket price.)

About Lower Ossington Theatre (The LOT): The Lower Ossington Theatre is an arts space located at 100A Ossington Avenue, between Dundas St. and Queen St. West. An integral part of the stylish Ossington Strip, the LOT is a popular destination known for both family shows and hit musicals.

http://www.lowerossingtontheatre.com/ || Lower Ossington Theatre || 100A Ossington Ave. || 416-915-6747

Preview: Do You Want What I Have Got? A CRAIGSLIST CANTATA

Just beginning previews is the new piece, Do You Want What I Have Got? A Craigslist Cantata, a new musical song cycle from Acting Up Stage Company and Factory Theatre. Acting Up is the same delicious company that brought us the powerhouse award winning productions; Caroline, Or Change, Parade and The Light in The Piazza. 

Do You Want What I Have Got? looks like a real warming gem here in the dead of winter. For tickets please CLICK HERE. And for more info check out the description and details below...

Show Description: 

Wonder. Whimsy. What if’s.

Having sold-out its extended run at Vancouver’s PuSh Festival in Jan 2012, this original musical by Veda Hille & Bill Richardson sets actual Craigslist postings to music in a 90 minute song-cycle. Both hilarious and surprisingly poignant, Do You Want What I Have Got? explores contemporary humanity through the lens of Craigslist—an online classified site with over 50 million ads posted each month.

Bill Richardson is an award-winning writer and broadcaster with CBC Radio since 1984 and currently host of “Saturday Afternoon at the Opera” and “In Concert.”

Veda Hille has been writing songs, making records, and playing shows all over since 1992. She has released 13 albums, the latest being Young Saint Marie.

Do You Want What I Have Got? A Craigslist Cantata

By Veda Hille & Bill Richardson
January 30 – March 3, 2013
Co-produced by Acting Up Stage Company and Factory Theatre
Studio Theatre

Directed by

Amiel Gladstone

Musical Direction by
Veda Hille

Choreographed by
Monica Dottor

Starring
Dmitry Chepovetsky
Bree Greig
Daren A. Herbert
Veda Hille
Selina Martin
Barry Mirochnick

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!

Beauty and the Beast in Toronto!

It is here! The exhilarating, energetic and enchanting family musical Beauty and the Beast is opening tonight at the beautiful Four Seasons Centre. I saw this musical more than 15 years ago with my Grandmother, and I am so excited to be taking my niece this Thursday to her very first musical experience. Thank you Dancap! For more info or to purchase tickets please click the header!

Last Chance for American Idiot

This is the final week of American Idiot the Green Day Musical, which is currently on at the Toronto Centre for the Arts.  If you haven't had a chance to get up there to see this show yet, you still have time.  EAP really enjoyed the show and so did Richard and J. Kelly.  This is not one to miss.  Click here to find out about ticket availability.  Do it now, because this show must close January 15th.

Preview: The Next Stage Festival hits Toronto!

Opening this week in the city is one of our favourite festival's in the city! The Next Stage Festival is a brilliant collection of works that have premiered already in the country, but need more love and exposure! What joy we say! Exactly what the city needs this time of year and we say Here, Here! The Festival begins this Wednesday evening and runs until the 15th of the month.

Festival Description:

Theatre lover or arts novice, we hope you’ll join us for the fifth anniversary of Toronto’s fastest growing theatre event. The shows in Next Stage are chosen by a panel of industry experts from an incredibly talented pool of “Fringe artists” from across North America, just about to emerge into the mainstream. These are the most talented, most exciting artists from across the Fringe circuit.

On offer this year is our most diverse line-up ever of productions by independent artists. In the intimate Studio Theatre take a look at relationships – amorous and familial – through 21st century eyes. On the Main Stage, four bold productions harness the power of spectacle to tell their unique stories - these are big shows full of laughter, tears and energy.

Next Stage isn’t a normal night at the theatre. The heated McAuslan Beer Tent in the courtyard at Factory Theatre is buzzing all festival long with little concerts and art installations. This is independent theatre at its finest and your chance
to catch artists at that “I saw them when” moment on their way to stardom.

For tickets or more info on shows (and stay tuned for individual show descriptions this week!) please click the header!!!

Preview: HAIR

It was a smash hit a few years ago when it was revived in New York, and its triumph return to the Royal Alex took place this week! It has already opened to strong reviews and we are excited to see such a moving and provocative piece of theatre in town over the holiday season!

“HAIR is more than just a musical: it is a social and cultural phenomenon, a jubilant assertion of life and freedom.”

So wrote critic Michael Billington in The Guardian, of the London staging of this joyous new production of the mother of all rock musicals!

It’s the ’60s; war rages in Vietnam, and a group of friends in New York’s East Village turn on, tune in and sing out in celebration of love, life and freedom. The first great rock musical, Hair has some of the most rousing and soulful songs ever written for the stage, including Let the Sun Shine In, Easy to be Hard, Good Morning Starshine, Aquarius and the infectious title song, Hair. It will more than make you want to sing along; It will make you want to go on stage and dance (and maybe you will)! You must not miss this vibrant, joyous piece of living theatre!

On until December 31st!

For tickets or more info please click the header!