The stars of Canadian musical theatre came out this past Sunday night for a special event to raise money for Ryerson's Theatre School and celebrate the honorary doctorate bestowed by the University upon director Des McAnuff. Cast members from Des' current production of Jesus Christ Superstar (in its final weeks at the Stratford Shakespeare Festival) as well as the Original Toronto Cast of Jersey Boys were on hand to help celebrate Des' distinguished career. Hosted by King Herod himself, Mr. Bruce Dow, the evening was a true celebration in every sense of the word. Koerner Hall was filled with a mixture of Ryerson alumni, theatre lovers, arts supporters and many students eager to get the chance to pay their tributes to Des. The event was organized by Peggy Shannon, Chair and Professor of the Ryerson Theatre School, and served to raise both funds and awareness of the great programming Ryerson offers.
The evening highlighted songs from the various shows Des has directed over the years, including How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying, Big River (for which he won his first Tony Award), Dracula, Tommy and of course, Jersey Boys and Jesus Christ Superstar. Mr. Dow kept the audience entertained throughout the evening with clever jokes and stories about Des' journey from a young and eager Ryerson student to the worldwide powerhouse he is today.
To close out the evening, Des performed a selection of original material and hits from Tommy with Steve Gouveia and the band from the Broadway production of Jersey Boys. The Ryerson Theatre School held a gala reception afterwards, and the event raised over $100,000 for the school. BWW is thrilled to bring its readers exclusive photos of the performance and the after-party:
For more details on Ryerson's Theatre School please visit their official website: www.ryerson.ca/theatreschool
For more details on the current Stratford Shakespeare Festival production of Jesus Christ Superstar please visit their official website: www.stratfordfestival.ca
Jesus Christ Superstar heads to La Jolla in November (ticket details here) and then Broadway in March (ticket details here)
All photos by Racheal McCaig Photography
A Fitting Title
Rena Mendelson
Dr. Lee Myers
Bruce Dow
Bruce Dow
The Two Pseudolus's: Bruce Dow and Sean Cullen
Bruce Dow and Sean Cullen perform "Brotherhood of Man" with Ryerson studentss
Bruce Dow and Sean Cullen perform "Brotherhood of Man" with Ryerson students
Jewelle Blackman and students during "Brotherhood of Man"
Sean Cullen
Jewelle Blackman
"Brotherhood of Man"
Sean Cullen and Jewelle Blackman
"Brotherhood of Man"
Franklin Brasz
Josh Young sings "Muddy Water"
Robin Hutton and Jewelle Blackman singing "You Outghta Be Here With Me"
Jeff Madden performs from Jersey Boys
Adrian Marchuk, Jeff Madden, Grant Tilly and Matt Cassidy
Josh Young performs "Heaven On Their Minds"
Paul Nolan sings "Gethsemane"
Josh Young performs "Jesus Christ Superstar
Jewelle Blackman, Kira Guloien, Robin Hutton, Chilina Kennedy and Josh Young
Des McAnuff
Des McAnuff
Des McAnuff
Des McAnuff
Des McAnuff and the Red Dirt Band
Des McAnuff and the Red Dirt Band
Director and Event Organizer Peggy Shannon with Des McAnuff and Mindy Cooper
Des McAnuff
Aubrey Dan and Des McAnuff
Josh Young and Des McAnuff
Rick Mercer and Aubrey Dan
Bruce Dow and Des McAnuff
Jeff Madden, Bruce Dow, Robin Hutton, Dean Gabourie and Des McAnuff
Adrian Marchuck, Levon Ichkhanian, Aubrey Dan, Jeff Madden, Elodie Gillett, Matt Cassidy, Rosie Shaw, Des McAnuff, Adam Brazier, Grant Tilly and Josh Young
