Jeff Madden News

JERSEY BOY Michael Lomenda has called Chicago his touring-home for just over a month, but the closest Starbucks to The Bank of America Theater, where the first national touring cast of Jersey Boys is currently playing its 9 week run, has rooted itself firmly in his routine. He also calls a brownstone with fellow cast members in Wrigleyville his place of residence, has mastered the el (and gotten plenty of compliments while doing so), and taken in the city’s architectural feats on boat tours. (more...)

On Monday night the Harold Green Jewish Theatre held their annual fundraiser, bringing some of the city's top talents together under one roof to raise awareness and funds for the company. The event took a slightly different format this year, with the evening being split into two categories - music and laughter. The first half of the evening featured musical performances from a diverse range of local talent, and the second act featured improve comedy and The National Theatre of the World. (more...)

The cast of the Canadian Premiere of I Love You Because are a close-knit bunch, and they're currently having a blast performing this heartwarming show about love and friendship in NYC each night at the Toronto Centre for the Arts. At the opening night party, BWW spoke with all six cast members and got them to dish on their dating disasters, and what ensued was an evening of scandalous hilarity! (more...)

Angelwalk Theater has come up with a real gem with the romantic musical comedy I Love You Because. The show, playing in the cozy Studio Theater in the Toronto Center for the Arts boasts a top-notch cast, fluid direction, a tuneful score and clever, insightful lyrics. (more...)

I Love You Because had its Canadian Premiere this past Friday, where it plays at the Toronto Centre for the Arts for the next two weeks. Featuring a cast of talented Canadians, the show tells the story of a group of New Yorkers and their romantic adventures. With catchy original music, the show is touching, poignant and funny. BWW is thrilled to bring its readers photos from the Canadian Premiere! (more...)

Angelwalk Theatre is bringing Torontonians the Canadian Premiere of I Love You Because, a modern day love story loosely based on Pride and Prejudice. The show was a hit off-Broadway in 2005 and now Toronto audiences will get to experience the quirky musical first hand. BWW sat down to talk with Elena Juatco (who stars as Marcy) about her own dating Do's and Dont's, dating Mr. Wrong and why young people should come see the show. (more...)

The Harold Green Jewish Theatre Company presents ONE NIGHT ONLY - An Evening Of Song & Laughter hosted by Linda Kash and Sheila McCarthy on Monday, April 16, 8PM at the Jane Mallett Theatre, St. Lawrence Centre for the Arts. (more...)

Talk Is Free Theatre (TIFT) and Show One Productions are thrilled to announce that Dora Award winner Jeff Madden will be joining the cast as Rafe in the upcoming Toronto production of Dani Girl, by Christopher Dimond and Michael Kooman. A touching, humorous and inspiring tale, this dark, original musical comedy follows a young girl’s battle with cancer. Dani Girl runs until March 4, 2012 at the Theatre Passe Muraille Backspace. (more...)

Dani Girl opened last night at Theatre Passe Muraille after a successful run at Barrie's Talk is Free Theatre last year. Directed by the Toronto Star's Richard Ouzounian, the show about a nine year old girl battling leukemia stars Gabi Epstein, Jeff Madden, Jonathan Logan and Amanda Leblanc. Heartfelt, funny, poignant and touching, Dani Girl is a show that will make you think as much as it will make you laugh. Best of all, it is an original and new musical, something the theatre community has been seeing less and less of. Overall, it is a celebration of life, love and the triumph of the human spirit. (more...)

Jeff Madden is best known to Toronto audiences for portraying the lead role of Frankie Valli in the original Canadian cast of Jersey Boys. Now, he's taking on a very different role in Kooman and Dimond's DANI GIRL, opening tonight. Jeff talks to BWW about the challenges associated with the new role, working with Richard Ouzounian and why young people should come see Dani Girl. (more...)

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Dani Girl is a new musical by New York writing duo Michael Kooman and Christopher Dimond, and it opens this weekend in Toronto. The show tells the story of a nine year old girl battling terminal cancer, and explores how she uses music and her imagination to handle her disease. BWW sat down to speak with Gabi Epstein (who plays 'Dani') about what the show means to her, the challenges associated with the difficult subject matter, and having Richard Ouzounian as her director. (more...)

The 2012-2013 Mirvish Production season announcement took place this morning, and features the World Premiere of Jason Robert Brown's Honeymoon in Vegas, an all-Canadian cast for Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice's The Wizard of Oz and the smash-hit Book of Mormon. Members of the media, subscribers and eager theatre lovers filled the Ed Mirvish Theatre to hear the announcement, which also included La Cage Aux Folles, Sister Act and Backbeat plus the pre-Broadway run of Flashdance and the directorial debut of Colm Wilkinson in Bloodless. (more...)

On Monday January 23rd Theatre 20 announced its inaugural season in a very special event held at Toronto's The National Club. On hand for the announcement were most of Theatre 20's founding members, as well as members of the arts community, city councilors, special musical guests and invited members of the press. BWW is thrilled to brings its readers these photos of the very special night. (more...)

Theatre 20 announced an exciting inaugural season in a star-studded event this past Monday, January 23rd at Toronto's National Club. Legendary musical theatre performer (and Toronto native son) Colm Wilkinson will make his directorial debut with Bloodless: The Story of Burke and Hare, Theatre 20 will partner with Sheridan College for a production of UK Fringe hit Raindogs and finally, Adam Brazier will direct a re-imagining of Stephen Sondheim's hit Company. BWW was on hand to bring its readers photos of the event, as well as all the details on what's to come for Theatre 20. (more...)

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On Sunday night the stars of Toronto's musical theatre scene came out to pay tribute to Des McAnuff as he received an honourary doctorate from Ryerson University for his contribution to the arts over the last few decades. Including cast members from the original Toronto production of Jersey Boys and the current Stratford Festival production of Jesus Christ Superstar, the evening was filled with good music and fantastic tales from Des' extraordinary life. BWW was on hand to bring its readers exclusive photos from the performances and the after party. (more...)

On Sunday October 23rd the Ryerson Theatre School is holding a special one night only concert at Koerner Hall to celebrate the achievements of Tony Award Winning director Des McAnuff. It has been a banner year for McAnuff, with his production of Jesus Christ Superstar a runaway hit at the Stratford Festival and bound for Broadway in March of 2012. The concert will feature songs from many of Des' shows, as well as cast members from Jesus Christ Superstar, Toronto's Jersey Boys and more. BWW spoke to Peggy Shannon, Chair of the Ryerson Theatre School, on what we can expect at the event and on the new scholarship the school is offering in Des' honour. (more...)

Louise Pitre will take on the role of Iris Langdon in the new comedy (with a bit of music) BEAmused as part of Theatre Orangeville's New Play Development Program. The piece will be directed by Adam Brazier (last seen on Broadway as Walter Hartwright in Sir Andrew Lloyd Weber's musical The Woman In White). (more...)

Louise Pitre will take on the role of Iris Langdon in the new comedy (with a bit of music) BEAmused as part of Theatre Orangeville's New Play Development Program. The piece will be directed by Adam Brazier (last seen on Broadway as Walter Hartwright in Sir Andrew Lloyd Weber's musical The Woman In White). (more...)