Cliff Saunders Set to Host BLAME CANADA! Concert at 54 Below, 3/17

Final casting has been announced for BLAME CANADA!, an evening featuring the best in Canadian musical theatre happening at 54 BELOW on Monday, March 17 at 9:30pm. Cliff Saunders, who currently stars as Thénardier in the revival of LES MISERABLES on Broadway, hosts the evening that celebrates the launch of the newly formed Canadian Musical Theatre Writers Collective (CMTWC).

Founded by Landon Braverman and Joseph Trefler, the CMTWC is a new national organization devoted to supporting and promoting the work of Canadian musical theatre writers both at home and abroad. "We could not think of a better way to celebrate the launch of our organization than to bring all these amazing Canadians together under one roof and to present all of this wonderful music," say CMTWC co-founders Braverman and Trefler.

The concert will feature a host of Canadian Broadway talent, including the already announced Melissa O'Neil (LES MISERABLES, Jesus Christ Superstar), Ryan Silverman (Passion, Chicago), Aaron Walpole (LES MISERABLES, Jesus Christ Superstar), Melissa van der Schyff (Bonnie & Clyde, Big River), Camille Eanga-Selenge (The Book of Mormon), Danielle Wade (winner of Over the Rainbow, Dorothy in Andrew Lloyd Webber's Wizard of Oz), Alexandra Frohlinger (Soul Doctor, West Side Story nat'l tour), Timothy J. Alex (Motown, Elf), Sam Strasfeld (Annie revival, Scandalous), Keely Hutton (Stratford Festival's Tommy, Fiddler on the Roof), Evan Alexander Smith (Dancap Production's Toxic Avenger, Shaw Festival's Ragtime). Joining them are Eric Coles (Rock Of Ages, Mary Poppins nat'l tour), and Jenny Weisz (Theory of Relativity original cast). The concert will also feature a special performance by 2013 Kleban Prize winner Daniel Maté. Music direction is by Rick Fox (Jesus Christ Superstar, Rent, Blood Brothers).

The concert will include songs by both established and emerging Canadian musical theatre writers, including, Neil Bartram & Brian Hill, Ted Dykstra, Leslie Arden, Irene Sankoff & David Hein, Jonathan Monro, Jim Betts, Veda Hille & Bill Richardson, Daniel Maté, Colleen Dauncey & Akiva Romer-Segal, Nicky Phillips & Robert Gontier, Naomi Matlow & Avi Amon, Landon Braverman & Derek P. Hassler, Joseph Trefler & Jonathan Pearson, and Adam Sakiyama.

The CMTWC will also be presenting a second edition of BLAME CANADA! in Toronto on March 24th at Hugh's Room featuring a similar list of songs performed by an array of Toronto actors.

Produced in partnership with The Canadian Music Theatre Project, Sheridan College, and Michael Rubinoff.

CMTWC'S BLAME CANADA! plays 54 Below (254 West 54th Street) on Monday, March 17 at 9:30PM. There is a $25-$35 cover charge and $25 food and beverage minimum. Tickets and information are available at www.54Below.com. Tickets on the day of performance after 4:00 are only available by calling (646) 476-3551.

The CMTWC is a new organization that supports Canadian musical theatre writers and their work. With nearly 100 members (and growing), the CMTWC is poised to become the leading national organization for the development and support of new Canadian voices in musical theatre. For more information, please contact Landon Braverman or Joseph Trefler atoffice@cmtwc.com.