Photo Coverage: Hal Prince Visits Toronto to Launch Dancap's 2012 SeasonOctober 20, 2011Dancap Productions announced their 2012 Season in style Monday morning, with Harold Prince as a surprise guest to discuss 'Prince of Broadway' the new musical being developed about his life and career. 'Prince' will premiere next summer as part of Dancap's 2012 Season. Also announced as part of the new season were American Idiot, Million Dollar Quartet, Beauty and the Beast, Shrek, West Side Story and A Christmas Story. BWW was on hand to bring you photos of the event.
BWW Interviews: Ben Vereen Comes to Toronto October 17, 2011Broadway legend Ben Vereen comes to Toronto for one very special night, this Thursday October 20th at The Richmond Hill Centre for the Performing Arts. Mr. Vereen will be performing songs from his new album, Steppin' Out, as well as paying tribute to many iconic singers from the past century. BWW sat down to speak with him about his return to Canada, the Jesus Christ Superstar revival, social media and more!
BWW Interviews: Peggy Shannon on Ryerson's Tribute to Des McAnuffOctober 19, 2011On 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.
BWW Contests: Win Tickets to Sex, Religion & Other Hang-upsOctober 13, 2011Sex, Religion & Other Hang-ups is a laugh out loud comedy about a man trying to find himself a girlfriend. Brutally honest, creative, hilarious and heartfelt, the show was one of the biggest hits at this year's Toronto Fringe and is back for a limited engagement at Theatre Passe Muraille. BWW is thrilled to be offering its readers a chance to get in on the fun - by sharing with us the craziest thing you've ever done to land a date! Read on for more details on how to win two tickets to a performance of your choice.
Photo Coverage: Jodi Benson and Hugh Panaro in Concert with the TSOOctober 12, 2011Steven Reineke, conductor of The New York Pops, was the guest conductor last week as the Toronto Symphony Orchestra kicked off their 2011-2012 Pops Season with 'Hollywood Hits' featuring Jodi Benson and Hugh Panaro. BWW was on hand to bring its readers exclusive photographs of the event, including Jodi Benson delighting the audience with a rendition of The Little Mermaid classic, Part of Your World.
Song and Script - A Theatrical Gem in YorkvilleOctober 14, 2011Song and Script is Toronto's oldest independent music store and they are celebrating their 50th incredible year in our city. Co-owners Dane Taylor and Bob Sagman invited BWW into the store for an afternoon to peruse the selection and quiz employees on all things Broadway! After an exciting afternoon of shopping, we are thrilled to profile this gem of a store to ensure our readers know that there is still somewhere in Toronto that exists solely to celebrate musical theatre.
Nominations Open for 2011 BWW Toronto Theatre AwardsOctober 10, 2011After the huge success of last year's 2010 BWW Toronto Theatre Awards, we are pleased to be back again this year with a new category (Best Understudy), better nomination and voting system and more deserving shows than ever! Nominations are open until October 31st and voting will commence in November. Be sure to nominate to ensure your favourites aren't left out.
Photo Coverage: Theatre 20 presents Musicals That FlyOctober 10, 2011Theatre 20, the brand new artist-led theatre company which formed last year in Toronto, had their final concert of their first season last Monday at The Panasonic Theatre as they presented John Gray's 'Musicals That Fly: Amelia in Concert'. BWW was on hand to bring you these exclusive photos of founding member Eliza Jane-Scott with Steven Gallagher and Karin Randoja.
BWW Interviews: Jodi Benson talks Hollywood Hits and Little MermaidOctober 2, 2011Jodi Benson, best known for her voice work as 'Ariel' in Disney's The Little Mermaid and for creating the role of 'Polly' in Crazy for You, joins conductor Steven Reineke and Broadway star Hugh Panaro in Toronto for three concerts with The Toronto Symphony Orchestra. BWW is thrilled to present this exclusive Q&A with Ms. Benson, where she talks about becoming 'Ariel', being a Mom and what she hopes to do next.
Photo Coverage: Sir Tim Rice at CHESS Opening in TorontoOctober 3, 2011Chess opened on Wednesday, September 28th in Toronto after enjoying a sold-out tour in the UK. This lavish new production comes direct from England, and will play a limited engagement in Toronto before heading to London's West End. Directed by Strictly Come Dancing's Craig Revel Horwood and featuring a cast of some of the UK's most talented stage actors, the production is a feast for the eyes and ears. Sir Tim Rice was in Toronto for opening night, and BWW was on hand to bring you pictures of the curtain call.
Photo Coverage: First Look at Kim Cattrall, Paul Gross in Toronto's PRIVATE LIVES!September 30, 2011Private Lives opened last Sunday in Toronto, where it will play for a limited 6 week engagement before heading to Broadway. BWW is thrilled to be presenting this pre-Broadway coverage of the show that was a hit in London's West End and is now enamoring Toronto audiences. Today we bring you the first production shots of Kim Cattrall, Paul Gross and the cast of Private Lives.
Tim Rice to Host Public Twitter Q&A for Toronto CHESS Opening OnlineSeptember 27, 2011Chess opens tomorrow in Toronto, fresh off a sold out UK tour. The production will play until the end of October when it ventures off to London's West End. In honour of opening night, Mirvish Productions is hosting a special Twitter Q&A with none other than lyricist Sir Tim Rice. BWW will be on hand to give you all the details of the event.
Photo Coverage: WAR HORSE Fan Ticket Giveaway in TorontoSeptember 27, 2011War Horse has its Canadian Premiere in Feb of 2012, and Torontonians are already eager to experience this amazing show. Mirvish Productions held a special ticket giveaway event on Monday September 26th where the 1st 100 people in line received a free ticket to the show and a CD. Fans lined up as early as 2am for a chance to get a ticket, and BWW was on hand (at a more reasonable hour) to bring you coverage of this exciting event.
Photo Coverage: Cattrall, Gross Open PRIVATE LIVES in TorontoSeptember 26, 2011Private Lives had its opening in Toronto this afternoon, and debuted to an extremely enthusiastic crowd and great reviews. Starring Kim Cattrall (reprising the role she created in the West End) and Paul Gross, the show will enjoy a 6 week run in Toronto before heading to Broadway in November of 2011. BWW was on hand to give its readers a sneak peek at the curtain call (and a first look at the cast on stage in Toronto).
Photo Coverage: First Look at War Horse in TorontoSeptember 25, 2011On Monday morning Mirvish Productions held an exclusive sneak-peak event for local journalists and subscribers at the TIFF Bell Lightbox showcasing the 'star' of the upcoming production of War Horse - 'Joey'. David Mirvish was joined by creators Adrian Kohler and Basil Jones from the Handspring Puppet Company of South Africa, as Toronto got its first look at what we can expect when War Horse has its Canadian Premiere in February of 2012.
BWW Interviews: JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR's Chilina KennedyOctober 3, 2011The Stratford Festival production of Jesus Christ Superstar has arguably been the most talked about production of the year in Canadian musical theatre. Nearing its final few weeks before the show transfers to San Diego's La Jolla Playhouse and with Broadway rumours still swirling, BWW is thrilled to dedicate a week to speaking with various cast members about their experience with the show. We are ending our week of JCS coverage with the lovely and talented female lead, Chilina Kennedy.
BWW Interviews: JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR's Josh YoungOctober 5, 2011In light of yesterday's announcement that the Stratford production of Jesus Christ Superstar is Broadway bound in March of 2012, it seems a perfect time to feature the last in our series of profile interviews with this talented Canadian cast. Today we are speaking with Josh Young, one of Stratford's hottest leading men, who plays Judas in the production. He talks to us about the incredible Superstar journey, why people should come see this production, and (what were at that time) Broadway rumours.
BWW Interviews: JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR's Bruce DowSeptember 21, 2011The Stratford Festival production of Jesus Christ Superstar has arguably been the most talked about production of the year in Canadian musical theatre. Nearing its final few weeks before the show transfers to San Diego's La Jolla Playhouse and with Broadway rumours still swirling, BWW is thrilled to dedicate a week to speaking with various cast members about their experience with the show. Today we are speaking with Stratford vet and one of the nicest men in Canadian musical theatre, Bruce Dow.
BWW Interviews: In Depth with Stratford's 'Jesus' Paul NolanSeptember 19, 2011The Stratford Festival production of Jesus Christ Superstar has arguably been the most talked about production of the year in Canadian musical theatre. Nearing its final few weeks before the show transfers to San Diego's La Jolla Playhouse and with Broadway rumours still swirling, BWW is thrilled to dedicate a week to speaking with various cast members about their experience with the show. We are kicking it off with Paul Nolan, who portrays none other than Jesus himself.
BWW Interviews: Paul Gross Talks Private LivesSeptember 17, 2011Private Lives began previews last night in Toronto, it will have a limited 6 week engagement at Mirvish's Royal Alexandra Theatre before opening on Broadway November 17th. This is a revival of Noel Coward's very funny play, which received rave reviews during its run in London's West End. BWW is thrilled to be bringing you comprehensive coverage of the show during its Canadian run before it makes the big move to the Great White Way. Today we are speaking with Paul Gross, who will be making his Broadway debut in the role of Elyot.