BWW Interviews: MAKING LOVE IN A CANOE with Kyle Golemba and Adam WhiteOctober 25, 2013Canadians are a unique bunch of people, polite to a fault, humble and extremely freaking talented. The problem is, we often don't boast our talents because of the aforementioned polite, humble qualities. Kyle Golemba and Adam White are seeking to boast about our awesome musical theatre talent on Monday night at the CD release party for MAKING LOVE IN A CANOE - an album featuring 15 different all-Canadian songs from our best and brightest. Both of them sat down and spoke with BWW about Canadian traditions, Canadian talent, Timbits and beer!
BWW Interviews: Patricia O'Callaghan talks The Judgment of ParisOctober 24, 2013BWW's coverage of the 2013 Global Cabaret Festival continues today with an interview with Patricia O'Callaghan, producer and star of 'The Judgment of Paris'. This unique cabaret is set against the backdrop of the Great War and features music by the revolutionary Claude Debussy and Maurice Ravel, two artists who were largely credited as founders of the impressionist musical movement.
Billed as a mix of 'cabaret, history and story-telling' the show will feature tunes that you know and love as well as original songs by the performers. Patricia took some time to talk to BWW about what people can expect from her cabaret, why the Global Cabaret Festival is unique and important and what attracts her to the art of cabare
Sharron Matthews talks Something 'Completely Different' at Global Cabaret FestOctober 23, 2013Sharron Matthew's is one of the foremost stars of Canada's cabaret scene, having recently traveled the world on her GOLD tour she returned to Toronto to become the first artist in residence at Buddies in Bad Times theatre where she continues to develop and hone her cabaret skills.
This year she joins the stellar line-up at the Global Cabaret Festival, which includes such diverse programming as a David Bowie and Bob Dylan songbook, a look at historical Paris with the music of Debussy and Ravel, Dennis Lee's Lost Songs of Toronto and more.
For her contribution, Sharron Matthews has promised to do something 'completely different', which of course had us very intrigued. BWW sat down to talk with Sharron about what exactly 'completely different' entrails, her love of all things cabaret and why she feels The Global Cabaret Festival is such an important event for Toronto:
BWW Exclusive Interview: Louise Pitre talks MAMMA MIA! Reunion to Benefit Fife HouseOctober 22, 2013Production of MAMMA MIA reunite for a one-night only benefit in support of FIFE HOUSE. They are a not for profit organization that seeks to provide secure and affordable supportive housing and support services for persons living with HIV/AIDS.
The event will feature none other than Louise Pitre in the lead role of 'Donna', one in which she originated here in Toronto and then later took to the Great White Way. BWW sat down to talk to Louise about her favourite Mamma Mia memories, walking the boards on Broadway, meeting Meryl Streep and more.
BWW Interview: 360 Screenings Look Back on Their Inaugural YearOctober 21, 2013360 Screenings has much to celebrate this Halloween - their recent screenings (a unique hybrid combining movies and live theatre) have been selling out well in advance of their dates and they've just wrapped more than a year of presenting screenings in Toronto! When they launched, BWW featured an interview with co-founders Ned Loach and Robert Gontier where they talked about the concept behind the company and their dreams of the future.
This year, in advance of their almost sold out Halloween screenings, we're catching up with Ned to find out the secret to 360Screenings success, as well as what they have planned for the future
BWW Interviews: Patrick Bristow Talks PUPPET UP: UNCENSOREDOctober 20, 2013Puppet Up! Uncensored is a hilarious adult comedy from The Henson Company which opens next week in Toronto. Featuring puppets designed by the famous company and a group of talented puppeteers/comedians, the show aims to engage, make you laugh and get a little dirty in the process! BWW sat down to talk with Patrick Bristow about improv, caring for 80 plus puppets, working with The Henson Cmopany and just how dirty the show really is.
Former PHANTOM OF THE OPERA Star Byron Nease Passes AwayOctober 17, 2013Former 'Phantom' actress Rebecca Caine confirmed the news today on Twitter, posting: 'Distraught to tell you that my precious Byron Nease was found dead last night. The bravest man I'll ever know is at peace.'
Photo Coverage: PUPPET UP! UNCENSORED Comes to TorontoOctober 18, 2013But don't go into PUPPET UP expecting to see Kermit and the Gang, this show features none of those Muppets, and instead showcases a group of more 'adult' Puppets who engage directly with the audience, using suggestions from current events and experiences to entertain guests with a unique blend of puppetry, comedy, improvisation and a little dirty fun.
The show features a cast of six world-class puppeteers (including Jim Henson's son, Brian) and is suggested for adult audiences only. So you've been warned - no rainbow connection here! Just lots of laughs, some dirty jokes and some incredible puppets.
BWW Interviews: Jeni Walls and Gabi Epstein talk LIZA & BARBRAOctober 17, 2013This Saturday, Angelwalk Theatre is hosting a special fundraising event featuring two of the greatest female musical theatre darlings in the city - Gabi Epstein and Jeni Walls. Liza & Barbra...Together at Last will feature Jeni as Liza and Gabi as Barbra, performing classic numbers of two of the stage's biggest stars. They will be backed by a live orchestra featuring new arrangements by music director and conductor Donavon LeNabat. And for the Jersey Boys fans among us, there will be a special guest appearance by our own Frankie Valli - Jeff Madden!
The fundraiser is to support Angelwalk's fifth anniversary season, celebrating their mission to produce off-Broadway style musical theatre in Toronto. There will be a silent auction, raffles and prizes. Best of all? Great music that everyone will know and love!
BWW sat down to chat with both ladies about this unique concert, about their love of Liza and Barbra and about what people can expect from this exciting night of musical theatre powerhouses:
STAGE TUBE: LIZA AND BARBRA - ONE NIGHT ONLYOctober 16, 2013This Saturday, Angelwalk Theatre is hosting a special fundraising event featuring two of the greatest female musical theatre darlings in the city - Gabi Epstein and Jeni Walls. Liza & Barbra...Together at Last will feature Jeni as Liza and Gabi as Barbra, performing classic numbers of two of the stage's biggest stars. They will be backed by a live orchestra featuring new arranagements by music director and conductor Donavon LeNabat. And for the Jersey Boys fans among us, there will be a special guest appearance by our own Frankie Valli - Jeff Madden!
BWW Interviews: Boys on the Barricade - Chatting with Mark Uhre and Perry ShermanOctober 31, 2013The new Canadian 25th Anniversary Production of Les Miserables is now playing at The Princess of Wales and has been receiving rave reviews from critics and audiences alike. BWW has been bringing its readers interviews with the cast of this incredible production, and today we sit down with Mark Uhre and Perry Sherman who play Enjolras and Marius. The 'barricade boys' talk everything from their first Les Mis experiences, to the changes to this production, gun injuries and more.
BWW Interviews: Rivals No More - Chatting with LES MIS Toronto's Eponine and CosetteOctober 15, 2013Fans of Les Miserables have long drawn lines in the sand when it comes to the show's young leading ladies, Cosette and Eponine. Often proudly declaring themselves either #TeamEpo or #TeamCosette long before it became 'cool' to do so, young fans of the musical would generally feel quite strongly about one or the other lady and either love or hate Marius's decision to choose Cosette over Eponine. BWW chats with Samantha Hill and Melissa O'Neill who play Cosette and Eponine, respectively, about the infamous love triangle, the new production and what it's like getting to live so many little girl's dreams.
BWW Interviews: Sirena Irwin and Bill Mendieta talk I Love Lucy Live! in TorontoOctober 13, 2013I Love Lucy Live takes the stage in Toronto next week - and marks the first time these iconic characters have been tackled live on stage. The foursome you know and love - Lucy, Ricky, Fred and Ethel, comes to life at The Royal Alex Theatre (which will become the Desilu Playhouse soundstage) and they're backed by the Ricky Ricardo Orchestra and the Crystaltone Singers.
BWW Reviews: Ramin Karimloo Led LES MISERABLES a Triumph in TorontoOctober 10, 2013It feels as though we've all been waiting a long time to say this, but it was finally no longer 'One Day More' as Les Miserables made her grand return to Toronto last night at The Princess of Wales Theatre, and with it, brought Richmond Hill native and West End star Ramin Karimloo home to a Toronto stage. The new production is a must-see, with a top notch cast and brilliant new staging that will make you fall in love all over again. Join in their crusade, you won't be disappointed.
Photo Coverage: Elgin & Winter Garden's 100th Chandelier GalaOctober 13, 2013The stars came out on Monday night to toast the 100th birthday of Toronto's historic Elgin and Winter Garden Theatres. Dubbed the 'chandelier gala' the fun filled evening was designed to celebrate the last remaining double decker theatre in the world and to raise money to restore it's gorgeous chandelier. On hand were cast members from the all Canadian company of CATS, Stratford Festival's production of Tommy, as well as many people performing from shows gone by such as Joseph, Ain't Misbehaving, Crazy for You and more. BWW is thrilled to bring its readers photos from the evening.
BWW Reviews: VENUS IN FUR a Sexy Slam DunkOctober 5, 2013The 2013 Canadian Stage season kicked off with a bang last night as Venus in Fur made her grand debut on stage at The Bluma, the first production of David Ives Tony Award nominated play to be mounted in Canada. Starring Carly Street in the role of Vanda (which earned Nina Arianda a Tony award) Rick Miller as Thomas, the play is a home run for Canadian Stage. Sexy, provocative, intricate, psychological and above all, emotionally intelligent, the show held the audience captive until it's final glorious proclamation.
Photo Coverage: Celebrate 100 Years at the Elgin and Winter Garden Chandelier GalaOctober 4, 20132013 marks the 100th birthday of two of Toronto's (and the world's) most gorgeous theatres, the Elgin and Wintergarden Theatres on Yonge Street. To celebrate, there is a gala performance next Monday night featuring some of the best and brightest of Toronto's theatrical past performing from many of the shows that have graced the stages of these two theatres. BWW is thrilled to bring readers exclusive photos from the past 100 years of these gorgeous theatres.
Photo Coverage: Cashmere's 10th Anniversary Gala features Bathroom Tissue Dresses on the Red CarpetSeptember 30, 2013The White Cashmere Collection 10th Anniversary fashion show took place last week, featuring a stunning vision of a future without breast cancer. The show featured a cast of 20 new and returning designers featuring their creations - made entirely out of 100 per cent pure, soft Cashmere Bathroom Tissue. The show is celebrating it's tenth year, and the foundation works tirelessly to help raise money and awareness for breast cancer research. BWW was thrilled to be on hand to capture photos of the stunning dresses (you won't believe it's toilet paper!) and provide coverage of this awesome event leading into October Breast Cancer Awareness Month.
BWW Interviews: Ramin Karimloo on his First Toronto Bow in Les MiserablesOctober 1, 2013Ramin Karimloo is no stranger to the stage, he's had an impressive career making a name for himself in productions such as The Phantom of the Opera, Love Never Dies and Les Miserables on the West End. That said, Karimloo has yet to perform in a production on a Toronto stage, despite spending most of his childhood growing up in Richmond Hill and attending Toronto theatre. Now Mirvish Productions has brought him home to Toronto, where he will perform the lead role of Jean Valjean in the Canadian Premiere of the 25th Anniversary Production of Les Miserables. BWW spoke with Ramin about his Les Miserables experience, returning to Toronto, working with fellow West End star Earl Carpenter and more.
BWW Reviews: Louise Pitre's ON THE ROCKS Is A Must-See for Theatre LoversSeptember 26, 2013Louise Pitre's solo show ON THE ROCKS opened last night at Theatre Passe Muraille, kicking off their 2013-2014 season. An original piece that she wrote herself and produced with a dynamic all-female team, the show explores her life, love, loss and so much more. It's heartbreaking, honest and poignant, and showcases exactly why she's musical theatre royalty and a Canadian national treasure.