CHOOSE JOY #1

Hi y’all.  I always mean to be consistent with the blogs because I quite love writing them, and then I don’t write.  What is that about?  I think so many people have that occurrence where there is something you like to do but you never give yourself the time or take the time to do it.  Well . . . .this is it.  Anyway…. Here I am.  I have so many things in my head but I don’t know where to start.

It has been the most unusual and wonderful and sad year.  I don’t remember the last time I’ve been this busy professionally.  The year started off with the filming of KILLJOYS Season 4 at the end of January.  This season I had lots of fun things to do in this season which is unfolding now so I can’t talk about details or they will have to kill me.  Juuuuuust kidding.

While I was filming that, I was planning and directing Micah Barnes new Las Vegas-themed stage show, MICAH BARNES AT THE SANDS, which went up on May 14 and was a big success. I was also prepping/planning for the production of Stephen Sondheim’s A LITTLE NIGHT MUSIC that I directed for Randolph College for the Performing Arts in August.… [Continue reading]


LIFE AND BITS

Okay so here we are. The second blog on my new blog spot. Very exciting. I’m sure a lot of folks have seen this. I’ve been posting this all over social media like the loving media-whore that I am. But if you haven’t already, I shot a teaser for a new possible web-series called FACE CANDY about cosmetic counters in a high-end department store. It was hilarious and we laughed all day long.


Here is the teaser:

I play Stefan, the makeup artist for SMAC (yes, you see where that’s going). The whole show is about the cut-throat world of cosmetic sales. And it’s hilarious but they need to get the money to have it made. So if you have 2 minutes and want a huge laugh, watch it/share it/”like” it/comment on it. The more numbers we have, the more reason there is for a producer to put money into it.

Here is a little bit from my character Stefan:

So help a brother out if you wanna see more of my ass on TV. Okay, okay, you’ll see the rest of me too. 😉

In other show related news, I’m going to be doing a Harold Arlen review in August which I’m really excited about.… [Continue reading]


FAR TOO LONG – WINNIPEG I’M COMING

I apologize for  being so long away everyone.  Since we’ve talked I’ve finished Over the Rainbow,

ME IN OVER THE RAINBOW

done my concert at MCC, BROADWAY, MY WAY

BROADWAY, MY WAY

and my cabaret, SHUT UP, IT’S CHRISTMAS!  For the first act of which, I was me.  These two shows are from act two where I play Mrs. Claus – old and young.

ME AS MRS. CLAUS

ME AS LOLA KRINGLE

——–

Now,  we come to the next exciting project. I’m coming/going home to Winnipeg to do a concert.

ME AND MY TOWN: THOM ALLISON IN CONCERT

From Winnipeg to Broadway and Back

It’s part of the Sondheimfest that the city is participating.    So all of the songs in my hour and a half concert are from the  repertoire of the great theatre composer/lyricist Stephen Sondheim.  Always a joy, honour and a gift to perform his music. My pianist is a gifted young musician, musical director named Scott Christian.  Remember that name.  You’ll be hearing it a lot.  I’m so excited.

$41 (+service charge)
January 20, 2013 at the Tom Hendry Warehouse, Royal Manitoba Theatre Centre 8:00PM
140 Rupert Ave.

http://www.masterplaywrightfest.com/Production-List/Me-and-My-Town_zone41.aspx

It’s a fundraiser for a fantastic, innovative theatre company in Winnipeg – zone 41 – and was the brain-child of the company’s co-founder, Krista Jackson.… [Continue reading]


BITS OF CATCH-UP

I know I need to get more regular in my blogging, my peeps.  But I’m just running around so much.  So I’m just going to wander a bit, but you know what, it’s my blog.  ha ha ha ha ha haaaaa.
So let’s deal with the fact that I  have been in a helicopter twice since I wrote to you all.  WHAT???!!!  Yes, it’s true.  The first time was Sept. 23. I took some pics to show you. We arrived at the pick-up site which was on the grounds of the Hildebrand Winery and the actual copter (that’s what we professional helicopterers call the helicopter – oh, yeah, I’m very connected) is not very big as you can see.

 

As soon as we arrived, we met our pilot, Ben . . .  who looked 14, which did not build my confidence.  But he was 21 and a very “nice young man”.  Gentle Ben I shall call him henceforth.

Seriously, look at that face.  He still smelled like baby wipes …..and the CBC also sent one of their AM-ER-ZING online team to video and audio and photograph the experience.  Here is Kyle.

And he and the rest of that genius online team put together a vlog of the whole experience of getting me from Niagara-on-the-Lake at 5 to our live-to-the-east-coast taping of the show at 7.… [Continue reading]


ETERNITY

Oh my children, it has been way too long.  I can’t really say nothing is happening but I can’t say something is happening either.  I can give you a couple of things that are pretty much confirmed for now.
1. I am doing a solo concert on FRIDAY, NOV. 30.  Mark it in your calendars.  It will be at Metropolitan Community Church, 115 Simpson Ave., Toronto.  I’m just working out what it will consist of now.  I’m very excited.  It will be my first big solo gig since being back from Broadway.
2. I am doing a solo Christmas cabaret on SUNDAY, DEC. 16 at Tallulah’s Cabaret at Buddies In Bad Times.  I LOOOVE CHRISTMAS!!  It’s been years since I’ve done a Christmas show.  There will be some familiar songs done in unfamiliar ways.  A special visitor or two.  Some cheer, some camp, some laughs, some surprises. Come on, IT’S CHRISTMAS!!!!!

I hope everyone can come.  I will give more details of where and when as everything gets ironed out.  And if you’re wondering if it’s a lot of the same material in both . . . please, would I do that to you my children?  There may be a couple of tunes in common, but for the most part, they will be two very VERY different evenings.… [Continue reading]