Canadian musical theatre is alive, damn it!!!

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Hi there friends,

So I rarely have big causes or projects I believe in enough to write a blog about them.  But this one is so worth it.

I think many of you know… or maybe you don’t….  I shouldn’t assume that people keep up with my comings and goings…. who do I think I am???   But you peeps in the business of “show” know this; and in case you DIDN’T know, I’m on the board of directors of an extraordinary company called The Musical Stage Company.

This year, we’re taking on a really exciting challenge that will “take a village” and we’re looking for people who believe in musical theatre to help get us to our goal.

You may have seen my postings about singing in their concert UNCOVERED: STEVIE WONDER & PRINCE a couple of weeks ago.  It was an amazing night.  Well that was one of the many fabulous projects The Musical Stage Company has going on.

Well, I’m the first artist they have ever had on their board and I’m going into my 3rd year.  I have been a fan of Mitchell Marcus, who created the company and is its Artistic Director, since it’s 3rd year – 2006 (originally Acting Up Stage).… [Continue reading]

CHOOSE JOY #1

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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

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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

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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]