News Release
October 25, 2011
Talk Is Free Theatre Moves Last Season’s Smash Hit Musical Dani Girl To Toronto This February!
October 25, 2011. Barrie, ON... Talk Is Free Theatre (TIFT) is pleased to announce that last season’s critically acclaimed production of Dani Girl, a musical by Christopher Dimond and Michael Kooman, will move to Toronto to be co-presented by Show One Productions in February.
This touching, lively and humorous work will preview on February 16, 2012, open February 17, 2012 and run until March 4, 2012 at the Theatre Passe Muraille Backspace.
Dani Girl is by the hottest young duo on the American musical theatre scene, Christopher Dimond (Book and Lyrics) and Michael Kooman (Music). Dimond and Kooman were the recipients of the prestigious Jonathan Larson Award in 2010 and were recently Fellows at the O’Neill Music Theater Conference, as well as the finalists for the 2009 Fred Ebb Award.
Dani Girl has been selected to be part of the prestigious National Alliance for Musical Theater’s 2011 Festival of New Musicals in New York. Every year, the two day festival presents eight new works to industry professionals. Past participants include The Drowsy Chaperone, Thoroughly Modern Millie and Songs For A New World.
Dani Girl follows the story of the precocious nine year-old who finds herself face to face with a life-threatening disease. Simultaneously hilarious and heartbreaking, Dani Girl is a tale of life in the face of death, hope in the face of despair, and the indomitable power of the human imagination.
Reprising her role as Dani is Toronto native and cabaret performer Gabi Epstein (To Life, Harold Green Jewish Theatre; West Side Story Suite, National Ballet of Canada; Bye Bye Birdie and Napoleon, Talk Is Free Theatre; Edges, Acting Up Stage Theatre Co.) and Jonathan Logan (Peter Pan, Neptune Theatre; Dear World, TIFT). Full casting announcement is expected to follow shortly.
Dani Girl will once again be directed by Richard Ouzounian (Toronto Star’s theatre critic and director of TIFT’s productions of Red Fightin’ Blue, Variations on a Nervous Breakdown, Emily and Anyone Can Whistle - in Concert). Musical direction will be by Wayne Gwillim (Shaw Festival, Toronto’s Sound of Music), Set and Costume Design by Christine Barrett (TIFT’s productions of Kiss of the Spider Woman and Trees Die Standing Tall) and Lighting Design by Gareth Crew (TIFT’s productions of Assassins, Variations on a Nervous Breakdown and Do You Turn Somersaults?)
Talk Is Free Theatre (TIFT) is an artist-driven, award winning theatre company based in Barrie, Ontario. The company was founded in 2003 by Artistic Producer Arkady Spivak and has produced over fifty productions concentrating largely on new and neglected work.
Show One Productions is a full service production company presenting concerts with high-profile classical musicians, opera stars, and orchestras, as well as great dance and theatre companies. Formed in 2004 by Svetlana Dvoretskaia, Show One continues its brand of excellence, presenting in Canada’s most prestigious concert halls.
Dani Girl will run February 16 – March 4, 2012 at Theatre Passe Muraille Backspace16 Ryerson Ave., Toronto Monday to Saturday at 7:30PM (except Tuesday); Matinees on Saturday and Sunday at 2 PM.
Tickets are $33 plus HST and service fee. They can be purchased through Arts Box Office at www.artsboxoffice.ca or (416) 504-7529 after January 1, 2012.
Group tickets and exclusive performances can be booked before December 31 by calling 1-888-792-1949.
News Release
October 20, 2011
Talk Is Free Theatre Announces Full Cast & Creative Team for 10th Anniversary Season Opener
Do You Turn Somersaults?
October 11, 2011. Barrie, ON... Talk Is Free Theatre’s Artistic Producer, Arkady Spivak, announced earlier today the remaining cast and creative team for the first production in their 10th Anniversary Season, Do You Turn Somersaults?. The production will feature Geordie Johnson, an award-winning Canadian actor, along with the great Lucy Peacock. Rounding out the creative team are Set and Costume Designer Joanne Yu and Lighting Designer Gareth Crew, along with previously announced Director Marti Maraden. Do You Turn Somersaults? opens November 18th at the Mady Centre for the Performing Arts.
Set in late 1960’s on the shores of the Baltic, Do you Turn Somersaults? charts the relationship between stuffy sanatorium director Rodion and a free-spirited new patient Lydia. He is her doctor; a prickly, reserved man, exasperated yet intrigued by her sparkle and charm. She is enigmatic and eccentric and is clearly no ordinary patient in the sanatorium; she dances in the moonlight, sings at dawn and recites poetry on demand.
Lucy Peacock (Lydia) has spent 24 seasons and starred in close to 60 productions at the Stratford Shakespeare Festival. Favourite credits include Nana in For The Pleasure of Seeing Her Again, all characters in Thee Blonde, the Brunette and the Vengeful Redhead (also at Vancouver Playhouse), Dolly in Hello, Dolly!, Anna in The King and I, Duchess in The Duchess of Malfi, Masha in Three Sisters, Lady Macbeth in Macbeth and Regan in King Lear (Tony Nominated Production). Currently, she can be seen in The Merry Wives of Windsor and Camelot at the Stratford Shakespeare Festival.
Geordie Johnson (Rodion) is an award-winning Canadian actor whose career encompasses TV, film and stage roles. Among his theatre credits are eight season at the Startford Shakespeare Festival, playing such diverse roles as Richard in Richard II, Mr. Darcy in Pride and Prejudice, Biff in Death of a Salesman and Yasha in The Cherry Orchard. Other credits include productions at the Shaw Festival, Theatre Aquarius, the Manitoba Theatre Centre, the National Arts Centre, Tarragon Theatre, Theatre Calgary, Theatr Clwyd in Wales and the Grand Theatre in London’s West End. Having been nominated twice, Mr. Johnson won the 1988 Dora Mavor Moore Award for Outstanding Performance (Leading Role), as well as the 1997 Stage Door “Johnnie” Award for Best Supporting Actor. In 2000, he received a Gemini for Best Performance by an Actor in a Guest Role (Dramatic Series) for his appearance on CTV’s The City.
Director Marti Maraden recently directed The Winter’s Tale at the Stratford Shakespeare Festival, Blithe Spirit at the Segal Centre for the Performing Arts and Calendar Girls (Manitoba Theatre Centre/Mirvish Productions). Other credits include Much Ado About Nothing and Othello (Chicago Shakespeare Theater), eight seasons with the Stratford Shakespeare Festival and seven seasons with the Shaw Festival. Ms. Maraden was also the Artistic Director of the National Arts Centre English Theatre from 1997-2005. She has directed for the Vancouver Playhouse, the Arts Club Theatre, the Citadel, Theatre Calgary, Canadian Stage Company, Tarragon Theatre, Theatre New Brunswick, and Children’s Theatre Company (Minneapolis).
Do You Turn Somersaults? is Set and Costume Designer Joanne Yu’s TIFT debut. Most recently, she has worked on Kingfisher Days (The Grand), Romeo and Juliet (Shakespeare in Action) and Oedipus Rex (Classical Theatre Project). Ms. Yu spent three seasons as an Assistant Designer at the Stratford Shakespeare Festival and has also worked on Yellowman (Nightwood Theatre/Obsidian), The Penelopiad (Nightwood Theatre) and Le Nozze di Figaro (Canadian Opera Company).
Gareth Crew has worked as the Lighting Designer numerous TIFT productions, including Dani Girl, Assassins and The Tale of Ivan vs. Ivan. He was recently nominated for a Dora Mavor Moore Award for his work on Madhouse Variations (Eldritch Theatre). Mr. Crew’s other credits include Woody Harrelson’s Bullets for Adolf (Children at Play), Jerry Springer - The Opera (Hart House), Evil Dead: The Musical (Beyond Chutleigh/Duelling Egos) and five seasons as an Assistant Lighting Designer at the Stratford Shakespeare Festival.
The production will preview on Thursday, November 17, open on Friday, November 18 and run to Saturday, November 26, at the Mady Centre for the Performance Arts, 1 Dunlop St. West in Barrie, ON.
Subscriptions, flexible 4-ticket passes and group tickets are now available by contacting the theatre Box Office at www.tift.ca or (705) 792-1949. Single tickets are now on sale.
News Release
August 8 , 2011
Lucy Peacock to star in TIFT’s 10th Season Opener
August 8, 2011. Barrie, ON... Today Artistic Producer Arkady Spivak was thrilled to announce that Lucy Peacock will star in Talk Is Free Theatre (TIFT)’s anniversary season opening production - Do You Turn Somersaults? by Aleksei Arbuzov. Not only will this mark the start of the 10th season for the critically acclaimed and Dora Award winning company, but it will also launch their residency at the new Mady Centre for the Performing Arts in downtown Barrie.
Best known for her 24-year association with the Stratford Shakespeare Festival, Ms. Peacock has performed in close to 60 productions there since 1984. These include 30 plays by William Shakespeare, among them Kate and Grumio in The Taming of the Shrew, Portia in The Merchant of Venice, Beatrice in Much Ado About Nothing, Lady Macbeth in Macbeth, Rosalind in As You Like It, Helena in All's Well That Ends Well, Viola in Twelfth Night, Desdemona and Emilia in Othello, and Regan in King Lear (Tony-nominated production). Other credits include Dolly in Hello, Dolly!, Anna in The King and I, Masha in Three Sisters, Duchess in The Duchess of Malfi, all characters in The Blonde, the Brunette and the Vengeful Redhead and Nana in last season’s hit For The Pleasure of Seeing Her Again.
As previously announced, the production will be directed by Marti Maraden, one of Canada’s foremost directors, and a former Artistic Director of the National Arts Centre in Ottawa.
“I think welcoming Ms. Peacock and Ms. Maraden to our company is almost a greater achievement than our anniversary season or a new venue,” says Artistic Producer Arkady Spivak. “Both of these amazing artists love the Russians, which, for a variety of reasons, I find irresistible.”
Set in late 1960’s Riga, Do you Turn Somersaults? charts the relationship between stuffy sanatorium director Rodion and a free-spirited new patient Lydia. He is prickly, reserved man, exasperated yet intrigued by her sparkle and charm. She is enigmatic and eccentric and is clearly no ordinary patient in the sanatorium; she dances in the moonlight, sings at dawn and recites poetry on demand.
The production will preview on Thursday, November 17, 2011 open on Friday, November 18, 2011 and run to Saturday, November 26, 2011 at the Mady Centre for the Performing Arts, 1 Dunlop St. West, Barrie.
Subscriptions, flexible 4-ticket passes and group tickets are now available by contacting the theatre Box Office at www.tift.ca or (705) 792-1949. Single tickets will be available starting September 19, 2011.
News Release
July 25, 2011
Erika Rueter Hired As New General Manager, Talk Is Free Theatre
July 25, 2011. Barrie ON... Talk Is Free Theatre (TIFT) is happy to announce that their search for a General Manager has been successful with the hiring of Erika Rueter. A new position for TIFT, Erika will step into her new role on August 15th, 2011.
Erika Rueter comes to TIFT after four years working as the Marketing and Publicity Manager at STAF in Toronto. She has worked and volunteered at numerous arts organizations, building a strong background in arts administration and public relations. Erika has led many marketing and publicity workshops within the arts community and is a contributor in the Toronto Alliance for the Performing Arts‘ upcoming publication The Indie Theatre Producer’s Guide. She holds a Bachelor of Music with Honours from Queen’s University and has considerable knowledge of the Canadian arts and entertainment scene not only as an administrator but also as an active performer.
“I am thrilled to join the dynamic team at TIFT and to have to opportunity to contribute to such an exciting theatre company and its innovative artists who are creating new and electrifying works. I look forward to new challenges and helping TIFT as it continues to evolve” says Rueter.
After an extensive search, and many talented applicants, the Board of Directors were delighted to appoint Erika. Arkady Spivak, Artistic Producer of TIFT, said: “Erika is one of those rare individuals who understands and cares deeply about grass roots theatre. She has developed an outstanding reputation and is truly one of the emerging stars of arts administration”.
TIFT is an artist-driven, award winning theatre company based in Barrie. The company was founded in 2003 by Artistic Producer Arkady Spivak and has produced over fifty productions concentrating largely on new and neglected works. Most recently the complany produced an acclaimed production of Assassins as well as toured to Serbia, England and Russia with The Tale of Ivan vs. Ivan and in 2008 was part of the International Bulgakov Festival of Creativity in Kiev, Ukraine. As well, TIFT’s production of the Canadian musical Emily was a finalist in the prestigious Festival of New Musicals of the National Alliance of Musical Theater (NAMT) in New York. Past artists who have worked with TIFT include Graham Abbey, Maja Ardal, Leslie Arden, Jim Betts, Adam Brazier, Evan Buliung, Juan Chioran, Darrell Dennis, Wayne Gwillim, Kate Hennig, Jeffrey Huard, Aleksandar Lukac, Joey Miller, Jonathan Monro, Mike Nadajewski, Richard Ouzounian, Jennifer Phipps, Glynis Ranney, Jennifer Stewart, Sam Strasfeld and Blythe Wilson.
News Release
June 21, 2011
Registrations continue for TIFT’s popular theatre summer camp
Barrie, ON – After a completely sold out March break camp and the Improv Olympics, Talk Is Free Theatre is pleased to offer another round of summer camps. They will give area’s young people the opportunity to be coached by one of TIFT professional actors. The weekly sessions will be held starting August 8 and 22, with two parallel sessions – one for 6-9 year olds and one for 10-14 year olds.
TIFT’s theatre camps help children and teens gain confidence and self-esteem, exercise their imagination and creative-writing skills, and will help improve social interactions with their peers. Participants will also be introduced to theatre areas like set building, costumes and make up. At the end of each session, a final play will be produced for families and friends.
Camps run Monday to Friday from 9am to 4pm. The cost is $190 per child per week. An additional nominal fee will apply for pre and post-day care. According to the new Ontario Children’s Activity Tax Credit, parents and guardians are able to claim up to $500 of eligible expenses per child.
To register please call TIFT Box Office at (705) 792-1949 or in person at Suite 20-230 Bayview Drive, Monday to Friday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
News Release
April 10, 2011
Smash hit Tales of an Urban Indian comes back and extends
Barrie, ON – Talk Is Free Theatre (TIFT) will perform its final production of the 2010-2011 Season, Tales of an Urban Indian, on a city bus. During the performance, the bus will drive around Barrie visiting locations reflective of the ones described in the story. This production comes back after a sold out 10 week run in 2009.
Written by Darrell Dennis (best known for his roles in such television series as Northwood and The Rez), Tales of an Urban Indian is a semi-autobiographical tale about a modern First Nations male who grew up on a reserve as well as in Vancouver. The play received numerous productions around Canada. Talk Is Free Theatre’s production is directed by Herbie Barnes. The role of Simon Douglas for the repeat engagement will be performed by the Winnipeg actor Jonathan Fisher.
“The idea of performing on the bus initially came to us when we didn’t have a permanent home,” says Arkady Spivak, TIFT’s Artistic Producer. “And although we are about to receive a rare gift - a state of the art brand new facility, this production had developed a legacy of its own and simply demanded to be seen again. And to think that the revival gets to extend again is something truly special.”
Tales of an Urban Indian was initially scheduled to run from May 9 to May 21, 2011, but has already been extended to June 4. Single tickets are $29 plus HST and 4 tickets are $105 plus HST. Group rate for 15 individuals or more is also available at $25 plus HST. Tickets may be purchased by calling the Box Office at (705) 792-1949. Additional information and performance schedule are available at www.tift.ca.
News Release
April 1, 2011
New building, two World Premieres and two rarely seen plays are on tap for TIFT’s 10th Season.
Barrie, ON… Today Artistic Producer Arkady Spivak announced the details of the upcoming anniversary season for Talk Is Free Theatre (TIFT), which sees the ensemble-driven company continuing its policy of mounting new and neglected work in Barrie. The season will also launch the new venue, The Downtown Theatre, a 100-seat purpose built facility.
The season will begin with the new production of Aleksei Arbuzov’s Do You Turn Somersaults?, translated by Ariadne Nicolaeff. Set in 1968 in a sanatorium on the shores of the Baltic, Do You Turn Somersaults? is a touching story of hope and compassion with abundant humor, proving that love can blossom in the most unlikely of places, at the most unlikely of times. One of Canada’s most renowned directors, Marti Maraden, will stage the work. The production will play from November 17 to 26, 2011, with the Opening Night on November 18, 2011.
The season will continue with a rarely seen musical, No Way to Treat a Lady with book, music and lyrics by Douglas J. Cohen, based on the novel by William Goldman, which was a popular 1968 movie starring Rod Steiger. This theatrically charged musical comedy thriller is about a publicity crazed actor turned killer and the befuddled, but endearing detective who pursues him. Fresh from his directing triumph with Stephen Sondheim’s Assassins for TIFT and Birdland Theatre, new Theatre 20’s Artistic Director Adam Brazier returns to helm this production. Starring Steve Ross, it will run from February 2 to February 11, 2012, with an Opening Night on Friday, February 3, 2012.
The World Premiere musical version of Great Expectations will run from March 29 to April 7, 2012, opening on Friday, March 30, 2012. When Charles Dickens wrote "Great Expectations" in 1860, it dealt with a world where owning property defined one's success. But how has that changed in 150 years? Richard Ouzounian's special adaptation of this work deals with how the times we live in have changed and that the way we measure triumph has transformed as well. Add this to a unique version that has four actors tell the entire story over a period of 200 years, and does so using the actual music of the passing times makes for a work as intellectually stimulating as it is theatrically exciting. Great Expectations will be directed by seven time TIFT veteran Ouzounian and will star newcomer Justin Goodhand.
The season will conclude with the World Premiere of Parkdale Peter Pan by Eric Woolfe. It is an adaptation of JM Barrie’s seminal work, which begins in modern day Canada, and journeys to the timelessness of the Never Land and back again. Parkdale Peter Pan is performed by two actors, one as Wendy, one as Peter, with the remainder of the characters brought to life with colourful masks, puppets and magic tricks. The production will be directed by Nina Lee Aquino and will star Colin Doyle as Peter Pan. It will run from May 31 to June 9, 2012 and will open on Friday, June 1, 2012.
In addition to the upcoming season, Talk Is Free Theatre is hosting the annual Professional Association of Canadian Theatres (PACT) Conference and the AGM from May 26-29, 2011 as well as preparing various projects for transfers and touring. The company also has two exciting new projects in development.
Early-bird subscriptions for the 2011-2012 Season will be available until Friday, May 27, 2011. For more information please visit www.tift.ca or call (705) 792-1949.
Program subject to change due to availability of creative artists and individual projects.
News Release
March 31, 2011
Carleigh Aikins is back to teach Improv Olympics
Barrie, ON –Talk Is Free Theatre is pleased to announce that Carleigh Aikins will be back to teach the spring installment of Improv Olympics. Born and raised in Barrie, Carleigh Aikins has appeared in numerous TIFT productions and was instrumental in establishing theatre’s educational programs as its previous Director of Education.
Improv Olympics provide training in improvisation using popular games and exercises. The training will culminate with Final Games, where teams will be awarded Gold, Silver and Bronze medals, as judged by a panel of TIFT experts and professionals.
Improv Olympics help students gain confidence and self-esteem, exercise their imagination and creative-writing skills, and will help improve social interactions with their peers. The healthy competition will also build on concentration and focus, as well as team-building and group co-operation, as the students work toward the final games. Improv Olympics provide a much- anticipated extension to our March Break and Summer Drama Camps, but there’s no prerequisite for the Improv Olympics.
“I’m delighted to welcome Carleigh back for this round of Improv Olympics. She’s one key reason why TIFT has achieved such an overwhelming participation rate from area’s children and youth. I am very pleased that she found the time in her busy schedule to rejoin us while attending Ontario College of Art and Design.
Improv Olympics are held over two weekends on the following days: Saturday, April 30, Sunday, May 1 and Saturday May 7 and Sunday May 8. Classes for the 6-9 age group are held between 10AM-1PM and for 10-14 age group between 2PM-5PM. All sessions are held at TIFT’s Educational Centre at Suite 19, 230 Bayview Drive.To register please call TIFT Box Office at (705) 792-1949 or in person at Suite 20-230 Bayview Drive, Monday to Friday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. The cost to register is $110 per person.
News Release
March 17, 2011
New sessions of Improv Classes for Children and Youth are announced
Barrie, ON – After a completely sold out March break camp, Talk Is Free Theatre is pleased to offer another round of improvisation sessions for children and youth. This new program called, Improv Olympics, will give students the opportunity to be coached by one of TIFT professional actors. The sessions, which are completely unique to the Barrie-area, provide training in improvisation using popular games and exercises. The training will culminate with an Improv Olympic Games, where teams will be awarded Gold, Silver and Bronze medals, as judged by a panel of TIFT experts and professionals.
These sessions will help students gain confidence and self-esteem, exercise their imagination and creative-writing skills, and will help improve social interactions with their peers. The healthy competition will also build on concentration and focus, as well as team-building and group co-operation, as the students work toward the final games. The Improv-Olympics provide a much- anticipated extension to our March Break and Summer Drama Camps, but there’s no prerequisite for the Improv Olympics.
Improv Olympics are held over two weekends on the following days: Saturday, April 30, Sunday, May 1 and Saturday May 7 and Sunday May 8. Classes for the 6-9 age group are held between 10AM-1PM and for 10-14 age group between 2PM-5PM. All sessions are held at TIFT’s Educational Centre at Suite 19, 230 Bayview Drive.
To register please call TIFT Box Office at (705) 792-1949 or in person at Suite 20-230 Bayview Drive, Monday to Friday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Early bird rate of $100 is available if registering before March 31. Regular rate of $110 will apply for registrations received after March 31.
News Release
February 26, 2011
Canadian icon Andrea Martin comes to Barrie with her one woman show
Barrie, ON...Today Artistic Producer Arkady Spivak announced that Andrea Martin will perform her one-woman show Final Days! Everything Must Go!!! on Thursday May 26, 2011 at the Georgian Theatre (formerly Gryphon Theatre) as a special fundraiser for TIFT. Her performance will coincide with PACT (Professional Association of Canadian Theatres) conference, which TIFT is hosting in partnership with the City of Barrie. The conference will see close to 200 Artistic Directors and General Managers from across the country spend five days in Barrie.
Andrea Martin is considered a Canadian icon, who first catapulted to international fame in the 1970's in the SCTV sketch comedy series, playing such characters as Edith Prickley, Pirini Scleroso and many others (all of whom will make an appearance in the Barrie performance). In addition to her TV career, Ms. Martin is a Tony Award winning actor with many Broadway credits, most recently in Exit the King, starring opposite Geoffrey Rush and Susan Sarandon. Her most recognized film credit is Aunt Voula in My Big Fat Greek Wedding.
Andrea Martin’s performance will replace a previously announced production of Billboard, which has now been postponed to the next season when the new theatre facility is expected to be complete.
"I'm extremely happy that Ms. Martin has agreed to come to Barrie with her show as a fundraiser for us," - said Artistic Producer Arkady Spivak. "To think that a "little theatre that could" is able to attract the support of such a talent is both humbling and very encouraging."
Tickets to Andrea Martin’s Final Days! Everything Must Go!!! on Thursday, May 26, 2011 are $49 and $35 plus HST. VIP tickets are available at $100 plus HST, which include priority seating and a post-show reception. Group packages are also available.
ASSASSINS HOLDS OVER FOR ONE FINAL WEEK
Show must close February 20th, 2011
February 2, 2011. Toronto, ON… Birdland Theatre with Talk Is Free Theatre announced today that their wildly successful production of Sondheim’s ASSASSINS, the winner of the 2010 Dora Award for Outstanding Production of a Musical, will continue at The Theatre Centre until February 20th, 2011. Tickets are now on sale at Arts Box Office by phone at 416-504-7529 or online at www.artsboxoffice.ca.
“ASSASSINS has been such an incredible experience for everyone involved,” remarked Arkady Spivak, Artistic Producer for Talk Is Free Theatre. “Toronto has shown such amazing support for ASSASSINS,” chimed in Birdland Theatre’s Artistic Producer, Zorana Kydd. “We have been playing to sold out houses and audiences are leaping to their feet with pure delight”.
Part vaudeville extravaganza, part exposé, and wholly electrifying, ASSASSINS is a dark and controversial Tony Award-winning musical about the American dream gone awry. This wickedly comic one-act historical “revusical” lays bare the lives of nine individuals who assassinated, or tried to assassinate, various presidents of the United States.
ASSASSINS stars Dora nominated Paul McQuillan as John Wilkes Booth, joined by a phenomenal ensemble cast consisting of Graham Abbey, Alex Fiddes, Kevin Dennis, Lisa Horner, Martin Julien, Janet Porter, Steve Ross, Whitney Ross-Barris, Christopher Stanton, Joanthan Tan, Alicia Toner and Geoffrey Tyler.
Birdland Theatre is a Toronto-based theatre company founded in 2004 by Artistic Director Zorana Kydd. The company received 5 Dora Awards (9 nominations) for its hit production The Last Days of Judas Iscariot, which was named one of NOW Magazines Top 10 Shows of the Decade.
Talk Is Free Theatre is an artist-driven, award winning theatre company based in Barrie. The company was founded in 2003 by Artistic Producer Arkady Spivak and has produced nearly fifty productions concentrating largely on new and neglected work.
ASSASSINS
The Theatre Centre, 100-1087 Queen Street West
On Sale Now for Performances through February 20, 2011
Wednesday-Monday at 8 PM; Saturday and Sunday at 2 PM
Tickets are $35 and can be purchased in person at Arts Box Office, TO Tix, and The Theatre Centre, by calling 416-504-7529 or online at www.artsboxoffice.ca and www.totix.ca
Critics Said:
“...an absolutely delirious theatrical experience.”
- J. Kelly Nestruck, The Globe and Mail
“If you love musical theatre and somehow manage to miss this show, you just might feel like shooting yourself. Assassins is to die for.”
– John Coulbourn, The Toronto Sun
“This production of Assassins is a sharp-edged treat from start to finish. Miss it at your peril.”
- John Terauds, The Toronto Star
News Release
News Release
December 26, 2010
Exciting casting news for TIFT’s world premiere, site specific production of Dani Girl
Barrie, ON – Talk Is Free Theatre (TIFT) is pleased to announce the casting for its upcoming production of Dani Girl, a musical by Christopher Dimond and Michael Kooman, making its World Premiere in partnership with Barrie Community Health Centre.
Jake Epstein (Craig Manning in Degrassi: The Next Generation and Melchior Gabor in the First National Tour of Spring Awakening) has recently joined the cast as Rafe and other characters. Other cast members include Jayme Armstrong (CBC’s How Do You Solve a Problem Like Maria and Stratford Shakespeare Festival) as Dani’s Mother, Gabi Epstein (TIFT’s production of Napoleon in Concert) playing the title role and Jonathan Logan (TIFT’s workshop of Dear World with Andrea Martin) as Dani’s friend Marty.
One of the most promising American musical theatre duos, Michael Kooman and Christopher Dimond were awarded the 2010 Larson Award. They were also 2009-2010 Dramatists Guild Fellows, Fellows at the O’Neill Music Theater Conference and finalists for the 2009 Fred Ebb Award.
Dani Girl will be directed by Richard Ouzounian (Toronto Star’s theatre critic and director of TIFT’s productions of Red Fightin’ Blue, Variations on a Nervous Breakdown, Emily and Anyone Can Whistle in Concert). Musical direction will be by Wayne Gwillim (Shaw Festival, Toronto’s Sound of Music), Set and Costume Design by Christine Barrett, Lighting Design by Gareth Crew and Stage Management by Pamela Craig.
Dani Girl follows the story of the precocious nine year-old who finds herself face to face with a life-threatening disease. Simultaneously hilarious and heartbreaking, Dani Girl is a tale of life in the face of death, hope in the face of despair, and the indomitable power of the human imagination.
Talk Is Free Theatre (TIFT) is an artist-driven, award winning theatre company based in Barrie, Ontario. The company was founded in 2003 by Artistic Producer Arkady Spivak and has produced nearly fifty productions concentrating largely on new and neglected work.
The Barrie Community Health Centre (BCHC) is a publicly funded resource that offers community-focused health promotion, illness prevention and primary health care services, encouraging personal responsibility for one’s own health and that of the community.
Dani Girl will be staged site specific at the Barrie Community Health Centre at 56 Bayfield Street, Barrie. It previews on Thursday, January 20 at 8pm, opens on Friday, January 21 at 8pm and runs until Saturday, January 29. Detailed performance schedule is available at: http://www.tift.ca/danigirl.htm.
Tickets are $29 plus HST or a 4 ticket flexible pass is available for $105 plus HST. Call the TIFT box office at (705) 792-1949 or boxoffice@tift.ca .
News Release
December 28, 2010
BirdLand Theatre and Talk Is Free Theatre
Announce cast for the remount of last years critically acclaimed and award winning production of Stephen Sondheim’s
ASSASSINS
December 28, 2010. Toronto, ON... Birdland Theatre and Talk Is Free Theatre are thrilled to announce the cast for the remount of the 2010 Dora Award winning production of Assassins. Recently named as one of the top 10 productions by Eye Magazine, Now Magazine, Toronto Star, Toronto Sun and National Post, Assassins is returning to The Theatre Centre from January 6th to 23rd, 2011. Tickets for Sondheim’s killer musical are on sale now through Arts Box Office by phone at 416-504-7529 or online at www.artsboxoffice.ca.
Joining the stellar original cast is the brassy Lisa Horner, Janet Porter, Kevin Dennis, Whitney Ross and Alex Fiddes.
Lisa Horner will be playing the role of self-styled radical Sara Jane Moore. Recently she has been seen in Love, Loss and What I Wore and as Claire in My Mother’s Lesbian Jewish Wiccan Wedding. Horne has previously spent five seasons with the Shaw Festival and two seasons the Stratford Shakespeare Festival.
Janet Porter will be taking on the role of Lynette “Squeaky Fromme”, after having most recently been seen in Actors Repertory Company’s production of The City and Birdland Theatre’s SoulSeek. Other stage credits include Orson’s Shadow (Pilot Group), The Swearing Jar (6am Tango/Toronto Fringe), and The Last Days of Judas Iscariot (Birdland Theatre).
Taking over the role of Zangara is Kevin Dennis. Most recently he has been as Snail in A Year With Frog and Toad (LKTYP), Benvolio in Romeo and Juliet (Neptune Theatre) and Act Now! (Toronto Fringe). Dennis has also been seen in Snow White and The Group of Seven (Ross Petty Profuctions); Hair and The Beard Avon (Canadian Stage); and three seasons at the Shaw Festival, to name a few.
Whitney Ross Barris, who will be playing Emma Goldman, is an actor and jazz singer who has performed across Canada, the US and in Europe. She has appeared in the Dora-nominated Gorey Story, Woyzeck, and the world premiere of Hungry.
Playing Czolgosz will be Alex Fiddes who was recently involved in One Step Forward, a new musical by Leslie Arden and Tim French for Talk Is Free Theatre. He played Gary in Why We Tortured Him (Hammer Theatre) and for the past two years he has appeared in the Toronto Fringe (Icarus Redux and The Last Buffalo).
Part vaudeville extravaganza, part exposé, and wholly electrifying, Assassins is a dark and controversial Tony Award-winning musical about the American dream gone awry. This wickedly comic one-act historical “revusical” lays bare the lives of nine individuals who assassinated, or tried to assassinate, various presidents of the United States. From John Wilkes Booth to Lee Harvey Oswald, Sondheim and Weidman bend the rules of time and space, taking us on a nightmarish rollercoaster ride in which assassins and would-be assassins from different historical periods meet, interact and in an intense final scene inspire each other to harrowing acts all in the name of the American Dream.
Birdland Theatre is a Toronto-based theatre company founded in 2004 by Artistic Director Zorana Kydd. Committed to ensemble collaboration through its work with guest artists, sponsors and the community, Birdland Theatre aims to promote the art of live theatre through dynamic productions, intensive actor training and outreach programs. Their productions explore humanity and the human condition well maintaining the highest standards in every aspect of their creative work. The company received 5 Dora Awards (9 nominations) for its hit production The Last Days of Judas Iscariot, which was named one of NOW Magazines Top 10 Shows of the Decade. BirdLand Theatre has also presented The Pillowman (with the Canadian Stage Company), Frankie and Johnny and The Ride Down Mt. Morgan.
Talk Is Free Theatre is an artist-driven, award winning theatre company based in Barrie. The company was founded in 2003 by Artistic Producer Arkady Spivak and has produced nearly fifty productions concentrating largely on new and neglected work. Most recently, Talk Is Free Theatre workshopped Jerry Herman’s forgotten musical Dear World, starring Andrea Martin. Last fall, the company toured to Serbia, England and Russia with its recent production of The Tale of Ivan vs. Ivan. As well, the Canadian musical Emily, twice produced by TIFT, was a selection finalist in the prestigious Festival of New Musicals of the National Alliance of Musical Theater (NAMT) in New York this year. Talk Is Free Theatre recently produced a fundraising benefit of The Producer’s (in concert) in support of the Actors Fund of Canada. The show stared local theatre critics, personalities and members of various arts service and funding organizations. The event raised $36,000 in a once-in-a-lifetime musical extravaganza.
Show Information for Assassins:
Venue: The Theatre Centre
100-1087 Queen Street West
Previews: January 6 & 7, 2011
Opens: January 8, 2011
Closes: January 23, 2011
Performances: Wednesday – Monday at 8 PM; Saturday and Sunday at 2 PM
Tickets: All tickets are $35
Tickets are available through Arts Box Office by phone at 416-504-7529, online at www.artsboxoffice.ca, in person, or at the door.
For more information please visit www.birdlandtheatre.com or www.tift.ca.
Critics Said:
“...an absolutely delirious theatrical experience.”
- J. Kelly Nestruck, The Globe and Mail
“If you love musical theatre and somehow manage to miss this show, you just might feel like shooting yourself. Assassins is to die for.”
– John Coulbourn, The Toronto Sun
“This production of Assassins is a sharp-edged treat from start to finish. Miss it at your peril.”
- John Terauds, The Toronto Star
“...I am on my knees begging you to see this show. It’s theatre at its best controversial, provocative, disturbing, and yes, entertaining.”
– Paula Citron, Classical 96.3 FM
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Media Contact:
Erika Rueter
Publicist
416-703-2773 x202
erika@theatreadmin.com
