The Musical Stage Company, the largest and leading charitable musical theatre company in Canada, is thrilled to release 3 new Canadian musicals by some of our Country's most exciting musical writers and composers. These musicals were developed and presented as part of the inaugural production of Launch Pad, a ground-breaking musical development residency from The Musical Stage Company and Yonge Street Theatricals. This innovative program offers a 10-month residency in which musical theatre creators and artistic teams navigate a full developmental process, shepherding 30-minute musicals from conception to production, with guidance from internationally renowned mentors. These three original musicals were prompted by major breaking news and surprising niche headlines and were inspired by the archives at The Globe and Mail. Following the development process, these new works premiered August 2019 on the 17th Floor of The Globe and Mail building in a public performance titled 'REPRINT'.
About KENSINGTON: THE MUSICAL Book, music, and lyrics by Beau Dixon & Raha Javanfar Director: Beau Dixon & Raha Javanfar Music Director: Beau Dixon & Raha Javanfar Copyist: Jonathan Corkal-Astorga Dramaturges: Mel Hague & Kevin Wong Sound Designer: Tim Lindsay Stage Manager: Jess Gordon Kensington: The Musical, set in Toronto's iconic heritage landmark, takes us inside a family owned burrito shop, where an eccentric cast of characters -- the employees, owners, regulars, and visiting tourists -- face the daily trials of running a business, and grapple with the challenges of the future. What becomes of a legacy in the face of uncertainty? This is a story about embracing change, managing relationships, honouring history, and leaning on community. Content Advisory: This podcast contains mature content and strong language. About First Drafts A new work development program by The Musical Stage Company & Sheridan College. Grounded in the urgency of the stories we need to hear now, First Drafts is the commission, drafting, workshopping, rehearsal, and public audio presentation of three new short musicals which reimagine, reconstitute, and reanimate the Western musical theatre canon. Sheridan students will audition, rehearse and perform the new works while collaborating in the creative process with experienced music theatre writers, composers, and directors, gaining valuable skills needed for workshop performance that is integral for their professional success but not offered in traditional theatre training programs. The culmination of the 2023 First Drafts program will be performed by the graduating class of 2023.
About NOBODY ASKED TO BE HERE Music and lyrics by Camila Diaz-Varela Book by Avery-Jean Brennan Directed by desirée leverenz Music Director: Laura Barrett Assistant Director: Shira Bodnar Assistant Music Director: Preston Free Cooper* Associate Dramatruge: Ally Chozik Stage Manager: Colin Tatlock *Chill Beats Theme composed by Preston Free Cooper The Sun and The Moon, overseeing everything that happens in our little solar system, guide the Listener through a tale of friendship, grief, and ice cream cakes. They tell the story of Quinn, an anxious, introverted now-30 year old, as they struggle to throw their own birthday party for the very first time. While waiting for guests to arrive, Quinn is confronted by memories of their ex-best friend Michael T., the wisdom of 11-year-old Lacey, and imagined scenarios of their inner demons, in an attempt to determine if their life is truly worth being celebrated. Oh, and to answer the age old question - Does anyone STILL wear a hat? Content Advisory: This podcast contains strong language. About First Drafts A new work development program by The Musical Stage Company & Sheridan College. Grounded in the urgency of the stories we need to hear now, First Drafts is the commission, drafting, workshopping, rehearsal, and public audio presentation of three new short musicals which reimagine, reconstitute, and reanimate the Western musical theatre canon. Sheridan students will audition, rehearse and perform the new works while collaborating in the creative process with experienced music theatre writers, composers, and directors, gaining valuable skills needed for workshop performance that is integral for their professional success but not offered in traditional theatre training programs. The culmination of the 2023 First Drafts program will be performed by the graduating class of 2023.
About ROOTED: A MUSICAL POEM Book, music, and lyrics by Jewelle Blackman Director: Alison Wong Music Director: Alexandra Kane Assistant Music Director/Music Teacher: Annika Tupper Stage Manager: Kate Hunter “Rooted…what does it mean to me? To be stuck in the ground like this tree” Rooted: A Musical Poem is a contemporary fable for the ages. It begs the question what does it mean to be rooted and how does our idea of being rooted change as we grow. With R'n'B rhythms and soaring strings this magical tale is brought to life in the heart of Central Park. About First Drafts A new work development program by The Musical Stage Company & Sheridan College. Grounded in the urgency of the stories we need to hear now, First Drafts is the commission, drafting, workshopping, rehearsal, and public audio presentation of three new short musicals which reimagine, reconstitute, and reanimate the Western musical theatre canon. Sheridan students will audition, rehearse and perform the new works while collaborating in the creative process with experienced music theatre writers, composers, and directors, gaining valuable skills needed for workshop performance that is integral for their professional success but not offered in traditional theatre training programs. The culmination of the 2023 First Drafts program will be performed by the graduating class of 2023.
About: TINY TENEMENT OF TERRORS Music and Lyrics by alaska b. Book by Aaron Jan Directed by Jay Northcott Music Direction by Robert Steven Wilkinson After 57 days in stasis, Aubry and 10 of Brooklyn's finest cops must return to her dead boyfriend's spore-infested apartment to destroy the multitude of plant-monsters he created. TINY TENEMENT OF TERRORS is an unholy fusion of gory 80's sci fi and 1960's camp, all done through the wonder of radio. About First Drafts A new work development program by The Musical Stage Company & Sheridan College. Grounded in the urgency of the stories we need to hear now, First Drafts is the commission, drafting, workshopping, rehearsal, and public audio presentation of three new short musicals which reimagine, reconstitute, and reanimate the Western “musical theatre canon”. Sheridan students will audition, rehearse and perform the new works while collaborating in the creative process with experienced individuals, gaining valuable skills needed for workshop performance that is integral for their professional success but not offered in traditional theatre training programs. The culmination of the 2022 First Drafts program will be performed by the graduating class of 2022.
About: PARKDALE Music and Lyrics by Chris Tsujiuchi Book by Meghan Swaby Directed by Julie Tomaino Musical Direction by Alexa Belgrave Welcome to 110 Parkdale Ave, the last subsidized low-rise building in the neighbourhood. It's special, but you can't tell that from the outside. The building is far from perfect, but for the tenants who occupy its cracked walls and uneven floors, it's home. When the tenants are faced with an eviction notice, they (reluctantly) step out of their bubbles to band together as a community in order to save their homes. About: First Drafts A new work development program by The Musical Stage Company & Sheridan College. Grounded in the urgency of the stories we need to hear now, First Drafts is the commission, drafting, workshopping, rehearsal, and public audio presentation of three new short musicals which reimagine, reconstitute, and reanimate the Western “musical theatre canon”. Sheridan students will audition, rehearse and perform the new works while collaborating in the creative process with experienced individuals, gaining valuable skills needed for workshop performance that is integral for their professional success but not offered in traditional theatre training programs. The culmination of the 2022 First Drafts program will be performed by the graduating class of 2022.
About: Destination: Wedding! Music and Lyrics by Kodie Rollan and Maria Aragon Book by Jennifer Villaverde Directed by Ann Hodges Associate Director Jordan Laffrenier Music Director Stephan Ermel When a tropical storm descends on the island of Kapalaran, our "nearlyweds" are forced to move the beach wedding of their dreams indoors. This not-so-simple relocation immediately becomes the least of their problems. In the midst of a hurricane of drama and homicidal coconuts, our couple must let go of their best laid wedding plans and trust that their love will find a way through the storm. About First Drafts A new work development program by The Musical Stage Company & Sheridan College. Grounded in the urgency of the stories we need to hear now, First Drafts is the commission, drafting, workshopping, rehearsal, and public audio presentation of three new short musicals which reimagine, reconstitute, and reanimate the Western “musical theatre canon”. Sheridan students will audition, rehearse and perform the new works while collaborating in the creative process with experienced individuals, gaining valuable skills needed for workshop performance that is integral for their professional success but not offered in traditional theatre training programs. The culmination of the 2022 First Drafts program will be performed by the graduating class of 2022.
CYGNUS A New Canadian musical by Anton Lipovetsky (music & lyrics) and Steven Gallagher (book). Starring: Brandon Antonio & Michael De Rose. Prompted by major breaking news and surprising niche headlines, Canada’s most exciting musical minds have created an imaginative triptych of short original musicals inspired by the archives at The Globe and Mail. REPRINT was the inaugural production of Launch Pad, a ground-breaking musical development residency from The Musical Stage Company and Yonge Street Theatricals. This innovative program offers a 10-month residency in which musical theatre creators and artistic teams navigate a full developmental process, shepherding 30-minute musicals from conception to production, with guidance from internationally renowned mentors. "We were inspired by the Toronto Blackout of 2003--in particular, a photograph that was taken from the top of a hill in Riverdale Park overlooking the city just as the sun was setting. Soon, the buildings would be dark, and for the first time in forty years, you could see the stars. We wanted to explore the mystery and the excitement that people felt during that night. Instead of mass panic, there was a sense of camaraderie and friendship, and for a while, the loneliness that can sometimes be part of city living disappeared. There was a sense of freedom and bravery that this special night brought out in people. They shared secrets and said things they might not say in the light of day. When two strangers meet on the darkest night of the century, under the glow of Cygnus, how will the stars change their lives?" — Steven Gallagher and Anton Lipovetsky Additional Credits: Director: Ann Hodges Music Director & Supervisor: Wayne Gwillim Program Directors: Robert McQueen & Lynne Shankel Accompanist/Copyist: Jonathan Corkal Stage Manager: Dustyn Wales Apprentice Stage Manager: Hannah MacMillan Production Manager Andrei Mazuruc Production Designer: Brandon Kleiman Costumes Provided by: Alex Amini Audio Recording & Mix: Earl McCluskie, Chestnut Hall Music
WHAT GOES UP A New Canadian musical by Colleen Dauncey (music), Akiva Romer-Segal (lyrics) and Ellen Denny (book). Starring: Brandon Antonio, Michael De Rose, Kaylee Harwood & Kelsey Verzotti. Prompted by major breaking news and surprising niche headlines, Canada’s most exciting musical minds have created an imaginative triptych of short original musicals inspired by the archives at The Globe and Mail. REPRINT was the inaugural production of Launch Pad, a ground-breaking musical development residency from The Musical Stage Company and Yonge Street Theatricals. This innovative program offers a 10-month residency in which musical theatre creators and artistic teams navigate a full developmental process, shepherding 30-minute musicals from conception to production, with guidance from internationally renowned mentors. "On a nice day in Toronto’s Trinity Bellwoods Park, it’s easy to find folks tossing a disc. Without realizing, you may even be watching national and world champions in the little known sport of flying disc freestyle: a dance-meets-acrobatics frisbee fantasia played to music. Thanks to vibrant archival photos of Toronto Island and Paul McGrath’s article ‘The Frisbee and the Soul’, we were introduced to the Canadian Open Frisbee Championships, held on the Island from 1975-85. In its prime, companies like Labatt, Air Canada and Orange Crush took notice of the youth disc craze and began to sponsor tournaments, as well as frisbee teams who would tour shows across the country. For up-and-coming freestyle stars, a dream was emerging - to turn their passion for disc into a professional career... All of this was set against the new era of electronic music and corporate greed in 1980s Toronto. On behalf of the writing team, we would like to thank the many members of the international ‘jamily’ (freestyle frisbee community) who shared their stories with us for this project. Spread the jam! — Ellen Denny, Akiva Romer-Segal, and Colleen Dauncey Additional Credits: Director: Lezlie Wade Music Director & Supervisor: Shelley Hanson Program Directors: Robert McQueen & Lynne Shankel Accompanist/Copyist: Jonathan Corkal Stage Manager: Dustyn Wales Apprentice Stage Manager: Hannah MacMillan Production Manager Andrei Mazuruc Production Designer: Brandon Kleiman Costumes Provided by: Alex Amini Audio Recording & Mix: Earl McCluskie, Chestnut Hall Music
FANGIRL A New Canadian musical by Anika Johnson (Music & Lyrics), Barbara Johnston(Music & Lyrics), and Nick Green (Book). Starring: Brandon Antonio, Michael De Rose, Kaylee Harwood & Kelsey Verzotti. Prompted by major breaking news and surprising niche headlines, Canada’s most exciting musical minds have created an imaginative triptych of short original musicals inspired by the archives at The Globe and Mail. REPRINT was the inaugural production of Launch Pad, a ground-breaking musical development residency from The Musical Stage Company and Yonge Street Theatricals. This innovative program offers a 10-month residency in which musical theatre creators and artistic teams navigate a full developmental process, shepherding 30-minute musicals from conception to production, with guidance from internationally renowned mentors. “Our musical prompt is a photo of a huge group of teenagers freaking out at a Beatles concert in Toronto. It’s an iconic image. The Beatles aren’t in view, but through this crowd’s reaction, you somehow know everything you need to know about them and their significance in the world at that time. The fandom in this photo comes to represent the music, celebrity, values, and culture of a generation. We asked ourselves how the ‘fangirl’ has evolved since this photo was taken. Today, YouTube stars become multimillionaires through their vlogs, make-up tutorials, homemade music videos, pranks, and more. Their fandom is ferocious, as a generation of people find community through their love of a mentor who seems to speak their language. Through the stars’ pranks, partying, and apology videos, a generation is feeling seen, understood, represented, and ultimately defined by their militant fandom. FANGIRL is a love letter to the fans who are trying to find themselves, and a call to action for all the mentors out there. Your fans deserve the best.“ — Nick Green, Anika Johnson, and Barbara Johnston Additional Credits: Director: Tracey Flye Music Director & Supervisor: Adam Sakiyama Program Directors: Robert McQueen & Lynne Shankel Accompanist/Copyist: Jonathan Corkal Stage Manager: Dustyn Wales Apprentice Stage Manager: Hannah MacMillan Production Manager Andrei Mazuruc Production Designer: Brandon Kleiman Costumes Provided by: Alex Amini Audio Recording & Mix: Earl McCluskie, Chestnut Hall Music
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