News Release
July 27, 2010
Theatre Critics, personalities, members of arts service and funding organizations unite in the concert version of The Producers in support of the Actors’ Fund of Canada.
Barrie, ON – Talk Is Free Theatre (TIFT) is pleased to announce a fundraising, concert performance of The Producers for the Actors’ Fund of Canada on Monday, September 13 at 8PM at the Jane Mallett Theatre.
The Producers – a legendary musical from the twisted mind of Mel Brooks gets even more twisted. The story about two theatrical producers who scheme to get rich by overselling interests in a Broadway flop will be tackled by who’s who of the arts world, ready to take their roles to a new height of artistry, but adding another dimension of satire to the proceedings.
As such the Toronto Star Theatre Critic Richard Ouzounian will star as Max Bialystock and the Globe and Mail Theatre Critic J. Kelly Nestruck will star as Leo Bloom. The National Post Theatre Critic Robert Cushman will star as Franz Liebkind.
There will be two major surprise appearances as Ulla and Roger de Bris. Cynthia Dale and Camilla Scott will play the Usherettes.
Other roles will be tackled by Xtra! Arts and Entertainment Writer Serafin LaRiviere as Carmen Ghia, Theatre Producer Marlene Smith as Touch-Me-Feel-Me, Theatre Producer Joan Mathers as Lick-Me-Bite-Me, Theatre Producer John McKellar as the Judge and Theatre Producer Aubrey Dan as Marks.
The following dignitaries are welcomed as members of the Nazi Chorus: Pat Bradley (Ontario Arts Council), politician Ken Chan, Tim Chapman (Theatre Ontario) Margo Charlton (Toronto Arts Council), arts supporter Mario Giampetri, Mallory Gilbert (Arts Consultant), John Goddard (Theatre Ontario), Sally Han (City of Toronto), Michael Jones (the Metcalf Foundation), Jane Marsland (Arts Consultant), Jacoba Knaapen (Toronto Alliance for the Performing Arts), Mathieu Maslard (Ontario Cultural Attractions Fund), William Moore (Arts Consultant), Kathleen Sharpe (Ontario Cultural Attractions Fund), Kim Selody (Canada Council for the Arts), Jini Stolk (The Creative Trust) and Lucy White (Professional Association of Canadian Theatres). More casting announcements are expected to follow shortly.
The event will be directed by Adam Brazier, Musical Director is Mark Camilleri,Designers are Akiva Romer Segal, Erika Connor, Gareth Crew and Emily Porter, Production Stage Manager is Larry Westlake, Associate Producers are Luke Brown and Mark Selby and the event is produced by Talk Is Free Theatre Artistic Producer Arkady Spivak.
“We’re grateful for all the hard work that Arkady Spivak and Talk Is Free Theatre have put into organizing this tremendous fundraiser, as well as for everybody who has committed their time and energy to make this a great event,” says Actors’ Fund Executive Director David Hope. “The spirit of community that this fundraiser embodies is at the heart of the Actors’ Fund, the community stepping up to help its most vulnerable members during their time of need. We’re excited for this unique show that is sure to be remembered for years.”
Tickets are $27, $50 and $125 (this category qualifies for VIP seating and admission to pre-performance reception). Tickets are available at the St. Lawrence Centre for the Arts Box Office by phone (416) 366-7723, website www.stlc.com or in person at 27 Front St. East.
Press Release
July 20, 2010
Bluegrass is New Grass with The Abrams Brothers
Barrie, ON...As a kick off to Talk Is Free Theatre’s 9th season, a special one performance only fundraiser by The Abrams Brothers takes place on September 30th at Georgian College Theatre.
Fourth-generation musicians with musical roots reaching back to their great-grandparents, The Abrams Brothers grew up playing music in an atmosphere where generation-spanning family musical collaborations are practically tradition. Comprised of John (vocals, guitar), 19, James (vocals, fiddle), 16, and cousin Elijah (bass), 19, this young, Ontario-based Americana/Bluegrass band pairs a rich musical background with a youthful exuberance.
Though young, the band has already racked up some impressive credits, including being the youngest Canadians to appear on Nashville’s iconic Grand Ole Opry in 2005. In 2008 The Abrams Brothers recorded Blue on Brown, a tribute to folk legends Bob Dylan and Arlo Guthrie. The album of bluegrass and gospel covers features an all-star cast of Canadian artists such as Bruce Cockburn and Amy Milan (Broken Social Scene) and demonstrates the groups deft musicianship as they keep up with Dylan and Guthrie’s fast rhythms and intricate guitar finger-work. They even got the nod of approval from Arlo Guthrie himself when the man heard them playing his songs and said, “these guys are way too young to be that good.”
TIFT’s special events committee presents The Abrams Brothers on Thursday, September 30th at Georgian College Theatre, 8pm. Tickets are $95 for VIP seating and includes a post reception with the performers. Concert only tickets are $35. Tickets are available by calling Talk Is Free Theatre box office at 705 792 1949.
For more information on The Abrams Brothers, visit www.theabramsbrothers.com
Press Release
June 29, 2010
TIFT’s co-production (with Birdland Theatre, Toronto) of Assassins wins a Dora Award for Outstanding Production of a Musical.
Barrie, ON…At last night’s Dora Mavor Moore Award Ceremony, TIFT’s co-production of Assassins won an Outstanding Production of a Musical Award. Other nominees in the production included Director Adam Brazier; Actors Paul McQuillan and Trish Lindstrom.
The 31st Annual Dora Mavor Moore Awards for the 2009/2010 season were handed out in a star-studded ceremony at Toronto's Bluma Appell Theatre, hosted by the celebrated CBC Radio host Jian Ghomeshi.
Assassins opened as part of TIFT’s season last January at the Downtown Theatre in Barrie and later transferred for a Birdland Theatre run at the Theatre Centre in Toronto. There, the production received unanimous rave reviews and top star rating from every major theatre critic. Assassins will be revived at the Theatre Centre in Toronto in January and February, 2011.
Assassins, the most American of musicals lays bare the lives of nine individuals who assassinated or tried to assassinate the President of the United States, in a one-act historical "revusical" that explores the dark side of the American experience. From John Wilkes Booth to Lee Harvey Oswald, Stephen Sondheim and John 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 in the name of the American Dream.
The cast included Graham Abbey, Jay Davis, Kate Hewlett, Martin Julien, Trish Lindstrom, Michael Mandar,
Kieran McNally-Kennedy, Paul McQuillan, Mike Ross, Steve Ross, Eliza Jane Scott, Christopher Stanton, Jonathan Tan, Alicia Toner and Geoffrey Tyler.
Assassins was directed by Adam Brazier. Assistant Direction was by Linda Garneau, Musical Director was Reza Jacobs, Set Designer was Beth Kates and Lighting Designer was Gareth Crew. Stage Management was by Marisa Vest and Assistant Stage Manager was Renee Strasfeld.
For more information on the Dora Awards, please visit: http://www.tapa.ca/doras/
Press Release
June 8, 2010
Putting Imagination to Work at the Talk Is Free Theatre Summer Theatre Camp
Barrie, ON - Talk Is Free Theatre (TIFT) is once again offering its Summer Theatre Day Camp to the many youngsters who want to learn how to “be a star.”
Each session will operate Monday to Friday from 9 am to 4 pm. Sessions in Barrie are held at the Talk is Free Theatre Education Centre, 230 Bayview Dr., beginning on August 3 (Ages 6-9), August 9 (Ages 10-14), August 16 (Ages 6-9), and August 23 (Ages 10-14). The instructors will be Leanne Miller and Robbie Woods, both Talk is Free Theatre alumni, and currently studying theatre in post-secondary education.
Each exciting camp session culminates in a final production for the participants’ friends and family. In addition to the performance element, campers will learn about theatre techniques, lighting, make-up, sets and costumes.
“I thought that theatre camp really made my summer worthwhile,” said former participant Lindsey Adelman. Another former participant, Kimberley Walters, added, “At theatre camp, you put your imagination to work. You never have a bad idea, too many ideas, or too much energy and enthusiasm.”
Pre-day and post-day care is also available for a modest additional fee.
The registration fee is $175 per child per week. Registrations for all sessions can be made by calling TIFT Box Office at (705) 792-1949 or in person at Suite 20, 230 Bayview Drive during regular business hours.
Press Release
June 3, 2010
National theatre conference to be held in Barrie
Barrie, ON – Talk Is Free Theatre (TIFT) is pleased to announce that it was chosen to host the annual conference and the AGM of the Professional Association of Canadian Theatres (PACT) in Barrie in May, 2011.
Professional Association of Canadian Theatres (PACT) is a national membership-driven organization for English-speaking theatres in Canada and serves as the collective voice of professional Canadian theatres. PACT provides leadership, national representation and a variety of programs and practical assistance to member companies, enabling members to do their own creative work. Close to 150 delegates from coast to coast, are expected to be in Barrie for five days next May.
The annual conference is held every other year in Central Canada and rotates between East and West in remaining years. Other cities that recently hosted the conference include Halifax (2007), Vancouver (2008), Montreal (2009), Cow Head, Newfoundland (2010).
“This conference is not only an honour for TIFT, but for the entire Barrie cultural community and for the city overall,” says Arkady Spivak, TIFT’s Artistic Producer. “I look forward to working with various partners to jointly offer an unforgettable experience for the delegates and for local groups alike. Who could have thought even five years ago that a national theatre conference would stampede its way through a hockey arena?”
Press Release
June 2, 2010
TIFT’s co-production (with Birdland Theatre, Toronto) of Assassins gets four Dora Mavor More Award nominations
Barrie, ON…At today’s announcement of 2010 Dora Mavor More Awards in Toronto, TIFT’s co-production of Assassins (with Toronto’s Birdland Theatre) was honoured with four prestigious nominations. Nominations include the Best Production of the Musical; Best Direction of Play or Musical for Director Adam Brazier and two acting nominations – one for Paul McQuillan for the role of John Wilkes Booth and one for Trish Lindstrom who portrayed Squeaky Linette Fromme.
Assassins opened as part of TIFT’s season last January at the Downtown Theatre in Barrie and later transferred for a Birdland Theatre run at the Theatre Centre in Toronto. There, the production received unanimous rave reviews and top star rating from every major theatre critic. Assassins will be revived at the Theatre Centre in Toronto in January and February, 2011.
Assassins, the most American of musicals lays bare the lives of nine individuals who assassinated or tried to assassinate the President of the United States, in a one-act historical "revusical" that explores the dark side of the American experience. From John Wilkes Booth to Lee Harvey Oswald, authors Stephen Sondheim and John 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 in the name of the American Dream.
The cast included Graham Abbey, Jay Davis, Kate Hewlett, Martin Julien, Trish Lindstrom, Michael Mandar, Paul McQuillan, Mike Ross, Steve Ross, Eliza Jane Scott, Christopher Stanton, Jonathan Tan, Alicia Toner and Geoffrey Tyler.
Assassins was directed by Adam Brazier. Assistant Direction was by Linda Garneau, Musical Director was Reza Jacobs, Set Designer was Beth Kates and Lighting Designer was Gareth Crew. Stage Management was by Marisa Vest and Assistant Stage Manager was Renee Strasfeld.
For more information on the Dora Awards, please visit: http://www.tapa.ca/doras/
April 20, 2010
Press Release
Country rock musical closes TIFT’s current season
Barrie, ON ... Today Artistic Producer Arkady Spivak announced casting and members of the creative team for Red Fightin’ Blue, the last production of TIFT’s current Season. In the spirit of TIFT’s previous triumphs with site specific theatre, this production will be staged at the Foxx Lounge as part of the Roxx Niteclub in Barrie. Guests will be welcomed to a Tennessee country bar for this licensed event.
Red Fighin’ Blue is written by ensemble member Grant Tilly (currently in the Toronto cast of Jersey Boys). Based on his earlier Toronto Fringe Festival hit, The Christian Republican Fundraiser in Dayton, Tennessee, this expanded version is about a group of left-wing activists who,posing as the band, God's Country, have infiltrated the Christian Republican Fundraiser in Dayton, Tennessee. Armed with only "three chords and the truth," they are intent on having their opinions heard. Red Fighin’ Blue is a musical about country music, politics, and the values that can bring together even the most disparate groups.
Red Fighin’ Blue stars Jason Chesworth (Shaw Festival) and features Rod Campbell (Shaw Festival, Livent), Jayne Collins, Greg Gale, Natasha O’Brien and Patrick Rose (Canadian Stage, Arts Club Theatre).
It will be directed by Richard Ouzounian (Director of TIFT’s Napoleon, Anyone Can Whistle and Emily), musical director is Mike Camilleri (Toronto’s The Toxic Avenger), Set and Costumes are designed by Brandon Kleiman (Napoleon); Lighting Designer is Gareth Crew (Assassins, The Tale of Ivan vs. Ivan, Trees Die Standing Tall); Sound Designer is Justin Stadnyk (Mirvish Productions, Stage West) and Stage Manager is Pamela Craig.
Red Fighin’ Blue will preview on Thursday, May 6, officially open on Friday, May 7 and run to May 15, 2010. Single tickets are $29.50. 4-ticket passes are also available for $105 which also includes a $20 gift certificate to Il Buco Ristorante. Please contact the Box Office at (705) 792-1949 or visit www.tift.ca for more information. The Foxx Lounge/Roxx Niteclub is located at 46 Dunlop St. West.
Talk Is Free Theatre acknowledges with gratitude the support of Rob Hamilton.
For Immediate Release
April 8, 2010
Two World Premieres, a Canadian Premiere, two popular revivals and international touring are on tap for TIFT’s 2010-2011 Season.
Barrie, ON… Today Artistic Producer Arkady Spivak announced the details of the upcoming season for Talk Is Free Theatre, which sees the company continuing its policy of mounting challenging, ensemble-driven and entertaining theatre in Barrie, while touring its recent successes to Toronto, across Canada and even to Europe.
It will begin with the World Premiere production in-concert of One Step Forward (formerly titled Boys Are Coming Home), a musical by Leslie Arden and Timothy French. Loosely inspired by Shakespeare’s Much Ado About Nothing, this work has been in development for over a decade, including a workshop production at Northwestern University’s American Musical Theatre Project in Chicago. Set in 1945, right on the cusp of swing and bebop, this musical explores the ramifications of World War II in America, the ‘just war’ that was a catalyst for overwhelming social, sexual, racial, and political change. It will be performed on December 1 and 2, 2010 at the Roxx, Barrie.
The season continues with the World Premiere of an American musical, Dani Girl, penned by the hottest young duo on the American musical theatre scene of 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 is the story of the precocious nine year-old that 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. It will be directed by Richard Ouzounian (director of TIFT’s legendary productions of Anyone Can Whistle and Napoleon, among others) and musical director will be Wayne Gwillim. Production will run from January 20 to 29, 2011 at the Roxx.
Fresh from his directing triumph with Assassins, Adam Brazier returns to helm the Canadian Premiere production of Billboard by Michael Vukadinovich. In this comedy about the battle between commercialism, fame, art and love, Andy, a recent college graduate weighed down by student loans, gets paid a great deal to tattoo a corporate logo on his forehead. The decision has both tragic and comic consequences as he comes to learn that the logo is more than just ink on his skin. It will run at the Roxx from February 17 to 26, 2011.
The season will conclude with the revival of previous season’s smash hit production of Tales of an Urban Indian, written by Darrell Dennis. Held on a moving transit bus, Tales of An Urban Indian is the story of Simon Douglas, a contemporary First Nations male, born on a reserve in British Columbia in the 1970s and raised both on the reserve and in the city of Vancouver. Told entirely from a personal perspective, Tales of an Urban Indian conjures up an array of characters that come in and out of Simon's life as seen through Simon's eyes, all played by one actor. It will run from May 12-21, 2011.
Outside of its home season, Talk Is Free Theatre will tour this year’s production of The Tale of Ivan vs. Ivan, based on the novella by Nikolai Gogol, to Belgrade, Serbia, Moscow, Russia and Finborough Theatre in London, UK in October of 2010.
This season’s critically acclaimed, sold-out production of Assassins by John Weidman and Stephen Sondheim (in co-production with BirdLand Theatre) will be revived at the Theatre Centre in Toronto in January and February, 2011.
In fall of 2011,TIFT will begin its Canadian and US tour of Tales of an Urban Indian on its own transit bus, visiting a range of communities from Native reserves to major presenters.
Early-bird subscriptions for the Barrie season are available until April 30, 2010. 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.
March 22, 2010
Press Release
Cast and Creative Team announced for the concert production of Colours in the Storm
Barrie, ON – Today Artistic Producer Arkady Spivak announced principal casting and members of the creative team for the concert production of Canadian musical Colours in the Storm by Jim Betts. It continues TIFT’s 8th Season with two performances on April 28 and 29, 2010 at the Gryphon Theatre in Barrie, Ontario.
Fresh from his TIFT directing triumph with Assassins Adam Brazier will star as the iconic Tom Thomson. Mr. Brazier’s previous musical-in-concert appearances for TIFT include the title role in Napoleon and J. Bowden Hapgood in Anyone Can Whistle.
Other cast members include Benjamin Clost (Canadian Stage, Chicago’s The Lion King) as Larry Dixon, Judy Marshak (Mirvish Productions, Tarragon Theatre) as Frances McGillvray, Janna Polzin (Maria alternate in Toronto’s Sound of Music and the runner-up on CBC’s Who Can Solve a Problem Like Maria?) as Winnie Fulcher and Jennifer Stewart (Toronto’s Hairspray and TIFT’s productions of Emily, Anyone Can Whistle and The Inspector General) as Wild Mary, among others.
Colours in the Storm – In Concert will be directed by author Jim Betts and the Musical Director will be Jeffrey Huard (Broadway productions of Kiss of the Spider Woman, Sweet Smell of Success, Ragtime and Showboat).
Colours in the Storm is a passionate musical that tells the story of Tom Thomson, one of Canada’s best loved painters. Thomson died in mysterious circumstances in the waters of Canoe Lake, and in the 75 years since there has been endless speculation about who may have murdered him. But the show is more the story of a man who, after drifting through his first 35 years, suddenly comes face-to-face with a potential in himself and becomes obsessed with exploring.
Colours in the Storm-in Concert will be performed on Wednesday, April 28 at 8pm and on Thursday, April 29 at 8pm at the Gryphon Theatre at 1 Georgian Drive, Building C in Barrie. Single tickets are $33.50. Group and 4-ticket pass rates are also available. Please contact the Box Office at (705) 792-1949, www.tift.ca.
February 17, 2010
More Assassins in the Media:
Click here to read The National Post Review
February 11, 2010
Assassins in the Media:
Click here to read Toronto Star review of Assassins
Click here to read Globe and Mail Review
Click here to read Toronto Sun Review
Click here to read National Post: Adam Brazier Q & A.
Click here to read Now Magazine: Reza Jacobs interview.
Clike here to read Classical 96.3fm Review
Click here to read Now Toronto Review
Click here to read Eye Weekly Review
October 28, 2009
News Release
Cast and Creative Team Announced for TIFT’s production of Assassins
Barrie, ON.. Today Artistic Producer Arkady Spivak announced the cast and creative team for Talk Is Free Theatre’s upcoming production of Assassins. With book by John Weidman (based on an original idea by Charles Gilbert), lyrics and music by Stephen Sondheim, Assassins (in co-production with Birdland Theatre, Toronto) will be performed at TIFT’s Downtown Theatre from January 21 to 31, 2010.
Bold, original, surreal, disturbing, thought-provoking and alarmingly funny, Assassins is perhaps the most controversial musical ever written. This most American of musicals lays bare the lives of nine individuals who assassinated or tried to assassinate the President of the United States, in a one-act historical "revusical" that explores the dark side of the American experience. From John Wilkes Booth to Lee Harvey Oswald, Stephen Sondheim and John 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 in the name of the American Dream.
The cast includes Dora Winner Graham Abbey (Stratford Festival and CBC’s The Border) as Samuel Byck, Jay Davis as Giuseppe Zangara, Kate Hewlett (Stargate Atlantis) as Emma Goldman, Martin Julien (Tarragon Theatre, Canadian Stage Company) as Proprietor, Trish Lindstrom (Stratford Shakespeare Theatre, Shaw Festival) as Lynette “Squeaky” Fromme, Paul McQuillan (Mirvish Productions) as John Wilkes Booth, Mike Ross (Soulpepper Theatre Company) as Leon Czologosz, Steve Ross (Stratford Shakespeare Festival, Mirvish Productions, TIFT) as Charles Guiteau, Eliza Jane Scott (Stratford Shakespeare Festival, Mirvish Productions) as Sara Jane Moore, Christopher Stanton (Birdland Theatre) as John Hinckley, Jonathan Tan (Acting Up Stage Company, LKTYP) in the Ensemble, Alicia Toner (TIFT) in the Ensemble and with Geoffrey Tyler (Canadian Stage Company, Mirvish Productions, Disney) as The Balladeer and Lee Harvey Oswald.
Assassins will be directed by Dora Winner Adam Brazier (TIFT’s director of Myths and Hymns, star of Napoleon and Anyone Can Whistle, star of Broadway’s Woman in White and Into the Woods). Assistant Director is Linda Garneau, Musical Director is Reza Jacobs (Shaw Festival, TIFT’s Variations on a Nervous Breakdown), Set Designer is Beth Kates and Lighting Designer is Gareth Crew (Stratford Shakespeare Festival, TIFT’s Variations on a Nervous Breakdown).
Assassins will preview on Thursday, January 21, 2010; open on Friday, January 22, 2010 and run until Saturday, January 31, 2010, with a variety of matinee and evening performances, held at the Downtown Theatre, 1 Dunlop St. West in Barrie. After TIFT’s run in Barrie, the production will travel to Toronto’s Theatre Centre for the Birdland Theatre run scheduled between February 4 and 21, 2010.
Single tickets are $29.50. Group and subscription rates are also available. Tickets may be purchased by contacting the Box Office at (705) 792-1949, www.tift.ca.
August 21, 2009
News Release
Talk Is Free Theatre chosen as a recommender for funding by the Ontario Arts Council
Barrie, ON – For the third consecutive year Talk Is Free Theatre has been chosen as a recommender for funding by the Ontario Arts Council under its Theatre Creators’ Reserve Program.
As part of this program, individual artists can apply for funding directly to Talk Is Free Theatre using an official OAC procedure. The program will support individual creators working on new work. Under Talk Is Free Theatre’s specific criteria, the organization will accept submissions from creators of musical theatre (composers, lyricists and book writers) who are in the early stage of their careers. For the list of other recommenders and their priorities and deadlines, program guidelines and an application form please visit: http://www.arts.on.ca/Page86.aspx
Talk Is Free Theatre requests the following to be part of each submission:
1) Description/ Artistic Vision for the proposed new work
2) Proof of any rights, if an adaptation
3) Resumes of each member of the writing team
4) A brief sample of each - book, lyrics and music, if available
5) Two letters of support from the Artistic Directors/New Play Development Co-ordinators of an Ontario professional theatre company
6) Budget
7) Any other relevant support material
Minimum grant request is set at $1,000 and maximum at $5,000. However, due to budgetary constraints, awarded amounts may be smaller than requested.
Deadline for submissions is September 25, 2009 (please note that other recommenders of this program have each set their own deadline). Please mail all submissions to:
Arkady Spivak,
Artistic Producer
P.O. Box 247
Barrie, ON
L4M 4T2
For more information or to discuss this project, please contact Arkady Spivak at (705) 792-1949 ext. 22 or arkady@tift.ca.
