Zachary was recently profiled by OTMzine, a fascinating online curator of arts and culture happenings in Toronto and beyond. Read it here.
Zachary Florence
Theatremaker
Shaw Festival documentary premieres tonight on PBS
The Shaw Festival: Behind the Curtain is a one-hour documentary that takes viewers backstage at one of North America’s leading theatre companies during their 2012 season. Much of the program focuses the Shaw’s production of Come Back, Little Sheba, for which I wrote original music. Although very little of my music can be heard in the film, it’s a fascinating trip through planning, rehearsals and production of a play that was very dear to all of us who worked on it. The Shaw Festival: Behind the Curtain premieres on July 19th at 9 p.m. on PBS (check your local listings for the exact schedule as well as repeat broadcasts). Click here for complete program details.
Enchanted April at the Shaw Festival
Zachary is composing original music for Enchanted April at the Shaw Festival in Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario. Matthew Barber’s adaptation of Elizabeth von Arnim’s novel is the funny and tender story of four women who rediscover themselves while on holiday in Italy. Jackie Maxwell directs a cast of Shaw Festival veterans in this utterly charming production. Previews begin on June 25 at the Festival Theatre and the production runs in repertory until October 26. Click here to learn more about the production and purchase tickets.
Peace in Our Time at the Shaw Festival
Zachary is composing original music for Peace in Our Time: A Comedy at the Shaw Festival in Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario. John Murrell’s remix of Shaw’s play Geneva is a funny and fascinating look at international diplomacy run amok. Blair Williams directs an incredible cast in this world premiere production. Previews begin on May 19 at the Court House Theatre and the production runs in repertory until October 12. Click here to learn more about the production and purchase tickets.
24 Hour Musicals
Zachary is so excited to be returning as a musical director for the 24 Hour Musicals, the most impossible theatrical event of the year. Four short (15 minute), brand-new musicals will be written, cast, rehearsed, and performed at the Gramercy Theatre in New York over the period of a single day, featuring an all-new all-star line up of Broadway performers, stars from TV and film, great composers and writers, directors and — to top it all off — choreographers and musical directors. The participants will be a who’s who of American musical theatre and film, TV and music, collaborating, crashing, conspiring, and cramming to perform four new musicals in one day. All proceeds from this event benefit the Orchard Project. Click here to learn more about this amazing event.
Gwen Powers Podcast
Zachary and playwright Michael Goldlist recently discussed the upcoming premiere of Gwen Powers on Walk Left: The Podcast. Click here to listen.
Gwen Powers – World Premiere
Zachary is excited to be directing the world premiere of Gwen Powers, a powerful and provocative new play by Michael Goldlist presented by WORKhouse Theatre. It opens on March 22 at Theatre Passe Muraille’s Backspace and runs until April 6th. Click here for info and tickets.
Shaw Festival 2013 News
Zachary is thrilled to be returning to the Shaw Festival in Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario for their 2013 season. He will be composing original music for Peace in Our Time: A Comedy at the Court House Theatre and Enchanted April at the Festival Theatre. Previews for Peace in Our Time begin on May 19, with the production running in repertory until October 12. Enchanted April begins previews on June 25, with the production running in repertory until October 26. Click here to learn more about the Shaw Festival’s 2013 season and purchase tickets.
Come Back, Little Sheba – music samples added
Now that Come Back, Little Sheba has closed, some music from the production can be found here. Thanks again to Jeff Wolpert and the amazing musicians.
Interview: Composing Music for the Stage
The Shaw Festival magazine recently interviewed Zachary, along with composers Wayne Gwillim and John Gzowski, about composing music for non-musical plays. It’s always fascinating to get glimpses into different composers approach an assignment. Click here to read the interview (unfortunately, the embedded audio clips don’t work, but music from the play will be posted soon).