Click here for a behind-the-scenes look at the design process for Come Back, Little Sheba, as told by director Jackie Maxwell and the designers.
Zachary Florence
Theatremaker
The reviews are in – Sheba’s a hit!
Click here for tickets to the show that the Globe and Mail called “quiet but breathtaking”, with Corrine Koslo and Ric Reid giving “the two best Canadian performances I have seen this year” (National Post). The Shaw Festival’s production Come Back, Little Sheba “challenges the heart and provokes the mind” (Hamilton Spectator), and “plays like this are where the company really shines” (Sun Media). Directed by Jackie Maxwell, with design by Christina Poddubiuk and lighting by Bonnie Beecher, the play runs in repertory until October 19.
Come Back, Little Sheba at the Shaw Festival
Zachary is composing original music for Come Back, Little Sheba at the Shaw Festival in Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario. William Inge’s play launched his career when it premiered on Broadway in 1950 and was made into a film starring Shirley Booth. Jackie Maxwell directs an incredible cast in this rare look at an unjustly neglected classic of the American stage. Previews begin on June 28 and the production runs in repertory until October 19. Click here to learn more about the production and purchase tickets.
The Passion of Adele Hugo wins 2 Merritt Awards
Eastern Front Theatre’s production of The Passion of Adele Hugo took home wins for Outstanding Original Score (Zachary Florence) and Outstanding Musical Direction (Lily Ling) at the 2012 Robert Merritt Awards! The Merritt Awards are given annually by Theatre Nova Scotia to recognize excellence in Nova Scotian theatre. Read the full list of winners here.
The Passion of Adele Hugo nominated for 7 Merritt Awards
Eastern Front Theatre’s production of The Passion of Adele Hugo has been nominated for 7 2012 Robert Merritt Awards! The nominees are as follows:
David Overton: Outstanding New Play by a Nova Scotian Playwright
Zachary Florence: Outstanding Original Score
Lily Ling: Outstanding Musical Direction
Sara Farb: Outstanding Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role
Amanda LeBlanc: Outstanding Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role
Martin Burt: Outstanding Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role
Adam Mackinnon: Outstanding Costume Design
The Merritt Awards are given annually by Theatre Nova Scotia to recognize excellence in Nova Scotian theatre. Read the full list of nominees here.
New sound clips from Between a Word and Thought
New sound clips have just been posted from Between a Word and Thought. They were recorded live on February 6, 2012 at the Berkeley Street Theatre Downstairs in Toronto and feature an amazing group of singers and musicians. Here’s the complete list:
A Grand Magician’s Spell (from The Passion of Adele Hugo; Lyrics by David Overton)
Gabi Epstein, vocal; Lily Ling, piano; Jamie Drake, percussion; Calum MacLeod, bass; Natalie Wong, violin
Update Required
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To play the media you will need to either update your browser to a recent version or update your Flash plugin.
Alphabet Song (from Children of Israel)
Thom Allison, vocal; Lily Ling, piano; Jamie Drake, percussion; Calum MacLeod, bass; Natalie Wong, violin/viola
Update Required
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To play the media you will need to either update your browser to a recent version or update your Flash plugin.
If I Need You/Katya’s Letter (from Experimental Selves)
Eric Craig, Sara Farb and Thom Allison, vocals; Lily Ling, piano; Jamie Drake, percussion; Calum MacLeod, bass; Natalie Wong, violin/viola
Update Required
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To play the media you will need to either update your browser to a recent version or update your Flash plugin.
In the Courts of the Sun (from The Passion of Adele Hugo; Lyrics by David Overton)
Thom Allison, vocal; Lily Ling, piano; Jamie Drake, percussion; Calum MacLeod, bass; Natalie Wong, violin/viola
Update Required
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To play the media you will need to either update your browser to a recent version or update your Flash plugin.
Making It Easy (from Exit Kit; Lyrics by Andrew Kushnir)
Susan Henley, vocal; Lily Ling, piano; Jamie Drake, percussion; Calum MacLeod, bass; Natalie Wong, violin
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To play the media you will need to either update your browser to a recent version or update your Flash plugin.
Or Will She Learn (from Experimental Selves)
Susan Henley, vocal; Lily Ling, piano; Jamie Drake, percussion; Calum MacLeod, bass; Natalie Wong, violin
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To play the media you will need to either update your browser to a recent version or update your Flash plugin.
Picking Up the Pieces (from Children of Israel)
Eric Craig, vocal; Lily Ling, piano; Jamie Drake, percussion; Calum MacLeod, bass; Natalie Wong, violin
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To play the media you will need to either update your browser to a recent version or update your Flash plugin.
Still Dreaming (from Experimental Selves)
Thom Allison, vocal; Lily Ling, piano; Jamie Drake, percussion; Calum MacLeod, bass; Natalie Wong, violin
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To play the media you will need to either update your browser to a recent version or update your Flash plugin.
Subway Song
Gabi Epstein, vocal; Lily Ling, piano; Jamie Drake, percussion; Calum MacLeod, bass; Natalie Wong, violin/viola
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To play the media you will need to either update your browser to a recent version or update your Flash plugin.
The Kind of Man (from The Revenger’s Tragedy)
Eric Craig, vocal; Lily Ling, piano; Jamie Drake, percussion; Calum MacLeod, bass; Natalie Wong, violin/viola
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To play the media you will need to either update your browser to a recent version or update your Flash plugin.
This Little Room (from The Passion of Adele Hugo; Lyrics by David Overton)
Sara Farb, vocal; Lily Ling, piano; Jamie Drake, percussion; Calum MacLeod, bass; Natalie Wong, violin/viola
Update Required
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To play the media you will need to either update your browser to a recent version or update your Flash plugin.
Unfinished Business (from The Passion of Adele Hugo; Lyrics by David Overton)
Sara Farb and Gabi Epstein, vocals; Lily Ling, piano; Jamie Drake, percussion; Calum MacLeod, bass; Natalie Wong, violin
Update Required
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To play the media you will need to either update your browser to a recent version or update your Flash plugin.
What Have We Done? (from The Passion of Adele Hugo; Lyrics by David Overton)
Sara Farb and Eric Craig, vocals; Lily Ling, piano; Jamie Drake, percussion; Calum MacLeod, bass; Natalie Wong, violin/viola
Update Required
To play the media you will need to either update your browser to a recent version or update your Flash plugin.
To play the media you will need to either update your browser to a recent version or update your Flash plugin.
Between a Word and Thought – February 6 @ 8 pm
Acting Up Stage Company presents a one night only concert of the music of writer/composer Zachary Florence (The Passion of Adele Hugo, Experimental Selves). Complex, passionate, and unexpected, Zachary’s music is restless and deeply theatrical, fusing intricate harmonies and unexpected rhythms.
Between a Word and Thought features some of Toronto’s most dynamic musical theatre performers, led by acclaimed musical director Lily Ling, with Jamie Drake (percussion), Calum MacLeod (bass), and Natalie Wong (violin/viola). Join Thom Allison (Priscilla Queen of the Desert), Eric Craig (Edges), Gabi Epstein (To Life), Sara Farb (The Passion of Adele Hugo), and Susan Henley (A Man of No Importance) for an evening of lush music and intimate storytelling.
February 6, 2012 @ 8 pm
Berkeley Street Theatre Downstairs
26 Berkeley Street (Front & Berkeley)
tickets: $20
box office: 416-368-3110
online: actingupstage.com
The Passion of Adele Hugo named one of The Coast’s best plays of 2011
The Coast named The Passion of Adele Hugo as one of Halifax’s best plays of 2011. Click here to read the whole list.
Gabi Epstein’s new album, “Show Off”, released
Gabi Epstein’s new album, Show Off, has just been released, and I’m so pleased that one of my songs is featured on it. It’s a fantastic album, produced by the great John Alcorn, in which Gabi puts her voice through its paces. She sings everything from Stephen Schwartz to André Previn to Jann Arden. She and John have put together a beautiful arrangement of “I Would Have Wanted” from my show Experimental Selves. Click here to learn more about Gabi and click here to buy the album on iTunes.