Canada’s Lyric Leader ... “A Joyful Drummer with a Lighter Step”

947 Queen Street East, 2nd Floor, , O N M4M 1J9 416-922-2912 March 2015 Issue Guillermo Silva-Marin ) Founder & General Director www.torontooperetta.com Editor: Henry Ingram Jean STtilwO ell ITS LadyT BrEacknLell Lin S EARNEST, THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING

By the time the first act is over you’ll be hopelessly seduced by Davies and Benson’s sublime operetta, EARNEST, THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING. And to top it all, superstar Jean Stilwell takes on the role she was born to play … Lady Bracknell, the imperious but endearing mother of the virtuous Gwendolen and aunt to Algernon who is not so virtuous. Rousing marches, a tango or two, love ballads and a new ‘grand scena’ for our diva Jean all add up to an unmatchable evening – or afternoon! – in the theatre. Victor Davies and librettist Eugene Benso n n

have been inspired by the wittiest master of them all, Oscar Wilde, whose ability to comically puncture n a m e

pomposity has never been equaled. d e i T

n o v

a l l y

Charlotte Knight C

A MOTHER’S DAY : o t o

– a deluxe h scene-stealer MUSICAL PRELUDE P Surprise her with a pre-Mother’s Day treat on May 3 rd ! Whenever Charlotte This year, Toronto Operetta Theatre celebrates her Knight came onstage special day a week early and we’ve designated our as Hannah in COUSIN final performance of EARNES T, THE IMPORTANCE FROM NOWHERE, you OF BEING on Sunday, May 3rd as a tribute to just knew that some - mothers everywhere with a 20% discount and a thing special would complimentary carnation. Based on Wilde’s immortal, hilarious comedy, happen. And sure Davies and Benson have created an operetta enough it always did centered around a mother’s desire to assure her … she stole the scene daughter’s well-being. Superstar Jean Stilwell is the every time! mother in question, in the role of Lady Bracknell , a We welcome this delightful young brilliant comedic creation and a maternal force of artist back to the TOT stage as Cecily , nature. Davies and Benson have even written a special scene for Jean and TOT patrons will be the first to the sweet, charming but determined hear it. ward of ‘Uncle Jack’. “I’m so thrilled to Tickets for our pre-Mother’s Day show are selling be in this show” , enthused Charlotte fast – so don’t delay. Call the Box Office NOW or recently. “A wonderful role, great purchase online at www.stlc.com to order your music and fantastic dialogue. What tickets. Make sure you get your 20% discount by more could a singer ask?” using the code MOTHER20. EARNEST, The Importance of Being e by Victor Davies and Eugene Benson se cod U 20 starring Jean Stilwell , Michelle Garlough, Charlotte Knight, Thomas Macleay, Cameron McPhail OTHER M E 20% with Rosalind McArthur and Gregory Finney o SAV Larry Beckwith, Conductor • Guillermo Silva-Marin, Stage Director t 3rd! on May April 29, May 1 & 2 at 8 pm and May 3 at 2 pm Call 416-366-7723 today for best seats. www.stlc.com i

Groups of 20 or more save 30% ! Young people (16 & under) with an adult are HaLF PRICe on Friday or Saturday night! “EARNEST, ERNEST, EARNES T” ... not a name you will easily forget! ALL HAIL TO THE TEAM!!! Composer Victor Davies and librettist Eugene Benson are formidable, both on their own and together. I got to sing Eugene’s lines when I was in the chorus of the Canadian Opera Company’s production of ELOISE AND ABELARD by composer Charles Wilson and then just a few years ago, I was in to hear the premiere of Victor’s wonderful opera TRANSIT OF VENUS. To my amazement and delight, these towering Canadian Victor Davies artists joined their combined talents to give us EARNEST, THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING in 2008. TOT audiences will again applaud them in just a few weeks. I CAN’T WAIT! TOT cast of Eugene Benson – by Henry Ingram EARNEST 2008 LARRY BECKWITH – A MAN TOMORROW’S STARS TODAY OF MANY PARTS Our patrons look forward to discover - from Victoria to Montreal. TOT welcomes Larry back ing new talent on our stage and this sea - He was featured in the world as conductor for EARNEST, son’s finale features three debuts. premiere of MARY’S WEDDING THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING. Mezzo-soprano Michelle Garlough plays for Pacific Opera Victoria, as Truly a renaissance man, on the role of Gwendolen , tenor Thomas Macleay Pylade in IPHIGÉNIE EN any given day he may be is Algernon Moncrieff and baritone Cameron TAURIDE for Opera Atelier, discovered in a Unionville McPhail appears as Jack Worthing . In hockey, and he was Alfred in Montreal High School classroom, three goals by one player in a single game is a Opera’s production of DIE singing for Soundstreams' hat trick. In our production of EARNEST, we FLEDERMAUS. Now he adds Choir 21, or rehearsing his have a theatrical hat trick … three debuts in the roguish ‘ Algy’ to his list of successes. orchestra as Artistic Director one operetta! Canadian Opera Company of Toronto Masque Theatre’s patrons will recognize the tall coming production of LES Alberta native Michelle and handsome baritone INDES MÉCANIQUES , an Garlough is a triple threat Cameron McPhail , who organization which he also performer … Singer, actor, sings the role of Jack in our founded. Needless to say he dancer. “I believe you need show. Cam is an alumnus of is a world class champ at managing his time and all these tools to be a pro - the prestigious Ensemble we are delighted that he’s the or - fessional today” , says and was most recently hailed chestra for EARNEST. Michelle. “Gone are the for his charismatic perform - days when you can park and ances as ‘Uncle John’ (otherwise known as “ I’m so happy to be bringing bark. I like being able to Don Giovanni) in Against the Grain’s controver - EARNEST back to our stage at the create a character with many dimensions” . sial production of the Mozart opera. St .Lawrence Centre. The premiere Her talent has been honed at University of in 2008 was one of the proudest moments of my life and I’m so Western Ontario, and various competitions in These three talented Canadians are just the Canada and abroad. She is also host of the TV excited that our company latest in a long line of emerging young artists continues to bring new Canadian show ‘ World’s Coolest Forests’ . championed by Toronto Operetta Theatre. Thomas Macleay ’s talent as a singer and influences to the lyric theatre.” actor has led to success on the opera stage – Guillermo Silva-Marin General Director and Founder of TOT EARNEST, The Importance of Being de se co by Victor Davies and Eugene Benson U R20 OTHE starring Jean Stilwell , Michelle Garlough, Charlotte Knight, Thomas Macleay, Cameron McPhail M E 20% to SAV with Rosalind McArthur and Gregory Finney 3rd! Larry Beckwith, Conductor • Guillermo Silva-Marin, Stage Director on May April 29, May 1 & 2 at 8 pm and May 3 at 2 pm Call 416-366-7723 today for best seats. www.stlc.com i

Oscar Wilde was a very funny man, • If you want to tell people the truth, make Toronto Operetta Theatre acknowledges the support of: acerbic and witty, always ready to a turn a them laugh, otherwise they'll kill you. phrase for his adoring public. A few out • It is always a silly thing to give advice, The Bedolfe Foundation of hundreds of famous quips … but to give good advice is fatal. • A man is very apt to complain of the in - • Whenever people agree with me I The Dalglish Family Foundation gratitude of those who have risen far always feel I must be wrong. above him. • It is absurd to divide people into good an Ontario government agency • Always forgive your enemies; nothing and bad. People are either charming or un organisme du gouvernement de l’Ontario annoys them so much. tedious. the TOT FRIENDS, and our many volunteers.