Tag: musical

Silver Spotlight Theatre announces its fourth production, Showtune.

by Richard Young

Silver Spotlight Theatre, London’s community theatre group for those 55+, has the Cast, Artistic Team, and Crew in place for its next production, Jerry Herman’s Showtune, opening at the Auburn Theatre in early December 2025.

“Jerry Herman made a name for himself as a premier composer for the Broadway stage with Hello Dolly, Mame, and La Cage Aux Folles. Each of these shows has a highly recognizable score with a common theme, imagining a brighter future. And what is needed more today than an imagined brighter future?” says Director Rick Smith. “It Only Takes A Moment, Open A New Window, The Best of Times Is Now, are but a few examples of his positivity in words and music. There are so many more heartfelt songs gathered in this revue that is a celebration of the works of one of the predominant composers of the classic Broadway musical.”

“We have assembled an Artistic Team, Cast, and Crew who share that optimism. These folks are fearless and open to trying new things. Some of these 55+ targeted cast and crew have been involved in previous Silver Spotlight Theatre Productions, and some are brand new to this company. It is encouraging to see the new faces of older people showing up and strutting their stuff. Their enthusiasm, eagerness, and bravery never cease to amaze.”

Rehearsals begin in August and continue until the show’s opening in December.

Co-founded by Art Fidler and Rick Smith in 2022, Silver Spotlight Theatre is a branch of London’s Musical Theatre Productions. It features and is produced by performers and staff 55+ with a mission of presenting full-scale Broadway musicals. Its three previous shows, Babes In Arms (2023), Grease (2024), and Into The Woods (2024) played to sold-out houses.

Showtune Is presented through a special Music Theatre International (MTI) arrangement. All authorized performance materials are also supplied by www.mtishows.com.

Media Inquiries: Richard Young, Community Outreach and Program Head, richardyoung51@rogers.com

The Artful Players Groovin’ for Good London Food Bank Fundraiser program set

by Richard Young

LONDON, ONTARIO – The program for The Artful Players Groovin’ for Good fundraiser for the London Food Bank is set. Members of the seniors musical theatre group are ready to present a captivating evening of retro live performances that cover three decades, the 1950s, 1960s, and the 1970s, featuring musical performances, skits, trivia, dances and memorable TV commercials from each.

“We’ve created a program that highlights a wide range of talents and skills. The audience will be able to participate in trivia questions and sing-a-longs to well-known hits from the decades as well as laugh at familiar classic commercials from the past,” says Artistic Director Tracey Andrus. “Our enthusiastic cast brings over forty years of experience to the show.”

“Matt Loop, a well-known radio personality from Jack FM 102.3, will emcee the evening. Our house band, the Hot Tub Hippies, who play at many venues around Southwestern Ontario, is thrilled to be a part of the show. The evening promises to be fun and entertaining. A huge thank you to the Palace Theatre for donating their space to us.”

Some familiar songs include Both Sides Now, I Could Have Danced All Night, Crocodile Rock, You’ll Never Walk Alone, and Bohemian Rhapsody. Kelly Holbrough and Chris Hoffer reprise their duet of You’re The One That I Want from the sold-out Silver Spotlight Theatre show, Grease (2024). Other songs are performed by soloists and an ensemble.

The ticketed event will feature a Silent Auction prior to the show and during intermission with a wide array of items generously donated by local businesses, arts organizations, and artisans. A donation box will also be set up for non-perishable food items. 

The London Food Bank has seen an increased demand for its services in recent years, making this fundraiser more important than ever. All proceeds from the event will go directly to the Food Bank, enabling it to continue its crucial work of providing essential support to individuals and families facing food insecurity.

The Artful Players Present Groovin’ for Good: A Fundraiser for the London Food Bank.

Date & Time: Thursday, May 15, 2025, 7:00 pm.

Location: The Palace Theatre, 710 Dundas St., London, ON. 519-432-1029

Tickets: $30 Online https://palacetheatre.ca or at the Palace Theatre Box Office

Media Inquiries: Richard Young, Publicity, Social Media and Program Head, 519-432-6986, richardyoung51@rogers.com

#theartfulplayers #groovinforgood #londonfoodbank #atthepalace

Who Are The Artful Players?: Lesley Andrew

by Richard Young

Meet LESLEY ANDREW, Music Director and Soloist (“You’ll Never Walk Alone”) for the May 15th Groovin’ for Good Fundraiser for the London Food Bank at the Palace Theatre. Lesley performs everything from opera to jazz, oratorio to musical theatre, and has performed as a soloist with orchestras throughout the world.

“When I was a little bitty thing, I did an episode of ‘The Treehouse’ as the special guest with all my pets. I remember being crushed that the show wasn’t filmed in an actual treehouse,” recalls Lesley. “I didn’t really know a lot about Silver Spotlight Theatre until I was asked to play Rapunzel for Into The Woods. Now, I’m hooked! I love being out in our community, meeting new people and having fun!”

When she’s not performing with SST and The Artful Players, Lesley operates Dream In Progress Productions Voice & Drama Studios and with the El Sistema after-school program for kids. She is also the conductor for The Ausable Singers, a community choir based in Ailsa Craig. 

Tickets for the fundraiser are available now and can be purchased online at https://palacetheatre.ca or the Palace Theatre Box Office, 710 Dundas St., London, ON, 519-432-1029. #theartfulplayers #groovinforgood #londonfoodbank #atthepalace #dreaminprogressproductions

Silver Spotlight Theatre’s production of Stephen Sondheim’s Into The Woods opens Thursday, November 21

by Richard Young

MEDIA RELEASE

November 19, 2024

Silver Spotlight Theatre’s production of Stephen Sondheim’s Into The Woods opens Thursday, November 21

LONDON, ON – After months of rehearsal and preparation, the curtain will lift on Silver Spotlight Theatre’s production of Stephen Sondheim’s Tony Award-winning Into The Woods on Thursday, November 21 at the Auburn Theatre.

“Our team has worked tirelessly over these past several months getting the show ready to bring to an audience. We look forward to welcoming them as we journey Into the Woods,” says Cindi Armer-Almeida, the show’s producer.

Into The Woods is a playful and enchanting yet perilous woodland adventure that follows some of the Brothers Grimm’s most beloved fairytale characters like Cinderella, Jack, Rapunzel, Little Red Riding Hood, a wolf, a giant, and even a handsome prince or two, as they search for their wishes. Their stories collide in the woods where things do not always appear as they seem.

When patrons walk through the doors of the Auburn Theatre for Silver Spotlight Theatre’s production of Stephen Sondheim’s Into The Woods, they will notice something radically different about the show’s staging. Eschewing the traditional rows of seats and proscenium staging, the production uses a theatre-in-the-round approach that immerses the audience in the action. Director Rick Smith says this approach provides a more intimate setting for audiences and lets them experience the show from a different angle, literally and figuratively.

Into The Woods continues until December 1, 2024. Tickets are available at www.grandtheatre.com/event/mtp-woods

Co-founded by Art Fidler and Rick Smith in 2022, Silver Spotlight Theatre is a branch of London’s Musical Theatre Productions. It features and is produced by performers and staff 55+ with a mission of presenting full-scale Broadway musicals. Its two previous shows, Babes In Arms (2023) and Grease (2024) played to Sold Out houses.

Into The Woods Is presented through a special Music Theatre International (MTI) arrangement. All authorized performance materials are also supplied by MTI.www.mtishows.com.

Media Inquiries: Richard Young, Into The Woods Publicity & Program Head, 519-432-6986, richardyoung51@rogers.com

Silver Spotlight Theatre stages Stephen Sondheim’s Into The Woods In-the-Round

by Richard Young

When patrons walk through the doors of the Auburn Theatre for Silver Spotlight Theatre’s production of Stephen Sondheim’s Into The Woods, they will notice something radically different about the show’s staging. Eschewing the traditional rows of seats and proscenium staging, the production uses a theatre-in-the-round approach that immerses the audience in the action.

Director Rick Smith says this approach provides a more intimate setting for audiences and lets them experience the show from a different angle, literally and figuratively.

“I am always looking for a new take on a show that is familiar to audiences. I tried in-the-round with the 2018 production of Hello Dolly which received numerous compliments. With a story-telling show like this, I want to capture the audience’s attention and draw them into the stories,” says Smith. “In-the-round staging provides the performers and designers opportunities to learn new ways to perform and tell the story. It is an interesting way to tell and witness this Sondheim classic musical.”

In his role as the show’s Stage Manager, Cameron Johnston is the central hub through which all information for the show passes. He communicates with every department and knows every technical detail about the production.

“When you are up in the booth calling a show, you’re focusing on what is happening in each quadrant of the stage, every moment of the show. But when a show is being done in-the-round, not only do you have to be more focused than usual because the cast is more active on stage, but you are seeing the audience’s reactions as well. The Stage Manager doesn’t see that when doing a show with proscenium staging,” says Johnston. “The Assistant Stage Managers are busier too because there is so much happening both on- and off-stage, and that action can be very close to the specific entrance or exit points where they are working. It’s challenging but also exhilarating. Kind of like driving on the 401 across the top of Toronto.”

Into The Woods is a playful and enchanting yet perilous woodland adventure that follows some of the Brothers Grimm’s most beloved fairytale characters like Cinderella, Jack, Rapunzel, Little Red Riding Hood, a wolf, a giant, and even a handsome prince or two, as they search for their wishes. Their stories collide in the woods where things do not always appear as they seem.

The play opens at the Auburn Theatre on November 21 and continues until December 1, 2024. Tickets are available at www.grandtheatre.com/event/mtp-woods

Co-founded by Art Fidler and Rick Smith in 2022, Silver Spotlight Theatre is a branch of London’s Musical Theatre Productions. It features and is produced by performers and staff 55+ with a mission of presenting full-scale Broadway musicals. Its two previous shows, Babes In Arms (2023) and Grease (2024) played to Sold Out houses.

Into The Woods Is presented through a special Music Theatre International (MTI) arrangement. All authorized performance materials are also supplied by MTI.www.mtishows.com.

Media Inquiries: Richard Young, Into The Woods Publicity & Program Head, 519-432-6986, richardyoung51@rogers.com