Grant Tilly: Home

What a difference a year makes. Exactly a year ago, I started my first day of rehearsal with Roseneath Theatre for Chris Craddock's "Wrecked!", a play for Teenagers about Alcoholism which toured the United States from Tacoma, WA to New Hampshire and down to North Carolina. Then it was up to Sudburry for "The Buddy Holly Story" to play Ritchie Valens and do some guitar and hip swayin' at the Sudbury Theatre Centre-- some great work with great people. After Buddy, the process began to put together my Musical "The Christian Republican Fundraiser in Dayton Tennessee" for the Toronto Fringe in July, which, thanks to a talented cast and creative team, ended up getting killer reviews and being a hit of the fringe, and then going on to be remounted at the Diesel Playhouse for the Best of Fringe (see the press page for reviews).
In August it was to Kingston to play Roy in the new Canadian Musical "Anne and Gilbert" which later toured across Ontario. I also hit the road with Jeff Straker and David Hein as our Singer/Songwriter group "Three Guys from the Prairies" toured music venues and house concerts across Ontario, from Picton to Manitoulin Island.
And lastly, I became a member of the Canadian National Company of the Jersey Boys. What an amazing opportunity to work with some incredibly talented people on a knock-out show. I'll be playing Bob Gaudio as we perform live at Nathan Phillips Square tonight, which is going to be a blast.
It's been great to work with and meet so many talented people in one year-- I have been blessed. All the best to everyone for a great 2009.

We're going into week three of the Anne and Gilbert tour-- so far we've seen some incredible historic theatres across Ontario, from Huntsville, to Lindsay, to North Bay. This week we're mostly around Toronto, hitting the Rose theatre in Brampton, and then Barrie and Markham. People seem to love this show-- and it's great to be home and hear so much on the radio and see our billboard on the highway heading into Toronto.

The Three Guys from the Prairies tour was a great success too, hitting everywhere from Picton to Sault Ste Marie to Manitoulin Island. The guys and I are looking at our schedules and seeing whens the next time we can all hit the road...

When the A and G tour ends next week, I'll be heading back to Calgary for some time with my father, and of course for a wedding-- one of my best friends from back in the day is getting married!

And... I have other news, but I'm just waiting now for everything to be confirmed, but I'll post the info as soon as I know...

The three guys from the Prairies are heading out! Tonight Hamilton, then Manitoulin Island, Sault Ste. Marie and South River (near North Bay). I've had a great time playing with these guys in Picton, Ottawa, and last night at the Bread and Circus in Toronto. Both Jeff Straker and David Hein are fantastic performers and musicians-- AND good driving company, which will be important as there's a lot of road between here and Manitoulin...
Afterwards-- a quick stop down to New York city for a good friend's wedding, and a chance to check out the New York Musical Theatre Festival for a few days. I've spent most of my life making a living in Musical Theatre and have yet to see a show down there, so it's about time. Then, on the 23rd of September Anne and Gilbert resumes it's tour of Ontario. I'll post the dates of the tour in the Calendar, we're playing quite a few centres near Toronto as well.