Grant Tilly: News

I'm sitting backstage at the closing matinee of the Canadian Company of Jersey Boys. It doesn't look like I'll be on for this one, so it's great to just sit and listen to an audience go nuts for a show-- they're wild. I experienced a bit of it on the last friday and saturday shows as Tommy; cheers where you'd never expect them, screams when characters come onstage, roses thrown at the bows, Bizarre!

What a crazy experience this show has been. I can't think of a more challenging or rewarding experience than understudying two leads and four ensemble parts. In the past year and a half I have learned so much-- if ever an actor wanted to learn about being in the moment or dealing with stress... this is the gig.

I'll miss everyone, especially a cast who never failed to welcome me onstage, whether playing a Jersey thug turned pop star or a french rapper. And thanks to everyone who came to see the show and left me a personal message or on the guestbook, it means a lot.

As for me, I'm taking a break! Off to Newfoundland, and probably some writing in the near future... What's next for everyone? We'll see...

Jersey Boys Toronto hit a million audience members today.  Who would have thought a year and a half ago when we started out that the show would still be going so wrong and end up with over a million bums in seats... well, the producers, I guess.  Congrats to our one millionth customer who's headed down to New York for a weekend to see the Jersey Boys on Broadway.  Hope everyone out there is having a great summer and staying out of the heat!

This Friday, my musical, Red Fightin' Blue opens at Talk is Free Theatre in Barrie.  I was up in Barrie (at the Foxx lounge, a bar and music venue in downtown where the show is being performed) to attend the last rehearsal I could before opening, and the show is going to be a blast.  What an interesting experience to have so many people working on your show, and to only be the playwright (usually I'm also the producer, or co-director, or whatever it takes to get the show up and running).  I think that's why it's been so great to turn this show over to a great team, and just drop in every once in awhile to see how things are going.  Red Fightin' Blue previews this Thursday, and then runs May 7th to 15th-- hope you can make it!

Had a great time a few weeks ago, as some fellow Jersey Boys and I were invited to sing the Canadian and US national anthems for the home opener.  What a blast, singing in crazy harmony for 46 thousand people-- Live!  And, very cool to watch the game from the "Comfort zone" (four lazy boy seats front row-- never been that close for a game).  Also, gearing up to join three other Jersey Boys cast members to head up to the "Stars come out Gala", the annual benefit for Theatre by the Bay, always a good time with an amazing group of people.  And it's spring... life is good.

Wanted to wish everyone a happy holidays.  The other day, eight Jersey Boys Toronto Company members and I were singing at the EZ Rock radio station here in Toronto, and I thought you might enjoy a listen, just follow the link!: http://www.ezrock.com/media/1039910

Otherwise, things keep rolling along.  I've started in on re-writing Red Fighting Blue, and the process has begun on a new album of my original songs.  And of course, Jersey Boys continues as crowds keep coming in!  And I'd better go... I'm on for Norm today...

Just last friday I picked up the demo for a new show I've written for families about Canada, My Side of the Country.  We had a great workshop of the piece this summer, but as usually happens after a workshop you wind up asking, "Okay, what happens now".  I'm very grateful that Levon Ichkhanian stepped in to produce an excellent demo of the show.  With only 8 hours of studio time, the cast pulled off some magic and captured the energy of what makes this show so much fun.  Thanks as well to Greg Kolchinsky at Trubbleclef Studios for making it sound so good.  And now... the real work begins.

On a side note, I've started getting back into the open mics... a CD is in the works!

I've just realized that it's been 8 months since I've updated this website, time seems to be going by quickly-- it's been a bit bizarre to be in one place for so long after so much moving around!  Having a great time with Jersey Boys, how great to be able to sit down and do such a great piece of theatre.

The other great thing about being in one place is the chance to get some work done.  Just last month there was a workshop of my new musical for kids, My Side of the Country through Scriptlab, a group that develops musical theatre.  Thanks to a great group of people I had a chance to see the show up on its feet.  More news on that show to come.

Also, coming up next year, Talk is Free Theatre will be producing a new version of my show, The Christian Republican Fundraiser in Dayton Tennessee under the name Red Fightin' Blue in May 2010.  Check out their website at www.tift.ca for more info!

MY SIDE OF THE COUNTRY

MY SIDE OF THE COUNTRY new family musical celebrating Canada's history and it's people, this musical has a pop score and is perfect for families about Canada.

MY SIDE OF THE COUNTRY is currently in development. Eleven young Canadians have been invited from across the country to PEI take part in a youth conference and discuss the future of the country. As these kids get to know each other, rivalries and crushes emerge and we explore important issues facing Canada today (from Quebec history and western alienation to first nations and immigrant rights). Finally the group decides to face the challenges that make this country so unique, as each person makes a personal commitment to making Canada work.

The show runs at about 40 minutes and has a cast of eleven university aged/post secondary performers. It covers important Canadian topics, including:

• Maritime History 


• Challenges facing recent immigrants 


• Quebec History 


• Western alienation 


• Enviornmental issues such as Global warming 


• Relations between Canada and its First Nations people 


• Regionalism  

For more information, or to hear a demo CD, please contact me.

RED FIGHTIN' BLUE

Formerly THE CHRISTIAN REPUBLICAN FUNDRAISER IN DAYTON TENNESSEE (winner of Best of Fringe, Toronto, 2008, and subsequently remounted at the Diesel Playhouse) this musical is being re-written for Talk is Free to be premiered under the new title  RED FIGHTIN' BLUE from May 6th to 15th, 2010.

Posing as the band, God's Country a group of left-wing activists have infiltrated the Christian Republican Fundraiser in Dayton, Tennessee. Armed with only "three chords and the truth", they are intent on having their opinions heard. Plans begin to unravel when the group encounters Deborah, the smart and sassy virgin who is hosting the event along with her shotgun-wielding father Jennings. When Jackson, the rugged lead singer attempts to seduce Deborah, she sees through their plot and threatens to tell her father. The band must decide: is this political action worth risking their lives? And even if they are heard, will they only enrage the staunchly conservative audience?

A musical about country music, politics, and the values that can bring together even the most disparate groups. The show features a cast of 6 actor/singer/musicians and a rockin' country score. Contact me for more info.

A VANCOUVER APARTMENT

A simple two person play that takes a look at love in a complex world as two young people take a look at questions of integrity, religion, death, and what it means to love someone.

A two hander, this play runs an hour and a half and was first workshopped by Talk is Free Theatre in 2007.  

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.

The Fringe was amazing. And crazy, insane, so it's nice to be out in Kingston for a few weeks doing "Anne and Gilbert" the musical sequel to "Anne of Green Gables". We opened this past friday to a great review, and will run until August 30th-- check the website for more details http://www.1000islandsplayhouse.com/anne&gilbert.htm
Great to do a great show and be able to jump in the St. Lawrence every day.
Later in September, we'll take the show on the road from September 22 to Oct 11 around Ontario.
So in the break... I'm hitting the road with The "Three Guys from the Prairies". We'll be spending a good part of three weeks touring around Ontario, hope you can make it out to one.

What a great ride we've been having with "The Christian Republican Fundraiser in Dayton Tennessee". After 10 days of sold out houses and rave reviews (check the quotes in the review section) we've been asked to remount for the "Best of Fringe" festival at the Diesel on july 23, 24, and 27th. If you haven't had a chance to see this talented cast in action, get down to the Diesel, we'd hate for you to miss it. Tickets can be bought through the diesel playhouse at dieselplayhouse.com.

Buddy Holly in Sudbury has finished, and I've put Ritchie Valens away for now, though who knows the next time I'll be swayin' with my guitar, playin' La Bamba? But for now, I am back in Toronto and knee deep in preparations for the Fringe. A fantastic cast of actor/musicians has been assembled and we're in the process of bringing "The Christian Republican Fundraiser in Dayton Tennessee" to life! Speaking of which, we're having a fundraiser to help with the process of bringing this show about. Friday June 6th at the Cameron house, cast members Jason Chesworth, Jason O'Brien, Jackie English, and Kate Unrau will be joined by other musicians for an amazing night of music from 7-9 pm. I'll also play a few tunes... Including a song about pancakes.
And if you have a chance, check out the website for the show--www.christianrepublicanfundraiser.com, it has all the dates and details for the show. Hope to see you there.

We closed the "Wrecked!" tour on a high note in Ottawa and after a quick stop home in Toronto I'm up here in Sudbury for "Buddy, the Buddy Holly Story!" at the Sudbury Theatre Centre. It's so nice to be in one place for the next 6 weeks, with such a great theatre... after a busy tour it feels like a bit of a holiday.
There are quite a few exciting things coming up:
My Musical, "The Christian Republican Fundraiser in Dayton Tennessee" will be at the Cameron House for the Toronto Fringe (July 2 --13th). More on that later...
Afterwards, it's off to Kingston to perform in the Musical "Anne and Gilbert" in August, looking forward to that as I'm a bit of a Nancy White fan, who wrote music for the show.
The show will have a three week break in September before resuming with an Ontario tour... so...
Well, we've been having such a great time with our "3 guys from the Prairies" show, we're taking it on the road. Jeff Straker, David Hein and I (all ex-pats of prairie provinces) will be spending September 1st to 22nd touring Ontario. Hope to see you at one of those shows!

The U.S was amazing. The other day we counted something like 28 states that we drove through, and we had the chance to perform everywhere from Tacoma WA, to Concord NH, down to Durham NC, not to mention pulling out the guitar for a few songs at Brother's coffee in Gillette Wyoming. Once I have a chance I'll upload a few pics of some of the beautiful historic theatres we had a chance to play.
Now we're back in Toronto, and there's a few gigs coming up: Concord Cafe on March 3rd with Trevor Campbell, Alison Jutzi and Friends, and then a reprise of our standing room only gig "Three Guys from the Prairies" with fellow ex-pats David Hein and Jeff Straker-- this one is catered with "Prairie themed food", you may have to come to find out what exactly that is...
And afterwards we finish off the tour-- a few weeks around Ontario, and then a final week in Ottawa. And after that... a workshop and a bit of Buddy Holly, more on that later.

After a somwewhat harrowing 4 day drive from Toronto, we have arrived in Tacoma, and performed our first show here in downtown at the Pantages... if you happen to be in the neighbourhood, please come down and say hello!
Also, a big thanks to everyone who came to the "3 Lads" at the Bread and Circus-- it was such a success that we're looking at doing another one once we're all back in Toronto. Meanwhile, I'll be doing some travelling and hopefully collecting a few songs along the way. Next stop, Billings Montana.

"Wrecked!" is a play for young audiences by Edmonton playwright Chris Craddock with Roseneath Theatre. Starting mid January, we'll be touring theatres across the states (and by across, I mean from Tacoma, Washington to Durham, North Carolina) and then coming back to do Ontario, ending up in Ottawa in April. Lots of time on the road, and hopefully lots of inspiration from it. I'm going to be sneaking in whatever music gigs I can in there, so come by if you can.