Grant Tilly Singer/Songwriter - Grant Tilly - News

Happy Holidays

Sun, 20 Dec 2009 00:00:00 -0800

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...

My Side of the Country demo

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 00:00:00 -0800

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!

Red Fightin' Blue and a musical workshop

Sat, 08 Aug 2009 00:00:00 -0700

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!

"Oh What a Year!"--Jersey Boys Canadian National Company

Wed, 31 Dec 2008 00:00:00 -0800

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.

Anne and Gilbert tour

Tue, 07 Oct 2008 00:00:00 -0700

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...

Three Guys from the Prairies Ontario tour

Thu, 11 Sep 2008 00:00:00 -0700

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.

Anne and Gilbert at the Grand Theatre in Kingston

Tue, 19 Aug 2008 00:00:00 -0700

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.

BEST OF FRINGE!

Mon, 14 Jul 2008 00:00:00 -0700

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.

Toronto and Fringe Prep

Thu, 29 May 2008 00:00:00 -0700

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.

A Sudbury Saturday Night

Sat, 26 Apr 2008 00:00:00 -0700

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!