Greetings…From Planet Voca!

From zeros to heroes, musical group Voca People gained fame through none other than YouTube. Just the same as we all caught some of that Bieber Fever, YouTube has been similarly kind to these a capella sensations who put together a short video clip that in just a few months gained millions and millions of hits!

The Voca People are friendly aliens from the planet Voca, where all communication is made by music and vocal expressions. Music is life and life is music, pretty well sums this group up to a tee. They’ve come to Earth and have a LOT to sing about.

BUT, here on Earth, there’s just one problem…to get back to their home planet they eventually have to recharge their spaceship! Amazing vocals, a capella singing with touches of beat box create an incredible range of sounds and instruments that is sure to help send them on their way.

Think Blue Man Group meets Glee, with a dash of sci-fi, comedy and the avant-garde. The performers are decked out entirely in white and punctuated with bold red lips. They represent blank canvases and portray universality in their appearance. Red lips draw focus to their amazing voices!

Some of the tunes they sing include songs from The Beach Boys, The Beatles, Madonna and a spectacular version of Queen’s “Bohemian Rhapsody.”

Tie in the greatest music on earth with some comedy and the mood is light and buoyant; a concert and show that’s wildly entertaining and appeals to everyone!

Entry by Rebekah Reeves

Marketing Assistant, Rose Theatre Brampton

Behind the Curtain - The Full Monty!

Rob Woodcock (director) and Melissa Jane Shaw (choreographer)

Time has certainly FLOWN by as the cast has been working hard in rehearsals for the past couple of weeks. The first performance is just around the corner (in two days)!

So far, we’ve spoken a lot about and taken many pictures of the cast, and now we want to check in with a couple of the creative team members.

Choreographer Melissa Jane Shaw gave us some great input with some fun answers to our behind-the-scenes questions about The Full Monty:

What was your take on this show, did you start from scratch or is the choreography similar to the original production?  If you made any major changes what were they and why?

My process with all shows is that I read the script and based on that determine what movement/dance will best serve the story or specific number. Then I listen to the songs several times and meditate and envision what I want. I usually dance around for a while and get a feel for the 'dance language' of the piece. Only once I have my own vision do I dig up choreography from past productions, including the original. I don't want to be influenced by another vision before I have my own, which may end up being better! I often pull and use bits that I like from the original, but the overall picture is always different as we typically don't have the same set, cast numbers, time to rehearse etc. So, I choreograph to suit OUR production.

How are the actors feeling about their dance skills? Has anyone surprised you with their performance? 

The irony is that 3 of our 6 Full Monty men are legit dancers, meaning they're trained and can jump, turn and rock out any dance show. The real challenge with them is making them look like they can NOT dance. Working class dudes in Buffalo just don't move like that! I think that it will all balance out in the end and the final number will have its due pay-off.

What is the most challenging sequence in the show?

I would say that 'Michael Jordan's Ball' is the most challenging sequence, purely for its cardiovascular challenge. The guys have to sing some pretty major high-notes and do a lot of dribbling and dunking. But it's a fun number and gets the guys finding their groove.

Tell us about any funny moments you’ve experienced while teaching the cast new moves.

Funny like "Ha! Ha!" funny or funny like I want to tear my eyes out figuring out how these wardrobe bits are going to work?! Aside from costume pieces getting stuck in bits and ends and some of the raunchy factor to the moves, we'll leave the laughter to the audience :-)

With regards to the songs themselves, musical director Jeannie Wyse adds in, “My favourite number is ‘Big Ass Rock’ because we fall in love with Malcolm during this number. Also, it's in the style of Carole King and I LOVE Carole King.” 'Breeze off the River' is another of her favourites and she says Michael Torontow (Jerry) sings it absolutely beautifully!

Wyse always demands a high level of vocal excellence no matter the perceived level of talent and says it has been significantly easier having so many seasoned performers in The Full Monty. “We’re working with SUCH a talented cast!” she says.

Entry by Rebekah Reeves
Marketing Assistant, Rose Theatre Brampton

Rehearsals Get "Steamy"

Michael Torontow (third from left) in the middle of a "hip thrust."

The cast is at it again and scandalous may just be an understatement! The Full Monty team completed their first physical run through today (for lighting and sound production) and I was lucky enough to be able to sit in on the entire first act! Everyone was so amped and once the rehearsal actually began things were flowing pretty nicely. 

I thought the first rehearsal I went to was funny, but today was a whole other ball game (no pun intended). The dancing, singing and overall energy was perfectly outrageous and stimulating. Like the first day, but a lot more intensified, I couldn't contain the laughter and was loving every moment.

The choreography is just getting started and I already couldn't get enough of those hip thrusts! The cast are suitably scantily clad, it’s brilliant! After act one today, Director Rob Woodcock told the cast that they were in a good place and still with another week left until curtain. I couldn't agree more.

February 13th, hurry up already so we can all come out and enjoy the real thing; The (FULL) Full Monty!

Stay tuned for more updates and be sure to visit www.rosetheatre.ca for more information on the show.


Entry by Rebekah Reeves
Marketing Assistant, Rose Theatre Brampton

Full Monty: Uncovered!

Hilarious explains it all! February 13-17, the Rose Theatre is set to present The Full Monty, a fun and comical story based on the motion picture released by Fox Searchlight Pictures. Captured on stage are six average-looking, unemployed Buffalo steelworkers, desperate for money. What better idea than to present a strip act at a local bar?! After all, their wives’ loved  the local touring Chippendales’ show starring hunka hunks of burning love.

Their act must be better! Yet, how can they possibly compete (you may wonder)? Well, unlike the Chippies, they’re going “the full monty.” Stripping, completely naked!

This show is going to be a real hit! Rehearsals have officially started and we’re already amped! Not there for more than twenty minutes, on the sidelines of their first read-through, we couldn't help but hysterically laugh along with them as the characters read aloud their lines. If only twenty minutes of the show is that funny, we can only imagine how good it will be on stage!

The cast of The Full Monty on Day 1 of rehearsals.

We’ll follow the cast and crew on their journey over the next couple of weeks, so be sure to check back regularly to see how the show is coming along. View photos from rehearsal and hear from cast members about the show, The Rose and much more!

Entry by Rebekah Reeves
Marketing Assistant, Rose Theatre Brampton



Tiny Turtle, Big Time Entertainment

Looking for a show to engage your child in arts, culture and theatre? Pekka may be just the fit! A tiny turtle, with enormous energy and inspiration sets out to transform children’s theatre.

With the help of various puppet characters, artistic director and performer, Isabelle Payant, tells the vibrant story of Pekka’s fun-filled journey:

Pekka is a tiny turtle who, every night, impatiently awaits a bedtime story told by Jacyntha, the elder. But what if Jacyntha needed the moon to invent her stories and it decided not to show up? This won’t stop Pekka! She loves her stories so much that she decides to go and look for Miss Moon. Where is she hiding and why won’t she shine for everyone?

After many hours of dedicated hard work and passion going into creating puppets, composing music and sewing costumes, Pekka premiered in 2008 and has toured Canada, France, Spain and the U.S.A., with a run of more than 270 presentations. In the midst of the show’s creation Payant says, “It became a labour of love.” So, why not share in this love? Come out with your children, sit, and enjoy!

Pekka is on stage in the Rose Theatre’s Studio Two on February 2, 2013 at 1PM & 2:30PM.

Little Sprouts 

Pekka is part of our Little Sprouts program designed to introduce young children, aged 2-5, to the theatre experience. Casting aside the formality of our traditional theatre,  kids can sit on floor mats right up close to the action and are treated with juice and a snack following each performance.

Entry by Rebekah Reeves
Marketing Assistant, Rose Theatre Brampton

No Matter What Language You Speak...

You're Going To Love Mummenschanz

It's their 40th Anniversary Tour and Mummenschanz has only one Canadian date... where, you ask, might they be headed?  You guessed it - to the Rose Theatre Brampton. The Rose is thrilled to present the brilliant Swiss physical theatre troupe on January 22, 2013.  Mummenschanz undoubtedly paved the way for Blue Man Group and other physical theatre companies that have become so popular for their ability to transcend cultural and language barriers with entertainment that is delightful for all ages, funny and oh so human.

If you were watching the Muppets back in the 70s, you will remember Mummenschanz from their stint on the show in 76.  As I was watching it for the first time a few days ago, I discovered the actors are wonderfully engaging and its hard to stop watching!  I'll warn you now, top up your coffee before you click -  there are 40 years worth of incredible videos to surprise and entertain you.  One thing that amazes me is the way Mummenschanz can capture your attention so completely without saying a word.  Speaking of which, don't take my word, check it out for yourself here: http://youtu.be/3eazq_8jCOg

Who Else Wants the Inside Scoop on A Christmas Carol, The Musical?



L – R: Jaden Carmichael (Tiny Tim), David Ludwig (Scrooge), Scott Carmichael, 
Jacquelyn French, Maeve Hildebrand and Thea Lale (The Cratchit family)



Redemption.  It's the theme of countless tales throughout history including the popular holiday story, A Christmas Carol, by Charles Dickens.  So touching and beloved is his story that it hasn't once been out of print in the 169 years of its existence!

As Harry Currie explains in his article "A Dicken's of a Christmas Carol" in the December issue of Odeum, Dickens himself experienced exceptional hardships as a child.  Perhaps it was that experience that helped him to paint such an accurate and touching piece that has transcended generations and inspired millions of people to spread the spirit of love and giving to those in need.

The cast and crew of the Rose Theatre's production of A Christmas Carol have begun rehearsing Alan Menken's amazing Broadway version of the show, full of beautiful songs that are touching and funny, colourful costumes and sets, dancing and spectacle.  It's a treat for the senses and guaranteed to get the whole family into the spirit of Christmas.

We'll follow the cast and crew on their journey over the next couple of weeks so check back often to see how the show is progressing, view photos from rehearsals and hear what they have to say about Christmas, The Rose, their cast mates and everything in between.