I attended the first read through for Rose Summer Season's The War Show, You'll Get Used To It yesterday afternoon.  It's a wonderful show with a lot of laughs and admittedly I dropped a tear or two as well.  Below are a few candid shots.



Nancy Silverman and Sweeney MacArthur.   It was tough catching Sweeney in a moment where he didn't have the whole cast in stitches!


  Kraig Waye is Sharkey - you may remember him from last summer season in Songs for a New World.

Above - Director Danny Harvey and Assistant Stage Manager Jake Maric.

Below -  Jay Davis hamming it up.  Jay plays the role of Dusty.

Summer is practically here, we've had so many beautiful days already and now it's official... the Rose Theatre Patio in the Garden Square is finally open!

Lots of us have already been hosting our meetings out there, enjoying lunch and soon there will also be a slew of excellent free entertainment - Movies on the big screen, Tuesday and Saturdays, Friday night concerts with Dean McTaggert, and Thursday afternoon's with the Brampton folk club.  Visit http://www.rosetheatre.ca/ for the full listing of these events.

It's just around the corner now.  Wednesday night at 7 pm is the big day for our incredible Brampton talent to shine on the Rose Stage.  As they ramp up, here are a few thoughts from two more of our finalists.

Rhiannon Deline
What is your first performance memory?

I was 7 years old when I had my first solo at school.
I performed "Part of your world" From the Little Mermaid.
I was terrified! But it was the first time I realized..this is what I wanna do.

Who is your biggest inspiration/idol and why?
John Lennon. He is a great inspiration.  Not just because of his brilliant music, but because of the person he was.  He was not afraid of standing up for what he believed in, and gave millions of people a sense of hope and boosted their pride and confidence.

What are you doing after the show?
It's back to work for me! Writing, rehearsing, and teaching!

Nayani Rajamohan
Do you sing in the shower?
I've been known to sing, dance and fantasize fairytales in the shower. I take after my parents who both sing at the top of their lungs.

What are your long-term goals with regards to performing arts?
My career plans including dancing and performing as well as many other things. Because I am currently a student-teacher and perform at various locations, I would like to start my own academy and join/create a performing group.

How does it feel to be chosen to perform on the Rose stage?
Pretty awesome!

We asked some of our finalists to help us get to know them better.  Here's what they said...

Nicole Ramos
My school talent show in 2007. I was in grade 3 and sang "part of your world" from the little mermaid, I was wearing white pants and a white shirt decorated with paper fishes my sister made.

Do you get stage fright?
I don't get nervous when I perform. I'm always excited.

What are your long term goals with regards to performing?
I have always wanted to become a singer and someday I will join Canadian Idol.

How does it feel to be chosen to perform on the Rose stage?
It's an honor to be chosen out of so many people. I always hear many great things about the Rose Theater and I am really excited that I will finally get to sing there.

Jurrene Liburd
Do you sing in the shower?
Yes, all the time.

What song/band is in constant rotation on your IPod right now?
Uhm, The truth by India Irea

Who is your biggest inspiration/idol and why?
My Biggest inspiration is my mother, she has been dancing for over 13 years and I'm amazed by her talent, and how dedicated she is, how much she practices. Not only by that but he character, she is a strong-willed determined woman who is very intelligent and successful, I hope to be like her someday.

Erica DaCuhna
Who is your biggest inspiration/idol and why?
My inspirations are all the kids that I have seen ill over the years at Sick Kids Hospital. They are so sick yet they can still smile, laugh and be the most positive people out there.

How does it feel to be chosen to perform on the Rose stage?
It feels amazing, exciting, a weeeeeeee bit nerve wracking, but overall I feel ready for some fun!
 What's next for you?
After the show I am auditioning for the tv show, The Next Star and a talent competition called Rising Star. I will also be in the Brampton Theatre Schools production of Beauty and The Beast, which will be showing at Lester.B. Pearson Theater on June 24th to the 26th.

Sabrina Gomes

What is your first performance memory?
First performance was at a talent show at St. Isaac Jogues Catholic School.


How does it feel to be chosen to perform on the Rose stage?
It feels like the beginning of an opportunity to move forward with my goals.

Who is your biggest inspiration/idol and why?
Taylor Swift. It's amazing to see such a young lady achieve so much.


What are you doing after the show?
Signing Autographs!!!!!!!!!!!!!.............Ha! Ha! Ha!!!!!! LOL

Want to see more of Brampton's brightest and best young talent?  Don't miss the Centre Stage performance on Friday, April 28 at 7:00 pm.  Tickets are only $10 and avaialble at the Rose Theatre Box Office.  See you there!

Hi everyone,

Were you at this concert last night?  I sincerely hope you were because I have to say... and I hope this isn't unfair of me because we do bring a lot of really fantastic entertainment to the Rose... but this was far and away my favourite concert this year!  WOW, the Art of Time Ensemble are doing something really great.  The arrangments are beyond fresh.  I particularly loved the moment in "A singer must die" when the instruments break into on all these crazy crunchy chords and I felt my insides spinning with excitement.... in a word - thrilling.  Not only are the arrangments awesome but overall I thought Steven Page's song selection was inspired.  Quirky, fascinating, and fantastic!  If you missed it at the Rose, they are still touring and I have to highly recommend that you go find them somewhere, anywhere.  If you were there too please send me your thoughts, I do hope you loved it as much as I did.  Here I am with Andrew Burashko (Artistic Director of Art of Time Ensemble) and Steven Page after the show.

Wow, what a great night!

Hope to see you at the Rose soon.  The touring Broadway production of The Wedding Singer is this weekend... sure to be a hoot!  Oh and ladies, or guys if you're feeling particularly brave lol, be sure to come wearing your worst bridesmaid dress! Prizes to be had... and who doesn't love to win prizes!

Talk soon,
Genny

Hey everyone,

This is a few days delayed in getting up but I wanted to share some photos with you from the Black Pack S.E.L.L.O.U.T. Comedy Tour post-show event at Jake's Boathouse last week.  What a funny bunch of guys.  I mean, I know, they're all comedians so what else did you expect right?

But what I loved, even more than their on stage humour was how intriguingly individual they each are in their style and essence.  Does it get any different than this?  Check out what they each ordered at the party... Billy D. Washington... a glass of pinot.  Vince ... grey goose on the rocks.  Louis Johnson... rum & coke... and my personal favourite, B.T...a strawberry margherita!  Come on, can you guess which one is B.T. below??

Well I'm sorry if you missed it - it was a night worth dragging yourself off the couch for!  If you want to see more of these guys, they've got some great videos available on their myspace page at http://www.myspace.com/blackpack.  Enjoy ;)

See you soon at the Rose!
Genny