Stage Door News
Stage Door News
Toronto, ON – ‘Live from the Annex’ on October 6th celebrates vaudeville-inspired performances by Morro and Jasp (Clown Artists), Red Herring - A Professional Distraction (Burlesque Artist), James & The Giant Pasty/Boylesque (Burlesque Artist) and The Boxcar Boys (Music) with Mary Ellen MacLean (MC). In addition, the show features Annex Improv’s Brunswick Stew ensemble and Lee Cohen (keyboards). The ‘Live from the Annex’ show runs the first Tuesday of every month in 2015, 8 p.m. – 10 p.m., and takes place in ‘The Garage,’ at the Centre for Social Innovation - Annex location, 720 Bathurst Street, Toronto. $15 tickets are available on a first-come, first-serve basis http://www.eventbrite.ca/e/live-from-the-annex-comedy-music-cabaret-series-tickets-18486127505 and livefromtheannex.com. Follow on Twitter #LFTAnnex and Facebook and email to livefromtheannex@gmail.com. The comedy and music show is broadcast live to the world-wide web via Dailymotion.com/YouAndMedia. For ‘Live from the Annex’ video, see bit.ly/LFTAnnex_FILM and a series promo at http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x2zoqnv_live-from-the-annex-promo-video_fun.
When asked about how they feel about performing their new work in the ‘Live from the Annex’ show, Morro and Jasp, also known as Toronto’s sweethearts Heather Marie Annis and Amy Lee display their trademark personalities and why audiences around the world love them: "We feel like little fresh popcorn kernels starting to sizzle on a hot stove." Morro and Jasp are Dora Mavor Moore and Canadian Comedy Award-winning clowns who just finished a run at the Edinburgh Festival. They are currently working on a video game and in December they will perform in Vienna. (http://www.morroandjasp.com/)
Recently returned from a headline tour in the USA and a tour of Europe, ‘Red Herring – A Professional Distraction’ is pleased to perform in Toronto’s LFTAnnex cabaret series. When she's not travelling or producing her monthly shows, such as the three-year strong “Reveal Me” at the Rivoli in Toronto, she runs the Toronto School of Burlesque in the Kensington Market. She occasionally appears on national television (Bomb Girls, Degrassi, Dragon's Den, Love Inc., ET Canada) and also produces Toronto's chapter of “Naked Girls Reading.” Maybe this is why she is claimed by Time Out NYC as “Canada's sexiest nerdy burly star!” Even though she might still be jetlagged from a flight from Europe, she says, “I'm pretty sure the ‘Live from the Annex’ show will be amazing! I'm in love with performing with a group of variety artists.” (http://www.aprofessionaldistraction.com/)
‘James & The Giant Pasty’ is an award-winning boylesque performer from Toronto, Canada. He is the founder and artistic director of BoylesqueTO, Canada's Premiere All Male Burlesque Troupe. Hot off the heels of six weeks of nonstop travel and performance, five cities, four festivals, and one family wedding, he says, “I can't wait to perform back in my hometown in the ‘Live from the Annex’ cabaret series.” (https://www.facebook.com/jamesandthegiant.pasty)
The Boxcar Boys are a Toronto-based band who deliver a gumbo of traditional jazz, klezmer, and folk. Their 3rd album "Cicada Ball" was freshly released this September. Their performances are acoustic celebrations featuring musicians on clarinet, tuba, fiddle, trombone, accordion and washboard. Their debut album “Don’t Be Blue” placed them on the EJazzNews list of Best Canadian Jazz Bands and their sophomore release “Rye Whiskey” earned them a nomination for Instrumental Group of the Year at the Canadian Folk Music Awards (2013). Their diverse and innovative sound has brought the band to a wide variety of venues and festivals across Canada including The Way Home Festival, The Toronto Jazz Festival, The Blue Skies Folk Festival and The Ashkenaz Klezmer Festival. (http://www.theboxcarboys.ca/)
This month’s Brunswick Stew features a mix of improvisers from Annex Improv’s performance ensemble, under the direction of Brian G. Smith and Karen Parker, with Lee Cohen on keyboard, including Timna Ben-Ari, Tom King, Tony Lee, Steve Lyon, Laurie Murphy, David Perlman, Sasha Wentges and other guest improvisers. (http://www.anneximprov.com/sign-up.html)
Mary Ellen MacLean, the show’s MC, is an Award-winning performer, creator, teacher, director and producer who works in theatres across the country. She is co-artistic director of Frankie Productions who produced her play Velocipede, using twenty-one bicycles, and seven dancers/performers. Mary Ellen teaches physical theatre, movement, improvisation and performance to all ages and levels throughout the year. She is currently developing her newest play about dyslexia Imagine a Lifetime which involves physical theatre/comedy and storytelling. “MC’ing an evening of vaudeville is a thrill,” MacLean says, “Get ready for variety, spontaneity and surprises.”
Live from the Annex’ shows take place the first Tuesday of the month (next shows are on November 3 and December 1, 2015 (a holiday cabaret gala with Toronto’s top comedy and music acts, and celebrity guest improvisers!); doors open at 7:30 p.m., with curtain at 8 p.m. Beer, wine and refreshments are offered for sale before, during and after intermission. Hummus and chips are provided gratis.
The series is produced by Sasha Wentges (Mea Culpa), Laurie Murphy (MARRAM Mktg & PR) and Brian G. Smith (Annex Improv) with support from sponsors and partners including Dailymotion, Centre for Social Innovation, Analytical Engine Interactive and Beaus Beer.
Photo: James and the Giant Pasty. ©2014 Angela McConnell.
2015-09-22
Toronto: "Live from the Annex" announces a vaudeville-inspired show on October 6