Following the exciting announcement that the inaugural production of their new residency at the Winter Garden Theatre will be Caroline, or Change starring Jully Black in her musical theatre debut, The Musical Stage Company today releases a first-look at their 13th edition of UnCovered and is thrilled to announce the star-studded lineup and dates. The annual smash-hit concert re-examines the songbooks of legendary singers/songwriters through a storytelling lens by Canada’s most celebrated musical theatre artists.

This year, UnCovered spotlights hit songs from two hugely influential artists: Stevie Wonder and Prince. What began as a one-night event has now expanded to a signature six-night concert series, taking place November 4 – 7 at Toronto’s Koerner Hall and November 8 - 9 at the George Weston Recital Hall, Meridian Arts Centre (formerly the Toronto Centre for the Arts), produced in association with TO Live. Audiences will experience music director Reza Jacobs’ wildly imaginative and theatrical arrangements, as some of Canada’s greatest musical actors from Broadway, Mirvish and the Stratford and Shaw Festivals perform such classics as “Purple Rain,” “For Once in My Life,” “Little Red Corvette,” and “Isn’t She Lovely.” In the preview video released today, Broadway’s Thom Allison sings a stunning arrangement of Stevie Wonder’s “I Just Called to Say I Love You.”

“Prince and Stevie Wonder were friends, sometimes collaborators, and groundbreaking icons who inspired each other and the world.   We are excited to dive into their vast musical catalogues and create another unforgettable UnCovered concert featuring a stunning ensemble of Canadian talent," says Mitchell Marcus, The Musical Stage Company’s Artistic and Managing Director.

UnCovered: Stevie Wonder and Prince will be performed by a star-studded line-up including: Thom Allison (Broadway), Colin Asuncion (singer & cabaret performer), Aimee Bessada (multi-instrumentalist & songwriter), Jully Black (Juno award-winner), Michelle Bouey (2018-19 Banks Prize winner), Divine Brown (Juno award-winner), Alana Hibbert (Stratford & Shaw Festivals), Lydia Persaud (singer-songwriter) Jackie Richardson (Gemini & Dora award-winner), Cary Shields (Broadway) and more! Jamie Drake, Justin Gray, Reza Jacobs and Erika Nielsen comprise the orchestra.

“Every year, I look forward to UnCovered and the incredible opportunity to collaborate with top Canadian talent, including Mitchell Marcus,” says Reza Jacobs, UnCovered Music Director. “Exploring the narratives, the music, and the characters in familiar pop songs with a cast of exceptional musical storytellers and musicians continues to be a fulfilling and worthy artistic challenge.”

“After last year’s inaugural engagement of UnCovered at the George Weston Recital Hall, TO Live is pleased to work in association with The Musical Stage Company’s presentation of UnCovered: Stevie Wonder and Prince. Our audiences uptown were extremely enthusiastic with the immense talent on stage, and the feedback was so positive we’re hoping to continue our association for years to come,” says Clyde Wagner, President and CEO, TO Live.

What: UnCovered: Stevie Wonder & Prince

When & Where:

• November 4 – 7, 2019 (Koerner Hall, TELUS Centre for Performance & Learning)
• November 8-9, 2019 (George Weston Recital Hall, Meridian Arts Centre, formerly Toronto Centre for the Arts). Produced in association with TO LIVE

Tickets:  $35 + up 

Box Office: musicalstagecompany.com

Facebook, Twitter, Instagram: @MusicalStageCo. #UnCovered

Photo: Jully Black. © Dahlia Katz.