TRUE CONFESSIONS FROM THE NINTH CONCESSION
asouthin2019-04-25T17:16:58-04:00
THURSDAY APRIL 25th at 8pmIn the Normandy Room at The Collingwood Legion, 490 Ontario Street Collingwood. Doors open at 7:30pm and the show starts at 8pm. Cash ONLY bar.
DAN NEEDLES – TRUE CONFESSIONS FROM THE NINTH CONCESSION
Starring Dan Needles and Ian Bell
A loving and humorous look at rural life in story and song.
Dan Needles is a familiar face to Theatre Collingwood audiences and to the community. He penned the entire Wingfield Farm series and in 2003 he won the Leacock Medal for Humour. For this delightful evening he joins Ian Bell, folksinger, storyteller and founding performer of CBC’s Vinyl Café, to take you on a ramble through the back roads of rural and small town Ontario with stories, songs and lots of laughter.
ONE STEP AT A TIME
Girls Nite Out is an all-female, all funny, mix of stand-up and improv comedy. Led by the fearless & fabulous, Elvira Kurt, these Canadian Comedy Award Winners, CBC darlings and Second City alumni will make you laugh and cry (tears of laughter!) as they celebrate womanhood. Audience participation is encouraged, so grab your friends and join Theatre Collingwood for a fun-filled evening!
Elvira Kurt is a Canadian Comedy Award-winning, Cannes Film Festival award winning (Real Women Seen), Toronto Fringe Festival Patron’s Pick (Parallel Play), sold out multi-solo show performing (Funny AF, Fearless, Homosexual Panic, Fired Up) and CSA nominated stand-up comic and Second City veteran whose credits as star, host, guest, writer and or talent director are simply far too many to mention. Except for these: Baroness Von Sketch Show, Iron Chef Canada, The Great Canadian Baking Show (Canadian Screen Award nominee), Master Chef Canada, SpinOff, NickMom Night Out NYC, The Debaters, Degrassi, YTV’s The Game, George Stroumboulopoulos Tonight, Cook’d, Popcultured with Elvira Kurt, Four Weddings Canada, Best House, The Gayest Show Ever, This Hour Has 22 Minutes, Ellen DeGeneres’ HBO special, Just For Laughs, Winnipeg, Halifax, Sydney and Melbourne Comedy Festivals and, of course, Elvira’s unforgettable stint on both of CBC Radio’s hit show, ‘Q’ and, ‘q’.
Jennine Profeta is a performer, writer, corporate workshop facilitator and MC/host. She has performed with The Second City (National Touring Company, Theatricals) across Ontario and aboard Norwegian Cruise Lines in the Mediterranean and Caribbean. As a writer, Jennine has penned scripts for television – Ollie The Boy Who Became What He Ate (CBC), Opie’s Home (TVO), Gemini and Genie Awards, and CBC Radio, and waxed poetic for Chatelaine, Today’s Parent and Best Health magazines. She’s appeared in numerous commercials and summer theatre productions, and was a principal player in Howie Mandel’s “Howie Do It” for NBC. She’s thrilled to be back with her sister act, Girls Nite Out, now entering it’s 12th (!!!) year.
Diana Frances is an award-winning improviser and comedy writer. Originally from Vancouver, she now calls Toronto home and is a writer on Corner Gas: The Animated Series (Comedy Network,) Still Standing (CBC) and The Beaverton (Comedy Network.) Diana has been nominated for 8 Canadian Comedy Awards for ‘Best Female Improviser’ and has entertained our Canadian troops in Bosnia, Egypt, Israel and Afghanistan
Karen is a three-time Canadian Comedy Award winning/Dora nominated actor and an alumnae of the Second City Toronto Mainstage (Facebook of Revelations, Tazed and Confused, Barack to the Future). She has Assistant Directed two MainStage shows, was Director of the National Touring Company , Family Co. and House Co. She has performed with theatre companies across Canada. Selected film and television credits include: Designated Survivor, People of Earth, Baroness Von Sketch Show, Hemlock Grove, Beauty & The Beast, The Firm, Saving Hope, Being Erica, The Jon Dore Show and Instant Star. You can currently catch her onstage in the all female sketch revue “She the People”. When not performing she is an acting and improv instructor at the Second City Training Centre and Making Box Theatre. Karen also travels the world teaching and performing with the Lusty Mannequins. The Lusty ’s recently took home the Best of the Fest award at the Toronto Sketch Festival.
Kevin is a celebrated music and drama educator, entertainer, singer/musician and improv actor originally hailing from rural Saskatchewan. He began his music career performing in multiple bands and currently performs bass and background vocals with indie rock band “Nickeltree”. Kevin is a graduate of The Second City Training Centre’s Conservatory Program and was musical director for The Second City Training Centre, Education Company and understudy for the National Touring Company (Canada). He has also served as musical director for the Bad Dog Theatre Company and independent troupes such as Slap Happy and The Kate Ashby Improv Academy. As an educator, Kevin specializes in instrumental/vocal music and the dramatic arts and currently serves the students of the Upper Canada District School Board, recently earning the “Trustees Innovation Award” for Teaching Excellence.
John, Paradises Lost (SummerWorks Festival), and Audrey II in Little Shop of Horrors (Lower Ossington Theatre and T3 productions). Musical Direction credits include A Misfortune (Next Stage Festival), HAIR (FirstAct Productions), One Song Glory ’10 ’11 & ’12 (ActingUp Stage), A Joyful Noise (co-composer/lyricist, Smile Theatre), Mickey & Judy (Toronto Fringe), and bare: the Canadian Premiere (WatersEdge Productions). Chris has also worked as an accompanist and teacher at Sheridan College, Randolph Academy and George Brown College. He has toured extensively with the Nathaniel Dett Chorale as a singer and with Sharron Matthews as an accompanist/arranger (Sharron’s Big Broadway Show, Jesus Thinks I’m Funny, GOLD, Full Dark).
Leah Allyce Canali is a Boston born, Toronto based vocalist with a BA in theatre performance from Northeastern University. Most recently Leah was a featured vocalist in A Very Christerical Christmas Cabaret at, you guessed it, Theatre Collingwood!! She is thrilled to be back for this show! Leah has performed internationally for such companies as Celebrity Cruise Lines, Spirit Entertainment and Pure Energy Entertainment. She has sung for both the Boston Red Sox and the New England Patriots and was a featured singer at the Official Inaugural Ball (Boston) of President Obama. Leah has a successful YouTube channel, that has been featured on NewNowNext, Gay Star News, and the Wow Report. She has performed on the main stage of Pride Toronto with Toronto Drag Legend, Tynomi Banks, opening up for such acts as RuPaul and Brandi! In addition to Toronto Pride, some of Leah’s most notable performances have been at Digital Pride, Mirvish Productions, “Bombshell” and “Limitless” shows, choreographed by Scott Fordham (Nelly Furtado, Deborah Cox), and as a featured vocalist at “Posers” in Los Angeles. Leah also has a bi-weekly residency at Statlers in Toronto’s LGBTQ Village. She is currently the lead vocalist for Toronto based soul band, The St. Royals.
Alexis hails from London, Ontario. Selected theatre credits include four seasons at The Stratford Festival: Virgilia in Coriolanus, The Fantasticks, The Tempest, Sarah Brown in Guys & Dolls, Anne in A Little Night Music, Julie in Carousel, Clara in Passion, The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe, The Sound of Music. Mom/Steph/Heather in Hook Up (Tapestry Opera/Theatre Passe Muraille), Belle in A Christmas Carol (Grand Theatre), Sunday in the Park With George (TIFT), The Gravitational Pull of Bernice Trimble (Factory/Obsidian); Ob
Andrew is a solidly trained and versatile dancer as well as a musician, singer and actor. He is quickly becoming one of the leading tap dance artists in Canada, teaching and choreographing across North and South America. Andrew is an award-winning actor, composer and writer, having recently had his self-produced short film officially selected in 12 festivals around the world and winning 4 awards including BEST SHORT FILM. Andrew was a featured singer and dancer on the 20th Anniversary World Tour of RIVERDANCE after which he performed in ANYTHING GOES with Drayton Entertainment, the record-breaking world premier of MONSOON WEDDING, played Cogsworth in Young People’s Theatre production of BEAUTY AND THE BEAST, Boutons in CINDERELLA at Neptune Theatre, and will be in Mirvish’s production of JUKEBOX HERO THE MUSICAL in February 2019. We are delighted to present his one man show “One Step At A Time” at The Simcoe Street Theatre April 4th & 5th.
SHAW 2018: Appeared in and assistant choreographer for Grand Hotel, appeared in Oh What a Lovely War; 6th season. David will be returning to Shaw Festival in 2019 to perform in Brigadoon and The Horse And His Boy.
Scott is happy to return for his third helping of Collingwood LOVE!, and he sends a big sloppy thank you to Erica Angus for including him again this year. In April patrons will hear him, if not see him, in Andrew Prashad’s ONE STEP AT A TIME at the Simcoe Street Theatre, and in May Scott heads to Regina to appear in the Globe Theatre’s production of Beauty and The Beast.
Colin Asuncion is a Toronto based performer and marketing professional. He has performed in musicals, plays, concerts, cabarets, and even a handful of television appearances. He most recently performed in Chris Tsujiuchi’s Very Chris-terical Christmas Cabaret at the Historic Gayety Theatre. He has also produced a number of solo cabarets and was a 2018 BroadwayWorld Toronto nominee for Best Cabaret Performance. By day, he is the Marketing Communications Manager for myBlueprint, a tech company that develops career/life planning software for Canadian students.
Originally from Wales, Natasha has spent her adult life performing in live bands and various musical outfits across the UK, as well as in theatre, film and television.
Jennifer Walls is a Toronto theatre performer, impressionist, producer and voice over actor. As a performer, she has earned critical acclaim for her portrayal of Liza Minnelli in her solo show Liza Live! as well as for her autobiographical rock cabaret Jagged Little Me. She has also enjoyed five seasons at the Victoria Playhouse in Petrolia and most recently spent the summer with Drayton Entertainment in Canada 151 Better Late Than Sorry. She has performed in and presented a number of hit shows at the Toronto Fringe Festival and was featured on the cover of Toronto’s NOW Magazine for her efforts at the festival and around the city. As an impressionist, Jennifer has toured across Canada and the United States, performing as a number of celebrity characters including Kelly Clarkson, Christina Aguilera and Lady Gaga. She is the host and producer of Singular Sensation, Toronto’s premier musical theatre open stage as well as a curator and mentor for a prestigious Cabaret Series at the 120 Diner in Toronto. As a voice actor, Jennifer is the voice of the Family Jr. network and can also be heard on a number of animated series including PBS’ Peg + Cat and Amazon’s Creative Galaxy. This fall, Jennifer made her directorial debut at Hart House Theatre directing Heathers The Musical. Follow her adventures on Instagram at @jeniwallsto
Shealyn Angus is a powerhouse singer who spends her days working in the business of LOVE, which makes it only fitting she play a part in this LOVE cabaret. She owns Shealyn Angus Weddings & Events and has been featured in such respected magazines as WedLuxe, Wedding Bells, and The Toronto Globe & Mail newspaper. She is a graduate of the Creative Ensemble program at York University, and has sang at the Toronto Raptors, Toronto Maple Leafs and Toronto Marlies games, The Women of Influence Awards at The Royal York, and in many cabarets and nightspots. Shealyn may have been the reason for the LOVE Cabaret taking the year off in 2018, as she was giving birth at the time to Executive Director Erica Angus’ first grandchild! She is thrilled to be back for this very special event.
Kevin Wong is a composer-lyricist, singer/musician, dramaturg. Past works include: Recurring John: A Song Cycle, STAR!(ving): A Collection of Songs; Misprint (with bookwriter Lauren Toffan, Women of Musical Theatre Festival 2016); Drama 101 (with bookwriter & co-lyricist Steven Gallagher, Bravo Academy 2017 / Etobicoke School of the Arts 2018 / Stage Door Academy 2018); and Reframed (Musical Stage Company / Art Gallery of Ontario, Dora Nomination – Best New Musical/Opera). Currently in Development: The Preposterous Predicament of Polly Peel (Act One) (with bookwriter Julie Tepperman, most recently a sold-out hit at the 2018 Toronto Fringe Festival and winner of the 2018 Playwrights Guild of Canada Stage West New Musical Award), and In Real Life (working title) (with bookwriter & co-lyricist Nick Green, most recently presented in reading at the 2018 Canadian Music Theatre Project’s Festival of New Musicals at Sheridan College). Kevin was the Musical Stage Company’s Associate Artistic Director from 2016-2018. He is a member of the vocal group Asian Riffing Trio (with Chris Tsujiuchi and Colin Asuncion).
Kyle Golemba has performed across the country from Nanaimo, BC to Summerside, PEI, including seasons at the Charlottetown, Shaw, and Stratford festivals. His favourite roles (so far!) have been Dickon in The Secret Garden, Bobby in Cabaret, Andy Lee in 42nd Street, Robert Martin in The Drowsy Chaperone, Antipholus of Ephesus in The Comedy of Errors, Eddie in Funny Girl, and Gilbert in Anne of Green Gables. Along with his best friend, Adam White, Kyle created a revue of Canadian musical theatre called Making Love in a Canoe. You can check out the show’s album on iTunes! This year, Kyle will be appearing at the Shaw Festival in Rope and Brigadoon. He’s delighted to have been invited to celebrate love here in Collingwood tonight.
Robin is a freelance drummer based out of Toronto. He graduated from the University of Toronto, with a Bachelor of Music in Jazz Performance where he studied with legendary Canadian jazz drummer Terry Clarke. Through his studies and performances with a wide variety of ensembles, Robin has become an extremely versatile musician, with tremendous fluidity in all genres of music. Robin has been performing since he was a child and has since shared the stage with iconic music figures such as Dame Cleo Laine, the late Sir John Dankworth, Louise Pitre, Nia Vardalos Matt Dusk, Guido Basso, Lorne Lofsky, the late Peter Appleyard, Maria Schneider, and Jackie Richardson. Robin has recorded on numerous albums and most recently, is the drummer for Canadian blues icon vocalist; Shakura S’Aida. 
Born in Stratford, Ontario, at the age of four Michael began lessons on the violin. After years of lessons, the violin was set aside in favour of the clarinet. The clarinet was soon replaced by the saxophone and after playing the saxophone for only one year, Michael auditioned and was cast for a part in Meredith Wilson’s “The Music Man” at The Festival Theatre when he was only thirteen years old.
Scott Neary is an international touring musician and award winning guitarist/composer/arranger. He is a graduate of the University of North Texas Master’s of Music program, where he was a member of the Grammy Nominated One O’Clock Lab Band, and can be heard on their recording Lab 2013.
Separately, they are 3 prominent powers.
Chris has been directing for nearly 30 years and has served as Artistic Director at Lighthouse Festival Theatre in Port Dover, Artistic and Executive Director of Theatre on the Grand in Fergus, as well as former Artistic Associate at Theatre Aquarius in Hamilton. Working with partner Colin Stewart and their production company Stewart-McHarge Productions, Chris has created numerous theatrical tribute shows, including Rockin’ All Night, Alice’s Restaurant, Hallelujah: Remembering Leonard Cohen, Soul Sisters, Memories of Rock & Roll, Blue Suede Shoes, Johnny & June, Vegas Knights, Sweet Soul Music, Cowboys & Outlaws, Heaven’s Little Honky Tonk, Memories of the Summer of Love, Memories of the Rat Pack, DooWop to Motown, and Memories of Hank Williams & Patsy Cline. Chris maintains an active schedule as a freelance director and producer, and has worked throughout Canada, in Europe and in the United States. In his career he has directed over 100 productions including 31 world premieres, and has been nominated for a number of awards including the Eleanor and Lou Siminovitch Prize in Theatre (2001 & 2004), the Township of Centre Wellington Artist of the Year Award, the Canada Council John Hirsch Award and the Pauline McGibbon Award for directing. Chris is most proud of his role as dad to twenty-six-year-old Caitlyn, twenty-one-year-old Erin, and eighteen-year old Quinn.
Colin has worked as a professional musician for nearly 30 years, and has worked in professional theatre as a Musical Director, Band Leader and Musician for nearly 30 years. Having performed in clubs and theatres throughout Canada, and on Carnival Cruise Lines around the world, Colin has worked with such blues artists as John Ellison, The McAuley Boys, Dutch Mason, Chicago Pete, Ellen McIlwaine and Phil Guy. Colin’s musical theatre credits include West Side Story, Annie, The Pajama Game, Oliver, My Fair Lady, Guys and Dolls, Bye Bye Birdie, Anne of Green Gables, A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum, and You’re a Good Man Charlie Brown. As Musical Director, Colin’s credits include Fire, A Closer Walk With Patsy Cline, 18 Wheels, Hank Williams: The Show He Never Gave, Buddy: The Buddy Holly Story, and the world premieres of Lovin’, Lyin’ and Leavin’ and Canadian Café. Colin has been touring extensively with his live musical tribute shows, Alice’s Restaurant, Hallelujah, Memories of Rock & Roll, Soul Sisters, Memories of the Summer of Love, Memories of the Rat Pack, DooWop to Motown, Memories of Hank Williams & Patsy Cline, Blue Suede Shoes, Johnny & June, and Vegas Knights, which he co-created with Chris McHarge, and which have played to capacity crowds throughout Canada and in Europe.
Aaron is a world class musician and performer. He has been wowing audiences as an energetic singer, actor, and multi-instrumentalist performing on violin, mandolin, guitar, bass, drums, percussion, and banjo. He has mastered an astonishing variety of styles having performed with diverse artists such as Shania Twain, Big Sugar, Jeff Healey, Jason McCoy, George Hamilton IV, Mac Wiseman, and many others. Aaron has also performed on over 500 recording sessions besides working as a record producer. He recently released albums entitled “Transformation,” with progressive rock band FM, and “Water Journeys,” with Celtic rock band Coole Park. Aaron currently stars regularly in theatre productions as Johnny in Johnny & June, as Dean Martin and Frank Sinatra in Memories of the Rat Pack, and covers many songs, playing multiple instruments in Alice’s Restaurant. Aaron also performs nineteen different rock stars in Memories of Rock & Roll, is the star of Wichita Lineman: The Music of Glen Campbell, and has been featured in many other productions as an actor or a musician on the stage or in the orchestra. 
Michael Ray has been playing music for over 50 years. At the age of 6, Michael performed on the Tommy Hunter Show, and recorded his third album bythe age of 11. He has opened for headliners such as Johnny Cash, John Cougar, and more recently, The Roadhammers. MIchael has been doing musical theatre for over 10 years. When he is not doing theatre work, Michael performs in a variety of different musical acts and teaches a wide range of musical instruments and vocals at his home studio
Chris’s 40 year career as a keyboard player includes a 3 year stint as house keyboardist at Lulu’s Roadhouse in Kitchener which saw him backing up various artists including Chuck Berry, Ben E. King, Peter Noone (of Herman’s Hermits), to name a few. For the last 10 years Chris has been involved in many musical theatre acts, including multiple European tours.
Don has traveled much of North America starting in the early 80”s as a professional touring musician. Don has worked with Orchestra London, and was a regular in the pit at the Grand Theatre in London. Over the years he has worked in several musical genres. From the mid 80’s to the mid 90”s, Don was also a partner in a music production company, Take Note Productions. He wrote and produced musical scores for video, radio and TV programs and various recording projects. Don has been teaching private music lessons dating back as far as high school and currently serves with the Georgian Triangle Music Teachers’ Association. He is also involved in the Healing Arts as a certified Reflexologist since 1996. Don is music director of the Trinity Band a St Mary’s church (Collingwood) since 2004. He studied privately with Ass. Professor Bob Hughes (UWO) and also attended Music Industry Arts (Fanshawe college, London). Don is currently studying privately with Steve Mancuso (Humber College). As always Don thanks Marilyn, J.T. and Callum for their never ending support!
THEATRE AQUARIUS: SM – A Few Good Men, If I Were You, It’s a Wonderful Life, Boeing Boeing, Billy Bishop Goes to War, Driving Miss Daisy, The Sound of Music, Time Stands Still, Poodle Skirts to Platform Shoes, For This Moment Alone, The 39 Steps, Tuesdays with Morrie, White Christmas – The Musical, The Diary of Anne Frank, Rope’s End. ASM – The Comedy of Errors, Beauty and the Beast, The Big Sleep, Spamalot, The Mousetrap, The Last Romance, Top of The Pops, Sherlock Holmes: The Final Adventure, A Christmas Carol – The Musical, The Rocky Horror Show, Forever Plaid, Having Hope at Home, Oliver!, Seussical!, Opening Night. OTHER THEATRE: SM – How the Other Half Loves (Drayton); Harvest, Sexy Laundry (LFT); Mary’s Wedding (Grand); The Long Weekend (Orangeville). ASM – A Man and Some Women, Hedda Gabler (Shaw Festival); 7 Seasons at Lighthouse Festival, Carmela’s Table (Centaur); Sorry… I’m Canadian, My Fair Lady, A Funny Thing Happened… , CATS – Tour (Drayton). ET CETERA: For their constant support, I would like to thank my family and friends, especially my lovely wife Julie.
Adrian is the creator and co-producer of four hit concert musicals – Any Dream Will Do, The Sweetest Sounds, Over The Rainbow, and A Whole New World. By taking us behind-the-scenes and inside the lives of the greatest composers of Broadway and Hollywood, Adrian and his co-producer Brian Goldenberg are bringing audiences to their feet across Canada.
Chris Tsujiuchi’s performance credits include Box 4901, Recurring John, Paradises Lost (Summerworks Festival), and Audrey II in Little Shop of Horrors (Lower Ossington Theatre). Musical Direction credits include The Last Five Years (YRG Productions), Onegin (Musical Stage Company/National Arts Centre/Arts Club Western Canada Tour), 35MM (Toronto Premiere), Any Dream Will Do (Angelwalk Theatre & Theatre Collingwood), A Misfortune (Next Stage Festival), HAIR (FirstAct Productions), Mickey & Judy (Toronto Fringe/Best of Fringe), and bare (Canadian Premiere/WatersEdge Productions). Chris has worked as an accompanist and teacher at Sheridan College, Randolph Academy, and George Brown College. He has toured extensively with Sharron Matthews, the Nathaniel Dett Chorale, and can be seen performing in Asian Riffing Trio (aka ART), as well as his upcoming Christmas Cabaret here at the Historic Gayety Theatre this December!
Dana Jean Phoenix is a synthwave singer/songwriter from Toronto. Dana attended the nationally-renowned Humber College Contemporary Music Program in Toronto and graduated the Musical Theatre program at Sheridan College. While at college, she would go to every open mic night she could find
Camila Diaz-Varela is a first-generation Mexican-Canadian theatre maker, performer and musician based in Tkaronto, on Dish with One Spoon wampum belt treaty territory. Camila performs both for theatre and as a singer-songwriter, and composes original music for theatre and film. As an actor and musician, she has most recently been seen in The Silver Arrow: The Untold Story of Robin Hood, a new musical written by Meiko Ouchi and Hawksley Workman, and the Princess of the Tower, a new musical written by Leslie Wade and Scott Christian
Originally form Richmond Hill, Stewart is thrilled to be a part of A Whole New World with this
Come Down From Up River
