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OTTAWA, CANADA July 21 - 26, 2009; National Arts Centre
Topic Started: Jan 28 2009, 09:24 AM (1,134 Views)
mouser
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July 21-26, 2009


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National Arts Centre
53 Elgin Street
Ottawa, Ontario,
Canada

TICKETS:

Opening nite is SOLD OUT according to the Cone Ranger himself : TaylorRHicks Ottawa..sold out tonight!! Great venue!

SEATING CAPACITY: 2323, Southam Theatre

SEATING CHART:

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courtesy of www.ticketsinventory.com

THE VENUE:

Posted Imagecourtesy of www.canadiantheatre.com/images/theatre/nation
A music and theatre complex in Ottawa, Ontario designed by Affleck, Desbarets, Dimakopoulos, Lebensold, Sise of Montreal, and completed in 1969 at a cost of $46 million.).

The NAC was built to act as a showcase of the best of the country's live arts, including theatre. Its mandate was to develop the performing arts in the Ottawa region, and to assist the Canada Council in the development of performing arts across Canada. However, because of a lack of a consistent policy and underfunding by government, it has struggled to enact this mandate. Since its founding, the NAC has had a variety of administrative structures, and resident theatre companies.

Jean Roberts directed Anglophone theatre activities at the NAC from 1971-77. Productions came from all over the country ( Stratford Festival , Neptune Theatre , Tarragon Theatre among many others) with some innovative made-at-the-NAC productions (a large-scale remount of John Coulter 's Riel , directed by Jean Gascon ). Gascon took over theatre operations in 1977 and John Wood became head of English Theatre. The Anglophone company at last formed a troupe and performed John Murrell 's Waiting for the Parade , Tennessee Williams' Camino Real and works by Shakespeare among others. During Wood's artistic directorship, the company's Atelier (an off-site warehouse space) provided a training space for the Acting Company.

Gascon and Wood were replaced by Andis Celms (1984-1996; d. Dec. 2005) who lead the company through some difficult times, though the English troupe was disbanded. During his tenure, the Atelier became a development space for new Canadian playwrights and young Canadian artists under the leadership of Gil Osborne, Artistic Associate. In 1996 the company was put under review and Brian MacDonald was brought in as artistic advisor for the entire theatre program (French and English) until 1998, with Gil Osborne as Artistic Director of English theatre from 1996-97.

Attendance and subscriptions have steadily climbed since 1997 when Marti Maraden was appointed Artistic Director of the English company. In September 2005, Peter Hinton was appointed Artistic Director of the English-language theatre.

Productions of Canadian plays which have been recently staged in English at the NAC are Thirteen Hands by Carol Shields ; Elsinore by Robert Lepage ; High Life by Lee MacDougall ; The Drawer Boy (20001/02) by Michael Healey ; a world premiere of After the Orchard by Jason Sherman (2005, dir. Marti Maraden); The Donnellys: Sticks and Stones by James Reaney in a co-production with the Stratford Festival; Red Sky Productions’ Cariboo Song by Tomson Highway and Raven Stole the Sun by Drew Hayden Taylor; Earshot by Morris Panych in a co-production with Crows Theatre, Toronto (2006).

The French company of the NAC has prospered under artistic directors like Jean Herbiet , André Brassard , Robert Lepage, and Denis Marleau (appointed November, 2000). The French company has made a policy of co-producing with Quebec companies to keep costs down. For the 2005/06 season, it featured two plays by Quebec writer Normand Chaurette : Les Reines, directed by Denis Marleau, and La Société de Métis, directed by Joël Beddows, Artistic Director of Ottawa’s Théâtre La Catapulte .

The NAC has also co-hosted The Magnetic North Theatre Festival in June 2003, 2005, and 2007, presenting ten diverse plays from across Canada.

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NAC History

THE BUILDING
Situated in the heart of the nation's capital across Confederation Square from Parliament Hill, the Centre is among the largest performing arts complexes in Canada. It is unique as the only multidisciplinary, bilingual performing arts centre in North America and features one of the largest stages on the continent.

Officially opened on June 2, 1969, the National Arts Centre was one of the key institutions created by Prime Minister Lester B. Pearson as the principal centennial project of the federal government.

Built in the shape of a hexagon, the design became the architectural leitmotif for Canada's premier performing arts centre.



SOUTHAM HALL

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Southam Hall is the largest of our three performing halls. With 2,323 seats, it is an ideal venue for a variety of performances and events, including Broadway musicals, ballet, opera, musical acts, lectures, ceremonies, films, orchestral music and virtually any other entertainment or corporate event. Southam Hall has showcased numerous world class premier entertainment events including Opera productions, recitals, and Broadway musicals such as Show Boat, Phantom of the Opera, and Les Miserables.

Southam Hall has four levels of seating and each level has its own set of Boxes. The State Box located on the Mezzanine level is where visiting Royalty, heads of state or V.I.P. guests are seated.

http://www.nac-cna.ca/en/allaboutthenac/rentalsandfacilities/index.html



RESTAURANTS AND HOTELS:

http://travela.priceline.com/hotel/POI-National_Arts_Centre_Ottawa_Ontario_Canada-79537005.html Hotels

http://www.mytravelguide.com/restaurants/near-79537005-Canada_Ontario_Ottawa_National_Arts_Centre_restaurants.html Restaurants

DIRECTIONS:
Very helpful directions can be found at this site: http://www.nac-cna.ca/en/allaboutthenac/generalinfo/maps/

If you are a native: Take The Queensway east or west bound. Exit at Nicholas, turn left onto Laurier, right onto Elgin.


POINTS OF INTEREST: There are so many exciting things to do in Ottawa, here is a link for many of them and a peek at two.
http://travel.aol.com/travel-guide/Ottawa-attractions--Canada:71-cat-Tourist+Attractions+and+Sightseeing-sort-name-asc-page-1


1. Canadian Museum of Nature

240 McLeod Street (at Metcalfe),
Ottawa, ON K1P 6P4
Tel: (613) 566-4700
Group Rates: (613) 566-4701
Toll-Free: 1-800-263-4433

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Explore the world of insects, prehistoric dinosaurs, animals, and the changing face of the earth at the Canadian Museum of Nature. Located on the corner of Metcalfe and McLeod Streets, the museum is housed in the Victoria Memorial Museum Building, which over the years has played a colourful part in the city's history.



2. Arts Court

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2 Daly Ave
Ottawa, ON K1N 6E2
Tel: (613) 564-7240
Fax : (613) 564-4428

This heritage building (circa 1871) houses over 20 local arts organizations, two visual art galleries and a 150-seat studio theatre. What it's all about? In 1974, a dedicated group of artists and arts supporters in our community pursued a vision ... to find a home for the professional arts in Ottawa. Their efforts materialized into Arts Court, our region's centre for the performing, visual and literary arts. The Arts Court Theatre features innovative performances in theatre, dance, music, multi-disciplinary and literary arts. Arts Court is home to four public visual art galleries with an emphasis on innovative exhibitions.



MEDIA:


1. CanWest News Service

Idol winner Taylor Hicks gives musical theatre a go
Saturday, July 18th, 2009 | 1:52 pm



Singer Taylor Hicks is on the telephone from Philadelphia the day after the Michael Jackson tribute, commenting on the power of celebrity and the impact Jackson had on popular culture.

“There are very few entertainers like Michael Jackson who grew up with so many different generations of people,” says Hicks, 33, who was named the American Idol winner in 2006 and is now touring in Grease. (The Broadway musical arrives in the nation’s capital July 21 for a five-day run at the NAC.)

“He was a child star who had a tremendous amount of success at an early age and then he was able to sustain that success. There are very few people who get to do that. He was one of a kind.

“Jackson wasn’t an American pop icon, he was a world pop icon.”

The Birmingham, Alabama native knows about celebrity. The little-known R&B singer was catapulted into the limelight when, after 63 million votes were cast, he become the fifth-season winner of American Idol. He was a popular singer on the show and his down-home charm, winning personality and soulful voice earned him a loyal following. The fans who supported him were called “Soul Patrol.”

As with past American Idol winners, TV appearances, record deals and more media spotlight ensued, opening new opportunities for the singer.

His debut album was certified platinum, his memoir, Heart Full of Soul, was released in 2007 and the United States Postal Service even issued a limited- edition stamp featuring Hicks.

But late last year, he joined the cast of the touring show Grease, playing the smaller role of Teen Angel (played by Frankie Avalon in the 1978 movie). It’s certainly not a starring role in the ’50s rock ‘n’ roll musical and so the decision to take on the part was puzzling to some observers and fans.

“This is a wonderful starting point in musical theatre and acting,” says Hicks.

“The reason why I choose Grease is because the role of Teen Angel doesn’t really stray (from my roots). It’s a good role for me because it allows me to observe musical theatre from an introductory standpoint,” says Hicks, admitting he has no background in musical theatre.

The touring show is also a showcase for Hicks.

At the show’s end, Hicks performs an encore, Seven Mile Breakdown, the latest single from his CD The Distance.

“It’s a cutting-edge way of how an artist can release a record. It’s a wonderful integration,” says Hicks of the marriage between the rock show and a modern vehicle for promoting records.

Hicks says the experience of working with a cast in a popular Broadway show has been enjoyable.

“It’s a brand new experience for me, kind of a re-invention, so to speak,” says Hicks. He’d like to try other theatrical roles, but right now he’s committed to Grease and has extended his stay in the show through to June 2010.

As for this year’s American Idol winner, Hicks says he was just as surprised as everyone else on the final outcome. Clean-cut Kris Allen of Arkansas won out over Adam Lambert, the glam-rocker who was a popular favourite.

“I think the best two were definitely there at the end. That’s the great thing about the show, America got it right,” says Hicks, adding that both singers are destined for promising careers.
http://www.kelowna.com/2009/07/18/idol-winner-taylor-hicks-gives-musical-theatre-a-go/


2. http://www.ottawacitizen.com/entertainment/Review+Grease/1815815/story.html


3. TAYLOR REPORTS THAT THE CANADIAN PRIME MINISTER IS GOING TO A GREASE PERFORMANCE .

http://broadwayworld.com/article/Photo_Flash_GREASE_Is_the_Word_in_Canada_Hicks_Meets_Harper_In_Ottawa_20090724



GREASE Is the Word in Canada! Hicks Meets Harper In Ottawa



Friday, July 24, 2009; Posted: 06:07 PM - by BWW News Desk


Taylor Hicks, currently starring the in the Broadway tour of GREASE had a visit from Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper last night, after the opening performance at the National Arts Centre in Ottawa, ONT. Take a look at some fun pictures of the meeting right here on BroadwayWorld.com!
After spending a hopelessly devoted summer with Sandy Dumbrowski, the new girl in town, Danny Zuko's world is thrown upside down when Sandy appears at Rydell High on the first day of school. What follows is a rock n' roll celebration of growin' up, cruisin' with friends and goin' steady. The new production of GREASE features songs from the smash hit 1978 motion picture for the first time ever in a Broadway production including "Sandy," the Academy Award nominated song "Hopelessly Devoted to You," "Grease" and "You're the One That I Want" - both of which were #1 hits on the Billboard Top 100 list. These songs will be heard in addition to the Jacobs/Casey songs made famous by the original stage production including "Summer Nights," "Greased Lightnin'" and "We Go Together."

Platinum-selling recording artist and "American Idol" winner, Taylor Hicks, stars in the production as "Teen Angel." Hicks made his Broadway debut in the role of "Teen Angel" and has been on the road with GREASE since the tour began on December 2, 2008.

"I had such a great experience performing on Broadway," says Hicks. "This is a great opportunity to visit old fans and new fans across the country while bringing them a great Broadway show!"

Taylor Hicks achieved widespread fame in 2006 as a contestant on the hugely successful FOX singing competition "American Idol." On May 24, 2006, Hicks was named the winner of the fifth season of "Idol" with over 63.4 million votes in total, during the live finale which aired to a worldwide audience of over 200 million viewers. On March 10, 2009, Taylor Hicks released his much anticipated new studio album The Distance, featuring the single "What's Right is Right."

GREASE originated in Chicago and made its premiere at The Kingston Mines Theater in 1971 before making its New York premiere off-Broadway at the Eden Theatre on February 14, 1972. After 128 sold-out performances, the show made the transition to Broadway taking up residence at the Broadhurst Theatre on June 7, 1972. GREASETM was nominated for seven Tony Awards in its spectacular initial run. On November 21, 1972, the show moved to the Royale Theatre before making its final transfer on January 20, 1980 to the Majestic Theatre. It closed as the longest running show in Broadway history after playing 3,388 performances. In 1978, GREASETM became a hugely popular feature film starring John Travolta and Olivia Newton-John in the lead roles.

GREASE, which opened on Broadway on Sunday, August 19, 2007, was born out of NBC's landmark talent competition TV series, "Grease: You're The One That I Want." The weekly talent competition drew 90 million viewers, and allowed America to vote for its favorite contestants to play the lead roles of "Sandy" and "Danny" on Broadway. Directed and choreographed by two-time Tony Award-winner Kathleen Marshall (The Pajama Game, Wonderful Town), GREASETM features book, music and lyrics by Jim Jacobs and Warren Casey. Additional songs from the film are by Barry Gibb, John Farrar, Louis St. Louis and Scott Simon.

GREASE features scenic design by Tony Award nominee Derek McLane (The Pajama Game), costume design by two-time Tony Award winner Martin Pakledinaz (Thoroughly Modern Millie, Kiss Me Kate), lighting design by Tony Award winner Kenneth Posner (The Coast of Utopia, Wicked) and sound design by Brian Ronan (Spring Awakening, Curtains).

GREASE is produced on tour by Paul Nicholas and David Ian, Nederlander Presentations, Inc.and Terry Allen Kramer by arrangement with Robert Stigwood.

For more information visit www.greaseonbroadway.com

Broadway Across America: Owned and operated by British theatre producer John Gore (CEO) and led by Thomas B. McGrath (Chairman), Broadway Across America presents first-class touring Broadway musicals and plays, family productions and other live events throughout a network of 43 North American cities. Broadway Across America is also dedicated to the development and production of new and diverse live theatre for productions on Broadway, across America and throughout the world. Productions include the recent Broadway premiere of Irving Berlin's WHITE CHRISTMAS, Tony Award-winners BOEING BOEING and SPAMALOT, 13 A NEW MUSICAL, WEST SIDE STORY on Broadway, and DORA THE EXPLORER on tour.

For more information or to purchase tickets through an authorized agent go to BroadwayAcrossAmerica.com.

Photo Credit: Daniel A. Swalec Taylor Hicks meets Prime Minister Stephen Harper

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SOUL PATROL MEMORIES:

1. Ralphie61 tweets:
Went to see Grease and it was really good so was Taylor Hicks

2. astroeducator:

Saw Grease at the NAC in Ottawa last night. Good performance and my wife and I met Taylor Hicks afterwards.
30 minutes ago from mobile web · Reply · View Tweet

3. amy_yee:

Saw Grease last night. Great musical performances by the cast. Taylor Hicks kept busy signing CDs and programs.


Posted Imagecourtesy of anothertayfan

4. Colbertfan1:

just got back from Grease..it was awsome!!!!!! Taylor Hicks was the best part!!! :)


5. Mimmerzz:

Grease Was AWESOME!!! :P, And Hot Dayum....Kenickie... Rawr!!! Haha Also Got A Hug From Taylor Hicks! Woot! He's So Nice :P <

6. anothertayfan


Taylor keeps getting better everytime he performs Beauty School Dropout!It was a soldout crowd and they were impressed with him!The lady next to me went into laughing hysterics when the cone opened!
Edited by mouser, Jul 28 2009, 06:48 AM.
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