We Live in a Visual World

The Grand Theatre announces 2010/11 MainStage Season

2010/11 will be a season of music, mystery and a magical coat

LONDON, ONTARIO -March 10, 2010 - Experience excitement and the spirit
of adventure with The Grand Theatre’s 2010/11 MainStage Season.

“Our 2010/11 MainStage Season will be filled with journeys. Both
internal and external quests are taken in far away mystical lands, and
take a look at who we really are,” Susan Ferley, Artistic Director of
The Grand says. The season, she adds, offers entertainment for all ages
and interests. “It will be a season full of musicals, mystery, drama,
romance and comedy.”

The 2009/10 MainStage Season saw the largest increase in subscribers in
20 years for the theatre and according to Deb Harvey, Executive Director
at The Grand, the theatre wants even more individuals to subscribe this
coming season. “Subscribers are the heart of any theatre,” Harvey says.
“Just as we did last year we are asking our subscribers to renew their
own subscriptions and to sell one new subscription to a friend, family
member or coworker. Our subscribers love this theatre and have been so
helpful in spreading the word about the world-class shows that we
produce at The Grand.”

The year begins with a journey to the 1930s with the Fall High School
Project, Anything Goes.  “This is a classic story of romance and
shenanigans,” Artistic Director Susan Ferley says of the lively musical.
Audiences will be taken on board the SS American, sailing from New York
to London, England.  It’s a brash comedy of a love sick Wall Street
worker stuck on the ocean liner with his boss and his boss’ daughter -
who happens to be the one of his heart’s desires.  It’s a story of love
and mistaken identity, “Complete with exuberant tap dancing,” Ferley
adds. The project will feature the talent of more than 60 local high
school students. 

The Grand kicks off the MainStage season with Side by Side by Sondheim.
The show is a musical revue of the legendary composer Stephen Sondheim.
It will feature some of his greatest hits from shows such as: Company, A
Little Night Music, A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum,
Gypsy and West Side Story. “Once again we launch a season with the
wonderful music of Stephen Sondheim,” she says, reflecting on the 2001
season that opened with A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum.
“He is a witty and clever lyricist,” Ferley notes.  “There is both a
playful and richness in his music.”  The show will feature Sondheim
favorites like “Comedy Tonight” (from A Funny Thing Happened on the Way
to the Forum) and “A Boy Like That” (from West Side Story).

 ”Next we have a show that appeals across generations,” Ferley says of
The Grand’s holiday production of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor
Dreamcoat. It tells the Old Testament Story of Joseph and his 11
brothers taken from the book of Genesis. Joseph is the dreamer and the
interpreter of dreams. He takes an inspirational journey from slavery to
power and journeys down the path of forgiveness. “It’s a story about
triumphing in the face of challenges,” she says.  “It is also great fun
because it features a range of musical styles,” Ferley says of the
holiday production she is set to direct. The Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd
Weber Musical showcases familiar songs such as “Any Dream will Do” and
“Go, Go, Go Joseph”. 

Next we take a trip to cottage country in the Canadian Shield in
Kingfisher Days. “This story speaks so profoundly to me because it’s a
story of a little girl at her cottage in the Canadian Shield and her
name is Susan,” Ferley says, referring to her own childhood in Winnipeg.
“We follow a little girl who befriends her neighbor, a retired school
teacher, who introduces her to a world of fairies and the language and
characters of Shakespeare. Kingfisher Days captures the luxuriousness of
time when you’re a child,” The Grand’s Artistic Director explains. “This
is a story that speaks to our imagination.”

The season then takes a detour to 221B Baker Street with Sherlock
Holmes: The Final Adventure. “It’s a who-dunnit adventure filled with
intrigue and mystery,” Ferley explains.  Playwright and adapter Steven
Dietz took the story from two Holmes stories, A Scandal in Bohemia and
The Final Problem. We follow the famous detective Sherlock Holmes on his
last case, accompanied by his faithful sidekick Dr. Watson. In this
story it seems Holmes has met his match with the genius of crime,
Professor Moriarty.  “I love that we are doing this show,” Ferley says.
“It is a Victorian story, and we are a Victorian theatre. It is a
perfect match.”

The theatre is bringing back a patron favourite, Shirley Valentine.
Shirley Valentine is a one-woman show about a frustrated housewife who
takes an external journey to Greece.  “This is where her internal
journey takes place; it’s a wonderful tale of self discovery,” Ferley
says.

From Greece we travel to the mystical Middle Earth, with one of the
greatest fantasy stories of all time: The Hobbit.  We follow Bilbo
Baggins, a hobbit, as his comfortable life is turned upside down when he
is recruited by Gandalf the Sorcerer on his quest to fight for their
kingdom and treasure. “We are excited to have these characters from The
Shire and Middle Earth come to life on The Grand’s MainStage,” says
Ferley of The Lord of the Rings prequel. 

Join us for a season of adventure! Subscriptions are available now.
Single tickets go on sale July 1, 2010. Please call The Grand Theatre
Box Office at               (519) 672-8800         (519) 672-8800 or visit grandtheatre.com.

2010/11 MAINSTAGE SUBSCRIPTION SERIES

SIDE BY SIDE BY SONDHEIM
A MUSICAL ENTERTAINMENT
Music and Lyrics by Stephen Sondheim
and music by Leonard Bernstein, Mary Rodgers,
Richard Rodgers, Jule Styne
OCTOBER 19 - NOVEMBER 6

JOSEPH AND THE AMAZING TECHNICOLOR DREAMCOAT
Music by Andrew Lloyd Webber. Lyrics by Tim Rice
Directed by Susan Ferley
NOVEMBER 24 - JANUARY 2

KINGFISHER DAYS
By Susan Coyne. Directed by Susan Ferley
JANUARY 18 - FEBRUARY 5

SHERLOCK HOLMES: THE FINAL ADVENTURE
By Steven Dietz
Based on the original 1899 play by William Gillette
and Arthur Conan Doyle
FEBRUARY 15 - MARCH 5

SHIRLEY VALENTINE
By Willy Russell
MARCH 22 - APRIL 9

THE HOBBIT
Adapted by Glyn Robbins from the book entitled
“The Hobbit” by J.R.R. Tolkien
Directed by Susan Ferley
APRIL 27 - MAY 26

HIGH SCHOOL PROJECT FALL 2010
ANYTHING GOES
Music and Lyrics by Cole Porter
Original Book by P.G. Wodehouse & Guy Bolton
and Howard Lindsay & Russel Crouse
*High School Project not included in the Subscription Series

SEPTEMBER 21 - OCTOBER 2

THE GRAND THEATRE

The Grand Theatre is a cultural icon in London, Ontario and is
recognized nationally as a cultural leader. The Grand is committed to
producing some of the best professional, live theatre in Canada and to
enriching, engaging, entertaining and transforming the lives of members
of its community.  With its MainStage, UnderGrand and Theatre for Young
Audiences performances, the theatre takes great pride in providing
world-class entertainment to London and Southwestern Ontario residents
each season from September to May.

The Grand Theatre
471 Richmond Street, London ON N6A 3E4
For tickets call               (519) 672-8800         (519) 672-8800 or click www.grandtheatre.com
<http://www.grandtheatre.com> 

ON STAGE

Pride and Prejudice - March 10 to April 3
Macbeth - Spring High School Project - April 6 to 10
Legends - April 20 to May 22

Buddy Wasisname and the Other Fellers on their ” Steady
Belt Tour”  will be performing in Brantford, ON at the Sanderson Centre
for the Performing Arts on Wednesday May 5, 2010 at 8:00 p.m.
 In 1986, Kevin Blackmore (Buddy), Ray Johnson and Wayne Chaulk started
touring full time throughout Canada, stopping in almost every town and
city.  Their humour always brings them back home to their roots.  All
three members hail from Newfoundland where they originally plied their
musical trade.  After quitting their jobs they hit the road performing
comedic novelty songs, traditional tunes, contemporary folk songs,
hilarious skits and comedic routines that leave their audiences in
stitches.

  Let it be known that the boys really do not need to leave their cosy
little sanctuaries at all. No sir. They have stashed away their winter
supplies of moose, berries, vegetables and favourite wines and do not need
to budge.

  However, despite the state of uncertainty and misery in this great land
they are going to tear themselves away from their realms of paradise and
launch out on a mission. Armed with ample doses of happy vaccines the boys
will cross the country, inoculating all those in need. Everyone is high
priority.  The vaccine will include old and proven material as well as
fresh and exciting additives to guarantee immunity against the blues and
the blahs.
 They keep coming up with fresh material, songs like ?The Cowboys Job?,
?The Prison Dance?, ?The Castor Lullaby?, laid back instrumentals and new
skits, monologues and recitations. The boys have two new recordings, as
well as the older 16 albums, three DVD?s and several Tee Shirt designs.
Tickets to see Buddy Wasisname and the Other Fellers are available by
visiting the Sanderson Centre box office located at 88 Dalhousie Street,
Brantford. Tickets can be ordered with a major credit card by calling
              (519) 758-8090         (519) 758-8090 or               1-800-265-0710         1-800-265-0710 or on-line at www.sandersoncentre.ca   

Liz Oden  Communications & Public Relations
88 Dalhousie Street, P.O. Box 1762,  Brantford N3T 5V7
http://www.sandersoncentre.ca
2009 Tourism Award Winners - Promotion & Marketing over 30,000
              519.752.9910         519.752.9910 ext. 202 /               1.800.265.0710         1.800.265.0710 /               519.752.1866         519.752.1866 fax
Take our programming survey at: http://www.surveymonkey.com
Be a fan of the Sanderson Centre on Facebook   http://www.facebook.com

Stratford Annual Swan Parade held on April 4^th, 20108 March 2010Stratford, ON One of Canada’s most unique events, Stratford’s Annual Swan Parade will take place on Sunday April 4 at 2:00 pm sharp at the Avon River. For many, the first sighting of a robin or two in their backyard is an indication that spring has arrived. For residents of Stratford and the surrounding area, the return of the swans to the Avon River is a truly festive celebration to announce the arrival of spring. This unusual event has become an annual tradition that attracts more and more visitors each year from as far away as US border states, Toronto, Windsor, London and Kitchener.  The Stratford Police Pipes and Drums will lead the swans from their Winter Quarters behind the William Allman Arena to the Avon River along a route lined with hundreds of onlookers. Additional assistance will be provided by members of the District Scouting Movement and City of Stratford Community Services staff. Tim Hortons, event sponsor, will generously provide complimentary coffee and timbits.  The lengthening daylight hours trigger a hormonal response in the swans and they need to get onto the river to establish their territories. You will see the mated pairs looking for their nest sites within hours of being released and the younger birds in the non-breeding herd will be engaged in a lot of flirtations. There will be 28 swans in this year’s parade.  The total herd is larger, but some additional breeding pairs must be held back so they can be transported to other nearby waterways. If too many breeding pairs are released, there will be territorial fights between rival males that can turn deadly. The parade will also include Chinese Geese, a Bar Headed Goose and one black swan. Plan to arrive early. The event is organized by Stratford’s Volunteer Civic Beautification and Environmental Awareness Committee who are encouraging people to walk or cycle to the parade. Parking is also available along Lakeside Drive in Stratford.  If you wish to feed the swans, keep in mind that they like greens and grains (not bread). Bags of dried corn can be purchased at Stratford Tourism Alliance throughout the season. For those interested in learning more about swans video clips depicting key moments in the life of the swans and more information are available at www.welcometostratford.com/swans .  Contact: Ted Blowes   519-393-5877Stratford Civic Beautification and Environmental Awareness CommitteeORCathy RehbergMarketing ManagerStratford Tourism Alliancewww.welcometostratford.com519-271-5140 or 800-561-SWAN

Brantford, ON? Comedian André-Philippe Gagnon will be performing in
Brantford, ON at the Sanderson Centre for the Performing Arts on Wednesday
June 2, 2010 at 8:00 p.m.

André-Philippe Gagnon was just a young hopeful when he did his very first
impressions… five years young! From Mick Jagger to Bob Dylan, The Bee
Gees to Frank Sinatra-almost better than the original! One of the biggest
breaks came in 1985 when he appeared at the world-renowned comedy festival
Just For Laughs in Montreal.

After that show, he was invited to appear on the Tonight Show with Johnny
Carson, where he performed a” signature” song, his version of the
famine-relief anthem “We Are The World”, doing every singer on the
song-eighteen famous voices in one composition.

The world discovered him, and he discovered the world performing in Los
Angeles, Paris, Switzerland and beyond.

André-Philippe Gagnon established his career in both English and French,
becoming recognized as a star in Canada and around the world. He toured
Europe receiving standing ovations wherever he went, and he continues to
share his talents with audiences in his adopted home Las Vegas.?

Tickets to see André-Philippe Gagnon are available by visiting the
Sanderson Centre box office located at 88 Dalhousie Street, Brantford.
Tickets can be ordered with a major credit card by calling               (519) 758-8090       
or               1-800-265-0710        www.sandersoncentre.ca
- 30 -
For further information on this release contact Liz Oden               (519) 752-9910        x
202 or loden@brantford.ca
 
Liz Oden  Communications & Public Relations
88 Dalhousie Street, P.O. Box 1762,  Brantford N3T 5V7
http://www.sandersoncentre.ca   http://www.facebook.com/sanderson.centre
2009 Tourism Award Winners - Promotion & Marketing over 30,000
              519.752.9910        ext. 202 /               1.800.265.0710        /               519.752.1866        fax
Take our programming survey at:    http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/D537ZQX

Ted and Marion Outerbridge have combined real life experiences with a
unique fusion of magic, dance, and theatre ? and the result is Magical
Moments in Time. This world-class illusion show has played to sold-out
houses and standing ovations across Canada and in Europe, reaching into
the minds and hearts of audiences and taking them on a magical journey
through time. Ted and Marion Outerbridge?s extensive touring schedule,
recent ?Touring Artist of the Year? nomination, and the fact that 90% of
theatre presenters bring them back within two seasons, make it clear that
they are the most popular illusion show with Canadian audiences.

Magical Moments in Time is a reflection of day-to-day life that the whole
family can relate to. Have you ever felt so absorbed by television that
you wonder where all the hours went? Marion climbs into a television and
then she is gone! Have you ever wished you could change something that
happened in the past? Ted and Marion travel back in time ? with the help
of a seven-foot-tall alarm clock ? and they bring the entire audience with
them: first they travel back to last year, then to the 1960s where Ted
impersonates a ?psychic? game show host, and finally by hundreds of years
where the audience is part of a medieval ritual.

The press in Europe has called Ted & Marion Outerbridge ?champions of
magic!? In Canada Magical Moments in Time has been hip enough to appear on
TV shows from Mystery Hunters to MuchMusic, important enough to make the
front pages from the Guelph Mercury to the National Post, and so powerful
that it has even been performed on the radio, from Country & Western to
CBC? no kidding!

In Ted and Marion Outerbridge?s Magical Moments in Time, comedy meets
mind-bending illusions, making for a uniquely bewitching and hilarious
evening of entertainment. Ted and Marion don?t just play the spotlight,
they come to life in it ? and then share it with audience members,
inviting them to experience the magic up close and on stage. Whether it?s
Ted changing places with Marion in a split second, or reading minds and
traveling invisibly to appear ?out of nowhere? in the middle of the
audience, Ted and Marion Outerbridge hold audiences spellbound and leave
them hungry for more.

Outerbridge - Magical Moments in Time
Sanderson Centre for the Performing Arts, 88 Dalhousie Street, Brantford
Saturday January 16, 2010 7:00 p.m.
Tickets are $28.00 for adults and $25.25 for students.
Tickets are available at the Sanderson Centre, 88 Dalhousie Street,
Brantford or by calling               519-758-8090         519-758-8090 or               1-800-265-0710         1-800-265-0710.
For more about the Ted and Marion Outerbridge Magical Moments in Time
Tour, or the team behind the magic, consult their website at
www.tedouterbridge.com.