Posts Tagged ‘Stratford Festival’

POP LIFE ENCORE: AN IN-DEPTH INTERVIEW WITH MUSICIAN HARRY CONNICK JR!

For our July 4, 2020 encore presentation of “Pop Life” we welcome  Harry Connick Jr., a musician who first performed in public when he was just five years old and is still making music, most recently releasing an album of interpretations of classic standards called “True Love: A Celebration of Cole Porter.” Connick Jr stops by the Pop Life bar to talks about his earliest musical memories, the massive success of his When Harry Met Sally soundtrack, how he narrowed down Cole Porter’s library of hundreds of songs to the 13 that appear on the record and more!

Then, Antoni Cimolino, the Stratford Festival’s Artistic Director, Simon Rivard, RBC Resident Conductor of the Toronto Symphony Orchestra and Conductor of the Toronto Symphony Youth Orchestra and Alina Solomon the Chef/owner of the restaurant Tutti Matti, and also a wizard of classic Italian cooking, break down why the classics ae not only important but often just as timely today as when they were first created.

Here’s a sample of Connick on the show: “I remember the feeling of going into the record stores when my first couple albums came out. I would I would say, “Hey, any new any new jazz record selling?” They would say, “No, not really.” I’m like, “What about any jazz piano players?” But when When Harry Met, Sally came out, that was a complete game changer.”

Watch the whole thing HERE! (link coning soon)

Film critic and pop culture historian Richard Crouse shares a toast with celebrity guests and entertainment pundits every week on CTV News Channel’s exciting talk show POP LIFE.

Featuring in-depth discussion and debate on pop culture and modern life, POP LIFE features sit-down interviews with celebrities from across the entertainment world, including rock legends Sting and Meat Loaf, musicians Josh Groban and Sarah Brightman, comedian Ken Jeong, writer Fran Lebowitz, superstar jazz musician Diana Krall, stand-up comedian and CNN host W. Kamau Bell, actors Danny DeVito and Jay Baruchel, celebrity chefs Bobby Flay and Nigella Lawson, and many more.

Coming Soon: Q&A with Barry Avrich & screening of “Antony and Cleopatra.”

Screen Shot 2015-05-07 at 5.51.46 PMStratford Festival’s Antony and Cleopatra starring Geraint Wyn Davies and Yanna McIntosh premières May 21 in cinemas throughout Canada, U.S.

The steamy story of a midlife affair that shook the foundations of the ancient world comes to vivid life in the Stratford Festival production of Shakespeare’s Antony and Cleopatra, starring Geraint Wyn Davies and Yanna McIntosh as the powerful rulers whose insatiable love leads to the greatest of tragedies. Director Gary Griffin paints an unforgettable landscape depicting the devastation wrought by the heart’s transgressions.

Filmed in spectacular HD under the direction of Barry AvrichAntony and Cleopatra premières in cinemas throughout Canada and the U.S. on May 21. The Canadian encore screening is on June 7. U.S. encore dates vary. For more information visit www.stratfordfestival.ca/HD.

“Yanna McIntosh makes Cleopatra the consummate sexual manipulator, 

proud of her talents, furious when they fail her.”

Robert Cushman, National Post

“Geraint Wyn Davies offers us an Antony of boundless charm and eternal optimism.”

Richard Ouzounian, Toronto Star

Antony and Cleopatra reminds us that sexuality is all too often wasted on the young. 

Its hero and heroine are old enough to know better. Nonetheless, they crash and burn

in a sea of intense, obsessive, sexual desire — before our very eyes.”

Robert Reid, The Record

Antony and Cleopatra has two of Shakespeare’s most soaring characters, 

and the kind of final love-death sequence that great art thrives on.”

Richard Ouzounian, Toronto Star

Antony and Cleopatra is produced by Melbar Entertainment Group in association with the Stratford Festival, Artistic Director Antoni Cimolino, and Executive Producers Barry AvrichAnita Gaffney and Michael A. Levine.

This production is part of a massive initiative by the Stratford Festival, North America’s leading classical theatre company, to capture all of Shakespeare’s plays over the next 10 years. The series, which began with the Stratford Festival’s critically acclaimed production of King Lear in February, followed by King John in April and now Antony and Cleopatra, will ultimately create the first North American collection of the complete works of William Shakespeare.

One night, two events. POV 3rd Street Gala and “King John” Q&A

Screen Shot 2015-04-10 at 10.15.26 AMOne night, two events. Richard hosted two events on Thursday April 9: the POV 3rd Street Gala and “King John” Q&A.

ABOUT POV 3rd STREET: Established in 2007 by members of the film, TV, and commercial production industries who were interested in increasing access to employment in their community and broadening its diversity. We are dedicated to assisting at risk young adults (18-25) gain the skills and experience needed to secure jobs and have long-term careers in the media industry. We run four programs: The Media Training Program, The 3rd Street (Critical Thinking) Program), The Job Placement Program, and the Alumni Support Program. Learn more HERE! Telling their stories at the POV 3Rd Street Gala were directors Sudz Sutherland, Jennifer Holness, Warren P. Sonoda and actors Zoie Palmer, Ennis Esmer, Tara Spencer Nairn, Katie Boland and Natalie Brown. 

Screen Shot 2015-04-10 at 10.18.33 AMABOUT KING JOHN: When the rule of a hedonistic and mercurial king is questioned, rebellion, assassination and excommunication ensue, culminating in a chilling attempt to commit an atrocity against a child, whose mother’s anguished grief cannot atone for her blinkered ambitions for her son.

Don’t miss this rare opportunity to see Shakespeare’s King John, in a magnificent production by the renowned Stratford Festival, North America’s leading classical theatre company, whose HD production of King Lear, directed by Artistic Director Antoni Cimolino and starring Colm Feore, opened to rave reviews last month.

With commanding performances by Tom McCamusSeana McKennaGraham Abbey and Patricia CollinsKing John was directed by Tim Carroll, whose recent Shakespeare productions of Richard III and Twelfth Night were the toast of Broadway.

Filmed in spectacular HD under the direction of Barry AvrichKing John will be in cinemas across Canada on Thursday, April 9, and throughout the U.S.on Wednesday, April 8. The Canadian encore screening is on April 12. U.S. encore dates vary. For more information click HERE! Richard hosted a Q&A with director and Tony nominee Tim Carroll, Stratford Festival artistic director Antoni Cimolino, actor Tom McCamus and film director Barry Avrich. 

Richard will host a “King John” Q&A at Cineplex on April 9, 2015!

Screen Shot 2015-03-16 at 4.14.04 PMWhen the rule of a hedonistic and mercurial king is questioned, rebellion, assassination and excommunication ensue, culminating in a chilling attempt to commit an atrocity against a child, whose mother’s anguished grief cannot atone for her blinkered ambitions for her son.

Don’t miss this rare opportunity to see Shakespeare’s King John, in a magnificent production by the renowned Stratford Festival, North America’s leading classical theatre company, whose HD production of King Lear, directed by Artistic Director Antoni Cimolino and starring Colm Feore, opened to rave reviews last month.

With commanding performances by Tom McCamusSeana McKennaGraham Abbey and Patricia CollinsKing John was directed by Tim Carroll, whose recent Shakespeare productions of Richard III and Twelfth Night were the toast of Broadway.

Filmed in spectacular HD under the direction of Barry AvrichKing John will be in cinemas across Canada on Thursday, April 9, and throughout the U.S. on Wednesday, April 8. The Canadian encore screening is on April 12. U.S. encore dates vary. For more information visit www.stratfordfestival.ca/HD

“Deliciously contemporary.” J. Kelly Nestruck, The Globe and Mail

“Tom McCamus plays King John, rivetingly, as a neurotic narcissist. It’s a daring performance.” Robert Cushman, National Post

“This sublime King John has a remarkable intimacy, crystallized by the formidable actor Graham Abbey, whose relationship with the audience becomes one of the closest I’ve ever seen in a Shakespearean drama.” Chris Jones, Chicago Tribune

“The action is riveting, the political machinations delicious and all the performers, 

royal or otherwise, take great delight in the parts they’re playing.” Richard Ouzounian, Toronto Star