Illustration from Down the Drain. Copyright © 2009 by Michael Martchenko
About the Play
Based on the stories of Robert Munsch, devised by James Simon and the Second Year Class.
Directed by James Simon*
Music composed by Stephan Ermel
George Brown’s 37th children’s show returns to the much-loved world of Robert Munsch. Our theatre-for-young-audience shows have introduced tens of thousands of Toronto children to the magic of live theatre over the past three decades. The author of over 45 books, Robert Munsch’s knack for making young people smile, giggle, and want to read his stories over and over again, has made him Canada’s best-selling author. A fun and energy-filled hour of story, music, and dance with many of Munsch’s most popular stories. This year features Aaron’s Hair, Down the Drain, Lighthouse, and Something Good
LOCATION
Young Centre for the Performing Arts
50 Tank House Lane, Toronto, ON M5A 3C4
Running Time:
~50 min (no intermission)
School/Group Shows
November 27, 28 & December 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 — 10:30 a.m. and 1:00 p.m.
COST: School/Group (10+) Bookings: $10/child. No charge to supervisors at a 10 to 1 ratio. $10/supervisor above 10 to 1 ratio.
Open to the Public Shows
Friday, November 29 — 10:30am and 1:00pm
Saturday, November 30 — 10:30am and 1:00pm
Saturday, December 7 — 10:30am and 1:00pm
COST: Public Bookings: Children under 12: $12, Adults: $27.
Director James Simon*
James Simon is a director and acting instructor. He holds an M.A. from the University of Alberta, B.A. from McGill University, and has studied at the Banff Centre. He has recently returned to school, studying at the University of Toronto. As an instructor, Mr. Simon has taught at the University of Alberta - Department of Drama, MacEwan University (Edmonton), Theatre Ontario, and the Citadel Theatre. Directing credits include productions at the National Arts Centre; the Citadel Theatre; Tarragon Theatre; Young People's Theatre; Blyth Festival; Buddies in Bad Times (Dora nomination); Stage West; Theatre Network; Carousel Players; Theatre on the Move; University of Alberta - Department of Drama; Berkeley Street Theatre; and George Brown Theatre. Mr. Simon has been on the teaching staff of the Theatre School for thirty years and was the Artistic Director & Program Coordinator from 2000 - 2017.
Music Composed by Stephan Ermel, Lyrics by Stephan Ermel & the George Brown Class
Stephan Ermel is the vocal music instructor for George Brown and a music director, musician, actor and educator. He is the Resident Music Director of YES Theatre in Sudbury, a graduate of the George Brown Theatre School, and holds an Associate Diploma from the Royal Conservatory of Music.
George Brown: Carnival of Munsch, New World, Witch of Edmonton, It's Munsch Time; The Grand: Grow; Talk is Free: Sweeney Todd, Mahagonny Songspiel; Hart House: Legally Blonde; YES Theatre: Into the Woods, James and the Giant Peach, Mamma Mia, The Sound of Music, Merrily We Roll Along, Billy Elliot.
Creatives
Michael Panich*, Stage Manager
George Brown Theatre School: The Corsican Complaint, Love & Information, The Witch of Edmonton, Three Sisters & Co, Metamorphoses, Planet Munsch, You Never Can Tell, Munsch Goes to School, Munsch-o-Mania, Munsch All Over, A Midsummer Night’s Dream. Elsewhere: Suddenly Shakespeare, A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Shakespeare in Action), The Rainbow Fish, Stella-Queen of the Snow (Mermaid Theatre of Nova Scotia), Stories from Ovid’s Metamorphoses (Theatre Smith-Gilmour), The Hound of the Baskervilles (Lighthouse Festival Theatre), Canada in Love, Remember that Song, The Legend of Dan McGrew (Smile Theatre). Michael graduated from Concordia University’s theatre program in 2008. In addition to stage managing, Michael is also a production manager, actor and set/light designer.
Brandon Kleiman, Set Design
Brandon is a set and costume designer based in Hamilton with work appearing on stages across Canada. He’s had the pleasure to design at The Stratford Festival, Drayton Entertainment, Mirvish Productions, Theatre Aquarius, The Grand Theatre, Musical Stage Co., Canadian Stage Co., The Globe Theatre, Neptune Theatre and countless other independent companies across our country. Up next you can find his work in: Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (Young Peoples Theatre), A Christmas Story: The Musical (Theatre Aquarius) and A Christmas Carol: The Panto (Drayton Entertainment). He'll be back in Toronto early next year with FAT HAM at Canadian Stage. Brandon is a multiple Dora award nominee and two time winner. He also won a Merritt Award for his work bringing Viola Desmond to life in the world premier of Controlled Damage in Halifax. For more information, and to see his portfolio, please visit his website.
SIOBHÁN SLEATH, LIGHTING DESIGN
Siobhán is happy to be back at George Brown Theatre to design Engaged. She’s also worked with the School on 3 Sisters & Co.,The Learned Ladies, Caucasian Chalk Circle, Machinal, Calvalcade, Lady Windermere’s Fan and three Munsch Shows.
Other recent shows include: Ann (Arkansas Rep Theatre);The Horse and His Boy,Wilde Tales (Shaw Festival); Miracle on 34thStreet, A Year with Frog and Toad, Shrek and The Addams Family (Neptune Theatre); Steel City Gangster andOn a First Name Basis (Theatre Aquarius);Les Liaisons Dangereuses and Avenue Q (Sudbury Theatre Centre; and Elegies: A Song Cycle (Acting Up Stage). She is the Associate Lighting Designer on the Canadian production of Come from Away.
More information can be found on her website: www.siobhansleathdesign.com
Sim Suzer, Costume Design
Recent Design Work: Costume Design and Associate Set Design for Everybody (Shaw Festival), Associate Costume Design for Three Women from Swatow (Tarragon Theatre), Set and Costume Design for Untamed (XU). Stratford Festival 2021: Assistant Set and Costume Design for Romeo and Juliet. Shaw Festival 2020: Assistant Costume Design for Gypsy, Assistant Set Design for Devil’s Disciple. Shaw Festival 2019: Assistant Set and Costume Design for Horse and His Boy, The Ladykillers, Victory, Holiday Inn. Design Work 2019: Costume Designer for Water Wonder (Carousel Players), Set and Costume Designer for Play House (Shaw Festival), Set and Costume Designer for The Subjection of Kezia and Poof! (Shaw Festival), Set and Costume Designer for Journey to the Greatest Gift (L’Arche Daybreak), Costume Designer for Good Morning, Viet Mom (Cahoots Theatre).
Online: https://www.simsuzer.com/
Scott Banks, Sound Design
Scott is a freelance production manager, technical director, and sound designer in the GTA. Scott attended the University of Waterloo, earning a Bachelor’s degree in technical theatre. Since those days, he has been around the world and back, working on cruise ships for 7 years in the production department. He has worked in the corporate and music sectors with companies such as PSAV, Freeman AV, Snap Hoek and PRG. His real love is theatre though, and he has been involved with various theatres around the country, from Watermark Theatre in PEI (Production Manager, Canada 300 national tour), to Manitoba Theatre for Young People in Winnipeg, MB (Interim Production Manager, 2013-2014 season) to 4th Line Theatre in Millbrook, ON (Production Manager). This is Scott’s 8th season with George Brown Theatre School, and he is happy to be back to help these young theatre artists as they grow and learn.
Cast
- Cédric Brouillette
- Bella Castillo
- Philip Diamond
- Jaiden French
- Jonny Ingley
- Kimia Kalantari
- Ian Lake
- Ricardo Mckinson
- Siobhán McMahon
- Shaylynn McMaster
- Jack Mosney
- Kaleb Piper
- Katya Podlesnaia
- Dale Rideout
- Eva Rodne
- Rachel Selby
- Bianca Soskic
- Jenae Toorie
- Diana SofÌa Torres González
- Chrisevina Tsoura
Credits & Acknowledgements
Production Staff
- Properties Master: David Hoekstra
- Assistant Director: Emma Nelles
- Assistant Stage Manager: Sarah Flanigan
- Set Carpenter: Andy DeVries
- Set Painter: Paul Boddum
- Wardrobe Assistant: Barbara Morrone-Sanchez
- Stitcher: Victoria Bruer
- Movement Coach: Suzanne Liska
- Voice Coach: Debora Joy
- Speech Coach: Michael Armstrong
- Choreographer: Bob McCollum
- Music Vocal Coach: Stephan Ermel
- Social Media Coordinator: Juan-Carlos Figueroa
Staff for George Brown Theatre
- Chair: Trent Scherer
- Program Coordinator: Sue Miner
- Support Coordinator: Michael Longstaff
- Production Manager: Scott Banks
- Assistant Technical Director: Tim Moore
- Head of Wardrobe: Ina Kerklaan
Thank you to our friends in the community
- Jasmine Knox, Julia Carrano, Corey MacVicar and Soulpepper Theatre.
*The participation of these Artists is arranged by permission of the Canadian Actors’ Equity Association under the provisions of the Dance.Opera.Theatre Policy (DOT).
Based on the following books:
Aaron’s Hair. Text copyright © 2000 by Bob Munsch Enterprises Ltd. Illustrations © copyright 2000 by Alan and Lea Daniel;
Down the Drain! Text copyright © 2009 by Bob Munsch Enterprises Ltd. Illustrations copyright © 2009 by Michael Martchenko.
Lighthouse: A Story of Remembrance. Text copyright © 2006 by Bob Munsch Enterprises Ltd. Illustrations copyright © 2006 by Janet Wilson. All rights reserved. Published by Scholastic Canada Ltd.
Something Good © 1990 by Bob Munsch Enterprises Ltd; Illustrations copyright © 1990 by Michael Martchenko; published by Annick Press.
