Things better left unsaid

After Chicago, Rob Roy Musical To Play Toronto March-April 2009; Cariou Directs

By Kenneth Jones
December 16, 2008

Rob Roy The Musical, the new musical based on the legendary 18th-century Scottish hero, will make its Canadian premiere at Toronto's Elgin Theatre in March 2009 following its North American debut in Chicago.

The musical is directed by Tony Award winner Len Cariou, with book, music and lyrics by David Warrack.

( Read more... )

Judge sides with Mirvish in dispute over theatres

August 20, 2008
Bruce DeMara
Entertainment Reporter

An Ontario Superior Court judge has rejected an injunction Dancap Productions sought to block the sale of two downtown theatres, paving the way for their sale to rival Mirvish Productions.

Mr. Justice Geoffrey Morawetz issued his much-awaited decision yesterday following a hearing in June in which Dancap argued the Canon and Panasonic theatres on Yonge St. should not be sold by U.S.-based Key Brand Entertainment to Mirvish Productions.

"The important thing is that this (ruling) establishes Key Brand's right to sell us the theatres and it establishes our right to buy," said theatre impresario David Mirvish.

( Read more... )

Dancap Will Bring Fonzie, The Grinch and Anne of Green Gables to Toronto in 2009

By Kenneth Jones
May 20, 2008

Dancap Productions will co-produce the Toronto return of the beloved Canadian musical Anne of Green Gables, present Happy Days, A New Musical, and stage a resident Canadian production of Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas! in 2009.

Aubrey Dan, president of Dancap Productions, made the announcement May 20 at the Main Stage at the Toronto Centre for the Arts, where Dan has a long-term agreement to present and produce major productions — tours and shows he produces and co-produces.

The national tour of Happy Days, the new musical by Garry Marshall and Paul Williams, based on Marshall's famous TV sitcom, will arrive in February 2009.

Dancap will co-produce the Charlottetown Festival's Anne of Green Gables, based on the beloved "girl book" about a red-headed orphan on Prince Edward Island. It will begin in May 2009.

( Read more... )

Mirvish Plans to Buy Toronto's Canon and Panasonic Theatres; Dancap Bristles

By Kenneth Jones
May 8, 2008

Toronto producer David Mirvish is adding some real estate to his Ontario theatre empire. The man who already owns and programs the Princess of Wales and the Royal Alexandra Theatre has reached an agreement to purchase the Canon Theatre and the Panasonic Theatre.

He will buy the Toronto venues from Key Brand Entertainment, the parties announced. Mirvish productions have a history in the opulent Canon, first known as the Pantages, where The Phantom of the Opera reigned for many years.

Built in 1920, the Canon has been programmed and operated by Mirvish since Sept. 1, 2001, when he entered into a long-term lease for the building with the landlord SFX (which subsequently became Clear Channel and then Live Nation). The 2,300-seat venue was sold by Live Nation in January 2008 to New York-based Key Brand Entertainment.

( Read more... )