Grant Tilly

So glad to announce that the one act musical I’ve written “Bingo Ladies”, will receive it’s World Premiere at Lunchbox Theatre in April of 2014. I grew up in Calgary always wanting to work with Lunchbox, so when Artistic Director Pamela Halstead contacted me last May asking if I could write a musical based on one of the ideas I’d submitted for their Stage One Development series I jumped at the chance. We had the workshop that June and I had an amazing time with the three actresses involved. And now… it’s hitting the boards! I love the description of the piece on their website:

Bingo is serious business. Rituals, good luck charms, superstitions. Friday night at the bingo hall is sacred. But are our three intrepid bingo ladies addicts, or just enthusiastic? How far are they willing to go to win? Bingo Ladies explores their lives with rousing musical numbers and shows us the humanity of the bingo hall.

I’m also working on a full length version of the musical, so stay tuned.

2013 is shaping up to be an exciting year, as I’ve been awarded a Canada Council Grant to write a new musical based on a true story that took place in the town of Port Rexton, NL. I spent the summer before last performing in Trinity with Rising Tide Theatre just across the bay from Port Rexton, and it is one of the most beautiful places in the world, with incredible people. So, if you’re reading this, and you’re a Canadian tax payer, thank YOU for making this possible and allowing me the time to write this project. I’ll still be doing the occasional singer/songwriter gig when I have a chance so keep an eye out for future gigs- I’d love to see you there!

So looking forward to a night of songs and stories with fellow ex prairie singer/songwriters David Hein and Jeff Straker on November 22nd (for details click on “upcoming shows” on the right. David, Jeff, and I began doing these nights years ago in Kensington Market and the show began taking on a life of it’s own. Interestingly enough, we’ve all had a string of successes since we started, with Jeff continuing to release many CD’s and touring internationally, and David continuing with his hilarious musical “My Mother’s Lesbian Jewish Wiccan Wedding”.  Hope you can make it out!

After a wonderful summer performing in an original Canadian musical in Port Dover as well as a few weeks visiting friends and family in Newfoundland, I’m happy to have landed back in Toronto in time to start rehearsals for “Romeo and Juliet (and Joni)” the newest piece by Artistic Director Jim Betts for Smile Theatre.  Since I moved to Toronto I’ve been wanting to do a Smile theatre tour, many artists I respect and friends have been a part of this company and they do important work: bringing theatre to seniors across Ontario who are restricted by physical limitations and aren’t able to get out to see a show like the rest of us.  I’ve been told it’s one of the most rewarding jobs you can have.  So far, we’ve had Shakespearean sword fights with umbrellas, I’ve rehearsed my first death scene, and Paul Mills (one of our music directors for the project) has been teaching to play the Ukulele.  All in all it’s going to be a fun show.

Also the Three Guys from the Prairies are gearing up for another show this November- really looking forward to playing with these guys again.  Click the link on the right to learn more.

We’re deep into rehearsals now for the new musical “Rum Runners” written by Derek Ritschel and Steve Thomas.  This five person show is set in 1929 Port Dover and is based on the lake Erie boot legging trade, and we’re having a great time with it.  Rehearsing a show that takes place in the town you’re performing in is an added bonus, with tons of local history and stories to draw on.  Our first show is on the 7th of August, so come on down to Port Dover, spend the afternoon on the beach and make your way two blocks to the lighthouse festival theatre to see our show!

Heading to Calgary soon for the workshop of a new one act musical I’m writing called “Bingo Ladies!”.  So glad to be heading home to see family and friends and to work with some amazing people on this new idea.  Have you ever gone to Bingo?  I spent many years growing up volunteering for groups I was involved in and working the bingo floor.  I became fascinated by the people, their good luck charms, and the way the seemed to remain eerily calm even after winning a thousand dollars.  My bingo thoughts will be coming together in the workshop of the musical with the wonderful Lunchbox Theatre in Calgary.  Click here for specific info on the workshop.

Wednesday May 30th, at 9pm at the Cameron house, looking forward to sharing the stage with my fellow Prairie ex-pats once again! David Hein is a fellow Singer/Songwriter and Musical theatre writer (writer of the huge hit “My Mother’s Lesbian Jewish Wiccan Wedding” and Jeffrey Straker has become an international touring sensation since we started our little songwriting circles a few years back.  It’s been a year since our last sold out show in Toronto– hope you can make it.  Click on the event to the right for more details.

Week one of Love Notwithstanding is done, and you only have one more week to catch this show.  We’ve had a review from Mooney on Theatre, you can read the full review on their website, but a few excerpts:

“The dialogue is heartfelt and honest. Tilly’s characters are well-crafted and the writing is intelligent and humorous.”

“Sarah English as Jenna, is calm, collected, controlled and candid. Natural and real, English has a lovely stage charm. Tilly as the unattached yet sensitive Chris is the perfect contrast of energy and impulsivity, bursting with uncertainty about life and his career. Both Tilly and English show great chemistry, creating believable roles.”

“Love Notwithstanding is a play about making authentic connections, making choices and sometimes having to make sacrifices. A consummate artist, Grant Tilly creates for us a sweet and endearing play.”

Check it out if you can, just a week to go!  www.lovenotwithstanding.com

And away we go!  The play I’ve written (which I also happen to be in) has it’s first preview May 9th, with our official opening May 20th at the Red Sandcastle theatre on Queen East. We’ve worked hard on this new play, and it’s been so incredibly interesting playing a role that you’ve written (and sometimes, sort of forgetting that you’ve written it when you’re concentrating on being an actor). I am incredibly proud of what this show has become.  You can RSVP your tickets at 416 845-9411.  See you there!

Our pre-production work is almost done, I just finished a re-write, and in just a few days we’ll be going into rehearsals for my new play, “Love Notwithstanding”, which will open May 9th at the Red Sandcastle Theatre.  To say I’m looking forward to this play hitting the boards would be a bit of an understatment; I’ve been working on it for a few years now, it had a workshop through Talk is Free Theatre, and and now it feels ready.  Go to our website www.lovenotwithstanding.com for more info on the show, cast, and tickets.