Grant Tilly Singer/Songwriter - Grant Tilly - News

We hit a million

Thu, 24 Jun 2010 00:00:00 -0700

Jersey Boys Toronto hit a million audience members today. Who would have thought a year and a half ago when we started out that the show would still be going so wrong and end up with over a million bums in seats... well, the producers, I guess. Congrats to our one millionth customer who's headed down to New York for a weekend to see the Jersey Boys on Broadway. Hope everyone out there is having a great summer and staying out of the heat!

red Fightin' Blue-- Barrie

Tue, 04 May 2010 00:00:00 -0700

This Friday, my musical, Red Fightin' Blue opens at Talk is Free Theatre in Barrie. I was up in Barrie (at the Foxx lounge, a bar and music venue in downtown where the show is being performed) to attend the last rehearsal I could before opening, and the show is going to be a blast. What an interesting experience to have so many people working on your show, and to only be the playwright (usually I'm also the producer, or co-director, or whatever it takes to get the show up and running). I think that's why it's been so great to turn this show over to a great team, and just drop in every once in awhile to see how things are going. Red Fightin' Blue previews this Thursday, and then runs May 7th to 15th-- hope you can make it!

Blue Jays home opener and Stars come out Gala

Wed, 21 Apr 2010 00:00:00 -0700

Had a great time a few weeks ago, as some fellow Jersey Boys and I were invited to sing the Canadian and US national anthems for the home opener. What a blast, singing in crazy harmony for 46 thousand people-- Live! And, very cool to watch the game from the "Comfort zone" (four lazy boy seats front row-- never been that close for a game). Also, gearing up to join three other Jersey Boys cast members to head up to the "Stars come out Gala", the annual benefit for Theatre by the Bay, always a good time with an amazing group of people. And it's spring... life is good.

Happy Holidays

Sun, 20 Dec 2009 00:00:00 -0800

Wanted to wish everyone a happy holidays. The other day, eight Jersey Boys Toronto Company members and I were singing at the EZ Rock radio station here in Toronto, and I thought you might enjoy a listen, just follow the link!: http://www.ezrock.com/media/1039910

Otherwise, things keep rolling along. I've started in on re-writing Red Fighting Blue, and the process has begun on a new album of my original songs. And of course, Jersey Boys continues as crowds keep coming in! And I'd better go... I'm on for Norm today...

My Side of the Country demo

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 00:00:00 -0800

Just last friday I picked up the demo for a new show I've written for families about Canada, My Side of the Country. We had a great workshop of the piece this summer, but as usually happens after a workshop you wind up asking, "Okay, what happens now". I'm very grateful that Levon Ichkhanian stepped in to produce an excellent demo of the show. With only 8 hours of studio time, the cast pulled off some magic and captured the energy of what makes this show so much fun. Thanks as well to Greg Kolchinsky at Trubbleclef Studios for making it sound so good. And now... the real work begins.

On a side note, I've started getting back into the open mics... a CD is in the works!

Red Fightin' Blue and a musical workshop

Sat, 08 Aug 2009 00:00:00 -0700

I've just realized that it's been 8 months since I've updated this website, time seems to be going by quickly-- it's been a bit bizarre to be in one place for so long after so much moving around! Having a great time with Jersey Boys, how great to be able to sit down and do such a great piece of theatre.

The other great thing about being in one place is the chance to get some work done. Just last month there was a workshop of my new musical for kids, My Side of the Country through Scriptlab, a group that develops musical theatre. Thanks to a great group of people I had a chance to see the show up on its feet. More news on that show to come.

Also, coming up next year, Talk is Free Theatre will be producing a new version of my show, The Christian Republican Fundraiser in Dayton Tennessee under the name Red Fightin' Blue in May 2010. Check out their website at www.tift.ca for more info!

"Oh What a Year!"--Jersey Boys Canadian National Company

Wed, 31 Dec 2008 00:00:00 -0800

What a difference a year makes. Exactly a year ago, I started my first day of rehearsal with Roseneath Theatre for Chris Craddock's "Wrecked!", a play for Teenagers about Alcoholism which toured the United States from Tacoma, WA to New Hampshire and down to North Carolina. Then it was up to Sudburry for "The Buddy Holly Story" to play Ritchie Valens and do some guitar and hip swayin' at the Sudbury Theatre Centre-- some great work with great people. After Buddy, the process began to put together my Musical "The Christian Republican Fundraiser in Dayton Tennessee" for the Toronto Fringe in July, which, thanks to a talented cast and creative team, ended up getting killer reviews and being a hit of the fringe, and then going on to be remounted at the Diesel Playhouse for the Best of Fringe (see the press page for reviews).
In August it was to Kingston to play Roy in the new Canadian Musical "Anne and Gilbert" which later toured across Ontario. I also hit the road with Jeff Straker and David Hein as our Singer/Songwriter group "Three Guys from the Prairies" toured music venues and house concerts across Ontario, from Picton to Manitoulin Island.
And lastly, I became a member of the Canadian National Company of the Jersey Boys. What an amazing opportunity to work with some incredibly talented people on a knock-out show. I'll be playing Bob Gaudio as we perform live at Nathan Phillips Square tonight, which is going to be a blast.
It's been great to work with and meet so many talented people in one year-- I have been blessed. All the best to everyone for a great 2009.

Anne and Gilbert tour

Tue, 07 Oct 2008 00:00:00 -0700

We're going into week three of the Anne and Gilbert tour-- so far we've seen some incredible historic theatres across Ontario, from Huntsville, to Lindsay, to North Bay. This week we're mostly around Toronto, hitting the Rose theatre in Brampton, and then Barrie and Markham. People seem to love this show-- and it's great to be home and hear so much on the radio and see our billboard on the highway heading into Toronto.

The Three Guys from the Prairies tour was a great success too, hitting everywhere from Picton to Sault Ste Marie to Manitoulin Island. The guys and I are looking at our schedules and seeing whens the next time we can all hit the road...

When the A and G tour ends next week, I'll be heading back to Calgary for some time with my father, and of course for a wedding-- one of my best friends from back in the day is getting married!

And... I have other news, but I'm just waiting now for everything to be confirmed, but I'll post the info as soon as I know...

Three Guys from the Prairies Ontario tour

Thu, 11 Sep 2008 00:00:00 -0700

The three guys from the Prairies are heading out! Tonight Hamilton, then Manitoulin Island, Sault Ste. Marie and South River (near North Bay). I've had a great time playing with these guys in Picton, Ottawa, and last night at the Bread and Circus in Toronto. Both Jeff Straker and David Hein are fantastic performers and musicians-- AND good driving company, which will be important as there's a lot of road between here and Manitoulin...
Afterwards-- a quick stop down to New York city for a good friend's wedding, and a chance to check out the New York Musical Theatre Festival for a few days. I've spent most of my life making a living in Musical Theatre and have yet to see a show down there, so it's about time. Then, on the 23rd of September Anne and Gilbert resumes it's tour of Ontario. I'll post the dates of the tour in the Calendar, we're playing quite a few centres near Toronto as well.

Anne and Gilbert at the Grand Theatre in Kingston

Tue, 19 Aug 2008 00:00:00 -0700

The Fringe was amazing. And crazy, insane, so it's nice to be out in Kingston for a few weeks doing "Anne and Gilbert" the musical sequel to "Anne of Green Gables". We opened this past friday to a great review, and will run until August 30th-- check the website for more details http://www.1000islandsplayhouse.com/anne&gilbert.htm
Great to do a great show and be able to jump in the St. Lawrence every day.
Later in September, we'll take the show on the road from September 22 to Oct 11 around Ontario.
So in the break... I'm hitting the road with The "Three Guys from the Prairies". We'll be spending a good part of three weeks touring around Ontario, hope you can make it out to one.