Grant Tilly: News

Arrived in Morrisburg on Monday night to start rehearsals for the upcoming production of "A Christmas Carol" at the Upper Canada Playhouse. Growing up in Calgary, I would go to the production of this Christmas classic every year at theatre Calgary, and I'm looking forward to doing my first version here, with a great and intimate adaptation.
Morrisburg is nice, it's the furthest east I've been in Ontario (this continues to be my "year to get to know Ontario" it seems, after hitting Port Carling, Barrie, and Collingwood), and the country's beautiful. Hope to get up to Ottowa and maybe skate a canal...

Every time I come back to Toronto it's like hearing a boxing ring bell in my head... sort of a "here we go again" kind of feeling... after only a couple of years here I've spent enough time coming and going that I'm probably getting up there for the number of rounds.
Had a great trip home, caught up with friends, did the requisite mountain visit, saw some theatre (Mice and Men- Theatre Calgary, and My Narrator at Lunchbox, both great productions) and between hanging out with my Dad and us tearing apart the backyard, managed to get some writing done. And now, back at it again. I have a lot of writing projects on the go, so we'll just have to see what the next bit brings.

Decided to go back to Calgary for a few weeks and visit my Dad, it's Calgary's version of fall: slightly earlier, with only yellows and orange leaves (no reds). I love it. Coming back here always makes me re-evaluate things (especially these days)-- carreer wise, I started this website about a year and a half ago, planning to continue on the path of Singer/Songwriting, almost immediately after which I went for a long stretch of employement in Musical theatre, a hell of a good time. Now, things seem to have turned to writing. This is a good change-- I think Joni Mitchell called it crop rotation, she'd do music and then switch to painting for awhile... keeps things fertile. Hopefully this theory works, or maybe I'll have to wait for the next rotation. Anyways, it's good to be back.

Closing night tonight of Playing our song-- I'm happy to say that I've "done" Collingwood, swam in Georgian Bay, did the blue mountain, saw the Elvii, enjoyed the Espresso Post, all while doing a great show with some wonderful people. Thanks to Steve and Irene for running such a great theatre company in this town. Tomorrow some friends are coming up to go to Wasaga beach, their swinging by and then it's back to Toronto! Looking forward to getting down to work.

We're opening "They're Playing our Song" at the Gayety Theatre here in Collingwood tonight. Having a wonderful time with a great cast, and it's great to work with a Neil Simon book. But a couple of weeks rehearsal goes by so fast! Looking forward to the show being up and getting to see a bit of Collingwood and taking a dip in Georgian Bay.

I saw the King of Rock 'n Roll yesterday; he was in his Cadillac turning onto Hurontario street in downtown Collingwood. It's the annual Elvis Festival here and they expect something like 70,000 people and plenty of Elvi to descend on Collingwood over the next few days. Kind of strange to find yourself in the middle of it while rehearsing a different show-- They're Plauing our Song-- for theatre Collingwood. Just arrived and dove into rehearsals Monday after closing "Pump Boys" in Port Carling on Sunday afternoon-- The Muskoka will be missed, there's some great people there, but here in Collingwood, they do have Elvis...

We've been open for a week now here in Port Carling, and we have a really great show on our hands-- but the weather's been too good-- and people aren't leaving their cottages on the lakes. So, it's your last chance, come out and see a great show, we have matinees this week at 3 on wednesday and Saturday, and at 2 on Sunday, with night shows at 8 Wednesday, Friday and Saturday. Hope to see you there.

I've been in Muskoka (Port Carling) about 2 weeks now, and things have been quite nice. The rehearsals are going well, but it's the lakes that are amazing! Just the other night the cast of "Pump Boys" was invited out for a night at a cottage at one of these many lakes, and a whole summer's worth of BBQ and swimming was had. I've made it a goal to swim as often as possible while I'm here, to the point of sometimes diving into Lake Muskoka after rehearsal.
Not that all this talk of lakes is should overshadow the cast. Pump Boys is coming along incredibly well and ahead of schedule, probably because we have some incredibly talented musicians and actors on board. It's one of those shows that is meant to be fun, and it really is-- stop by and see it, check the calendar for the website.

It's strange, but the two weeks I've had here in Toronto have been far busier than when I was working in Barrie. A lot has been done: wrote two songs for a prospective show, got a lot of "business" stuff done, started the prep work for Pump Boys-- it's so nice to be playing guitar again!- and saw as much theatre as I could. By the way, if you have a chance, go see SARSical, the musical playing at the Factory-- it's been a long time since I've laughed that hard in a show.
Wednesday I'm off to Port Carling to start rehearsals for Pump Boys and Dinettes, should be great to take in some nature, as well as have some family come out for it.

First off, we opened Emily in Barrie Saturday night, to much success. It's great, I get to sing the title song in the opening... and then die. But it is a truly beautiful song (and hey, I come back for a visit later anyways).
One other opening happened last night in Toronto at Hart House: the annual DQ Casey House Fundraiser, this year called, "Lucky Lady". In the fall, I was commisioned by the shows director Graham Maxwell to write a fitting tribute for Casey House and why the DQ troup performs the show. The result has been "A light in the Window" which received it's innagural performance last night. Sadly, I couldn't be there. Emily shows conflict on every single day of the DQ shows... I start to complain, and then I remember that I'm a working actor, still it would have been nice to be there. DQ runs this week May 23rd- 27th, (with a matinee of Saturday) at Hart House Theatre.

Here I am in "the hive", the student residences for Georgian College here in Barrie that Talk is Free rents for it's actors. Somehow, I've had the good fortune to stay with five women of the cast in the dorms... I've enjoyed waking up to the two lovely dancers doing pilates in living room the other morning, and the late night conversations fascinating... an education.
Come see the show! From what I understand we're almost sold out.

I've been packing today, somehow I seem to have accumulated more stuff than I came with, I'll never understand that. I've really enjoyed my time in this river valley city, especially having come here while winter was in full force and having it turn into Spring on the prairies. Much thanks to Tibor, David, our Stage Manager Laura, along with a great cast, crew, and Deborah and her crack band. They are doing great theatre here in Saskatoon. I look forward to coming back some time to see the new Persephone theatre downtown! Should be a thing of beauty. And on Monday, back to Toronto...

We've been getting a great response from the Persephone audience, so the show has been extended until April 23rd-- so if you don't have tickets yet, (and the commute to Saskatoon isn't too rough) get them now as they're going quickly. We had the opening Saturday night, and now, even with the extension, there's only two weeks left... time is flying... I'll soon be back in Toronto for the first day of "Emily" rehearsals on the 24th.
In other news, my Father's here and we've been spending my day off exploring the city. He also brought his large newfoundland dog-- thanks again to my landlord Bev for not being scared off by the 125 pounds of drooling dog... but still cute somehow. Cheers.

I'm in the "Broadway Roastery" here in Saskatoon, my new favourite Coffee shop- not only for their coffee, but for the internet access which has proved hard to come by here. Rehearsals for "I Love you, You're Perfect, Now Change!" are going well, and I'm amazed by the extra week of rehearsal we have as compared to a usual short amount of time, it's a rare luxury these days in theatre.
It's an exciting time for Persephone, as they will be building a new Theatre on the Waterfront, and have just been awarded some Centennial grant money to help the project along.
We open the show on April 8th, and things are coming together brilliantly. So if you're in the neighbourhood come down for a great show. cheers.

"Makes no difference where I go, you're the best home town I know..." Does anyone remember this song used for channels 2 & 7 from back in the day? Every time the plane lands in calgary it runs through my head, kind of Pavlovian.
The cold read fundraiser was a blast, and thanks to Mellisa, Jane, and Mellisa for having me. Performing for Theatre audiences is such a treat-- they listen to every word.
Looks like this summer is going to be my "get to know Ontario" summer. Starting in April, I'll be at three great theatres in three different towns. I'll put their websites in the links section. Hope to see you there.

The Cold Read series is a great resource for Playwrights who want to hear scenes read by proffesional actors in front of a live audience. Tomorrow ( Monday March 6th), I'm going to be performing as part of a fundraiser to help send one of their regular writers to the Fringe (I didn't enter this year, maybe next). Tickets are 10 bucks and the night starts at 7:30. Hope to see you there.
And... I've added Persephone Theatre to the links section, in case you happen to be in Saskatchewan and want to come see "I Love you, You're Perfect..." check them out.
And... I'm going to Calgary on Tuesday. Looking forward to it.

I had been asked by Graham Maxwell who directs the annual DQ Casey House fundraiser to write a song for their upcoming show in May. Met with the cast last night and it sounds great, looking forward to having it onstage, as it was definetely a challenge to write.
In other news, Grease has closed and I will next be off to Persephone Theatre in Saskatoon to do a production of "I Love You, You're Perfect, Now Change!". Looking forward to being back on the prairies and hopefully seeing some friends from Prince Albert.
One more thing, for all you Singers in Toronto: arranger/composer/piano player Konrad Pluta is running a Singer's open mic at Statlers (on Church south of Wellsley) every Wednesday from 9pm to midnight. Stopped by Wednesday and heard some amazing performances. Just bring your sheet music or chose from the books he has there, it's a great chance to do a song that you've always wanted to with a pro.
Back in Calgary in a few weeks, hope to see you for a drink at the Auburn.

All is good with the run at Stage West, though I'm looking forward to putting some finishing touches on the show I'm writing once the contract is up. I'll post it here once there's a public reading.
Also, someone named Jean (who worked with my Mother at OCD) came to the show the other night and sent a note backstage. Jean, couldn't find you after the show, but hoped you enjoyed it, feel free to send an email, it'd be good to hear from you.
Looking forward to a nice spring in Barrie and maybe getting back to Calgary before then. Cheers.

So far, I am enjoying this whole new year thing and the fact that I'm getting a lot of visitors from overseas. I know no one in France, and yet they keep coming! As far as theatre goes, Grease is still going strong, and I will be performing in Emily of New Moon in Spring in Barrie. Looking forward to checking out Ian Sherwood's CD release on January 24th at the Cameron house and catch up with some old friends. You can find his site in the "links" section, drop by for a great show. Cheers.

Yes, Grease is the word. The show has officially opened and we're sold out until after Christmas, but stop by then if you can. Christmas... ah, Christmas. Looking forward to a visit from my father and spending time with some family here in Toronto this year. And avoiding malls as much as possible. Wishing you and yours...

It was hard to leave Calgary, and good to see so many people I haven't for so long, but it's nice to be back in Toronto and getting down to work. I'll be in Grease at Stage West Missisauga, playing the role of "Doody", a part I've always wanted to do. Started rehearsals the other day as far as I can tell, it should be a great show. I'll put the website in the links section if you feel like coming out. Once the show is up, it looks like I'll be doing the final push to finish off the musical, and in February I think I'll start being a "Singer/Songwriter" again, it's been too long!
Check back for future dates on that,
cheers, grant

I had to do some soul searching if I should write about this here, but so much of my art is who I am, and so much of who I am is my Mom.
Last wednesday, while on a business trip in Brandon Manitoba, my Mom, Michele Stephan Tilly passed away from a massive heart attack. After a quick trip down to Buffalo to see my Mom's side of the family, I'm back in Calgary with my Father. We've been simply innondated with support and love (and beer), so thank you everyone so much for your love and thoughts.
There will be a memorial service at 3pm on Tuesday Nov. 1st, at First Memorial Funeral Services, 240 17th Avenue SW Calgary T25 0A3, condolences to the family can be sent to rufustilly@yahoo.ca. En lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Heart and Stroke Foundation, please find their website in the link section if you wish to donate online.
If you knew my Mom growing up in Buffalo, we will be organizing a memorial service in mid-november in Buffalo.

She was an amazing lady, an inspiration to me, a hard worker who also knew how to get the most out of life. Seeing how many lives she's touched has been incredible, she really knew what it meant to live a good life, and brought happiness into the lives of so many others.

I'm really going to miss her, but I am so thankful for having the time that I did with her, I was just hoping for another 20 years.

I've taken up an offer from a new cousin ("new" in the sense that we'd only just met by chance in Toronto)-- to visit the "tropical isle" of Newfoundland for a week and meet the new family while catching up with some old family and friends. They're all amazingly talented people, him, his sister... so hopefully it runs in the genes. As a friend here said, "...so, Grant my son... you come by it honestly".
St. John's is beautiful, I've only been here once before, but it always feels like home... then again, with all the relatives coming out of the woodwork, the guy I meet in the street could very well be my fifth cousin twice removed... us Tilly's were a productive bunch a couple of generations back.
On another note, I had a song from Gay for Day performed at the Jane Mallett tribute before leaving TO, thanks to everyone involved, and to Mari Trainor for doing such a great job with the song. There was some fantastic talent onstage that night.

Friday night was the closing night of Footloose in Prince Albert, and I had a fantastic time. Thanks to everyone who made Prince Albert feel like home for awhile, as well as some awesome people who made the show what it was: Darren, Gillian, Kelsey, Leslie, David, Mike, a very talented cast and crew, Eva, Hekki and the Miller Family for putting me up for a night in Paradise Hill, and Gina for the shirt: I will wear my "Nacam's where they make 'em" shirt with pride. I've put a couple of photos up in the gallery, should you feel inclined, check 'em out.
Now I'm back in Calgary for a week, to regroup and spend some time with the family, see some friends, and have a couple drinks at the Auburn before heading back to Toronto. After all, I have a musical to finish... Hoping to get a complete draft by the end of September, and then maybe a quick trip out to Newfoundland to see some family. Thanks for visiting...

PA stands for Prince Albert, Saskatchewan, for the un-initiated. First of all, thank you to Gina for letting me use her internet, there aren't too many internet cafes here. I'm here with Broadway North doing a production of "Footloose" at the E.A. Rawlinson Centre for the Arts, playing the part of "Ren" (or Kevin Bacon, for those un-initiated to the world of Footloose...). Have to admit it's great to get away from Toronto's smog for a month to the "land of living skies". The people have been incredible, and... I have a Jeep to drive! The show opens on August 2nd and goes to to 12th. If you happen to be in the area, stop by for a great show (I'll put the website in the links section).
Cheers, tilly