Press Releases

For Immediate Release February 26, 2013

Artistic Director Ray Hogg is pleased to announce key casting for Rainbow Stage's 2013 season.
After an extensive search for the best professional performing artists in the country, we are beyond excited with the stellar casts we have assembled for both Mary Poppins and Buddy–The Buddy Holly Story.
Our audition process was a grueling gauntlet this year; the demands of our season are extraordinary!
We required a cast that is as comfortable singing an operatic high "C" as they are executing a triple pirouette, as they are performing a scene by Chekov, as they are improvising a solo on the electric guitar.
The end result is a cast of incredibly rare triple threats–artists equally strong as actors, singers and dancers.

For Rainbow Stage's production of Disney and Cameron Macintosh's - Mary Poppins we welcome our principal players Paula Potosky as Mary Poppins, Stephen Roberts as Bert, Carson Nattrass as Mr. George Banks, Laura Olafson as Mrs. Winifred Banks, Jenesa Lee as Jane Banks and Noah Luis as Michael Banks to the Rainbow Stage family.
They are joined by Melanie Whyte as Mrs. Brill, Aaron Hutton as Robertson Ay, Brenda Gorlick as Miss Andrew, Donna Fletcher as the Bird Woman, Lisa Bell as Mrs. Corry, Kimberley Rampersad as Miss. Lark and Reid McTavish as Neleus.
Also appearing this season in Mary Poppins is: Colleen Furlan, Christine Moore, Jade Repeta, Cassandra Consiglio, Michele Shuster, Cory Wojcik, Jeffrey Kohut, Robert Boge, Tyrell Witherspoon, Brett Taylor, Shaun Castor and Trevor Patt.

For Buddy–The Buddy Holly Story we welcome our principal players, Jeff Giles as Buddy Holly, Ryan Voth as drummer Jerry Allison, and Michael Cox as bassist Joe B. Mauldin.
They are joined by Carson Nattrass as Hipockets Duncan, Kimberley Rampersad as Maria Elena, Gene Pyrz as Norman Petty, Donna Fletcher as Vi Petty, Gerrit Theule as Big Bopper and Curtis Brown as Ritchie Valens.
Also appearing this season in Buddy–The Buddy Holly Story are: Michael Clarke, Alex Fiddes, Kris Ulrich, Lisa Bell, Erin McGrath and Natasha O'Brien.

Tickets for both productions can be found on our website or by calling 204-989-0888

 

BUDDY, THE BUDDY HOLLY STORY: JUNE 11 – JULY 4, 2013

Buddy tells the story in words and music of the last few years of Buddy Holly’s life. We see how he and his childhood high-school friends, The Crickets, turn country music upside down and create a unique style of sound which some called “the devil’s music”. We share Buddy’s frustrations at Decca Records, his skill as a songwriter and composer when recording and experimenting with Norman Petty, the excitement he and America felt when “That’ll Be the Day” went to #1, and his naïve determination to be the first white act to play the Apollo Theatre, Harlem. And that’s just Act 1. Later we meet Maria Elena, his future wife, and witness the whirlwind romance and marriage, see how he and the Crickets part way and are taken on his ill-fated “Winter Dance Party” Tour of 1959. Finally, we are the audience at the Surf Ballroom, Clear Lake, Iowa, where Buddy’s final performance with Ritchie Valens (“La Bamba”) and the “Big Bopper” J.P. Richardson (“Chantilly Lace”) is recreated, and what in theatre must be one of the most exciting musical concerts of all-time! “John (Lennon) and I started to write because of Buddy Holly. It was like, ‘Wow! He writes and is a musician’. In our imaginations back then, John was Buddy and I was Little Richard or Elvis”. – Paul McCartney.

MARY POPPINS: AUGUST 9 – 29, 2013

The Rainbow Stage production of Disney’s and Cameron Mackintosh’s MARY POPPINS Mary Poppins is the story of the Banks family who live in a big house in London on Cherry Lane. Things are not going well for the family, the children, Jane and Michael, are out of control and are in need of a new nanny. Jane and Michael have their own ideas about what sort of caretaker they should have, while their parents—and in particular Mr. Banks—are insistent on someone strict for the job. When a mysterious young woman named Mary Poppins appears at their doorstep, the family finds that she’s the answer to their prayers, but in the most peculiar way. Mary Poppins takes the children on many magical and memorable adventures, but Jane and Michael aren’t the only ones she has a profound effect upon. Even grown-ups can learn a lesson or two from the nanny who advises that “anything can happen if you let it”.

Come experience the enchanting mixture of irresistible story, unforgettable songs, breathtaking dance numbers and astonishing stagecraft that makes this the musical that soars high above the rest. Believe in the magic of Mary Poppins and discover a world where anything can happen if you let it!

Ticket prices for Buddy, The Buddy Holly Story are $59.50 all taxes, fees included. All seats for Buddy, The Buddy Holly Story are in Prime+ seating only.

Tickets prices for The Rainbow Stage production of Disney’s and Cameron Mackintosh’s MARY POPPINS are $35.00/$49.50/$59.50 all taxes, fees included.
A Prime+ Season Yicket to both shows is $89.00 until January 31, 2013 (all taxes, fees included). February 1 to May 31, a Prime+ Season Ticket to both shows is $99.00.www.rainbowstage.ca/tickets or 989-0888

Groups of 14+ tickets are available by calling 204-989-5261 x 4

For further information or interviews please contact:

Julie Eccles
Executive Director

(204) 989-5261 x2

jeccles@rainbowstage.ca

Ray Hogg
Artistic Director

(204) 989-5261 x3

rhogg@rainbowstage.ca