ScriptLab Presents The First Annual Canadian Musical Theatre Festival November 21-26, 2006 at the Newly Restored Papermill Theatre at Todmorden Mills.

TICKETS NOW AVAILABLE at www.ticketking.com

ScriptLab, a registered charitable organization with a 17-year history of developing new work, under the current Artistic Direction of Jim Betts, will present the first annual Canadian Musical Theatre Festival, November 21-26, 2006 at the newly restored Papermill Theatre at Todmorden Mills, 67 Pottery Road in Toronto. The six-day festival will showcase the work of Canadian musical theatre writers of the past, present and future. Out of the 100 artists involved, participating are composer Leslie Arden and performances by Louise Pitre, Don Harron, Adam Brazier, Victor A. Young and Charlotte Moore. Tickets for the Gala Actors’ Fund Benefit are $40.00 all other events are $10.00.

"We're looking forward to celebrating the history and the future of the Canadian Musical Theatre. It's exciting to have a forum where we can feature some of our best shows, our best writers, and our best performers and musicians. It will be a great opportunity to hear some wonderful material -- some familiar, some new, and some unjustly forgotten,” Festival Artistic Director, Jim Betts said.

“Musicals written by Canadians have entertained international audiences with great success. The most current example is THE DROWSY CHAPERONE, the acclaimed Broadway hit that was started in Toronto and written by Canadians. This Festival will provide Canadians with the rare opportunity to showcase and develop their work at home. It is our goal to provide new and existing shows with a launching pad so that they can be produced on main stages in Canada and around the world. This is an exciting first step,” explained Festival Executive Producer and ScriptLab President Michael Rubinoff.

The Festival will kick off with an entertaining and fast-paced tribute to the history of musical theatre in Canada. Presenting songs from MY FUR LADY to THE DROWSY CHAPERONE, this gala event is a benefit in aid of the Actors’ Fund.

November 22nd will feature a Symposium on The Canadian Musical Theatre entitled "Where We've Been, Where We Are, and Where We're Going" moderated by writer and Toronto Star theatre critic Richard Ouzounian.

November 23rd will be a Tribute to Norman Campbell, (Composer of Anne Of Green Gables, The Wonder Of it All, Turvey) and the establishment of The Norman Campbell Award for Canadian Musical Theatre Writers. The evening will also include a staged reading of TURVEY a musical by Norman Campbell, Elaine Campbell, and Don Harron.

November 24th is a showcase reading of FIREWEEDS (Women Of The Klondike) by Cathy Elliott.

The afternoon on November 25th will showcase five musicals currently in development. Saturday evening will be a showcase reading of THE GIANT'S GARDEN by Scott White and Peter Fenton.

The Festival will conclude Sunday afternoon at 2pm with a concert of songs from a number of musicals currently in development.

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