Cast Profile - Jean-Paul Parker

Jean-Paul Parker would really like you to know that unicorns exist...

...And of course that he'll be making his first appearance in a T3 production as serious Mr. Brutus Sheinkopf in FAME.

A graduate of the Etobicoke School of the Arts, Jean-Paul has been enjoying the development of Mr. Sheinkopf's character: "Mr. Sheinkopf is very serious about his profession. Music truly is the hardest profession in the world and his students will surely come to realize that once he shows them how difficult every aspect of it is. Students are much too caught up in all this 80's alternative/glam rock business and they need to learn from the musicians who practically INVENTED music. Classical music is the root of perfect technique. Mr. Sheinkopf has seen plenty of students in his day and knows all too well that no one enjoys the artistry and skill of classical music. Although he has a tough exterior, it is all to break his students' bad habits of polluting their minds with what their vision of 'music' is today."

His favourite role to date has been the kind and gentle Matthew Cuthbert in Anne of Green Gables. "It was the first role I was ever truly passionate about. I've never worked harder on any character's development than I did for Matthew Cuthbert. I sincerely believe that him and I are one in the same, and that you should never let anyone take the exciting, imaginative, bubbly child out of you. Find love, joy and fantasy wherever you can and hold on to it forever." Following FAME, he will spend the summer teaching drama at a local summer camp where he will be writing a script for an adaptation of Grease.

See Jean-Paul as Mr. Sheinkopf in FAME: The Musical from June 24-27 at the Papermill Theatre. Tickets available at www.ticketweb.ca

Cast Profile - Chelsea Leaman

Chelsea Leaman is excited to be playing the sassy Carmen Diaz in FAME, in what will be her fourth show ever! This Chelsea's second show with T3 Productions after appearing as Annette in Annie in November 2009.

Chelsea is a graduate of the Randolph Academy for the Performing Arts and is also certified in BATD Tap, Jazz and Ballet. She says that her favourite role to date has been playing Robin in RAPA's "Smile" as she was able to work along side Jim Betts and Marek Norman in her first ever musical, in a leading role no less! When not performing herself, Chelsea teaches at Randolph KIDS! and I've Got Rhythm School of Dance.

Chelsea's favourite moment in FAME is when she is lifted a la Britney Spears and is carried across the stage. She says "I've never been lifted before and although it was frightening in the beginning I've overcome my fear of not trusting other cast members with my life and can now do partnering lifts with confidence". Chelsea will soon be reprising her role in The Killing Game as a part of the Toronto Fringe Festival, dancing as the Blue Fairy in Pinocchio - the Ballet as well as playing a supporting role in rapper D-Sissive's new music video "West Coast".

Watch Chelsea's performance (and exciting lift!) in FAME: The Musical from June 24-27 at the Papermill Theatre. Tickets available at www.ticketweb.ca

Cast Profile - Meaghan Lugsdin

Meaghan Lugsdin doesn't remember much of the 80's (as she spent most of it in diapers) but is looking forward to reconnecting with the decade as she portrays the strong, independent and comedic Mabel Washington in FAME.

Meaghan has studied theatre and performing arts at Sheridan College and is a graduate of the Randolph Academy for the Performing Arts and Brock University. This is her first appearance with T3 Productions and is excited for the opportunity to "reconnect with old friends while trying [her] hand at a new and interesting role". Meaghan is also excited to be delving into another role following FAME: as one of the wicked Stepsisters in Into the Woods with Globe Productions in November 2010.

Meaghan cites "I Want to Make Magic" as one of her favourite moments in FAME. She fell in love with the song after seeing a production of the show in high school and says it "describes how every theatre buff feels about performing".

Watch for Meaghan in FAME: The Musical from June 24-27 at the Papermill Theatre. Tickets available at www.ticketweb.ca

Cast Profile - Dana Thody

Dana Thody is no stranger to the 80's having made her first appearance on a Toronto stage in a production of Footloose. In her T3 debut, Dana will be portraying Grace "Lambchop" Lamb in FAME and is looking forward to "bringing out her inner rocker chick" who "blossoms into a confident woman with big band aspirations". In rehearsal she's been having a lot of fun making the cast burst into fits of laughter with her air drums and bum-shaking.

Dana has studied dance at George Brown College, acting at the Armstrong Acting Studio and regularly performs with The Daunting Divas (seen next in the Eros Thenatos and Avante-Gard Cabaret series at the Rivoli in August). Watch out for Dana in your living room over the next few weeks as she recently shot her first commercial! Keep your eyes peeled for a Harvey's ad with a sophisticated woman eating a burger with an affinity for Canadian cheddar...

Catch Dana in FAME: The Musical from June 24-27 at the Papermill Theatre. Tickets available at www.ticketweb.ca

Don't You Know Who I Am? Remember my Name

FAME! Join T3 Productions for their upcoming production of FAME the musical, June 24-27 at the Papermill Theatre in Toronto.

ABOUT THE SHOW
Set during the last years of New York City's celebrated High School for the Performing Arts on 46th Street (1980- 1984), "Fame-The Musical" is bittersweet but ultimately inspiring story of a diverse group of students as they commit to four years of grueling artistic and academic work.


With candor, humor and insight, the show explores the issues that confront many young people today: issues of prejudice, identity, self-worth, literacy, sexuality, substance abuse and perseverance.

It is nothing short of a global phenomenon. First came the hit motion picture, then the long-running television series. Now the screen sensation of the 1980's is the stage sensation of the 1990's and beyond! And if the recent smash-hit West End production is any indication, "Fame-The Musical" is indeed "gonna live forever."

FAME the musical

Conceived and Developed by David De Silva
BOOK BY
JOSE FERNANDEZ

LYRICS BY
JACQUES LEVY
MUSIC BY
STEVE MARGOSHES

JUNE 2010
24, 25, 26th at 8pm
26, 27th at 2pm
27th at 7pm

THE PAPERMILL THEATRE
at Todmorden Mills 67 Pottery Road, Toronto

Directed by JAIME WAGG

Assistant Direction by CRYSTAL BURNEY
Music Direction by TAMARA SARINGER

Choreography by KRISTEN MATTHEWS & ASHLEY MEDEIROS-FELIX

Starring:
Madelaina DePace, Damien Gulde, Sarah Jean Hodkinson, Laura Laing, Chelsea Leaman, Meaghan Lugsdin, Michael MacDonald, Brad Marks, Nick Nasrallah, Bridget Norris, Jean Paul Parker, Erin Tancock, Dana Thody, Patrick Twaddle, Wesley Tysdale

Tickets available through www.ticketweb.ca or by calling 1-888-222-6608

$25.00 General Admission