February 2025 | Volume 71
THE HAT GAZETTE
THIS ISSUE: Under the HAT with MARC RICHARD | MARCH MAINSTAGE MANIA | DINNER & A SHOW
UNDER THE HAT: MARC RICHARD
TOM: Welcome back Marc Richard! For those who may not be familiar with your work, which would be somewhat shocking, can you start us off with a brief rundown of your relationship to the arts?
MARC: Hello Tom! Well I started working in music theatre almost 50 years ago as a child. I was a performer for many many years and then began directing when I was in my early 20s. I was a professor at Sheridan College in the Music Theatre program which is where I met Wesley (HAT Artistic Director). I taught him there and once he graduated from the program we kept in touch and I directed his play Excuse Me, Would You Like to Buy a Bar? In the Toronto Fringe Festival. I first came out to HAT to direct I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change and then again to direct the Sea Shanty Show several years ago. I am now semi-retired, do a lot of pilates and yoga classes and direct occasionally in and around the Toronto area. I recently directed a production of First Date for Drury Lane Theatrical Productions.
TOM: You’ve only been to the island to work with us twice before but both times left a real impact. Both I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change and The Sea Shanty Show have returned to our stage after their original run. Clearly you have a pulse on what makes a musical work. Can you talk a bit about your guiding values or perspective on what you think makes a musical connect with an audience? It speaks volumes to me that both of your past productions have found such success on an island you’ve never stepped foot on prior to working there.
MARC: Good question! I think good theatre is good theatre. I think it’s important to delve deeply into any work in order to create honest characters and honest situations. In a well crafted piece of theatre, characters find themselves in some sort of trouble and that is the place that most great storytelling begins. That is also the place that really honest comedy comes from. People get themselves in trouble and we (the audience) get to watch as they deal with the situation in which they find themselves. Musicals are just stories set to music. These situations are underscored by the music the character hears in their head. In great musicals the music helps to drive the story forward and provides the atmosphere for the character’s world.
TOM: Is there anything you’ve learned from your other two productions here that are informing your approach to Putting It Together (opening March 5th on the MainStage)?
MARC: I believe that HAT audiences (like most audiences) like to see themselves reflected in the characters onstage. In I Love You, You’re Perfect that was about seeing people vulnerable and going on dates and then falling in love and interacting in every aspect of a relationship throughout their lives. In Sea Shanty it was about hearing their much-loved sea songs being given an honest life at sea, on a boat with interactions between the sailors and the sea. The sea was a full-fledged character in that show. It created the situational trauma for the sailors and helped to give a context to the songs. The HAT audiences also have a relationship to the sea and these songs.
“The show focuses on relationships and the complexity of nurturing and sustaining them over time. It is poignant and also extremely funny. ”
TOM: For those unfamiliar with the show, how would you describe Putting It Together?
MARC: Putting It Together is a revue made up of songs by Stephen Sondheim who is, in my opinion, Broadway’s best and most prolific composer/lyricist. This show includes songs from some of his most famous shows including: A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum, Follies, Assassins, Into the Woods, Company, A Little Night Music, Do I Hear a Waltz, Merrily We Roll Along, Sunday in the Park with George and Sweeney Todd. The revue involves an older married couple, a younger couple who are dating and a waiter. The older couple is having a summer garden party at their Upper MidTown Manhattan condominium. The party is an occasion to show off to their friends how rich and happy they are. They are, in fact, extremely rich but also somewhat unhappy, in their 20-year old relationship. The show focuses on relationships and the complexity of nurturing and sustaining them over time. It is poignant and also extremely funny.
TOM: I know the appeal, for those in the know, is the magic of Sondheim. For those who may be unfamiliar, what is the significance of this man and his music?
MARC: Stephen Sondheim’s musicals are somewhat challenging for an audience but also extremely rewarding. His lyrics are brilliant in that they are always extremely intelligent and witty but also poignant. In one line Sondheim can make you laugh hysterically and break your heart at the same time. He is an actor’s writer in that he provides an actor with such a brilliant and rich tapestry of music and lyrics to tell their story.
TOM: Shifting gears for a moment, is there a production or idea in your mind that you’d love to bring to the HAT in the future?
MARC: I would love to bring two Canadian shows by Norm Foster, The Last Resort and Jasper Station. I would also love to revisit the atmosphere of the music from Sea Shanty Show and delve into some more East Coast stories via folk tunes or historical Cape Breton music.
TOM: LASTLY, how would you pitch Putting It Together in 5 words or less?
MARC: Troubled. Relationships. At. A. Party.
TOM: Thank you so much for doing this Marc!
MARC: No problem! My pleasure!
Putting It Together runs March 5th to 9th and complimentary tickets are available for all RA Donors of $25+/monthly or $300+/annually
Limited FREE tickets are available THANKS TO YOU, our incredible Radical Access Donors!
What PATRONS Are Saying about:
"This show was as professional as you can get. Wesley was a class act all the way and the dancers were wonderful. Venue and dinner A+"
-SD
“I think Michael Bublé would have approved. Loved the song choices and the dancers added to the experience. The meal was A1. All in a fantastic evening!”
— JH
“From the gorgeous venue, the delicious meal, the caterers and their staff. Wesley’s singing, quick change acts, dancing, and of course the beautiful dancers. It was an absolute delight. The talent of all performers is amazing.”
— KCG
SNEAK PEEK: PUTTING IT TOGETHER
A Musical Revue by Stephen Sondheim
Directed &Choreographed by Marc Richard
Music Directed by Chris Tsujiuchi
This stunning tribute to the music of Stephen Sondheim features five people who are thrown together at a party in a Manhattan penthouse where they fall victim to love, lust, and loss. Featuring almost 30 songs from such hits as “A Funny Thing Happened”, “Sweeney Todd”, “Company”, “Into the Woods”, and more!
From the Director of “I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change” and “The Sea Shanty Show” and the Music Director of “Mamma Mia”
Select Seats available for Free every performance while supplies last thanks to Radical Access.
Post Show Discussion on March 7th following that evening’s performance.
CAST & CREW
-
Paul Gatchell (he/him) - THE HUSBAND
Favourite HAT Credits:
Dream (Oberon), Mamma Mia (Bill), The Best of Broadway, Sinatra! A Celebration, Holiday on Christmas Island (Oberon)
Favourite Credits Elsewhere:
The Mikado (Broadway Revival), The Phantom of the Opera (North American Tour) -
Marlene Handrahan (she/her) – THE WIFE
Favourite HAT Credits:
HAT Debut!Favourite Credits Elsewhere:
Anne of Green Gables; The Musical, Hairspray, Johnny Belinda, Emily (Charlottetown Festival); Steel Magnolias; Gaslight, (Watermark Theatre) ; Mamma Mia (Broadway Across America Tour); Nunsense, Blood Brothers (Thousand Islands Playhouse); Secret Garden, How The Other Half Loves (Drayton Ent); The Ballad of Stompin Tom, Affections of May (Harbourfront Theatre); The 39 Steps (Orillia Opera House); OKLAHOMA!, My Fair Lady, Cash On Delivery (Stage West, Calgary).
Other:
Thank you for supporting live theatre!! -
Dane Pedersen (he/him) - THE YOUNG MAN
Favourite HAT Credits:
Rapunzel’s Prince (Into the Woods), As You Like It (Arlo), She Loves Me (Arpad), The Drowsy Chaperone (Gangster), Comedy of Errors (Duke Solinus), The Sea Shanty Show
Favourite Credits Elsewhere:
Legends: Remembrance (Savoy Theatre)
Training:
BMUS in Jazz Studies (Voice) from St. Francis Xavier University -
Kiersten Penny (she/her) – THE YOUNG WOMAN
Favourite Previous HAT Credits:
The Beloved (Director)Favourite Credits Elsewhere:
Feelin' Good: A Bubbly & Buble Dinner & Show (Choreographer & Featured Dancer), Christmas at Sacred Heart (Choreographer & Featured Dancer), Blow Me: A Big Bad Musical Comedy (Cat of the Woods & Dance Captain), A Christmas Carol (Ghost of Christmas Present & Dance Captain), Dream: Dinner and a Show (Waitress Ensemble & Dance Captain), Jack and the Beanstalk: A Musical Comedy Pantomime (Harpie & Dance Captain), Mamma Mia (Ali), Funny Girl (Ensemble & Dance Captain), Into the Woods (Lucinda), Cabaret (Frenchie), Shrek the Musical Jr. (Choreographer)
Favourite Credits Elsewhere:
The Nutcracker (Savoy Theatre), Chicago (Savoy Theatre)
Training:
Broadway Dance Center Professional Semester, BA Dance/BKIN University of Calgary, Safe in Dance International: The Healthy Dance Practice Certificate
Other:
Always happy to be back on the HAT stage doing what I love with the most talented people! -
Wesley J. Colford (they/them) – THE NARRATOR
Favourite HAT Credits:
The BelovedFavourite Credits Elsewhere:
Spelling Bee (William), Punch Up (Duncan), The Sea Shanty Show, Here Comes the Sun, She Loves Me (George); The Wakowski Brothers, A Christmas Carol, Heart of Steel, Dream, Disco Nights, She Loves Me, The Drowsy Chaperone, As You Like It, Jack and the Beanstalk, Funny Girl (Director)
Favourite Credits Elsewhere:
Jersey Boys, Annie, Matilda the Musical, Into the Woods, Nutcracker (The Savoy Theatre), Hamlet (The Boardmore Playhouse, CBU)
Training:
Sheridan College Musical Theatre Performance, George Brown Theatre School -
Marc Richard (he/him) – DIRECTOR & CHOREOGRAPHER
Favourite HAT Credits:
The Sea Shanty Show, I Love You, You're Perfect, Now Change (Director & Choreographer)
Favourite Credits Elsewhere:
The Last Resort, Jasper Station, Nunsense (Drayton Entertainment) Suds, Shaking the Blues Away, Race Day, I Do I Do (Victoria Playhouse Petrolia) When We Were Singing (Belfry, NAC)
Other:
So happy to be back at the HAT and working with these great people! -
Chris Tsujiuchi (he/they) - MUSIC DIRECTOR
Favourite HAT Credits:
Jack and the Beanstalk: A Musical Comedy Pantomime, Blow Me: A Big Bad Musical Comedy (Music Director)
Favourite Credits Elsewhere:
Mamma Mia (HAT/Savoy Theatre), Escape to Margaritaville (Theatre Calgary), Alice in Wonderland (Manitoba Theatre for Young People / Bad Hats Theatre), Into the Woods (Talk is Free Theatre), Parade (Toronto Musical Concerts) The Last Five Years (YRG Productions), Onegin (Musical Stage Company / National Arts Centre / Arts Club Western Canada Tour) -
Deepti Limaye (she/her) - STAGE MANAGER
Favourite HAT Credits:
Constellations (Stage Manager)
Other:
I am delighted to be stage managing another wonderful production at the HAT! -
Kayla Cormier (she/her) – SET & COSTUME DESIGN
Favourite HAT Credits:
Cabaret (Costume), She Loves Me (Set), Little Shop of Horrors (Set), West Moon (Set), See Jane Run (Costume)Favourite Credits Elsewhere:
Matilda The Musical (Costume Designer, Savoy Theatre); Pillowman (Set Designer, Boardmore Theatre); Hamlet (Scenic Painter, Boardmore Theatre)Training:
Production Management (CBU -
Ken Heaton (he/him) – LIGHTING DESIGNER
Favourite HAT Credits:
My recent lighting designs include almost everything produced at the HAT since 2014.Favourite Credits Elsewhere:
Both Grease and Matilda (Savoy Theatre, Glace Bay)Other:
It is great to be back at the HAT!
THE JANUARY RADICAL ACCESS
TICKET LOTTERY
Each month we hold a draw exclusive to RA donors to remind you how amazing we know you are. The draws are completely random and all donation levels are included.
This month’s prize?
2 tickets to LOVE GUNS - A Tribute to KISS
WINNERS
Colleen MacKinnon
Janet Robinson
Penny Chapman
Make it stand out
It all begins with an idea. Maybe you want to launch a business. Maybe you want to turn a hobby into something more. Or maybe you have a creative project to share with the world. Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.
Hello again! After taking January off to refresh and recover from the insanity that was December 2024, WE ARE BACK with a new edition of the HAT Gazette! A few things to highlight today.
Feelin’ Good (our latest and Bublé-est Dinner & A Show with Sacred Heart Downtown and Mise en Place Catering) is having it’s FINAL performance February 28th. It’s been such a fun and joyous evening, of great food and top notch Cape Breton talent. So if you like those things, treat yourself and let us take care of the rest!
March also brings not one, but TWO MainStage Productions. Early into the month we’ve got Putting It Together. You’ve heard all about it in this issue, but at the end of month we bring you A MIRROR! A dark political drama, straight from London’s West End. We can’t say much but you should know… THIS PLAY IS A LIE. Intrigued? Good.
REMINDER!
Don’t forget to transfer your donations into the new system and start getting your perks!
Already in action for those of you in the new system, 2 COMPLIMENTARY TICKETS TO ALL of our remaining Winter/Spring Mainstage Productions, discounted tickets for Hairspray, and FREE tickets to all of our film screenings. Plus more in the new year!
Not sure if you’re switched into the new system? Email us at info@highlandartstheatre.com and we can let you know!
SHOWING IN MARCH
