Blame Canada – CMTWC launch concert

by on with No Comments

This year has seen an incredible influx of Canadians getting hired to work on and off Broadway, in major regional productions and on US national tours. The casts of Book of Mormon, Once, Pippin, Chicago, Annie, Les Mis, Beautiful, Here Lies Love, Bullets Over Broadway, and Passion are all sprinkled with Canucks, bringing some Great White North to the Great White Way.

So when the Canadian Musical Theatre Writers Collective (a new initiative aiming to promote the artistry of Canadian composers and lyricists) wanted to produce a launch concert in New York City it only made sense to utilize all the Canadian talent living and working stateside. We were delighted to attend the concert, which took place on March 17th at the beautiful 54 Below, the go-to cabaret club of the stars, hidden underneath the legendary Studio 54. We were honoured to have our song “Drive” included in an incredible line-up of writers and performers. “Drive” was performed beautifully by Camille Eanga-Selenge, a recent Sheridan College grad who got scooped up by Book of Mormon, first in Chicago and now on Broadway, where she covers the leading role of Nabulungi.

The talented Canadians performing in Blame Canada at 54 Below.

Exactly a week later CMTWC had their Canadian launch at Hugh’s Room in Toronto, which featured the same set list, this time interpreted by the best performers that Toronto has to offer. The venue was packed over capacity, and the love and support emitting from the audience was palpable. This time our song was performed by our lovely pal Steffi Didomenicantonio (or Steffi D as she got nicknamed in her Canadian Idol days), who originated the role of Ilse on the first US national tour of Spring Awakening and has gone on to star in Next to Normal, Rooms, I Love You Because, and Cinderella (Dora Nomination).

Steffi Didomenicantonio performing our song “Drive” at Hugh’s Room during the Toronto launch of the CMTWC.

While in New York, we had a great time visiting with friends and seeing them perform in their fancy shows. Our friend Marcus Stevens, who we first met at the Johnny Mercer Songwriters Project, is killing it with his impersonations of Mandy Patinkin, Harvey Fierstein, Matt Stone and dozens of others in the hilarious Forbidden Broadway. Also we got to see our buddy Jake Epstein (who originated the lead role of Jack in our first Bremen workshop) play the leading male role in Beautiful: The Carole King Musical, where he plays Carole’s troubled writing partner and ex-husband Gerry Goffin. Not only was Jake superb, but the show as a whole was a delight, especially for songwriters.

(L-R): Divya Maus, Colleen, Marcus Stevens and Akiva visiting Marcus after his performance in Forbidden Broadway
Johnny Mercer Songwriter Project alums reunite! (L-R): Divya Maus, Colleen, Marcus Stevens and Akiva visiting Marcus after his performance in Forbidden Broadway.

All in all it was a delight to see Canadian talent get its chance to shine in the spotlight. If we take over the New York theatre scene any more, they’ll have to start calling it the Maple-Glazed Big Apple.