Hello Everyone!
And welcome to SPOTLIGHT ON! Here we have assembled some of our reviews and press from recent productions. Read on to find out what audiences and the press had to say about our 2010 season so far! Enjoy!
The IANA Staff What Ontario audiences had to say about our production of 'THE LAST FIVE YEARS':
'The Last Five Years is a compelling piece of music theatre focused on the powerful emotions and life changing moments of one couple’s five-year journey. Jamie and Cathy relate the joy and angst of their relationship while starting from opposite ends of the five-year period. Unlike most theatre, the two are never present in the same time frame on stage with the exception of one number. A powerful work; The Last Five Years is at times funny, angry, heart warming or soul numbing but it is never boring. This Jason Robert Brown work is not to be missed and marks another step in Iana Theatre’s development as a professional company.
Amanda Struthmann as Cathy is a force bringing the deep feelings of her character’s emotions to life with her engaging voice and superb acting. The audience cannot help but feel her anger and loss as she moves through the show.
Tim Porter as Jamie under goes a great shift in character while moving from infatuated suitor and struggling writer to successful published author and uneasy husband. Tim’s acting and vocals give Jamie a funny but tormented feel. The character is both likeable and in some ways contemptible, a difficult task but handled wonderfully by Tim.
Any Jason Robert Brown work requires excellence from its Musical Director and Jordann Zaza fills the bill completely. She works wonders at the piano as the sole musician underscoring a fast moving and dramatic musical. Jordann allows the actors to work their magic while keeping everything together on stage.
Lastly Joel MacMeekin’s videography work, which is projected on the stage backdrop, completes the overall feel and enjoyment of the show.
With the production of The Last Five Years, Iana Theatre has proven it has the chops to produce musical theatre truly worthy of support by large audiences. Do yourself a favour and make sure you see this show, you will be amazed by the little company that can!'
-ANDREW WILLETT, THEATRE AFICIONADO 'A beautiful display of talent and creativity from start to finish'
-STEPHAN DICKSON, TORONTO CHOREOGRAPHER>
A Taste of Broadway showcased awesome Canadian Talent
IANA Theatre Company presented 'A Taste of Broadway' at the Marble Church Arts Centre in Actinolite on Sunday, May 16th. The trio of Tim Porter, Sarah Strange, and Julie Kevan all gave fantastic performances. These very talented young actors led the audience through an evening of popular Broadway music.
Throughout the evening audience members could be seen tapping their toes to the familiar catchy tunes and swaying to the lively music provided by the talented musical director Jordann Zaza. The show went off without a hitch thanks to promoter Jocelyn Perry and stage manager, Emily Mewitt.
The Marble church arts centre proved to be an ideal venue for the show, creating an intimate atmosphere with wonderful acoustics.
The powerful voice of Julie Kevan was a true delight. Her voice was full of emotion as she sang throughout the evening. Julie, originally from the Perth area, had the support of several family members in the audience, some coming as far away from Ottawa to see her perform. Julie currently resides in Toronto and will be moving to Prince Edward Island shortly to work in performing arts for the summer.
Sarah Strange, also has a powerhouse voice that captured the notes splendidly. She added humour to her songs and had the audience laughing out loud. Sarah began her career aboard the Royal Caribbean Cruise lines as a lead singer. She has spent time performing with a Jazz trio in the southern United States. She has also performed in New York.
Tim Porter, the Artistic Director of IANA Theatre Company, accompanied these lovely ladies in providing the audience with an enjoyable evening of entertainment. Tim graduated from St. Lawrence College Musical Theatre Performance Program. Since then he has had great success in his young career as a performer, writer, and director. He has been in numerous productions and has performed in communites across Canada. In 2007 Tim founded IANA Theatre Company which continues to grow and includes some of Canada's most talented young entertainers.
'A Taste of Broadway' is the first of three productions to be performed at the Marble Church Arts Centre in Actinolite by the IANA Theatre Company. If you missed 'A Taste of Broadway' make sure you get your tickets for the next show scheduled for July 16th and 17th early! The Production, enititled 'TWEED!', is described as 'a fictional story of the founding of a small town in Ontario, based on true events.' The production will feature local artists as well as season three winner of Canadian Idol, Melissa O'Neil!
IANA's first ever performance was held in Tweed in the winter of 2007. The show, entitled 'A Christmas Spectacular' was held at St. Edmund's Hall in Stoco. The humourous rendition of several well loved Christmas stories will no doubt be remembered by all who attended the show. Coming back to Tweed to perform at the Marble Church Arts Centre in three different shows will give the Tweed community an opportunity to see the talent that this theatre company possesses.
What did Tweed have to say about our production of 'A TASTE OF BROADWAY?'
