"THE BOOK OF MORMON", "THE WIZARD OF OZ", "HONEYMOON IN VEGAS" & "SISTER ACT" COMING TO TORONTO

The Book of Mormon Official Artwork

Mirvish Productions announced their exciting new line-up for for their 2013 season and surely Theatre Lovers have to be thrilled! Among the new stage productions to grace Toronto in the near future are TONY Award-winning Musical The Book of Mormon from the Creators of South Park - Trey Parker and Matt Stone - and Avenue Q Writer Robert Lopez. The Musical is about two Missionaries who travel to Uganda in hopes of imposing their beliefs upon locals who are facing much more pressing concerns like poverty, famine and AIDS. I definitely will be going to see this one!

Other Productions to come include the ever-popular Sister Act, Flashdance, La Cage Aux Folles, Honeymoon in Vegas (starring Tony Danza!!!), Backbeat and The Wizard of Oz!  The latter will feature new Material from the winning combination of Andrew Lloyed Webber and Tim Rice!

For more details, follow Mirvish Productions on Twitter or visit their Website.

HUGH JACKMAN SETS NEW BROADWAY BOX OFFICE RECORD

Hugh Jackman in Toronto - June 2011

Congratulations to Hugh Jackman, who set a new Broadway Box Office Record with his Hugh Jackman: Live in Concert in its final week after a successful ten-week run in New York City.  In July 2011, Torontonians were treated to a brief run at the Princess of Wales Theatre, presented by Mirvish Productions.  On Broadway, Jackman's Show brought in $2.057 million in its final week and a cumulative total of $14.6 million.  The previous one-week Broadway Record of $1.175 million was set by The Merchant of Venice starring Al Pacino.

Let's not forget also Jackman's Real Steel which also brought in a whopping $277 million worldwide in 2011 for DreamWorks too.  Clearly, both Theatre and Moviegoers alike can't get enough, which is a rare feat for an Actor.

Jackman soon will begin production on Tom Hooper's (The King's Speech) Film Adaptation of Les Miserables alongside Anne Hathaway, Sacha Baron Cohen, Russell Crowe and Helena Bonham Carter.

(Photo credit: Mr. Will-W.)

KIM CATTRALL IN TORONTO FOR "PRIVATE LIVES"

Kim Cattrall & Mr. Will-W.

I have a confession.  When I was a Kid, I saw Mannequin at the Theatre five times.  And that was a lot of Allowance money in 1987!  I adored Kim Cattrall as an Egyptian re-incarnated in Modern Day as a sexy Mannequin, Emmy.  It was completely campy and ludicrous but that Rom-Com defined my Childhood and her performance to this day holds a dear place in my heart.  I still stop to watch it when I see it on TV and even sat through Mannequin 2: On the Run hoping it would carry on some trace of its Predecessor's legacy, but that could not be.

Since then, Cattrall has gone on to become a Pop Culture Icon with her work on HBO's Sex and the City as the brassy, fearless and in-charge Samantha Jones. In Toronto currently for a limited engagement of Mirvish Productions' Private Lives, Cattrall plays Amanda, a glamourous Socialite who visits the French Riviera with her new Husband, only to cross paths with her Ex-Husband once again, rekindling a bit of that old Romance.  Our v. own Paul Gross also stars in the Production, which is Broadway-bound after its Toronto run ends October 30, 2011.

I got to meet the lovely Cattrall who was still in-character leaving Royal Alexandra Theatre, speaking to Fans in a British accent.  One Fan asked her to sign Sex and the City memorabilia and she asked out loud, "Sex and the City? What is that?".  Funny.

Lovely and sweet, she stopped to sign some Playbills and posed for Photos before heading off for the night with her Pusateri's Shopping Bag and a bouquet of flowers in-tow.  Someone once told me that the brilliant Actress was cold to Fans and I found absolutely no evidence of that at all tonight.  She was warm and generous.

Click here to learn more about Private Lives and order Tickets.

(Photo credit: Mr. Will-W.)

HUGH JACKMAN BIDS FAREWELL TO TORONTO

Hugh Jackman in Toronto - July 2011

One more for the road! Hugh Jackman wraps up his engagement of Hugh Jackman in Concert for Mirvish Productions on Sunday after a successful two-week run at the Princess of Wales Theatre. The Show has received positive reviews from the respected critics at Toronto Star, NOW Magazine, Globe and Mail and Canoe. And most important of all, the Fans are loving it! 

On a daily basis before and after his performances, Fans have lined-up by the Stage Door - reportedly in the hundreds on some days - just to get close to the endlessly charming Aussie and Fan reports have been glowing about how wonderful he's been to Toronto.  On a regular basis Jackman has gone above and beyond, generously putting aside to sign Autographs and take Photos with Fans when he can.  And he does it with a smile on his face.  This is why we adore him.

So this Post is for all you Hugh Jackman admirers - and I know there are many of you out there. Enjoy!

See more below:

CARRIE FISHER IN TORONTO FOR "WISHFUL DRINKING"

Carrie Fisher & Mr. Will-W.

Actress/Writer Carrie Fisher just arrived in Toronto to begin preparations for her self-penned Play, Wishful Drinking. Presented by Mirvish Productions, the Show is a comical look back at the highs and lows of her career.  Her rise to the top saw her starring the iconic Star Wars franchise as Pop Culture Icon Princess Leia and acclaimed titles like Hannah and Her Sisters and When Harry Met Sally. Fisher's lows however have been more publicized, including her weight struggle in addition to a bout with alcohol and substance abuse. Currently, she is the face of the Jenny Craig Weight Loss Program.

While in-town, the Actress had time to enjoy another production from Mirvish next door at the Princess of Wales Theatre, Hugh Jackman in Concert. It is said that Jackman and Fisher actually are good friends.

HUGH JACKMAN IN TORONTO FOR "HUGH JACKMAN IN CONCERT"

Hugh Jackman & Mr. Will-W.

Everybody loves Hugh Jackman! Everybody. The Tony Award winner gifted Canada his presence arriving via Porter Airlines on Canada Day, flying in from New Jersey to begin preparations for his upcoming one-man Show, Hugh Jackman in Concert. Debuting this Tuesday night at the Princess of Wales Theatre for Mirvish Productions, the Show ties together some of Jackman's favourite Showtunes with reflections upon his celebrated career and life.  Having had a successful run in San Francisco, the Hunk looks the duplicate that success with Toronto theatre-goers.  He will be backed by an 18-piece Orchestra.

I caught-up with Jackman walking about the Entertainment District with a small entourage wearing Jeans, a Polo Shirt and a pair of Sunglasses.  In hurry to head off with his Children Oscar and Ava, he still took the time to greet a couple Fans and me, taking Photos and signing an Autograph or two.  Yes, he's pretty much flawless.  Confirmed.

Tickets are still available for the two-week engagement Hugh Jackman  in Concert here.  

Jackman can be seen in three Films this year, including: Snow Flower and the Secret Fan in which he sings in Mandarin, Butter and $80-million dollar Blockbuster Real Steel, which also stars Kevin Durand who has been in Toronto of late filming David Cronenberg's Cosmopolis.  Perhaps Jackman be reuniting with his Van Helsing Co-star Kate Beckinsale, who also happens to be in-town filming Total Recall?

See more Photos below:

ELTON JOHN, DAVID FURNISH & BABY ZACHARY IN TORONTO FOR "BILLY ELLIOT"

Elton John & David Furnish at Canon Theatre - March 2011

Elton John officially took over Toronto today as CTV rolled out the Red Carpet for the Pop Legend.  In-town with Partner David Furnish to promote their TONY Award-winning Musical Billy Elliot, now playing at Canon Theatre, the pair went on a Media Blitz today which included appearances on both CTV's The Marilyn Denis Show and eTalk.  This preceded Red Carpet Coverage at tonight's Opening with CP24, while appearances also are slated tomorrow morning at CHUM-FM and CTV's Canada AM.

Elton John leaving CTV

John and Furnish arrived in Toronto last night at their Yorkville Hotel with their Baby, Zachary.  Hotel staff could be seen clamouring to unload an endless array of Luggage from their Van, including a white baby Bassinet.  The Couple were spotted outside a Starbucks not far from CTV earlier this morning, sitting cozy in their SUV for half an hour before arriving finally at the venue.  

John indicated today on The Marilyn Denis Show that close Friend Lady Gaga would be a great candidate to be his Child's Godmother and hinted that he may well be attending her The Monster Ball Show this Thursday at Air Canada Centre.