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“TOM”

... he’ll risk it all to paint the land he loves...

A NEW MUSICAL
inspired by the story and passion of Tom Thomson

Featuring Christopher Sawchyn as Tom
with
Matt Evans, Lada Darewych, Alastair Love, and Paul Chaput.

Supporting chorus of dancers and singers includes Talia Azzano, Bill Legate, Olivia Quinn-Smith, Sarah Mills, Kit Boulter, Eric Braul, Briana Wilson, Dylan Chauvin-Smith and Lauren Best.

Musical ensemble features Keira McArthur on cello, Tyler Wagler on bass, and music director and composer david sereda on piano. Soundscape and percussion is by Bridget DeBernardi, designed by Bridget and Peter Jarvis.

Movement and choreography by Clare Preuss.
Set and Prop Design by Brad Harley (Shadowland).
Lighting design by Gareth Crew.
Costumes by Kim Jung Hye.

People think the mystery of Tom is how he died: this play asks, how did he live?
It also asks: why make art?  Why make it here, can't we import it?  Why do we need it?  


TOM: a musical story of a life rich with passion, colour, canoes, contradictions and... mystery.



TOM is supported by The Ontario Arts Council, Theatre Office, The Grey Bruce Community Foundation, ArtsVest, The Bank of Montreal and The Ontario Trillium Foundation. Thanks as well to all our supporters at fundraisers in Owen Sound and in Toronto.

“TOM” helps to celebrate the Tom Thomson Days Festival and Owen Sound’s 150th Homecoming Celebrations.

SONGS IN THE KEY OF TOM

... songs inspired by the life, art & times of Tom Thomson

It's a rendezvous with Tom Thomson, one of the most unpretentious and mysterious painters of them all. Tom was down-to-earth, unpredictable, impatient and tenacious. He was a fisherman, a music-lover, a loner and a loyal friend. All of these qualities are explored in Songs in the key of Tom, a musical journey of his life from his boyhood in the town of Leith near Owen Sound to his artistic prime and disappearance in Algonquin Park.

Songs composed by david sereda and the brush collective weave together with songs of Thomson's world to create a musical portrait of Tom, his times and his spirit. It's played to delighted audiences in theatres, galleries, art centres and concert venues in Toronto, Huntsville, Sarnia and Owen Sound.

The Songs in the key of Tom trio:
david sereda, voice & piano
with
Keira McArthur, cello & voice
Tyler Wagler, bass & voice

(Depending on availability, the trio can be augmented with Sandra Swannell, violin & vocals and Ken Whiteley, mandolin & vocals.)

"Songs in the key of Tom" is available to be performed at a place of your choosing!

Contact us to present "Songs in the key of Tom" at your function or event!

Praise for Songs in the key of Tom:

"Songs in the Key of Tom is a moving but fun concert both for people who know nothing about Canadian artist Tom Thomson, and for experts on his paintings. The lyrics in many cases are based on the participants' long looking at the artist's production, and connecting with what he was trying to do as a painter in response to the northern woodlands. Tom's story is told in song in a sensitive and engaging manner. Each "number" is distinct and different from the last, as the story unfolds. I found the event gripping, emotional, and uplifting. The sense of a strong and vital connection between visual art and music was very powerful and exciting."
– Liz Wylie, curator, The University of Toronto Art Centre

"…how amazing and profound and brilliant this concert is -- I was deeply moved and inspired. I think you have a huge hit on your hands, this work definitely has legs, I can see it touring Canada. It touches something very deep in our collective psyche, just as Thomson did and does."
– Robin Pacific, artist


"Thank you again for that sublime concert."
– Lilie Zendel, City of Toronto


"Loved the songs and the evening was so beautifully conceived and coordinated....
so much rich material..."
-Cynthia Grant, theatre director

“Songs in the Key of Tom is charged by David Sereda's clear voice and strong songwriting. I was able to see, as well as hear the music which artfully carried me through the painter's life."
- Martha Johnson, singer, songwriter
.

FRED AND DORIS SAY:
“YE CANNA THROW YOUR GRANNY OFF A BUS”
With Ted Codack and Audrey Otter

SENIOR ABUSE PREVENTION PROJECT

SENIORS PERFORM A POWERFUL PLAY WITH MUSIC TO DISCLOSE THE REALITIES AND IMPACTS OF SENIOR ABUSE. TO THEIR PEERS , GENERAL AUDIENCES AND YOUTH.

Doris is determined to brighten Fred's life,  but Fred has a dark secret.    As they catch up on news about old friends, Fred learns he's not the only one who's been abused.  And he finds out what can be done to change things.

“Fred & Doris in: Ye Canna Throw Your Granny Off A Bus”, a play that mingles gaiety, misery and lively music, offers a heartening approach to the harsh reality of senior abuse.

Script by Ted Codack, Audrey Otter, Joan Chandler and David Sereda.

The primary purpose is to improve the awareness about senior abuse, creating a climate in which disclosure may be more easily made by victims and others in rural and urban Grey and Bruce Counties.  
Length: Approx 1 hour.   Performances last about 45 minutes, and are followed with a 15 minute interim for audience interaction.

The cast includes Audrey Otter and Ted Codack, the stars of “Bruno and Alice”, part of the “Stay On Your Feet” falls prevention program with the Grey Bruce Health Unit. Book a presentation for your community. Contact Sheatre... The project is a production of Sheatre, with The Seniors Awareness and Advocacy Network (SAAN) and The United Way.  It is funded by New Horizons for Seniors.