THIS WEEK'S TRIBUNE  THIS WEEK'S TRIBUNE Canadian cast of Jersey Boys helps a day school raise $150,000
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Canadian cast of Jersey Boys helps a day school raise $150,000 |
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Written by Tevy Pilc
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Wednesday, 24 June 2009 |
TORONTO – The Canadian cast of the Jersey Boys headlined a truly outstanding variety benefit concert – which raised $150,000 – last week for the Paul Penna Downtown Jewish Day School at the Miles Nadal Jewish Community Centre’s Al Green Theatre.
The unforgettable show honoured Dr. Zane Cohen, chairman of the Division of General Surgery at the University of Toronto, who also served as the Surgeon-in-Chief at Mount Sinai Hospital for 16 years.
The Paul Penna School, now in its 10th year, combines a strong emphasis on Jewish tradition with a major component of arts, culture and other forms of creative expression. Being the only day school in downtown Toronto, the school aims to promote a sense of intellectual stimulation and multicultural tolerance, while maintaining a strong Jewish identity.
After Jeff Madden, who stars as ‘Frankie Valli’ in the play, performed a song from his upcoming album, he was joined on stage by the rest of the four-man cast with an amusing rendition of ‘Guys Flicks,’ a medley of songs featured in movies made for males.
Perhaps the most distinctively individual performer was So You Think You Can Dance Canada finalist Miles Faber, a 21-year-old Toronto native (residing in Calgary) whose love for the urban dance culture has turned into a successful career. His energetic routine, which mixed his robot-like moves with a hint of soul, captivated the audience.
The husband and wife duo of Gemini award-winning actor, director and composer Ted Dykstra and Juno award-winning singer/songwriter Melanie Doane were one of three distinct musical acts in the evening. Their two-song set began with a sweet rendition of the soft sounding Tom Waits classic Martha, concluding with an upbeat violin and piano jam.
The other musical performances included the vocal trio Zari, opening the show with their traditional music and instruments from the Republic of Georgia, and the Jazzabelles, a local parent ensemble whose swinging harmonies brought smiles to the audience during an original composition dedicated to Dr. Cohen.
As well, the show featured two superb comedy routines: Women Fully Clothed, the female comedy troupe whose take on the challenges of today’s women was rather entertaining, and Kristen Thompson, who performed an hilarious excerpt from her one-woman play I, Claudia.
The audience marvelled at Jen Georgopoulos, the Zero Gravity circus sensation, who performed a death-defying aerial silk act to a metal-inspired cello symphonic background.
Between acts, video messages for Dr. Cohen from friends and family were featured, including a segment from children at the Paul Penna School. These messages certainly captured the essence of the evening: a celebration of appreciation for Dr. Cohen and the Paul Penna Jewish Day School. |
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Last Updated ( Thursday, 02 July 2009 )
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