March 17, 2008

A reminder that the next Sing & Tell is tomorrow, Tuesday, night at 7 PM at Equity Showcase Theatre, 651 Dufferin St.

Our special performers at this Sing & Tell will be students from Randolph who are working with me on creating a Canadian Musical Theatre Cabaret. They will sing 5 numbers from this developing show - including the world premiere of an original song by one of the students.

We had one of biggest turnouts yet at our February Sing & Tell. Bring a Canadian Musical Theatre song to sing, and let's make this one even bigger.

Let me know at jimb@scriptlab.ca if you plan to come, and if you are thinking of bringing a song.

March 2, 2008

Kyle Golemba and musical partner Adam White perform their new all-canadian cabaret 'Yours To Discover' Featuring performers Sam Strasfeld and Anders Balderston as well as ScriptLab members Allie Hughes, Nancy White and Paula Wolfson. The show starts at 8 pm at the Gladstone Hotel. Tickets are $12. With music by Jim Betts, Neil Bartram, Jonathan Monro, Nancy White, Zachary Florence and more, the show promises to be an entertaining evening of great music and laughs!

February 17, 2008

Three local performing arts schools - Sheridan, Ryerson and Randolph - have all been working on Canadian Musicals. I have invited students from all three schools to join us at Monday Feb. 18th's Sing & Tell to sing material from their shows: Sheridan's THE BARBEQUE KING, Ryerson's THE MIRACLE MAN and Randolph's CANADIAN CABARET. If it all works out, it should be a very entertaining evening.

Come spend a part of Family Day with your ScriptLab family!

February 9, 2008

Here is the list of Upcoming ScriptLab events - and a reminder of the runs of 4 new Canadians Musicals premiering this month.

1) February Sing & Tell - Monday February 18th, 7-9 PM, Equity Showcase Theatre

2) Lehman Engel Musical Theatre Writers' Workshop - ongoing - still open to new writers who would like to join - Monday February 11th & 25th, 4-6 PM, Equity Showcase Theatre.  Note: If you are interested in joining this on-going workshop, but can't make Monday afternoons, please let us know that you are interested and when you would be available to attend the sessions.

3) Reading of Beth Harrington's Hard Hats - open to paid up ScriptLab members only - TBA - if you are interested in being a reader, let us know.

Here are the 4 new Canadian Musicals Premiering this month:

The Miracle Man - by Allen Cole and Michael O'Brien, Ryerson Theatre, February 5-14

The Barbeque King - by Steve Thomas and Mark Brownell, Sheridan Theatre, February 14 - 23, 2008

The Importance Of Being Earnest  - by Victor Davies & Eugene Benson, Toronto Operetta Theatre, February 22-24

Houdini - by Ben Gonshor and Elan Kunin, Segal Centre For The Performing Arts, Montreal, February 10-March 2

January 21, 2008

1)  The January Sing & Tell date has been changed (due to a scheduling conflict at Equity Showcase), to Tuesday January 29, 7-9 PM, Equity Showcase Theatre, 651 Dufferin.

2) Leslie Arden is prepared to do another Master Class over the next few months.  If you are interested in taking part (and this is a great experience for anyone developing a new show!) please let me know ASAP.  Participation is limited.

3) I am willing to organize a Group Outing to see Charlotte Moore's show at Theatre Aquarius.  I am proposing the Saturday January 26th 2 PM matinee.  I'm not sure yet what the cost will be but if we get enough people we will probably get a group rate.

4) My ScriptLab email address has changed to jimb@scriptlab.ca (some email spam network had hooked onto the old address).  I would appreciate you all changing the info in your address books.

5) A reminder that ScriptLab now has a Facebook Group page.

January 7, 2008

Welcome to 2008!  Let's make it another great year for Canadian Musicals!

Here is a list of some upcoming events that may be of interest to you.

1)     Sing & Tell, Tuesday January 22, 7 PM at Equity Showcase Theatre, 651 Dufferin -
Our first Sing & Tell of 2008 will also double as a kickoff for the ScriptLab 2008 Calendar Year.  Drop by to sing and/or to chat and/or help plan an exciting new ScriptLab Season!

2)     Lehman Engel Writers' Workshops - Monday January  14th and 28th, 4-6 PM, Equity Showcase Theatre, 651 Dufferin
    A participation fee of $200 (plus GST) will cover 12 months of these workshops - approximately once every 2nd week.  You can also sign up for 6 months - January to June, 2008, for $125 (plus GST).

3)    Cathy Elliott's musical Moving Day is one of the featured shows at Toronto's Next Stage Festival. 
    It's on until Sunday January 13th at The Factory Theatre.  Check out details HERE.
    This is a terrific show by a terrific writer - I would encourage anyone interested in Canadian Musical Theatre to make plans to attend.

4)    2008 Canadian Musical Theatre Festival, May 9-12, 2008.  Mark your calendars!
    Encouraged by the success of our first ever Canadian Musical Theatre Festival in November 2006, ScriptLab is planning a Festival for this year.  More details to follow soon.  (If you are available those dates, and would like to help organize or facilitate this event, please let us know.)

5)    Talk Is Free Theatre, which is very Canadian Musical friendly, is having a special Benefit performance of Sondheim's Anyone Can Whistle, Sunday January 13th.  Here is their Press Release.

"Talk Is Free Theatre announces one fundraising performance of Anyone Can Whistle (In Concert) in Toronto

Toronto, ON - On Sunday, January 13 at 8PM, Talk Is Free Theatre, a Barrie-based theatre company now in its 6th Season, is proud to present one fundraising performance of the legendary musical, Anyone Can Whistle (In Concert) at the Diesel Playhouse. Funds raised that evening will be earmarked for the development of new Canadian musical theatre writers and production of new Canadian musicals.
The star-studded cast, featuring performers from several Broadway and Toronto companies, includes Kate Hennig (Shaw Festival, Stratford Festival) as Cora Hoover Hooper, Adam Brazier (Broadway's Woman In White and Into the Woods) as J. Bowden Hapgood,Blythe Wilson (Oliver!, Oklahoma, Mamma Mia!) as Fay Apple and Richard Ouzounian (Theatre Critic for The Toronto Star) as The Narrator.
Joining them will be Steve Ross (The Producers, Toronto) as Chief of Police Magruder, Juan Chioran (The Producers, Toronto; Kiss of the Spider Woman on Broadway and National Tour) as Controller Schub, Jonathan Monro (The Producers, Toronto) as Treasurer Cooley with Jennifer Stewart (Hairspray, Toronto) and Sam Strasfeld (We Will Rock You) among others.
The performers will be backed by a 15-piece orchestra conducted by Wayne Gwillim, who serves as music director. Richard Ouzounian will stage the production, with choreography by Sam Strasfeld.
Set in an imaginary town that has gone bankrupt, Anyone Can Whistle focuses on the unpopular, manipulative and corrupt mayoress, Cora Hoover Hooper and the practical but idealistic nurse, Fay Apple. Mayoress Cora Hoover Hooper together with her political cronies fakes a miracle--water flowing from a rock -- that they think will attract tourist dollars. With book by Arthur Laurents and music by Stephen Sondheim, this will mark the show’s Toronto Professional Premiere after it first debuted on Broadway over 40 years ago.
Tickets for Sunday, January 13 8PM performance at the Diesel Playhouse are $40 and $27, and will be available beginning on Monday, December 17, 2007 in person at the Diesel Playhouse Box Office, 56 Blue Jays Way; by phone at (416) 971-5656; or online atwww.dieselplayhouse.com."

November 11, 2007

Here are some upcoming ScriptLab events, and a rundown of some related news.

1) Lehman Engel Workshops - every second Monday.  The next Workshop is tomorrow, Monday November 12, 4-6 PM, at Equity Showcase Theatre.  I will be there tomorrow, with apologies to all for not making it to our last session.

2) Sing & Tell.  The next Sing & Tell is scheduled for Thursday December 13th, 7-9 PM at Equity Showcase Theatre.  I am proposing that, in addition to our usual informal conversations,  this Sing & Tell be a "singalong".  I am encouraging writers and musical directors to come with songs (with music) that everyone can sing together.  Opening numbers, group numbers, finales!  I plan to bring "Anything Is Possible", the opening number from my On A Summer's Night musical.  I propose that folks who would like to bring potential singalongsongs bring at least 10-15 copies - and we'll save paper if we only bring the vocal lines.  Perhaps anyone who is thinking of bringing a song could contact me ahead of time so that we can be well prepared.

3) Brock Simpson would like everyone to know that his new CD - Polymythical - is available at Theatrebooks - also at www.indiepool.com/B019

4) Allie Hughes, one of newest ScriptLab participants, and a recent graduate our ScriptLab's Craft Of Writing For The Musical Theatre class, is doing a concert Thursday November 29th @ The Cameron House 408 Queen Street West.

5) Scott White and Petter Fenton's The Giant's Garden (workshopped by SL and featured at last year's Festival) will be receiving its World Premiere at Theatre Orangeville from November 29 to December 23.

6) Little Women, the musical that I and Nancy Early have written and workshopped through SL, is being performed this month both at the Randolph Academy here in Toronto (November 27 to December 1) and up in Cookstown (just South of Barrie) by The South Simcoe Community Theatre from November to December 2.

7) Emily by Marek Norman and Richard Ouzounian is being remounted at Talk Is Free Theatre in Barrie - November 15 to December 1.

8) With A Twist by Jonathan Monro is having its World Premiere at Lunchbox Theatre in Calgary, November 5 to 24.

7) Lin Joyce, our wonderful Equity Showcase coordinator, would like to encourage all our ScriptLab members to support the next Equity Showcase show: the tin drum: book one, playing at EST November 22-25.  It would be great to have ScriptLab folks come out and show support for this important Equity Showcase event.

Here is their poster...



October 4, 2007

Here is a list of dates for a variety of October ScriptLab (and related) events:

ScriptLab Events:

Sing & Tell: Tuesday October 16th, Equity Showcase, 7-9 PM (Let's all get together and raise the roof!)

Writers' Workshops: Our bi-weekly drop-in events - Monday October 15 and Monday October 29

Craft Classes: Every Thursday night, 7-9 PM

Related Events:

Elaine Campbell Memorial Celebration: Tuesday October 23rd, Glen Gould Studio, 11 AM - 2 PM



Two Canadian Musicals finish their premiere runs this week:

One Moment by Steve Thomas and Norm Foster, Theatre Orangeville

Tristan by Jay Turvey and Paul Sportelli at the Shaw Festival

And Funny Business has extended its run at the Diesel Playhouse.

September 7, 2007

The Craft Class will now begin one week later than originally scheduled - Thursday September 20, 7-9 PM.

We may also reschedule our first Sing & Tell - it's currently scheduled for the same night as the final Sharon's Party.

August 27, 2007

ScriptLab announces Fall Programming:

1) First Sing & Tell of the Fall - Monday September 17th, 7 PM, Equity Showcase Theatre.

2) Next Craft of Musical Theatre Writing Course will begin Thursday September 13th.  This 8-week Course is taught by ScriptLab Artistic Director Jim Betts, and is now a pre-requisite for admission into ScriptLab's twice-monthly Lehman Engel Musical Theatre Workshop.

3) ScriptLab is proud to announce its first Marek Norman Composer Clinic, a six-week program that will run from November 2007 to January 2008.

Other News:

1) Brock Simpson is having a CD launch this Wednesday night, August 29th - at the Supermarket (268 Augusta), 9 pm.

2) Strike!, Danny Schur's successful Winnipeg-launched musical will be broadcast as a CBC Radio-Concert Special on Labour Day, Monday, September 3rd at 1:00 PM local time across the nation, on CBC Radio One.  More info on the show's Web Site.

3) Cathy Elliott's Moving Day will be a part of  Toronto Fringe's Next Stage Theatre Festival, January 2-13 2008.  A fundraising event is being held at Hugh's Room on October 1. Doors open at 6:00 show starts at 7:30 and runs until 10:30.  The theme is "Summer of Love". Tickets for this event are $20 in advance and $22 at the door.  Prizes, music and booze.

August 17, 2007

1) Tonight is opening night of Funny Business - The Musical by Dan Abrahamson, Dan Falk and Rachel Brittain.  Partially developed in association with ScriptLab, the show was a hit at this year's Toronto Fringe Festival, and is now beginning a commercial run at The Diesel Playhouse in Toronto.

2) Miriam Fond, a New York based director and teacher, is holding a Musical Theatre Audition workshop September 23rd and 24th.  ScriptLab is helping to facilitate this workshop.  Here is the flyer with more specific information.

3) David Warrack's Rob Roy, which played successfully last year at The Edinburgh Fringe Festival, is having a CD (and Songbook!) launch on Monday August 27.





May 3, 2007

Lots of Canadian Musical Theatre news and productions!

The Last Best Spring Thaw: The Words and Music of Mavor Moore  will be presented at the Bluma Appel Theatre in Toronto on Monday night, May 7th, at 7:30.  It would be great to have as many people as possible there that night to pay tribute to a great Canadian, and the "father of the Canadian Musical Theatre".

The Giant's Garden by Scott White and Peter Fenton, has been announced as part of Theatre Orangeville's 2007-2008 season.  The Giant's Garden was one of the featured shows at last year's ScriptLab Canadian Musical Theatre Festival, and will become the first one of the many shows in ScriptLab's development process to begin contributing to the ScriptLab Royalty Pool.

Congratulations to Scott and Peter.  Congratulations, too, to Steven Thomas and Norm Foster, who will also have a World Premiere - One Moment - at Theatre Orangeville next season.  Kudos to Artistic Director David Nairn and Theatre Orangeville for their continued commitment works of the Canadian Musical Theatre.

Another of Scott White's shows - Top Gun (The Musical) - has been announced for The Dallas Hub Theater - deep in the heart of Texas!

Evil Dead - The Musical has begun performances in Toronto after its successful Off-Broadway run.

One of my own musicals, Stagefright, will be closing the current Talk Is Free Theatre season in June.

April 9, 2007

ScriptLab is now accepting applications for both The Craft Of Musical Theatre Writing and for the 2nd Leslie Arden Master Class.

We are also announcing an ongoing Writers' Workshop based on the model of The Lehman Engel Musical Theatre Workshops.

The Ongoing Writers' Workshops will offered every two weeks, Monday afternoons 4-6 PM, beginning Monday April 16 (followed by April 30, May 14, May 28, June 11, June 25, etc.).

A location will be confirmed in the next couple of days.

These will be drop-in opportunities for writers to try out material from works-in-progress, and receive constructive feedback.

I will chair these workshops, but input will be invited from all those in attendance.  Once every 4th session or so, we will invite an "outside professional" - writer, composer, producer, artistic director, dramaturge, etc. - to join us and offer perspective from other points of view.

There was clear consensus that a fee was appropriate.  I am proposing a fee of $150 (plus GST for a total of $159), to cover a total of 18 sessions - 2 per month from April to December of this year.  I would also propose that we offer a trial period of the first 3 months - April 16 to June 25 - for $60 (plus GST for a total of $63).

All writers who plan to bring in material must bring a minimum of 10 copies that can be shared by other participants.  Please bring at least the lyrics to songs, but leadsheets or complete piano/vocal copies are even better.  If you bring in a scene, there should again be at least 10 copies, and "parts" can be assigned to other attendees.

I think this is an exciting and important step in ScriptLab's activities.  Over 40 writers expressed interest in attending these workshops, so I look forward to seeing many of you there as early as next Monday.

Please let me know if you plan to attend, and if you think the proposed fee structure is appropriate.

The Craft Of Musical Theatre Writing is an introduction to i) the principles of writing book, music and lyrics for a musical, ii) dramatic structure and synopses, and iii) the history of musical theatre on Broadway, internationally and in Canada.  This is an 8 week program led by ScriptLab Artistic Director Jim Betts.  The cost is $250 (plus GST for a total of $265) per participant.  Classes will be Tuesday evenings, 7-9 PM, beginning Tuesday April 24th.  This class is highly recommended for beginning writers, or for any writers who are unfamiliar with the basic principles and vocabulary of the Musical Theatre.

The Leslie Arden Master Class is an intensive 10 session class in which successful participants will have the opportunity to work on one particular show over the 10 sessions under Ms Arden's guidance and mentorship.  Classes will begin in June, and will be held once or twice a week on a schedule yet to be determined. Should you be accepted to participate there will be a fee of $350 (plus GST for a total of $371) per writing team.

If your work is not already known by Ms Arden, please be prepared to submit:

• Names of Composer(s), Lyricist(s) & Book Writer(s) with contact information for a primary contact;
• Demo recording containing at least 4-6 songs from the show, in show order, not including reprises or instrumental sections (CDs only – no need for a professional recording);
• Detailed synopsis or treatment of your show, noting the placement of songs from the demo recording (approximately 2-3 pages);
• 15-page script sample (15 consecutive pages representing the heart of the show and including lyrics for at least one of the songs on the demo, stapled);
• Complete script or for works in progress a minimum of 30 pages or a complete Act 1, NOT in a folder or binder (brads or binder clips are fine, double-sided preferred);
• A one page history of the development and staged productions of your show, if any.
• $25.00 non-refundable administration fee per submission, cheques payable to ScriptLab.

Mail or deliver your materials to: ScriptLab c/o LL7 - 45 Charles St. E., Toronto, Ontario, M4Y 1S2.

There is no formal application form, or application deadline, for either of these classes.  Class size for both is limited, however, so you are advised to contact us as soon as possible.  Please forward your interest by email to jim@scriptlab.ca, or by surface mail to the above address.

March 19, 2007

The next Sing & Tell is a week Wednesday night, March 28th, 7 PM at Equity Showcase Theatre, 651 Dufferin St.  We will feature a few songs from the new show Funny Business by Dan Falk, Dan Abrahamson and Rachel Brittain.  It should be fun.  And please consider bringing a song to sing yourself!

Leslie Arden's next Master Class will begin in June this year.  Application forms will be available soon.  This Master Class is for work on shows in a relatively advanced state of development.

The ScriptLab Craft Of Musical Theatre Writing Course will begin in April.  This is a recommended introduction class (8 sessions) for anyone with an interest in reviewing the basics of book, music and lyric writing, dramatic structure, characterization, and essential musical theatre craftsmanship.  Let me know if you might be interested in taking this class - and if so, when you would be available for classes (ie. weekday evenings, weekends, weekday afternoons, Sunday nights, etc.)

Great news from Leslie Arden and Tim French.  The Boys Are Coming Home has been announced for next season at the Goodman Theatre in Chicago.  See the Playbill article.

Adrian Marchuk is looking for material for a cabaret of Canadian Musical Theatre songs he's putting together.  If you're interested, you can reach him at amarchuk@yahoo.com.

January 15, 2007
The next ScriptLab Sing & Tell has been scheduled for Tuesday January 30th, 7 PM, Equity Showcase Theatre, 651 Dufferin St., just north of Dundas.

We are offering to organize a Group Road Trip to the Talk Is Free Theatre production of Harvest Moon Rising (Book by Margaret Sample, Music & Lyrics by Leslie Arden).  We are proposing Friday February 2nd.  We have been offered a Group Ticket price of $10 per ticket.  Please contact us if you're interested in joining us that night AND please let us know if you are able to take any passengers should you plan to drive.

ScriptLab super-member Liz Beeler is performing a Benefit Concert, Unlaced, for The Toronto Operetta Theatre on Wednesday February 21st.  The 2nd half of the concert features all Canadian Musical Theatre songs.  Liz is also launching her first CD, featuring of many of those songs, the same night.

As part of its Bold Strokes initiative, the Sheridan College Musical Theatre program is presenting the World Premiere of a new Canadian Musical by Sheridan grad John Connolly.  Performances are scheduled from February 14th-24th.

January 10, 2007
Sandy Thorburn has written an interesting article on the current state of Canadian Musical Theatre.  You can find it on Arts News Canada site.

January 4, 2007
Applications are now being accepted for this year's New York Musical Theatre Festival, September 17th to October 7th.  Information is available on their NYMF Website.  (It looks like their last weekend overlaps with the NAMT Festival this year, which also coincides with Canadian Thanksgiving). 

The dates for our own Canadian Musical Theatre Festival have been set as November 12th to 18th.  Mark your calendars and start writing!

More News -
Brian Hill and Neil Bartram - whose musical The Story Of My Life just finished its world premiere run at Canstage - have been invited to the TheatreWorks "fifth annual writers' retreat".  See the details in the Playbill article.

January 1, 2007
Time to rev up the ScriptLab engines again.  Our first New Year's Resolution is to update this site more frequently, and we promise to offer more opportunities for Canadian Musical Theatre writers and artists soon.

The first opportunity is the Norman Campbell Award - see above.

Here's to a great year for Canadian Musical Theatre!

December 21, 2006
Mavor Moore has died at age 87.  Often called the Father of the Canadian Musical, Mavor Moore was a Member of The Order Of Canada, and the founder of The Charlottetown Festival.  You can read an obituary on the CBC site.  He will be greatly missed.

November 27, 2006
Thank you to everyone who participated in this year's Canadian Musical Theatre Festival. 

The Festival was a great success, and on behalf of everyone on the organizing committee we want to acknowledge all those who worked so hard to make it possible.  You know who you are!  Thank you!

Jim Betts and The ScriptLab Board of Directors

November 25, 2006
*Please Note* - Today's Saturday Afternoon Musicals performance at the Canadian Musical Theatre Festival will start at 1:30 PM.

November 21, 2006
OK, take a deep breath.  It all starts tonight!  Please join us at the first ever Canadian Musical Theatre Festival.

November 9, 2006
Next ScriptLab Ensemble/Choir Rehearsal this coming Sunday night, November 12, 7 PM, Equity Showcase Theatre.

November 5, 2006
Tickets are now on sale for ScriptLab's Canadian Musical Theatre Festival, November 21-26, Papermill Theatre, Toronto.  Go to TicketKing and scroll down the event listing.

Info on the Festival is available on the ScriptLab Festival Page.

Next ScriptLab Ensemble/Choir Rehearsal tonight - 7 PM, Equity Showcase Theatre.

October 28, 2006
We are having a few more auditions for our upcoming Canadian Musical Theatre Festival.  See the link above for more info about the Festival.  The next audition day is Monday October 30th, in the Guild Room at Equity Showcase. If you're interested, email us a note, with a picture and resume if you can, to submissions@scriptlab.ca

And tickets will be going on sale next week for the Festival.  Seating will be limited for all the events, so if you're interested in attending, consider reserving your seats soon.  Watch here for the ticket info.

October 15, 2006
Thanks to all of you who attended last week's Sing & Tell.  It was an excellent evening!

If you would like to join ScriptLab's revitalized Ensemble/Choir, the first rehearsal of the season is this Tuesday, October 17th, 1 PM at Equity Showcase Theatre, 651 Dufferin Street (just North of Dundas).  The Ensemble will be developing a repertoire of songs from the shows of the Canadian Musical theatre, and will be making its World Premiere at performances during ScriptLab's Canadian Musical Theatre Festival, November 21-26, 2006.  Please don't be intimdated if you feel you aren't an experienced singer or a great sight-reader.  Enthusaism is the most important attribute.  (Future rehearsals will be at a variety of times, some evenings, some weekends - so if you can't join us Tuesday afternoon, you'll have a chance to jump in later.)

Check back here later this week for announcements of future auditions and events.

October 6, 2006
Our next Sing & Tell is scheduled for Thursday October 12th, 7 PM in the Guild Room at Equity Showcase, 651 Dufferin Street (just North of Dundas).  No featured writer or show this week, so the floor will be wide open for contributions from the floor.  If you're new to the Sing & Tells, see the note in the September 19 News just below.  Please feel free to join us, whether you sing or simply listen.

We are starting up our Ensemble/Choir again, in preparation for its appearance at ScriptLab's Canadian Musical Theatre Festival November 21-26 (see link above).  I would love to see a singing force of 30-50 people, so please consider joining us - as we work up a repertoire of Canadian Mussical Theatre songs.  The first rehearsal of this new season is Tuesday October 17th, 1 PM at Equity Showcase Theatre.

For more information on ScriptLab's Canadian Musical Theatre Festival November 21-26, see the link above, and if you're interested in being involved please let us know by sending a head-shot and resume to submissions@scriptlab.ca or by mailing a hard copy to:
ScriptLab Submissions,
c/o LL7 - 45 Charles St. E.,
Toronto, Ontario,
M4Y 1S2

You can also become a ScriptLab Member for the 2006-2007 Season by checking out the info at Join Us.

September 19, 2006
Our first Sing & Tell of the season is scheduled for Wednesday September 20th, 7 PM in the Guild Room at Equity Showcase, 651 Dufferin Street (just North of Dundas).  Our featured writer will be David Warrack, who will present 5 songs from his musical Rob Roy, which was just presented at this year's Edinburgh Festival.
 
Our Sing & Tell Theme for the first couple of months this season will be "Essential Songs Of The Canadian Musical Theatre", so we hope you will bring in songs from your favourite Canadian Musicals, and lobby us on why those songs, and those shows, are important.  Some of those songs will end up being featured in our Actors' Fund Benefit that will kick off our Canadian Musical Theatre Festival Week in November.

Sing & Tells are informal, supportive, monthly gatherings.  They're open to anyone who has an interest in the Canadian Musical Theatre - writers, performers, directors, designers, producers, students, etc.

Everyone gathers around the piano, and one by one we sing Canadian Musical Theatre songs - writers might bring in songs from new or long-dead shows; performers might bring songs they use as audition pieces, or songs they sang themselves in Canadian Musicals.  We'd talk about the songs and the shows they're from.  We go one person at a time, one song each, until everyone who has a song has sung, then we can start round the circle again.  We're not gathered to tell people how to write their songs or their shows, we're there to share enthusiasms, experiences, anecdotes and dreams.

There is no admission fee, although everyone is encouraged to become a member of ScriptLab.


September 1, 2006

ScriptLab is preparing to kick off our 2006-2007 season.

Join us for our Season Launch, Sunday Night September 10th, at 7 PM, at The Papermill Theatre, on the site of the Todmorden Mills Museum (Broadview and Pottery Road).  Hear about this year's plans, sign up to become involved, and mingle with the stars (that's you guys)!

We are meeting at The Papermill Theatre, because that will be the venue for ScriptLab's first Canadian Musical Theatre Festival Week, November 21-26, 2006.  All of our fall activities will culminate in this inaugural event, an exciting six days which will include an opening gala performance, a symposium on the state and future of the Canadian Musical Theatre, and a weekend of showcases and readings of Canadian Musicals.

You can hear more information, and find out how you can become a part of this Festival Week, at our September 10th Launch Party.

Our first Sing & Tell of the season is scheduled for Wednesday September 20th, 7 PM in the Guild Room at Equity Showcase.  Our featured writer that night will be David Warrack, who will present 5 songs from his musical Rob Roy, which was just presented at this year's Edinburgh Festival.

Our Sing & Tell Theme for the first couple of months this season will be "Essential Songs Of The Canadian Musical Theatre", so we hope you will bring in songs from your favourite Canadian Musicals, and lobby us on why those songs, and those shows, are important.  Some of those songs will end up being featured in our Actors' Fund Benefit that will kick off our Canadian Musical Theatre Festival Week in November.

There will be a lot more going on this fall, so join us on the 10th to hear all about it.

We hope to see you there.

Here's a map to the Papermill Theatre:



August 30, 2006
Planning is underway for ScriptLab's upcoming 2006-2007 season.  Look for details here soon.

A launch event is presently scheduled for Sunday evening September 10, venue to be determined, where we will outline the plans for the upcoming Canadiaan Musical Theatre Festival Week scheduled for this November.

We also hope to make this site a bit more inter-active.  Until that happens, here is a request from Fran Handman, who is looking for a composer collaborator.

"I am a lyricist/book writer, living in New York, an alumnus of the Toronto and New York BMI Musical Theatre librettist/composer/lyricist workshops and am looking to collaborate with a Canadian musical theatre composer on a musical with Canadian content, set in the mid-19th century about a colorful, adventurous Canadian, Dr. Milton Alexander Ross.  I have about the 10th draft of a script and lyrics. For a partial listing of my credits, you can find me on the internet - access Fran Handman.  Not listed there; I was a writer for "Polka Dot Door."   I am also a member of SOCAN and the Writers Guild of Canada. You can reach me at fanhan@aol.com".

August 2, 2006

Master Class in "Writing For The Musical Theatre" announced - to be led by Leslie Arden.  Click here for details.

June 27, 2006
Congratulations to Michael Rubinoff (interim ScriptLab Board Chair), Derrick Chua and the entire Boygroove team for Boygroove being named  the first ever Now Magazine Audience Choice Award winner at last night's Dora Mavor Moore Awards.  See the CBC Report.

May 30, 2006

It has been a busy last few months, more Sing & Tells, our first Craft Of Musical Theatre Writing course, plus workshops of Brock Simpson's This Could Be Love and the Nancy Early/Jim Betts version of Little Women.

Our thanks to John Bertram for documenting the last Sing & Tell, and for putting together a wonderful web page to commemorate what a great evening it was.  Click here to be reminded!



Our last Sing & Tell of the season is set for Wednesday June 7th, 7 PM at Equity Showcase Theatre,  651 Dufferin Street (just North of Dundas).

March 22, 2006



1) 3 New Sing & Tells - Tuesday April 4th, Thursday May 4th and Wednesday June 7th. 

Please note that these Sing & Tells will continue to be free to ScriptLab members, but that from now on, after 1 complimentary visit, everyone who joins us for these evenings will be expected to be a fully paid up ScriptLab member.  ScriptLab Membership is $20.

2) The Lehman Engel Musical Writers' Workshops - Tuesday April 18th, Monday May 15th and Thursday June 15th.

Based on the model developed by Broadway composer-conductor-teacher Lehman Engel, these are designed to be an ongoing series of workshops where professional writers may bring scenes and songs from their works in progress for analysis and constructive feedback - [Admittance by application; participants will be expected to have completed the 8-Week Course in "The Craft Of Musical Theatre Writing (see below), or to have one or more professional productions of their musicals.]

3) An 8-Week Course in "The Craft Of Musical Theatre Writing - an introduction to i) the principles of writing book, music and lyrics for a musical, ii) dramatic structure and synopses, and iii) the history of musical theatre on Broadway", 8 consecutive Wednesday evenings April 12 to May 31.  $250 per participant.

To express interest in registering for  a ScriptLab event, email Jim  Betts - jim@scriptlab.ca

February 20, 2006
The next ScriptLab Sing & Tell will be TONIGHT!, Monday evening February 20th, 7-10 PM at Equity Showcase Theatre,  651 Dufferin Street (just North of Dundas). 

November 30, 2005
The next ScriptLab Sing & Tell will be Tuesday evening December 6th, 7-10 PM at Equity Showcase Theatre,  651 Dufferin Street (just North of Dundas).  Our Sing & Tells are open to anyone interested in the shows and songs of the Canadian Musical Theatre.  We invite anyone to choose a song from a Canadian Musical, and come sing it, talk about it, celebrate it.  You may also come and simply listen if you prefer, but participation is encouraged.  One of our rules is that everyone must tell you what a good song that was and how well you sang it.  A pianist will be available.

There will be a Public Reading of our workshop of Hot Dog, a new musical by Nelles Van Loon - Sunday December 4th at 6:30 at Equity Showcase Theatre,  651 Dufferin Street (just North of Dundas).

November 3, 2005:
The popular ScriptLab Sing & Tells make their return beginning Monday evening November 14th, 7-10 PM at Equity Showcase Theatre,  651 Dufferin Street (just North
of Dundas).  Our Sing & Tells are open to anyone interested in the shows and songs of the Canadian Musical Theatre.  We invite anyone to choose a song from a Canadian Musical, and come sing it, talk about it, celebrate it.  You may also come and simply listen if you prefer, but participation is encouraged.  One of our rules is that everyone must tell you what a good song that was and how well you sang it.  A pianist will be available.

Scott White will be our featured writer on the 14th, but we look forward to hearing from many more of you.  Please join us.  Free to ScriptLab Members; others may attend once at no charge but will be encouraged either to join ScriptLab or contribute to ScriptLab's activities.

September 22, 2005:
ScriptLab completed its first Workshop under the new ScriptLab model.  Cathy Elliott's Fireweeds received 6 4-hour workshop sessions, and everyone involved was enthusiastic about the results.  Participants included Cathy Elliott, Liz Beeler, Melanie Phillipson, Charlotte Moore, Amber Mills, Christine Rossi, Diane Stapley, Natalie Daradich, Erin VanderBurgh, Konrad Pluta, Janet MacEwan, Bob Ashley and Jim Betts.  Further sessions are planned.





September 11, 2005:
ScriptLab had a successful launch to the 2005-2006 season at the Arcadia Co-op Performance Space.  Information was distributed about the year's upcoming activities, sign-up sheets were available for upcoming classes and workshops, we heard some wonderful performances (sung and played by the likes of Leslie Arden, Cathy Elliott, Eric Craig, Emily Boutet, Charlotte Moore, Bob Ashley, and Sherry Garner) and we were treated to the world premiere performance of the new ScriptLab Performance Choir!

ScriptLab is pleased to announce its plans for the Fall and Winter of 2005/2006, and we invite you to participate.

Join ScriptLab in its quest to help create "Great Canadian Musical Theatre".  We welcome lyricists, composers, librettists, performers, musicians, producers, directors, musical directors, choreographers, and anyone else who wants to contribute to a stronger, more exciting Canadian Musical Theatre.

ScriptLab's 2005/2006 Season begins with a Launch Party and Information Night: Sunday September 11th at 7 PM, in the Performance Space of The Arcadia Co-Op, 680 Queens Quay West, at the foot of Bathurst.

The Launch Party will feature Food, Drink, Performances, Announcements, Explanations and Discussions; and will offer information on the variety of programs planned by ScriptLab for the next 6-8 months, including:

• Writers' Classes, Workshops & Intensives; 1) The Craft Of Musical Theatre Writing - an introduction to the principals of writing book, music and lyrics for a musical, 2) The Lehman Engel Advanced Workshop - a drop-in opportunity for professional writers to get feedback on works-in-progress, and 3) The ScriptLab Musical Theatre Intensive - for teams of writers wishing to concentrate on a specific projects over a short period of time;

• Readings and Workshops of specific shows, featuring professional performers and creative teams;

• Monthly Sing & Tells;

• a culminating "Show & Sell", a weekend Musical Theatre Festival designed to showcase ScriptLab's most promising works of the year;

• Individual Dramaturgy; and

• the debut of the ScriptLab Show Choir.

More detailed information on all of these initiatives, and registration forms for the Writers' Classes, Workshops & Intensives will be available here soon.

ScriptLab welcomes your participation, not only as a writer, performer or creative team member, but also as a producer or administrator.  All of ScriptLab's activities are dependent on having strong support teams, and we invite you to ask us about where you might best fit in. 

Please consider joining us at our Launch Party and become part of the excitement. The Meet and Greet starts at 7 PM, Performances and Announcements are scheduled for 7:30.

Please feel free to join us.

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