EVENT: (Toronto) Amelia: The Girl Who Wants To Fly

“A new day dawns for Toronto’s musical theatre”

- Richard Ouzounian, The Toronto Star

“This company…is exactly what Toronto needs right now,

and truly is a dream come true for our city.”

Amanda Campbell, The Way I See It

Theatre 20 presents Amelia: The Girl Who Wants to Fly in Concert

Monday, Oct. 3, 8 p.m. at The Panasonic Theatre

Toronto, ON (Wednesday, Aug. 24, 2011) – Theatre 20, Toronto’s newest musical theatre company,

celebrates a new, story-driven Canadian musical by John Gray (Billy Bishop Goes to War, Rock ‘n’ Roll) in

the third concert of its 2011 Concert Series at the Panasonic Theatre.

Starring Theatre 20 Founding Artist Eliza-Jane Scott, Amelia: The Girl Who Wants to Fly tells the story

of the meteoric rise and mysterious disappearance of the legendary pioneering aviatrix Amelia Earhart

who rose to unimaginable heights, both literally and figuratively.

In 1930s America, the celebrity machine of the day created an idol whose image resonates even now,

more than 70 years after her death. Amelia Earhart… why did she want to fly? Where did she come from

and how did she become the legend? Gray’s examination of this infamous figure is part biography, part

romance, part comedy and part musical. We get to join Amelia on the thrilling ride.

Directed by Sarah Phillips (Artistic Director of Festival Players) with Musical Direction by Michael

Barber (Theatre Aquarius, Mirvish Productions, Stratford Shakespeare Festival), the cast also includes

Karin Randoja (Buddies in Bad Times, Caravan Farm Theatre, National Arts Centre) as Amelia’s sister

Midge and Steven Gallagher (Canadian Stage, Mirvish Productions, Grand Theatre) as her husband turned-publicist. 

This production comes to the Panasonic fresh from its run through August at Picton’s Festival Players of Prince Edward County and this fall at Ottawa’s Great Canadian Theatre Company from Sept. 13-Oct. 2.

Tickets prices range from $59-$69 and are available for purchase through TicketKing: online at TicketKing.com, by phone at 416-872-1212 and in person at the Panasonic Theatre Box Office, 651 Yonge Street, Toronto.

Theatre 20 is an artist led, story-driven company with a focus on developing and presenting original

Canadian musicals as well as re-imagining existing repertoire from both the national and international

canons. It is a not-for-profit, registered charitable organization that has been formed not only to create

musical works for the stage but also to play an active and positive role within the community. It aims

to nurture the talent of writers and composers and foster the development of young artists through

mentorship and education programs.

With a mandate rooted in the development, education and celebration of musical theatre, it hopes to

create work for and shine a light on the incredibly talented musical theatre artists of this country:

performers, composers, directors, choreographers, musical directors and designers.

Theatre 20’s management team is made up of Artistic Director Adam Brazier, Artistic Producer Tamara

Bernier Evans, General Manager Rosie Shaw and Producer Michael Rubinstein. Founding artists

include Evan Buliung, Brent Carver, Dan Chameroy, Juan Chioran, Ma-Anne Dionisio, Susan Gilmour,

Trish Lindström, David Keeley, Nora McLellan, Louise Pitre, Eliza-Jane Scott, Carly Street, Steven

Sutcliffe and Colm Wilkinson.

The founding artists of Theatre 20 have been at work for nearly two years – the first meeting together

was held in 2009. In 2010, the company’s focus was on continuing to develop the collective artistic

vision and creative perspective, as well as bringing together an incredible Board of Directors and a solid

network of supporters and advisors. 2011 marks the official company launch and the kick-off to a year of

introductions and interaction with the community, continuing to build education and outreach

programs, and fundraising. The intimate and entertaining 2011 Theatre 20 Concert Series is being held

at the Panasonic Theatre, and the company’s first full production will be on stage in 2012.

The impressive Theatre 20 Board of Directors is a diverse mix of prominent members of Toronto’s

business and arts sectors. It includes Bernie Abrams, Peter Bishop, Dr. Allan Detsky, Will Goldbloom,

Wendy Jarrett, Judith John, Brenda Lazare, Dave Morris, Allan O’Dette, Iris Nemani, Lola Rasminsky,

Jim Roe, Catharine Saxberg, Dr. Duncan Scott, Ron Singer, Jennifer Sloan, David Timms, Brian Topp,

Benjamin Trister and Lori Willcox.

For more information about Theatre 20, or to inquire about development, education, sponsorship

and/or volunteer opportunities, visit theatre20.com.