The Leaskdale Manse in Uxbridge, where Lucy Maud Montgomery lived for fifteen years (1911-26) after marring Rev. Ewan MacDonald and where she wrote 11 of her 22 novels, has been deemed a national historical site. This is one of many happenings taking place this year in lieu of the 100th anniversary of the publication of Anne of Green Gables.
Built in 1886, the Manse is currently owned by the Township of Uxbridge, who are in the process of restoring it to its former glory. Its designation as a national historic site was cemented by Bev Oda, federal Minister of International Co-operation, this past Saturday with a plaque.
CBC Prince Edward Island
The Charlottetown Festival wants to know something. Is Anne of Green Gables: The Musical the longest-running musical ever? If so, could a spot in the Guinness Book of Records be in its future?
The musical will be entering its 44th
At the moment, Guinness does not recognize any musical as being longest-running in its record book.
The Anne musical does have some competition. The Fantasticks ran at the Sullivan Street Playhouse in New York City for nearly 42 years (May 1960 to January 2002); and it claims to be the world’s longest-running musical. In terms of performances staged, they’d be correct. Compared to Anne’s 2600 to date, The Fantasticks was performed 17,162 times during its run. In terms of years, the Anne musical would have the edge (44 years and counting to 41 and change).
If the Guinness organization were to agree with the Confederation Centre in Charlottetown, Anne of Green Gables: The Musical would get recognition for it.
CBC Prince Edward Island
In a recent interview with AOL Entertainment Canada, Zach Bennett had the following to say regarding his role in the short film Homecoming, which will be screening at this year’s Worldwide Short Film Festival in Toronto…
The actor admits he was nervous about his first death scene, which had him lying moribund on a shelf in a real morgue. “The smell was unbelievable, its the first thing that hits you when you come near the morgue itself,” Bennett says. Despite the potency of the odour, he says his surroundings inspired a sort of eery calm.
“I found it oddly peaceful to be in there with a lot of death,” Benett says. “It wasn’t scary in any way - it was very very cold and stinky but also it really put life into perspective.”
The entire film festival runs from June 10-15.
Recently, during the announcements for their fall TV lineup, CBC mentioned that the miniseries Everest — recalling the 1982 Canadian expedition up the summit — will air this fall. In it, Zach plays photographer Blair Griffiths, one of the first to die during the climb.
AOL Entertainment Canada: Felix King Goes Six Feet Under
Worldwide Short Film Festival
Screendoor: Everest
Forever Zach
The nominees for this year’s Dora Awards — which honours Toronto’s theatre and opera scene — have been announced.
Lally Cadeau and Megan Follows are among the nominees for Outstanding Performance by a Female in a Principal Role in a Play — Lally for her role in Rose, and Megan a double nominee for Top Girls and Three Sisters.
Top Girls is up for seven awards overall, also including Outstanding Production of a Play. Rose received five nominations.
Also among the nominees with an RTA connection is David Ferry (Stuart McRae), who is up for Outstanding Performance by a Male in the Independent Theatre division for his role in Lullaby. It was also announced that Fiona Reid (Maude Craig) would receive the Barbara Hamilton Award, which honours excellence and advocacy in the performing arts.
The awards will be handed out, untelevised, on June 30 in Toronto.
2008 Dora nominees list (Canadian Press)
Globe and Mail
Former RTA guest star Frances Bay will be receiving a star on Canada’s Walk of Fame in Toronto. She won a Gemini for her role as Aunt Eliza Ward’s Cousin Winnifred in the episode “After the Ball Is Over”. However, she may be better-known as “The Marble Rye Lady” on Seinfeld; and is known as “the Hollywood Grandma”.
Last fall, members of her family and friends in her home province of Manitoba put out an online petition to convince Canada’s Walk of Fame to give her a star.
Also receiving a star are the comedy troupe Kids in the Hall; its members are Kevin McDonald, Bruce McCullough, Mark McKinney, Scott Thompson, and Dave Foley (Lewis Allen in the second Anne miniseries).
The Walk of Fame ceremony will take place in Toronto this September. Past inductees with an RTA connection are Shirley Douglas (guest starred in “High Society”; inducted in 2004) and Gordon Pinsent (guest starred in “Someone To Believe In”; inducted in 2007).
CBC Arts: Walk of Fame inductees
CBC Manitoba: “Hollywood Grandma” deserves star on Walk of Fame
