Under the Direction of Shaun Toohey, and the Musical Direction of Wendy Berkelaar, our inagural Cabaret entitled "New Voices" was not just about the singers. It was an introduction to some of the most groundbreaking contemporary musical theatre composers working today. Meet the cast and creative team that helped bring it to life. Check out our production photos here.
Capital Cabarets: New Voices
September 10, 2016
Jennifer Cecil
Jenn is an actor, singer, and teacher with a B.F.A in Acting from Michigan State University. Recent credits include Pericles, Prince of Tyre (A Company of Fools), Songs & Sass (The Avalon Studio), Company (CMTP), and Anne of Green Gables (Orpheus Musical Theatre). Jenn spends her days working with The Ottawa Children’s Theatre and The Acting Company, and is so excited to a part of Capital Cabarets! Love to the Chadster for putting up with my crazy schedule and loud singing! UP NEXT: The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee (Indie Women Productions), November 16th – 19th (www.thegladstone.ca)
Rejean Mayer
Rejean is beyond happy to be performing with this dream group. He has appeared in many musicals, including Hairspray (Mrs Turnblad), Spamalot (Patsy), The Producers (Roger Debris), Beauty and the Beast (Lumiere), Victor/Victoria (Toddy) I Love You, You're Perfect, Now Change (Man 1) and Forever Plaid (Frankie). A member ACTRA, Rejean has been working on a number of projects, including Clown, Mind Over Murder and most recently, His Master's Voice. Many thanks to the Directorial and Production team for their confidence and to his spouse Chris and daughter Courtney for their love and support.
Nicole Milne
Nicole is a Winnipeg-born, Ottawa-based performer who has played leading roles in more than 40 musicals and plays throughout a 35-year career on stage. Selected musical theatre credits include Legally Blonde (Paulette), Into the Woods (The Witch), The Full Monty (Georgie), Guys and Dolls (Miss Adelaide), Grease (Rizzo), Sweet Charity (Charity), Company (Amy). She is the Artistic Producer of Zucchini Productions and the Director and Producer of Ottawa’s Confidential Musical Theatre Project (Company, My Favorite Year, The Spitfire Grill). She’s delighted to be returning to the stage with such a vibrant and talented group of players, and is grateful to the Ottawa audiences for their support of this new venture! Love to Chris.
Graeme Parke
After more than a year away from the stage (in part due to a promotion to new-dad status) Graeme is very happy to be back for this Capital Cabaret debut show. High school teacher by day, by night he has performed with various Ottawa theatre companies including Orpheus Musical Theatre Society and the Confidential Musical Theatre Project. Many thanks to Wendy, Nicole, and Shaun for the opportunity, and a special super massive thank you to Megan and Henry!
Wendy Berkelaar Musical Director
Originally from Nova Scotia, Wendy moved to Ottawa in 1995 to earn a masters degree in classical piano. From there she side-stepped into the world of musical theatre and hasn't looked looked back with theatrical adventures taking her from Ottawa to Australia to Quebec to British Columbia to Switzerland to Germany and back again. Currently the Musical Director for the Ottawa franchise of the Confidential Musical Theatre Project and also for Zucchini Productions, Wendy is having more fun than ever bringing musical theatre to the nation's capital. Favourite credits include "Legally Blonde" (Orpheus), "Little Shop of Horrors" (Okanagan Stage), "Grease-Das Musical" (European Tour), "Book of Mormon" (Broadway Across Canada - Ottawa sub).
Shaun Toohey Director
As an original member of Zucchini, Shaun is thrilled to be associated with this new incarnation of the theatre company, many thanks to Nicole and Wendy for bringing him onboard for this cabaret series. Selected directing credits include the acclaimed "Naked Boys Singing" at Live On Elgin this spring, the upcoming production of "Boeing Boeing" at The Ottawa Little, “Footloose” , “Grease”, “Sweet Charity” and the award winning “Dirty Rotten Scoundrels”. Acting credits include; “Love ! Valour! Compassion!”,“The Lights of Shangri la”, Max in “The Producers” (CCC award), The Baker in “Into The Woods” and Alan Turing in “Breaking The Code” for which he received his second CCC award for best actor. A teacher by day Shaun has worked with the Western Quebec School Board, The Acting Company, Ottawa Children's Theatre and The Ottawa Catholic School Board.
Capital Cabaret Band
Wendy Berkelaar - keyboard
Gabe Leury - bass
Pierre Huneault - drums