"Danny Boy" kicks off the 7th edition of THE NEXT WAVE Festival of new musicals

We're thrilled that our musical, DANNY BOY, will kick off THE CENTRE FOR EDUCATION AND THEATRE IN MONTRÉAL (CETM) 7th edition of

THE NEXT WAVE / NOUVELLE VAGUE

Festival of new musicals

SEPTEMBER 25 – 28, 2014

AT CALIXA-LAVALLÉE – Salle Paul-Buissonneau

3819 Calixa-Lavallée, Montreal

AND AT THE LION D’OR – The ‘Lionceau’ Room

(enter through the Au Petit Extra Restaurant)

1690 Ontario East, Montréal

A world-class collection of performances, educational presentations and special events for musical theatre lovers and practitioners, as well as newbies to this unique artistic discipline.

INFO :  info@cetm.ca

514 504 9339

2014 SCHEDULE

CALIXA-LAVALLÉE

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 25
7:00 à 8:30 p.m.

DANNY BOY
BY LISA FORGET AND CHRIS BARILLARO  (Montreal)

A love story that bridges the gap between Ireland and Canada during the era of arranged marriages.

Come and hear musical numbers, see Irish dances and take a look behind the scenes with the Montreal-based creators of this new musical comedy with melodies that will stir your sou


We hope to see you there!

Girls & Monsters - An interview with Author Anne Michaud

She who likes dark things never grew up. She never stopped listening to gothic, industrial and alternative bands like when she was fifteen. She always loved to read horror and dystopia and fantasy, where doom and gloom drip from the pages.

She, who was supposed to make films, decided to write short stories, novelettes and novels instead. She, who’s had her films listed on festival programs, has been printed in a dozen anthologies and magazines since.

She who likes dark things prefers night to day, rain to sun, and reading to anything else.

She is Anne Michaud....

Lisa: Welcome to my little corner of cyberspace Anne!!! I'm in the throes of reading your book. I'm loving it! Creepy, thought-provoking,enjoyable morsel of literature. Tell me, what sparked the idea to write Girls and Monsters?

Anne: I had a bunch of short stories either rejected by magazines or that were supposed to be part of anthologies that never saw the day, so instead of having them locked up in my computer, I decided to expand them into novellas. Actually, I got the idea after writing Misery of Me (Tattered Souls volume 2, Cutting Block Press), since I loved writing novellas, I decided to changed them all and group them into one collection.

Lisa: An ingenious way for us all to enjoy your dark tales - all nestled between two covers.

Now, the "Girls" of Girls and Monster face some pretty scary creatures, tell me what monster do you fear most?

Anne: Man. After wars, rapes, murders, hate and abuse, I think Man is the biggest monster of them all. What we can do when we're angry, how easily we can turn into monsters ourselves, this is what truly frightens me.

Lisa: No truer words could ever have been uttered.... How about  the tales told in this collection of dark fiction, were any inspired by strange, yet true, events?

Anne: Well, Death Song and We Left at Night were both dreams I had a couple years ago, which makes them true in my life. I had a crazy neighbor growing-up, so the monster in A Blue Story wasn't hard to find. Black Dog was inspired by my first time in London living there, where I stayed in a youth hostels with a Churchill statue across the street. And Dust Bunnies is a mix of The Cure's Lullaby and Christiane F's (young Berliner prostituting for heroin), which could be considered true events – and sad, for sure.

Lisa: And would you say there's a message, in the stories featured in Girls and Monsters, that you hope to get across to your readers?

Anne: YES! Girls can be strong, can fight, don't need boys or adults to be in charge. Girls don't have to conform to society's perception of what they can and cannot do; they can be whatever they want. I want the girls who read this to understand we all make mistakes, we can all be weak at times, but in the end, we can kick butts.

Lisa: GIRL POWER!!! LOVE IT!! Any plans for Girls facing other supernatural entities?

anne: Of course, dear friend. I'm finishing up a soft sci-fi collection of novellas called Girls & Aliens, and the next one will be Girls & Ghosts. Dark and creepy would best describe these collections, methinks.

Lisa: Can't wait!

Well Girls and Boys....

She blogs http://annecmichaud.wordpress.com

She Facebooks: http://www.facebook.com/annecmichaud

She tweets @annecmichaud

Buy GIRLS AND MONSTERS on Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00CCQ1Q6W

Girls & Monsters Goodreads page: http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17335353-girls-monsters

ATTENTION.....ATTENTION......THERE'S A GIVEAWAY!!!

Giveaway Softcover copy + The Monster Collection Skellies, 5 pieces handcrafted by the author: 

** Giveaway link for people on Wordpress: http://www.darkfuse.com/contact/view.php?id=10891"  

The winner will be announced during the LIVE CHAT on release day, April 30^th at 9PM east http://www.darkfuse.com/events.html

Thank you so much Anne for dropping by and allowing us to be part of your BLOG TOUR! 

Girls & Monsters

I can't believe it's been so long since I've posted! Things have been crazy hectic yet creative and positive, but more about that in another post...

This post is dedicated to a writing friend of mine with a collection of dark novelettes scheduled for release mid-April.


A giant spider, a killer mermaid, a mad neighbor, zombies and a very dark soul - monsters, everywhere.
Wanna see what girls can do to them? Check out this collection of 5 dark novelettes.



Death Song Excerpt

Something catches in the back of my throat. I

hide my face in my hands to quiet the sobs. But then,

something ain’t right. Air moves around me and I

stop. I look between my fingers, but the blur of my

tears thickens everything: the bathtub, the towels,

and someone on the floor.

A woman’s in here with me, door still closed and

locked. An exhale, like after a deep swim, and a smell,

like the swamp close to my empty home. A chill runs

down my back, I wipe my eyes, rub and scratch them

to see more clearly. And I do.

Two gray hands scratch the floor tiles, nails green

with algae, putrid flesh sagging on her legs, arms

and torso, hair so long and wet and heavy, it drags

her down. Diluted, impossible to focus on, like little

waves rippling over her body from head to foot, seaweed

in the water. Scales and fins, mermaidlike, little

knives, those are. And they scrape the floor, like a

fork on a plate. It’s her—Limnade.

She opens her mouth of scissor-teeth and the rotten

smell of fish wraps around my throat like two

hands trying to choke me.

“You can’t be…” I don’t finish my breathless

thought and jump backward, knocking over the dish

of decorative soaps. Blurry waves, vision impaired,

out of focus, unreal. She crawls toward me, eyes unblinking,

lethal, hands inches from me: my legs refuse

to move, as my body feels like stone. Frozen,

hypnotized, a statue. Then I hear something coming

from within her…

A melody, reminding me of something lost, tickles

my ears. It drags on until the sweetness turns sickly,

vibrating into a full-on super-scream, hyenalike,

enough to pop my ears and make them bleed. Her

large mouth deforms her face into one gap of black,

the cry so high and strident, I scream from the pain.

Limnade stares at me, everything but her fades

away—Jo’s nice bathroom, Jo’s new life, Jo himself—

none of it matters anymore. Her fingers brush my

forehead, they’re cold and sticky like clams. And I let

the darkness take me away.

About the Author:

She who likes dark things never grew up. She never stopped listening to gothic, industrial and alternative bands like when she was fifteen. She always loved to read horror and dystopia and fantasy, where doom and gloom drip from the pages.


She, who was supposed to make films, decided to write short stories, novelettes and novels instead. She, who’s had her films listed on festival programs, has been printed in a dozen anthologies and magazines since. 


She who likes dark things prefers night to day, rain to sun, and reading to anything else.

She blogs http://annecmichaud.wordpress.com


She tweets @annecmichaud

Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17335353-girls-monsters Please don't be shy to click 'want to read'

I can't wait to sink my teeth into these juicy stories....

Review to come!



In Concert...17 days to go!

As I type this, I realize I'm filled with a sense of satisfaction at the fact that I accomplished what I set out to do earlier this year - compile and arrange a list of great songs I love to sing, engage wonderfully talented musicians and invited guests, put them together (all with the invaluable help of my accomplished musical director/arranger Chris Barillaro) to perform on the stage of Montreal's quintessential cabaret/concert/show venue - le Cabaret Lion d'Or!

At the moment, it's all I can think, talk, worry about!

October 23rd, 2012. Seventeen days to go!

(Well, that and going to see Barbra Streisand!! 11 days to go...)

Producing this type of show is something I've wanted to do for SOOOO long. I'm finally able to dedicate time and energy to making it happen and I couldn't be more thrilled....and nervous.

During this time of shameless (yet necessary) self-promotion, I've been reminded how loved and supported I am by my family Shawn, Caitlin, Emily, Megan, and Chad, as well as dear friends Millie, Elizabeth, Donna, Nae and Terry (and others, like the UIS) who would promote this concert through a megaphone at the top of Place Ville Marie - if it wasn't illegal - to ensure all of Montreal knew about this event! 

I am blessed and so grateful. Thank you.

I can't wait for this evening at the Lion d'Or, when I'll spend a couple of hours performing the songs I love and sharing the special ones that changed my life.

Lisa Forget - In Concert

Original cast member of Canadian productions of Les Miserables, Napoleon, and Jeanne La Pucelle, Montreal songstress Lisa Forget takes you on a musical journey with selections from the Broadway stage, the Hollywood screen, as well as chart-topping favourites.

Accompanied by a five-piece ensemble under the direction of Chris Barillaro (Schwartz's: The Musical, Altar Boyz, Guys and Dolls), Lisa is joined by special guests, fellow musical theatre performer, Frayne McCarthy (Les Miserables, Napoleon, Jeanne La Pucelle) and singer/recording artist, Christine Forget (Christine Forget, Love and Other Silly Things).

On the stage of the Lion d’Or –Montreal’s quintessential cabaret venue – this evening, filled with beautiful ballads, swinging jazzy standards, and Broadway showstoppers, will delight and entertain from the moment the lights go up, until the last curtain falls.

October 23rd, 2012 - 8pm

1676, rue Ontario Est (corner Papineau)

Montréal H2L 1S7

Metro: Papineau

www.cabaretliondor.com

Tickets are 25$ (plus $1.95 service charge) and available online at http://www.lavitrine.com/activite/Lisa_Forget

or contact me by leaving a message in the comments section

What is she doing now??

With my Cirque du Soliel project wrapped up for the summer, I now have some time to be doing things I'd put on that virtual back burner.

First off, enjoying some time with my daughters and my husband. I'm blessed. They keep me entertained, exasperated but feeling oh, so alive!

I'm having a blast posting the Bleeding Ink Author Spotlights, as one of the three Ink Babes. I encourage you to check out today's spotlight as well as the past spotlights. There's a new author spotlight every three days right through to September 5th. If you post a comment (even just a hello or word of encouragement) you have a chance to win a copy of the anthology, Bleeding Ink - A Collection of Dark Tales. 

We Ink Babes are grinning deliciously from ear to ear about the reviews coming in at Smashwords about this collection. "...creepy and wonderfully dark." "A must read!"

On August 2nd, Tammy Crosby and I (2 of the 3 Ink Babes) did a internet-radio interview with Jay Faulkner, on Following the Nerd Radio all about Bleeding Ink. Broadcast live from Co. Down, Ireland, this was a so much fun for me personally, as those of you who know me understand how much I love the Irish people (as they are such an important part of my life here in Montreal), the idea that my feet have never touched Irish soil, yet my voice resonated in the cyber air above it, sent a thrill right through me, I'm sure I babbled like a nervous fool! LOL! A podcast of the interview should be posted sometime soon. I haven't heard it yet, but look forward to it.

I'm working on the last draft of my novel, Bound, which I plan to submit to my publishers, MuseItUp, in the fall. (where you'll find my short-stories, Deathly Quiet, and Leapling)

And then there's the big project I'm working on - Lisa Forget - In Concert. It's something I've been wanting to do for so long. I've taken the first steps by securing musicians, 2 guest artists and contacting the venue.  I'm looking at late-October. Plans will be solidified by this time next week.  I'll be sure to let you all know, here, and on other social networks.

Perhaps you might like to join me for what I promise will be a night filled with beautiful music.

Before I sign off, this would probably be a good time to mention that on September 15th, I will be inducted in the Pointe St-Charles Hall of Recognition  for my involvement with the community. I'm absolutely delighted by this honour taking place at the YMCA Pointe St-Charles. Tickets are $35 with funds going to scholarships awarded at the event. Four other people/organizations - including Aces Footfall - will be inducted as well. If you're interested in attending, just let me know and I will pass your ticket purchase request to the committee.

I wish you all a wonderful day and rest of the week.

May your muses inspire....

Lisa

The Prince and the Pauper TONIGHT!

Good Morning my Blogger Buddies!

Le Prince et Le Pauvre is a show I was introduced to while working on The Great American Trailer Park Musical. 

I had the wonderful opportunity to perform one of the songs from the show at an event hosted by CETM (The Centre for Education and Theatre in Montreal) the organisation behind The Next Wave Festival

A presentation of this delightful musical is being presented tonight at L'espace Libre at 8:15pm, as part of the festival's August line-up. 

I'm posting this very nice review the show got in New York City, sent to me yesterday by my dear friend, CETM's very own director/producer/performer Stephen Pietrantoni.

To obtain more information on Le Prince et Le Pauvre/The Prince and the Pauper, click HERE

Be sure to check the Next Wave Festival link for their full August theatre schedule.

New York City Review by Oscar E. Moore

Based on Mark Twain’s story of switched identities and performed in French with simultaneous English translations of dialogue and songs projected on a Samsung monitor, Le Prince et Le Paurve (The Prince and the Pauper) is a charming, tuneful and most satisfying surprise at the Midtown International Fringe Festival.

A beautiful yet simple production, an Oliver! meets Les Miz - Le Prince et Le Pauvre boasts an incredibly melodic score played to the hilt by an on stage orchestra of five which includes Piano (David Terriault), Violin (Vincent Kim), Clarinet (Emilie Chamberland), Keyboard-percussion (Chris Barillaro) and by favorite French horn (Fanny Ladouceur).

The music, orchestrations and original stage direction by Julien Salvia are quite amazing for this low budget production that unfortunately played a mere three performances at the June Havoc Theatre as part of the Festival.

Le Prince et Le Pauvre has also been performed in Paris where it won the prestigious “Marius Award” for Best “family-oriented” Musical 2008 and also at the Centre for Education and Theatre in Montreal.  A very well deserved award, I might add.

The English adaptation by Michael Conley is based on the book and lyrics by Ludovic-Alexandre Vidal which adheres closely to the original text by Twain hitting all the major plot points in this two hour musical that has an excellent ensemble.

London. 1549. St. George’s Day.  Henry VIII’s son Edward (Emilie Allard) accidentally meets Tom Canty (Caroline Mailhot) a poor beggar who has an abusive father (Simon Chausse) and a loving mother (Nathalie Niesing).  It’s incredible how much the two young ladies look like one another playing the two young men and both singing magnificently and believably becoming the two who want to discover how the other lives.

There is the villain of the piece, Lord Hertford (Serge Turcotte) Edward’s uncle who hopes to make a puppet of the boy once he becomes King having himself made guardian of the young boy.  His silly lackey, Gustave (Alexandre Leveille) manages to be both stupid and sincere, turning in an almost show stealing performance. 

Richard Nicolas Villeneuve as Miles Hendon is searching for his long lost love Edith (Genevieve Bastien) who wields a wicked rolling pin saving the day.  He meets and befriends Edward posing as the beggar boy delivering his songs in a robust tenor while Ms. Bastien adds some flirty humor to the proceedings.

It was a brilliant move to cast two ladies in the leads as they are terrific and believable with strong voices.  It was wonderful to be able to care what happens to them, despite the translations sometimes going haywire.  It was an easy pleasure to follow the story line enacted by an expert cast with a score that could one day become a classic.

Source: http://oscaremoore.com/le-prince-et-le-pauvre-%e2%80%93-francecanadaunited-states-co-production-at-mitf

I encourage you to support Montreal theatre.  We have an ocean of bilingual talent in this corner of the world, let's get out there and see it!

Save me a seat, will ya??

Later,

Lisa

USA performance/marketing/other credits

www.MidtownFestival.org

Katie Rosin917-438-9223
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