NOVEMBER 11 - 13
KEVIN WONG
Photo by Hoffworks
Evening Sponsors
WELCOME TO UNCOVERED
Don’t want to grow old too fast Don’t want to let the system get me down I’ve got to find a way to make the good times last And if you’ll show me how, I’m ready now Where’s the party? I want to free my soul Where’s the party? I want to lose control - Madonna, Where’s The Party (True Blue)
I’m a proud child of the ’80s. I vividly remember being 10 years old, rehearsing for my first paid gig (I was a child actor of little consequence) on the Kool-Aid stage at the 1987 Canadian National Exhibition. I was living in Thornhill, and for nearly three weeks, a carpool took us downtown for rehearsals and performances. Every ride, without fail, we’d pop in a cassette (Google it, young people) and listen start to finish, to Madonna’s third studio album, True Blue.
At the time, I was far too young to fully grasp the themes of Papa Don’t Preach, Open Your Heart, Live to Tell, or La Isla Bonita, but every lyric, every note, is etched into my memory. That summer was pure magic, joyful, transformative, and full of music that would stay with me for life.
That same year, even though I was too young to see the movie, everyone was quoting one unforgettable line: “Snap out of it!”—Cher’s iconic delivery in Moonstruck , just before she won the Academy Award.
In 1987—before the internet, smartphones, or social media—Cher and Madonna weren’t just famous; they were cultural forces in the world. They were the soundtrack to our lives, the fashion we aspired to, the stories we admired, and the fearlessness we craved. They didn’t just reflect the times, they shaped them. Bold, defiant, and visionary, they carved out space for themselves and, in doing so, gave the rest of us permission to attempt to match their audacity.
Tonight, we come together—children of many decades—to celebrate, rediscover, and relive the music that marked so many of life’s milestones. With Kevin Wong’s brilliance and this extraordinary cast and group of musicians, we’ll uncover new layers in the music of these two trailblazing legends.
At The Musical Stage Company, we believe in the power of music to tell stories, stir emotions, and bring people together. Cher and Madonna have been doing exactly that for generations. At the height of their fame, “coming together” meant gathering in sold-out arenas. Tonight, we gather in this glorious hall, united by the same timeless rhythms, ready to dance, sing, and feel the joy all over again—just like I did in the backseat of that car, lost in the music of a cassette that never wore out.
MICHAEL RUBINOFF (HE/HIM) ARTISTIC DIRECTOR
LAND ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
As you watch UNCOVERED: MADONNA & CHER , please consider its original caretakers both recorded and unrecorded, who have been giving their love and have been connected to this land for generations.
UNCOVERED: MADONNA & CHER is being performed in the “Dish With One Spoon Territory”, a treaty between the Anishinaabe Nation, Mississaugas of the Credit, & Haudenosaunee Confederacy that bound them to share the territory and protect the land. Subsequent Indigenous Nations and peoples, colonial settlers, and all newcomers, have been invited into this treaty in the spirit of peace, friendship, and respect.
Indigenous artists have been making music and telling stories on this land for countless generations, and we encourage you to seek out and support the work of today’s Indigenous artists. As part of our commitment to Truth and Reconciliation, and to supporting Indigenous art, we have made a donation to Native Women in the Arts. See more about their work at www.nwia.ca/
A NOTE FROM THE CREATORS
Music makes the people come together...
Mononymous icons Madonna and Cher are two of the most enduring, shape-shifting women in pop culture history. Both revolutionized music, fashion, and self-presentation, but they did so from different generations and sensibilities.
Life is a mystery, everyone must stand alone...
Cher invented the concept of a female pop star who could command her own narrative. Madonna perfected and (some could argue) weaponized that concept in the age of globalized mass media. And both of them walked so artists like Britney, Xtina, Kylie, Beyoncé, Gaga, Lorde, Charli and Chappell could run.
Faster than the speeding light she’s flying, Trying to remember where it all began...
Because of how successfully they branded themselves, setting the mark of what it means to communicate artistic identity through imagery and iconography, what we often remember now are those very images, sometimes forgetting all else. We begin to conflate an image-first perception of an artist with the idea that they must be only the image.
I traded fame for love without a second thought It all became a silly game, some things cannot be bought...
But Madonna and Cher are not artificial. Each image, era, and sound shift comes from a place of what appears to be true reflection. Cher’s reinventions arise out of necessity. When the industry moves on, she pivots. From variety television to disco glamour, power ballads to electronic dance, Cher’s comebacks are testaments to her resilience and timing. Madonna, however, uses reinvention as an artistic strategy, deliberately provoking with sexuality, spirituality, and gender as central themes. Each of her eras is an updated manifesto of control and societal challenge.
This is a song for the lonely, when your dreams won’t come true...
The UnCovered series pairs artists’ catalogs in conversation with one another to offer rich comparisons, delving into lyrics and melodic shapes to try and seek what these artists sought. In Madonna and Cher’s discographies, we find something unexpectedly sincere and nuanced: multifaceted vignettes of their lives, careers, and perspectives. Material Girl is not merely a celebration of materialism, but rather a tongue-in-cheek critique of living in a world rife with it. Believe is an ode to survival after immeasurable heartache. Papa Don’t Preach captures a young woman at a vulnerable, life-changing moment. Each song contains a world within.
Can you hear this prayer? ‘Cause someone’s there for you...
Within those vivid, defiant lyrics, we can see ourselves represented. It’s hard to overstate how important and culture-shaping each of these icons have been to LGBTQIA2S+ communities in particular. They’ve embodied camp, celebrated excess, welcomed self-parody, challenged AIDS stigma and incorporated queer aesthetics into mainstream culture before it was profitable. Their work mirrors our truths, and in turn, they’ve drawn power and inspiration from ours.
The beat goes on...
KEVIN WONG (HE/HIM)
ARRANGER, ORCHESTRATOR & MUSIC SUPERVISOR, UNCOVERED: MADONNA & CHER
PERFORMANCE NOTE
KAYLEE HARWOOD (SHE/HER)
STAGING & DRAMATURGY, UNCOVERED: MADONNA & CHER
The text featured in U NCOVERED: MADONNA & CHER has been curated from actual quotes spoken by Madonna and Cher, mixed with interviews with the onstage performing artists conducted by the creators. Research and quotations compiled by Jason Spetter and dramaturgy by Kaylee Harwood.
PAUL BEAUCHAMP
Executive Director
MICHAEL RUBINOFF
A rtistic Director
presents
UNCOVERED: MADONNA & CHER
Arrangements, Orchestrations & Music Supervision KEVIN WONG
Co-Arrangers, Co-Orchestrators, & Music Co-Supervisors
JONATHAN CORKAL-ASTORGA & SUZY WILDE
Staging & Dramaturgy
KAYLEE HARWOOD
Script Curation JASON SPETTER *AS PART OF THE 2025 APPRENTICE PROGRAM
THE CAST
DIVINE BROWN NATHAN CARROLL SARA FARB
JEIGH MADJUS STEVEN PAGE ELM REYES*
JACKIE RICHARDSON ANNIKA TUPPER
THE ORCHESTRA
Guitar/Piano SUZY WILDE
Drums/Percussion JAMIE DRAKE
Music Director & Piano/Conductor KEVIN WONG Bass ROSS MACINTYRE
CREATIVE & PRODUCTION TEAM
Producer KELLY READ
Apprentice Stage Manager EVAN REID*
Stage Manager SEREN BROOKE LANNON
Associate Music Director JONAH NUNG
Lighting Designer IMOGEN WILSON
Apprentice Artistic Producer, Assistant Staging & Dramaturgy RIELLE BRAID*
Running time is approximately 120 minutes with one 20 minute intermission. Content warning: this performance contains use of strong language.
Any video/audio recording of this production is strictly prohibited.
Cell phones and other electronic devices are distracting for actors and audience members, please turn them off during the show.
SONGS FEATURED IN UNCOVERED
SONGS ARE LISTED IN ALPHABETICAL ORDER & SUBJECT TO CHANGE
4 MINUTES
WRITTEN BY MADONNA, NATE HILLS, TIM MOSLEY & JUSTIN TIMBERLAKE
PERFORMED BY JEIGH MADJUS, ELM REYES & ANNIKA TUPPER
BANG
BANG (MY BABY SHOT ME DOWN)
WRITTEN BY SONNY BONO
PERFORMED BY DIVINE BROWN
BELIEVE
WRITTEN BY PAUL MICHAEL BARRY, BRIAN HIGGINS & STEVE TORCH
PERFORMED BY NATHAN CARROLL & KEVIN WONG BACKGROUND VOCALS BY ELM REYES & ANNIKA TUPPER
BORDERLINE
WRITTEN BY REGGIE LUCAS
PERFORMED BY DIVINE BROWN BACKGROUND VOCALS BY NATHAN CARROLL, ELM REYES & ANNIKA TUPPER
BURNING UP
WRITTEN BY MADONNA PERFORMED BY DIVINE BROWN BACKGROUND VOCALS BY NATHAN CARROLL, ELM REYES & ANNIKA TUPPER
CRAZY FOR YOU
WRITTEN BY JOHN BETTIS & JON LIND
PERFORMED BY JEIGH MADJUS
DEEPER AND DEEPER
WRITTEN BY MADONNA, SHEP PETTIBONE & ANTHONY SHIMKIN
PERFORMED BY ELM REYES & ANNIKA TUPPER
EXPRESS YOURSELF
WRITTEN BY MADONNA & STEPHEN BRAY
PERFORMED BY ENSEMBLE
FROZEN
WRITTEN BY MADONNA & PATRICK LEONARD
PERFORMED BY SARA FARB
BACKGROUND VOCALS BY DIVINE BROWN & JEIGH MADJUS
I FOUND SOMEONE
WRITTEN BY MICHAEL BOLTON & MARK MANGOLD
PERFORMED BY KEVIN WONG
I GOT YOU BABE
WRITTEN BY SONNY BONO
PERFORMED BY ELM REYES & ANNIKA TUPPER
IF I COULD TURN BACK TIME
WRITTEN BY DIANE WARREN
PERFORMED BY STEVEN PAGE
INTO THE GROOVE
WRITTEN BY MADONNA & STEPHEN BRAY
PERFORMED BY ENSEMBLE
JUST LIKE JESSE JAMES
WRITTEN BY DESMOND CHILD & DIANE WARREN
PERFORMED BY SUZY WILDE
BACKGROUND VOCALS BY ANNIKA TUPPER & SARA FARB
LIKE A PRAYER
WRITTEN BY MADONNA & PATRICK LEONARD
PERFORMED BY DIVINE BROWN, SARA FARB & STEVEN PAGE
BACKGROUND VOCALS BY NATHAN CARROLL, JEIGH MADJUS, ELM REYES, JACKIE RICHARDSON, ANNIKA TUPPER, SUZY WILDE & KEVIN WONG
LIKE A
VIRGIN
WRITTEN BY BILLY STEINBERG & TOM KELLY
PERFORMED BY JEIGH MADJUS
BACKGROUND VOCALS BY SARA FARB & ELM REYES
MATERIAL
GIRL
WRITTEN BY PETER BROWN & ROBERT RANS
PERFORMED BY STEVEN PAGE
BACKGROUND VOCALS BY NATHAN CARROLL, ELM REYES & ANNIKA TUPPER
MUSIC
WRITTEN BY MADONNA & MIRWAIS AHMADZAI
PERFORMED BY ENSEMBLE
PAPA DON’T PREACH
WRITTEN BY BRIAN ELLIOT
PERFORMED BY JACKIE RICHARDSON
RAY OF LIGHT
WRITTEN BY MADONNA, DAVE CURTISS, CHRISTINE LEACH, CLIVE MALDOON & WILLIAM ORBIT
PERFORMED BY NATHAN CARROLL
BACKGROUND VOCALS BY SARA FARB, JEIGH MADJUS, STEVEN PAGE, ELM REYES & SUZY WILDE
SHOOP SHOOP (IT’S IN HIS KISS)
WRITTEN BY RUDY CLARK
PERFORMED BY DIVINE BROWN
BACKGROUND VOCALS BY NATHAN CARROLL, ELM REYES & ANNIKA TUPPER
TAKE A BOW
WRITTEN BY MADONNA & KENNETH “BABYFACE” EDMONDS
PERFORMED BY SARA FARB
THE BEAT GOES ON
WRITTEN BY SONNY BONO
PERFORMED BY ENSEMBLE
VOGUE
WRITTEN BY MADONNA & SHEP PETTIBONE
PERFORMED BY JEIGH MADJUS, ELM REYES & ANNIKA TUPPER
WALKING IN MEMPHIS
WRITTEN BY MARC COHN
PERFORMED BY JACKIE RICHARDSON
BACKGROUND VOCALS BY NATHAN CARROLL, ELM REYES & ANNIKA TUPPER
UNCOVERED CONTEST
QUEENS OF POP PRIZE PACKAGE
ENTER TO WIN:
Cher’s Forever vinyl record
Madonna’s Celebration vinyl record
1 Cher T-Shirt
$250 gift card to Oliver & Bonacini
2 tickets to a future Musical Stage Company production
P hoto by Hoffworks
PERFORMER BIOGRAPHIES
DIVINE BROWN (she/her)
Performer
A rare gift to have, Divine’s five-octave vocal range makes everybody stand up and pay attention. Her versatility as a performer both musically and vocally has found her manifesting success in the musical theatre space, as well as radio. Divine has starred in several musical plays such as RENT (Mirvish Productions), LIFE, DEATH AND THE BLUES (Theatre Passe Muraille), FATHER COME HOME FROM THE WARS (Soulpepper Theatre) and PASSING STRANGE (Obsidian Theatre/The Musical Stage Company). Divine earned a Certified Gold Album for her debut self-titled project in 2005 (Universal Music), and a Juno Award her sophomore project THE LOVE CHRONICLES which won R&B Album of the Year in 2009. Divine’s most recent single entitled DIGITAL LOVE was released on August 26th, 2022 and is available on all digital platforms. Divine’s most recent endeavour, BILLIE, SARAH AND ELLA; REVOLUTIONARY WOMEN IN JAZZ was the first docu/concert of the 2023 season presented at Soulpepper Theatre.
NATHAN CARROLL (he/him)
Performer
For the Musical Stage Company: UNCOVERED: FLEETWOOD MAC & THE EAGLES, NEXT TO NORMAL
Nathan’s credits include: I FORGIVE YOU (Artistic Fraud/National Arts Centre); ONCE (Mirvish); BUDDY IN THE BUDDY HOLLY STORY (1000 Islands Playhouse/WCT); THE WIZARD OF OZ (YPT); Terry Fox in MARATHON OF HOPE (Drayton); and THE BOOK OF ESTHER/ BORDERTOWN CAFÉ (Blyth Festival). He has been a member of three Dora Award-Winning Ensembles (ONCE, THE WIZARD OF OZ, CHASSE GALERIE) and is a graduate of George Brown Theatre School. Nathan lives in Toronto with his dog Henry.
SARA FARB (she/her)
Performer
Seven seasons at the Stratford Festival, with roles including Sheakespeare’s Rosalind (2025 season), Juliet, Jessica, and Cordelia; Anne Frank in THE DIARY OF ANNE FRANK, Petra in A LITTLE NIGHT MUSIC, Mary in THE LAST WIFE and THE VIRGIN TRIAL . She appeared as Delphi Diggory in HARRY POTTER AND THE CURSED CHILD Parts 1 and 2 on Broadway, and reprised her role in the original Canadian company. Other theatre credits: Medium Alison in FUN HOME (The Musical Stage Company/Mirvish, Dora nominee, TTCA winner); Brigid in THE HUMANS (Canadian premiere at Citadel/Canadian Stage); productions at Soulpepper, Theatre Calgary, Tarragon, Theatre Passe Muraille, Segal Centre, YPT, and others. Sara is a playwright and musical theatre bookwriter. Her musical, KELLY V. KELLY, which she wrote with Britta Johnson (music and lyrics) made its world premiere with The Musical Stage Company and Canadian Stage. Her next musical, WAY OUT THERE , co-written with Anton Lipovetsky (music and lyrics), will premiere next year at YES! Theatre/Theatre Sudbury.
JEIGH MADJUS (he/him)
Performer
Jeigh is thrilled to be back home in Toronto and at UNCOVERED. He is currently playing Baby Doll in MOULIN ROUGE! (OBC) on Broadway. Other credits include HERE LIES LOVE (OBC and OOBC), LA CAGE (1st Nat’l), SHREK (Rainbow Stage, Neptune), SPELLING BEE (STC), ALTAR BOYZ (Dora nominated). Jeigh is proud and fortunate to represent marginalized communities on the great white way. He hopes to continue this work and hopes for a more inclusive, equitable and sustainable industry.
STEVEN PAGE (he/him)
Performer
Steven Page’s distinctive and powerful tenor is among the most instantly recognizable voices in popular music today. The singer/songwriter is a founding member of Barenaked Ladies with whom he toured the globe and sold millions of albums. Inducted into The Canadian Music Hall of Fame with his former bandmates, Steven has continued his creative journey releasing original music, touring with his band and by immersing himself in an extensive array of diverse projects in music, film, theatre and television. His musical HERES WHAT IT TAKES was commissioned by Stratford Theatre Festival, where he has composed five Stratford Festival scores including their 2022 acclaimed production of HAMLET, and in conjunction with Toronto’s innovative Art of Time ensemble, has collaborated on two releases; This Singer Must Die and Sgt. Pepper. With a flair for writing literate songs with catchy melodies, Steven is also a life-long food and travel enthusiast, where he journeyed across North America as host of THE ILLEGAL EATER , a television series which uncovered underground eateries and explored off-thegrid dining experiences. The show airs on Esquire TV in the U.S. as well as in Canada, Europe, Asia and Latin America. A dynamic stage presence, Steven Page continues to tour across the globe as a musical performer and additionally as a speaker and host.
ELM REYES (he/they)
Performer
2025 PERFORMER APPRENTICE
Elm is a theatre and performance artist, Drag King, and arts worker. His work as a choreographer was featured in ORACULUM at Buddies in Bad Times this last season and more recently he can be found performing internationally as his alter ego, El Experimento. Currently Elm is working on new works with independent theatre companies as well as developing performance workshops for trans, queer, and BIPOC youth. Alumni to Nightwood Innovators (Nightwood Theatre), Emerging Artist Roundtable (Theatre Gargantua), TENT (Toronto Fringe), and Taking on The World (Soulpepper Theatre). Selected Theatre: COWBOY TEMPEST CABARET (The Musical Stage Company), THE LAST SHOW ON EARTH™! (Neptune Theatre), CHARLIE AND THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY (Grand Theatre), DOWNED HEARTS (Eastern Front Theatre and Ships Theatre Company), INTO THE WOODS (Dead Name Theatre), SWEENEY TODD (Talk is Free Theatre), TROJAN GIRLS AND THE OUTHOUSE OF ATREUS (Outside The March and Factory Theatre). Film and TV: SKYMED (CBC/ Paramount+), PAINKILLER (Netflix).
Training:BFA Acting, University of Windsor.
JACKIE RICHARDSON, C.M. (she/her) Performer
For The Musical Stage Company: 8 seasons of UNCOVERED. Jackie is an award-winning singer and actor whose career spans more than five decades, earning her national recognition as Canada’s reigning queen of jazz, blues and gospel. Selected theatre: SPOON RIVER, COOKIN’ AT THE COOKERY (Dora Award), AIN’T MISBEHAVIN’ (Dora Award), BIG MAMA! THE WILLIE MAE THORNTON STORY (Jessie Award), ADVENTURES OF A BLACK GIRL IN SEARCH OF GOD, and ST. CARMEN OF THE MAIN.
Selected film and TV: HEY LADY (TV Series Short), TURNING TO STONE (Gemini Award), THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO THE BLUES (Gemini Award), SINS OF THE FATHER (NAACP nomination), HALLELUJAH GOSPEL SERIES (as host & performer for 24 episodes), DEAR VIOLA (TV movie). Along with two JUNO award nominations, she has received The Canadian Actors’ Equity Lifetime Achievement Award, The African Canadian Achievement Award, the Canadian Black Achievement Award, and The Toronto Blues Society Lifetime Achievement Award (to name a few). Jackie was named an honorary member of the Order of Canada in 2021 for her contributions as a Canadian jazz legend, and as a leader and mentor to young performers in her community.
ANNIKA TUPPER (they/she)
Performer
Annika Tupper is a Queer Métis/Settler multidisciplinary artist originally from Saskatoon, SK (Treaty 6), and they are thrilled to be a part of the UNCOVERED: MADONNA & CHER team!
Selected Credits: AFTER THE RAIN (Tarragon Theatre/The Musical Stage Company), THE ROCKY HORROR SHOW (Tweed & Co.), MAMMA MIA! (Thousand Islands Playhouse), THE PROM (Drayton Entertainment), FREEDOM: A MIXTAPE - LIVE AND UNPLUGGED (b current Performing Arts/NAC), SLEEPING BEAUTY… A FAIRY’S TALE (Theatre Orangeville), JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR (Theatre Sheridan);
Writer - ALL THAT SHE WROTE - First Runner Up of The Adams Prize 2025 (Toronto Fringe/ Makeshift Company), Co-Writer - STAGE MOMS: THE MUSICAL (SUM Theatre); Assistant to the Music Director - UNCOVERED: U2 & THE ROLLING STONES (The Musical Stage Company). Annika is incredibly grateful for their family and friends, as well as The Talent House team, for their unwavering support. You can check out their daily shenanigans on their instagram: @annikatupper
CREATIVE BIOGRAPHIES
KEVIN WONG (he/him)
Arranger, Orchestrator, Music Supervisor, Music Director & Piano/ Conductor
Kevin Wong is a composer-lyricist, singer/musician, and dramaturg. His musicals include: RECURRING JOHN: A SONG CYCLE; STAR!(VING): A COLLECTION OF SONGS; POLLY PEEL (with Julie Tepperman); OUT OF STOCK; DRAMA 101 (with Steven Gallagher); IN REAL LIFE (with Nick Green); BELIEVERS (with Ali Joy Richardson), TAKE ME BACK (with Amir Haidar); and SOFT MAGICAL TOFU BOY(S) . Kevin streams online concerts weekly on the streaming service Twitch (twitch.tv/ kevinywong). He is the only three-time winner of the Playwrights Guild of Canada’s Tom Hendry Dan School of Drama & Music Award for New Musical. He is the current Creative Lead for the Musical Stage Company’s UNCOVERED concert series, and the third Crescendo Artist at the Musical Stage Company. Most recently, he can be heard on his albums SMALL WAYS TO MOVE and COVERS (on streaming services everywhere).
Supporting Canadian talent, locally.
At BMO, we take pride in our local communities, and the artists that contribute to the cultural diversity and creative richness of our cities. We’re proud to be The Musical Stage Company’s New Work Development Sponsor.
Photo: Dahlia Katz
CREATIVE & PRODUCTION BIOGRAPHIES
JONATHAN CORKAL-ASTORGA
(he/they)
Co-Arranger, CoOrchestrator, Music Co-Supervisor
Jonathan Corkal-Astorga is a Chilean-Canadian music director, with a story-focused and collaborative approach to music direction. An avid supporter of new theatrical stories, he has been fortunate to help develop some of the foremost music theatre being made in Canada. Selected credits include NATASHA, PIERRE & THE GREAT COMET OF 1812 (Crow’s/The Musical Stage Company/Mirvish); LIFE AFTER (Yonge St. Theatricals); THE LAST TIMBIT (Marquis Entertainment); DE PROFUNDIS: OSCAR WILDE IN JAIL (Soulpepper); ALICE IN WONDERLAND (Bad Hats Theatre); IN REAL LIFE; KELLY V. KELLY; DIXON ROAD; BLACKOUT; CAROLINE OR CHANGE; DR. SILVER; RETOLD; REPRINT; 7 seasons of UNCOVERED (Musical Stage Co.); LADY DAY AT EMERSON’S BAR AND GRILL (Theatre Calgary).
SUZY WILDE
(she/her)
Co-Arranger, CoOrchestrator, Music Co-Supervisor, Guitar/ Piano
Suzy Wilde is thrilled to be joining The Musical Stage Company for her first Uncovered! Wilde is a composer, lyricist, music director, live musician, music teacher, and Posh Spice impersonator (depending on the day!). Her musical AFTER THE RAIN (co-written by Rose Napoli and co-produced by The Musical Stage Company) premiered at Tarragon last season, and heads to the National Arts Centre in 2026. Her holiday musical, PREDICTABLE HOLIDAY ROM-COM: THE MUSICAL (co-written with George Reinblatt of EVIL DEAD: THE MUSICAL ) is currently running at Second City in Toronto. Wilde is a proud recipient of Tarragon’s Bulmash-Seigel prize, The Musical Stage Company’s Aubrey & Marla Dan Fund For New Musicals, and a Dora Nomination.
KAYLEE HARWOOD (she/her)
Staging & Dramaturgy
Kaylee is a west-coast raised, Dora-nominated director and performer based in Toronto. She is thrilled to be back with the UnCovered team after collaborating on two prior incarnations: 2023’s FLEETWOOD MAC & THE EAGLES and 2024’s U2 & THE ROLLING STONES. Previous directing credits include: RETOLD (The Musical Stage Company, Dora nomination), IN STUDIO: THE WORDS AND MUSIC OF BRITTA JOHNSON (Theatre Sheridan), NOW WHAT? THE ART OF MOVING ON (co-conceiver/director, The Musical Stage Company), POLLYANNA (Directing Associate, Theatre Aquarius), and the independent miniseries THE DRESSING ROOM (director/ producer). Assistant Director: TITANÍQUE (Mirvish), CONTROLLED DAMAGE (The Grand), DIXON ROAD (MSC), BOY FALLS FROM THE SKY (Mirvish). Coming up next, Kaylee is directing and choreographing THE LIGHTNING THIEF: THE PERCY JACKSON MUSICAL (Canadian College of Performing Arts). Kaylee spent two seasons as RBC Apprentice & Kathleen C. Freeman Leadership Fund Recipient, and she is grateful to her MSC family for years of bringing marvellous new work to life as both a performer and creative team member. Thanks to Kevin, Rielle, Michael, Paul, Kelly and everyone at MSC, Talent House and DPR.
SEREN BROOKE LANNON
(she/her) Stage Manager
Seren is thrilled to be returning to Uncovered this year! Select Theatre Credits include: For Musical Stage Company: UNCOVERED: BILLY JOEL & ELTON JOHN, UNCOVERED: SIMON & GARFUNKEL , UNCOVERED: THE MUSIC OF ABBA Elsewhere: BIG STUFF (Baram and Snieckus), JUST FOR ONE DAY, GIRL FROM THE NORTH COUNTRY (Mirvish Productions), KING JAMES (Theatre Aquarius), THE LAST TIMBIT (Starts My Day Inc), WILDWOMAN, WHERE THE BLOOD MIXES, A CHRISTMAS CAROL,
SYMPATHY FOR THE DEVIL, ON A NIGHT LIKE THIS (Soulpepper Theatre), DEAR JACK DEAR LOUISE, BAR MITZVAH BOY (Harold Green Jewish Theatre), EVERY BRILLIANT THING (Thousand Islands Playhouse). When not in a Theatre, Seren can be found getting lost in the nearest bookstore with the largest cup of tea available. Enjoy the show!
EVAN REID (he/they)
Apprentice Stage Manager
Evan is a queer stage manager from Toronto, ON. Theatre: KING GILGAMESH AND THE MAN OF THE WILD (Soulpepper/TRIA); DEAR MS. KITT (Hardbitten Productions); A STRANGE LOOP (Soulpepper/The Musical Stage Company/Crow’s Theatre/TO Live); THE CALLING (Makeshift Theatre Company); FREEZING: A HOLIDAY PANTOMIME (Burloak Theatre Group); UNCOVERED: U2 AND THE ROLLING STONES (The Musical Stage Company); BOY BOY AND THE MAGIC DRUM (Toronto Fringe 2024); MARY POPPINS, SWEENEY TODD, JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR, In Studio: THE WORDS AND MUSIC OF BRITTA JOHNSON, HAPPY END (Theatre Sheridan). Training: Evan is a graduate of Sheridan College’s Technical Production program and is a member of the 2025 Musical Stage Company Apprentice Program.
RIELLE BRAID
(she/her)
Apprentice Artistic Producer, Assistant Staging & Dramaturgy
Rielle has worked in Canadian theatre for over 15 years, and resides in Toronto. She attended the University of Victoria, where she studied acting at the Phoenix Theatre. From there, she originated Ocean Rosenberg in the original Canadian cast of RIDE THE CYCLONE , which toured across Canada in multiple provinces, including a sold out run in Toronto at Theatre Passe Muraille. She played Kate in the Canadian
Stage Production of LIFE AFTER , and Harmony Silver in DR. SILVER: A CELEBRATION OF LIFE , a co-production with The Musical Stage Company and Outside the March. She was the rehearsal standby for Doctor Madden in NEXT TO NORMAL at Mirvish. Further, she fulfilled a life-long dream of portraying Bart Simpson in Outside the March’s MR. BURNS: A POSTELECTRIC PLAY. Rielle performed as Ms. Lawrence in the Theatre Calgary production of LOUDER WE GET, which was written by her long time friends from high-school, Colleen Dauncey and Akiva Romer-Segal. Rielle has workshopped countless original Canadian works across Canada, and has worked as both a swing and an understudy on multiple productions and tours (Les Belles-Souers, Rent). For film and television, Rielle had an incredibly rewarding experience playing one of the principal characters in the Canadian mockumentary NEW EDEN for Crave TV. Rielle wrote and performed sketch comedy in Atomic Vaudeville, and with her best friend and fellow RIDE THE CYCLONE cast mate Kholby Wardell ( TERRIBLE ADULTS: RIELLE AND KHOLBY AND THE LOST SPIRIT OF CHRISTMAS).
During the pandemic, Rielle took a break from theatre and completed a Bachelor of Arts Degree (with honors) in Psychology with a minor in Criminology.
JONAH NUNG (he/him) Associate Music Director
Jonah is a Torontobased pianist and music director. Select credits include NATASHA, PIERRE, & THE GREAT COMET OF 1812 (Mirvish/The Musical Stage Company/ Crow’s), A STRANGE LOOP (The Musical Stage Company/Soulpepper/Crow’s/TO Live), WILD CHILD (Theatre Sheridan), INTO THE WOODS (Koerner Hall), and THE LAST PIECE (Hart House Theatre). He has played in the pit orchestras of TELL TALE HARBOUR; THE LION KING (Mirvish), ANYTHING GOES, MY FAIR LADY (Shaw), and CHRIS, MRS. (Boldly Productions). As an accompanist, previous collaborators include Bria Johnson and Measha Brueggergosman-Lee.
IMOGEN WILSON
(she/her)
Lighting Designer
Imogen is a Toronto based Dora nominated Lighting Designer who has designed across Canada for The Stratford Festival, Canadian Stage, Crow’s Theatre, Tarragon, The Musical Stage Company, The Segal Centre, Chemainus Festival, Banff Centre for the Arts, Against the Grain, Summerworks, and Toronto Dance Theatre. Imogen has also worked as an assistant lighting designer for Mirvish, Canadian Opera Company, Soulpepper, Stratford Festival, Musical Stage and Canadian Stage. She is also a scenic painter, proud member of ADC 659, and loves to go for a canoe at sunset.
JASON SPETTER
(he/him)
Script Curation
Jason is excited to be working with The Musical Stage Company for the 19th time on UnCovered. He proudly served on Musical Stage’s Board of Directors for 10 years. He was the Artistic Director for Fallen Rock Productions, a company dedicated to using live theatre to raise much needed funds for Toronto based charities. Jason leads the incredible team of lawyers at Spetter Zeitz Klaiman. He is also part of the Director team at Camp Wahanowin. Big thanks to Kevin, Kaylee and everyone at MSC.
ORCHESTRA BIOGRAPHIES
JAMIE DRAKE
(he/him)
Percussion
Jamie Drake is a percussionist, drummer and composer/ arranger who works across a wide range of musical genres and values meaningful collaboration. He is grateful to have played
for every edition of UNCOVERED. Recent theatre credits include LIFE AFTER (Yonge Street Theatricals/Mirvish), TITANIQUE (Mirvish/Segal Centre), PETER PAN (Mirvish), DEAR CANADA (NAC), POLLYANNA (Theatre Aquarius), COWBOY TEMPEST CABARET (MSC Festival of New Musicals) and INTO THE WOODS (Talk Is Free). Upcoming: THE SOUND OF MUSIC and KIMBERLY AKIMBO (Mirvish). Jamie is a member of the TorQ Percussion Quartet, with whom he has performed across North America, and is percussionist for the Hamilton Children’s Choir and Toronto Children’s Chorus. He has performed with a diverse list of artists, from Ron Sexsmith to the Toronto Symphony Orchestra. He has also served as percussion faculty at Queen’s University and Acadia University, and an Artist-in-Residence at Western University. @opus_32
ROSS MACINTYRE (he/him)
Bass
Ross MacIntyre is renowned as one of Canada’s most accomplished jazz bassists, with a career spanning three decades. His discography includes over a hundred recordings, with 13 JUNO nominated albums among them. He has collaborated with numerous influential musicians including Matt Dusk, EmilieClaire Barlow, Heather Bambrick, Jesse Cook, Elizabeth Shepherd, Laila Biali, Kellylee Evans, Geoffrey Keezer, and many others. Ross has also left his mark on the music theatre world, having performed in the Mirvish productions of THE LION KING, PHANTOM OF THE OPERA , and ALADDIN. Currently, he is the resident bassist at the Shaw Festival.
SPECIAL THANKS
Pop Music
Arraymusic
That Arts Group
Peter Riddihough
Incredible Printing
Sandra Ouzounian
Ben Cameron
Celebrating Excellence
on another unforgettable UNCOVERED production!
Proud sponsor of The Musical Stage Company
Celebrating diverse communities through the arts
Canada Life is a proud supporter of culturally diverse arts programs that make a strong social impact and foster equity and inclusion. Together, we can do more for Canadians, for each other and for the communities we love.
ABOUT THE MUSICAL STAGE COMPANY
is the largest and leading charitable musical theatre company in Canada. Established in 2004 as Acting Up Stage Company, we drive the evolution of musical theatre.
Where music and storytelling collide.
We are inspired by music’s unique ability to viscerally affect people and are committed to cultivating experiences – onstage and off – that transform lives, build empathy and create community through musical theatre.
We incubate new Canadian musicals from development to production, investing in Canadian musical theatre writers and building national and international partnerships. Our musical productions – including award-
winning contemporary musicals, world premieres and concerts – are seen live by 30,000 people over the 80+ nights that we are onstage annually in venues both traditional and surprising. To date, our work has been recognized with 140 Dora Award nominations, 30 Dora Awards and 26 Toronto Theatre Critics’ Awards.
Our robust education programs develop the artists and audiences of tomorrow, offering musical theatre training that boosts self-confidence and self-expression for over 200 young people each year without cost to the participants. We also curate innovative musical programs in partnership with diverse organizations, maximizing the resonance of our work across disciplines and communities.
INTERACT WITH US UP NEXT AT THE MUSICAL STAGE COMPANY:
Kevin Wong’s CRESCENDO SERIES production of IN REAL LIFE premieres April 2026, in collaboration with Theatre Sheridan.
First developed by The Musical Stage Company and Theatre Sheridan in 2019, the first act of IN REAL LIFE was seen as a workshop presentation at our CANADIAN FESTIVAL OF NEW MUSICALS in 2024 with support from fu-GEN Theatre Company.
For more information, visit www.musicalstagecompany.com.
STAFF
LEADERSHIP
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Paul Beauchamp (he/him)
ARTISTIC DIRECTOR
Michael Rubinoff (he/him)
ADMINISTRATION
GENERAL MANAGER
Jenny Weisz (she/her)
ADMINISTRATIVE & PRODUCTION COORDINATOR
Kate Chubbs (she/her)
ACCOUNTANT
Jenny Cheng (she/her)
DEVELOPMENT
DIRECTOR OF DEVELOPMENT
Lucy McPhee (they/she)
SENIOR FUNDRAISING & AUDIENCE
DEVELOPMENT OFFICER
Colette Richardson (she/her)
EVENTS COORDINATOR
Rachel Peterson (she/her)
MARKETING
DIRECTOR OF MARKETING & COMMUNICATIONS
Michelle Knight (she/her)
MARKETING MANAGER
Natasha Ramondino (she/her)
PUBLICITY B-REBEL PR
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
CHAIR
Megan Deeks
VICE-CHAIR
Matt Webster
SECRETARY
Alyse Bernbaum
TREASURER
Anita Ferrari
DIRECTORS
Susan Garvie
David Kaplan
Paul Orlander
Josh Petersel
Tisha Rattos
Sarah Roberston
CHER THE LOVE.
Express yourself — with a gift.
Donate today and invest in Canadian musical theatre creators. We’re building national and international partnerships, offering robust training programs to emerging artists, and premiering productions on an epic scale. But we can’t do it alone.
SALUTES OUR UNCOVERED EVENING SPONSORS
Spetter Zeitz Klaiman
J.P. Morgan
SALUTES OUR UNCOVERED LEADING LIGHTS
The Haynes-Connell Foundation
Thank you for bringing UNCOVERED: MADONNA & CHER to life!
MUSICAL STAGE 2025/26 SPONSORS
SUSTAINING CREATIVE SUPPORT
Anne-Marie Canning
SEASON SPONSOR
ONE SONG GLORY
UNCOVERED LEADING LIGHT
The Haynes-Connell Foundation
GOVERNMENT SUPPORTERS
PROGRAM & PRODUCTION SPONSORS
COMMUNITY ACCESS SPONSOR
NEW WORK DEVELOPMENT SPONSOR
LEADING LIGHTS & PROGRAM SUPPORTERS
AUBREY & MARLA DAN FUND FOR NEW MUSICALS LEADING LIGHT
SEASON SUPPORTERS
The Catherine & Maxwell Meighen Foundation
LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT FUND PROGRAM SUPPORTER
The William and Nona Heaslip Foundation
Anonymous
The Musical Stage Company is a registered charity BN 86204 4146 RR0001.
WAYS TO GIVE
The Fermata Circle is a group of donors who’ve made a commitment to leave a legacy gift to the organization in a will or bequeathment. Named for the musical symbol that means “hold for an indefinite period of time”, Fermata Circle donors are striking a chord that will last forever, leaving a legacy in Canadian musical theatre for generations to come.
Crescendo Club members believe in investing in talent and supporting artistic development.
Through a minimum pledge of $5,000, your support goes directly to our new work development pipeline, including the artists who create and shape the work and the workshops and ancillary work required to take new work from first idea to world premiere.
Virtuoso members know that truly great art is created when companies have the freedom to take risks.
Through a 3-year pledge of $1,500 or more, Virtuosos enable our biggest and boldest ideas to come to life, knowing that they are supporting our experimentation, innovation and artistic development during the creative process.
Lead, Featured & Ensemble
players are community members we rely on to help make great theatre happen.
LEAD: a one-time gift of $750-1499
FEATURED: a one-time gift of $350-$749.
ENSEMBLE: a one-time gift of $100-$349.
The Young Donors Club is an initiative designed to create an exciting and affordable philanthropic experience for donors 40 and under. Join the YDC and access exclusive free events, ticket discounts, networking and social meetups. For a contribution of as little as $10/ month, you can connect with likeminded theatre fans and help Canadian artists make their mark on musical theatre history.
These gifts help cover the cost of artist fees, student ticket subsidies, our educational programs and playwright bursaries. Scan the QR code to make your donation today!
P hoto by Mike Meehan
THE MUSICAL STAGE SUPPORTERS
Special thanks to our sponsors, major supporters, Crescendo Club & Virtuosos — core builders of The Musical Stage Company who have committed to a multi-year donation.
SUSTAINING CREATIVE SUPPORT
Anne-Marie Canning
SEASON SPONSOR
TD Bank
UNCOVERED LEADING LIGHTS
The Haynes-Connell Foundation
NOVEMBER 12 EVENING SPONSOR
J.P. Morgan
NOVEMBER 13 EVENING SPONSOR
Spetter Zeitz Klaiman
SPONSORS & MAJOR GIFTS
Anonymous BMO
Canada Life
Mark & Cherie Daitchman
Kate Alexander Daniels & David Daniels
Aubrey & Marla Dan Foundation
Fidelity Investments Canada ULC
The Estate of Craig Hanson**
The Haynes-Connell Foundation
The William and Nona Heaslip Foundation
J.P. Morgan
David & Sheryl Kerr
The Krawczyk Family Foundation
The Catherine & Maxwell Meighen Foundation
Sheridan College
Spetter Zeitz Klaiman PC
The Lawrence Family Foundation
CRESCENDO CLUB ($5000+)^
LEADING LIGHT:
Anne-Marie Canning
Beauchamp-Winskell Family
Alyse Bernbaum
Linda Chu & John Donald
Patrick David & Michael Smith
Megan Deeks & Simon Paabor
Kathleen & Dennis Freeman
Hugh Furneaux
Roger & Kevin Garland
Gary & Margot Marcus
Mitchell Marcus & Orrin Wolpert
Paul Orlander & Helayna Shekter
Gary Rogers
Howard Sokolowski
Ellen & Les Wallace
Dr. Rhonda Zwingerman & Jeremy Opolsky
VIRTUOSOS ($1500+)
Gail & George Anthony
Paul Beauchamp**
Shannon Bell
Linda, Lewis & Lorie Cappe
Robert D. Cook
The Peter & Eleanor Daniels Foundation
Bruce Dean & Robert Hall
Marg Deeks
Alan Dingle
Pam & Richard Earle
Annie & Rich English
Kathy Kacer & Ian Epstein
Anita, Roy & Mark Ferrari
Susan Garvie
Andrew Gillespie
Ray Hogg
Kent James
David M Kaplan Medicine Professional Corporation
Michelle & Robert Knight
Diana Bennett & Spencer Lanthier
Victoria Lee & Philip Hebert
Nelson Parker
Sarah Robertson
Robert Sherrin
Richard Sniderman & D’Arcy Robert
Jason Spetter
Kate Supleve**
Brent Vickar & Don DeBoer
Martin R. Wasserman
Matt Webster
Carole Winberg
LEAD PLAYER ($750-$1499)
Laurie Barrett & Martin Block
Scott Belton & Jessica Leeder
Daniel Brown**
John & Susan Goddard
Anna Jarmain
Philip D Kerr
Linda Lee
Rosita Lee
Opolsky Family
Tisha Rattos
Martha Tory
Paul, Weiss
FEATURED PLAYER ($350-$749)
Hélène Beauchamp
David Bell
Sheila Block
Martin Bragg
Graham Brunke
The Paul Butler and Chris Black
Foundation at Toronto Foundation
In Honour of Anne-Marie Canning
Karen Cheah
Bernard F. Cocchiola
Bob Cornwall
Terence Crowley
James Davis
Mark & Susan Davis
Ritu Dhupar
Anne Fleming
Ron & Sari Goldenberg
Katie Hermant
Rayna Jolley**
Rona Kosansky & Jordan Glick
Guy Lacasse
Mike MacInnes
Diane Morgan & Cyril Gibb
S. Nevills
Cindy & Ed Nowina
Helen Ostovich
Erin Pleet & Chris Price*
Lloyd Rubinoff
Lori Russell
Sandra Schinnerl
Annalee & Brian Schnurr
Rita & Stephen Shefsky
Gabriella Siciliano
Don Sider
Maureen Simpson & Tassonyi
Amanda & Scott Sinclair
Mary Sinclair
Sheryl Smolkin & Joel Troster
Ann & Ross Stuart
Stephen Wall
Jennifer Webster
Laura Webster
Cynthia Zimmerman
ENSEMBLE ($100-$349)
Kim Alexander
In Memory of Mary, Milton & Brad Allison
Adrienne Anderson
Anonymous (x5)
Marc Ansell
Madison Arnason*
Elizabeth Asselstine
Creed Atkinson*
Marie Baron
Victoria Bassett
Brian Beagle
Joan Belford
Melissa Bencic
Suzanne Bennett & Ralph Small
Harry Berholz
David Boechler
THE MUSICAL STAGE SUPPORTERS
Ashley Botting
Theresa Boyle
Linda Bracken
Dianne Bradley
Allen Braude
John Brenko
Lloyd & Ronald Cameron-Lewis
In Honour of Anne-Marie Canning
Leonard & Cheryl Cappe
Danny Chen
MaryEtta Cheney
Rebecca Chesley
Laurie Clark
Allan Cole
Jennifer Cook
Kendra Cordick*
In Memory of Jim Craig
In Honour of Patrick Dale
Michael Davenport
Sara Davis
Michel D’Orsonnens
Elizabeth Dingman
Mélanie Dubois*
Rosemary Dunsmore
Mark Duwyn
Adriana Eanga
Iris & Gary Ellis
Rick Archbold & Rick Feldman
Angela Ferrante
Barbara Fingerote
Sandra Flow
Tim Fort
Wan-Li Gibson*
Mary Gleason
Doreen Gryfe
Jennifer Hardy
Nancy Hawkins
Madeleine Hayman*
Alexandra Hayman*
Karen Heath
Ann Hodges
Roslyn Holden
Camilla Holland
Pam Hrick
Michael Hughes
Ilene Hyman
Susan & Liman Jegins
Shreya Jha*
Ruby Joy
Debbie Kassirer & Glenn French
Herb Karasik
Heather Kertland
Shawn Kerwin
Joshua Kilimnik*
Neville & Lorraine Kirchmann
Emily Kulin
Francy Kussner
Lisa Lambert
Jodi Lee
Patricia Lindstrom
In honour of Loiss
Leah-Ann Lymer
Janice Macchione
Laura Macchione
Elizabeth Manson
Ken Marple
Rose Mastracci
Jan Mulally & John Matheson
David Matthews
Fiona McHugh
Robert McLaren
Julie Michailidis
Marc Michell
Carol Strom & John Migicovsky
Barbara Millar
Jacquelyn Miskie
Meghan & Andrew Moore
In Honour of Erika Morey*
Jeff Morris
Shannon Murtagh*
Carole & Richard Murzin
Lindsay Naft
Shivani Nathoo*
Eldridge Oldford
Gerald & Patricia
Jackie Paul
Aliisa Percival
Michael Pezzack
Harold Povilaitis
Douglas Price
Aubrey Reeves
Ann Richards
Adele Robertson
D & F Robinson
Donna Rouzaud
Erin Schachter
Gayla & Ken Schwartz
Elizabeth Sheffield
Nanci-Jane Simpson
Suzanne Simzer
Jacqui Sirois*
Deborah Smith
John Snelgrove
Deborah Staiman
Dryden Steeves*
Voy Stelmaszynski
MaryAnn Supleve
Darrell Tan
Michael Trent
Andrea Vagianos
Tom Vassar
Rick Verrette
Marla Wardinger
Dianne Weinrib
Linda Weir
Scott Werry
Marni Whitaker
Hanna Wilmer
Melville & Mary Wilson
Stephen Farb & Esther Yermus
Hersh Zeifman
Stacy Zosky
**Fermata Circle *Member of Young Donors Club. These listings are current as of October 7, 2025 and we have made every effort to ensure appropriate recognition. If, however, your name has been accidentally omitted, listed incorrectly, or misspelled - we sincerely apologize! Please contact Colette at coletterichardson@musicalstagecompany.com , so that we can make sure we get it right next time.
BIRNBERG GROUP
BOORMAN GROUP
BOWEN GROUP
BRAND GROUP
BRACKEN GROUP
BREEN GROUP
CANNING GROUP
CHU GROUP
CIBC GROUP
DAITCHAM GROUP
AUBREY & MARLA DAN FOUNDATION
D’ANDREA GROUP
DAVIS GROUP
DAVID GROUP
DE MELLO GROUP
DLIN GROUP
DUSEK GROUP
FONSECA GROUP
FREEMAN GROUP
GODDARD GROUP
HOY GROUP
J.P. MORGAN
LAVINE GROUP
MORRISON GROUP
KHERAJ GROUP
KLEINMAN GROUP
LIFE INSTITUTE
MACLEOD GROUP
MAZIN GROUP
ORLANDER GROUP
PAVLOVIC GROUP
RATTOS GROUP
SHARPE GROUP
SPARKS! FORUM GROUP
SPETTER ZEITZ KLAIMAN
TORYS LLP
YERMUS GROUP
WILSON
ZWINGERMAN GROUPS
Where
P hoto by Hoffworks