NNNN: Now Magazine. "Heart-warming and hilarious, Just East lands just right."
4 Stars: Eye Weekly. "A total giggle-fest."
"Highly Recommended:" The Toronto Star. "This irrevent send-up [...] moves briskly with humour, heart, and catchy songs."
From the makers of “The Lord of the Rings: The Musical: The Musical!” (Patron’s pick, Best of Fringe, 2007 Toronto Fringe Festival) comes this stunning, timely, very silly new production.
Taking our cue from theatre impresarios Cameron Mackintosh and Andrew Lloyd Webber – who are currently eagerly bringing ideologically cleaned up versions of their mega musicals to China’s growing middle-class – GIG Productions has decided to go east with its latest production. In order to kick-start his failing career, has-been actor Rex Maverick agrees to star in a production in the world’s “hottest new market” for musicals – The People’s Republic of China. But instead of bustling Beijing or Shanghai, Rex finds himself in a tiny farming community directing a cast of enthusiastic amateurs, including a shy love-struck writer, a bumbling and censorious Mid-Level Official, and a strong-willed young woman contemptuous of the Hollywood star. While Rex is stuck in the town waiting for seasonal rains to pass, cultures clash, personalities collide, the workers control the means of production, and musical magic is born.
The music in "Just East of Broadway” was composed by members of indie pop band Hooded Fang and recorded with the help of some of the city’s best young musicians. With a cast that includes West-End veteran Jay Davis, Canadian Comedy Award-winner Gene Abella, and stars of past Fringe hits “Giant Killer Shark: The Musical,” “Funny Business: The Musical”, and “LOTR: The Musical: The Musical!”, this original show is set to take the city by storm at the 2009 Toronto Fringe Festival.
Cast & Crew:
Starring:
Gene Abella, as the Mid-Level Official
Lana Carillo, as Mei Ling
Jay Davis, as Rex Maverick
Darrel Gamotin, as Tai Lee
Graham Losee, as Allan
Andrea Lui, as Sui Fung
Lorna Wright, as Veronica Malone
Director: Lorna Wright
Book and Lyrics: Nicholas Hune-Brown and Ben King
Music: Nicholas Hune-Brown with Daniel Lee
Music Production: Daniel Lee
Stage Manager: Kalina Janik
Lighting Designer: Alex Naylor
Choreographer: Kate Gordon
