Le Spotlight: Montreal’s Musical Theatre Challenge

Get ready for the city’s most exciting night of musical theatre at "Le Spotlight: Montreal’s Musical Theatre Challenge" May 21st, 8:30pm @ Centaur. This is the fourth edition of this celebration of local performing excellence, sponsored by the Centre for Education and Theatre in Montreal (CETM).

2010 4th season winners: L - *Tina Mancini "Art is Calling for Me" - The Enchantress, recipient of the Jury prize; R - **Maggie Owen "Nelson" - A Day in Hollywood/A Night in the Ukraine, recipient of the public prize.

INCREASING THE VISIBILITY OF MONTREAL-BASED TALENT -Ten Montreal-area performers were selected during a round of preliminary auditions held recently at CETM. The judging panel included theatre director Corey Castle, choreographer Lorna Wayne, and drama educator Cathy Burns. This year’s Le Spotlight finalists are: Amélie Bélanger, Isabelle Giroux, Arnaud Gloutnez, Stephanie Lessard, Tina Mancini, Caitlyn Milot, Gael O`Shaughnessy (winner of Le Spotlight 2008), Maggie Owen, Emily Skahan and Dane Stewart. Each will have just four minutes alone on stage to demonstrate acting, singing and movement skills before a panel of professional judges and a live audience. The winner will be featured in the Next Wave Festival of New Musicals coming to the Monument National and Espace Libre in August.

GUEST STARS: Numerous special guests will add their own unique lustre to this annual celebration of musical theatre. Last year`s winner Braulio Elicer, the cast of 'SING!', and Stephanie Pitsiladis (Hairspray) will be among the special performers to display their musical theatre artistry.

All performers will appear with a live 11-piece orchestra under the direction of Chris Barillaro. The show will be directed by 'Le Spotlight' creator, Stephen Pietrantoni and hosted by Patrick Olafson. The list of judges for the finals includes* musical director Bob Bachelor, choreographers Lorna Wayne and Jean-Luke Coté, and New York composer-lyricist Matty Selman, Julia Lenardon. Again this year, those present in the audience were given the opportunity to vote for their favourite performer**.

Tickets are $25 (all taxes and facility fees included), Centaur box office (514-288-3161). Student & senior rates are available upon request.

Venue: Centaur Theatre – 453 St-François Xavier Metro: Place d’Armes
Le Spotlight’s official website: www.lespotlight.ca lespotlight@gmail.com
Centre for Education and Theatre in Montreal www.cetm.ca