Corey Payette

La Cage Aux Folles @ the Vancouver Playhouse

2011-11-09T21:21:00.004-04:00

La Cage aux Folles - Nov 26 - Dec 24, 2011

Currently in rehearsals for "LA CAGE" going up at the Vancouver Playhouse at the end of the month. It is going to be an awesome show. Greg Armstrong-Morris (Albin) and David Marr (Georges) will make you laugh out loud in this fantastic musical.

Also, this cast has real drag queens (from the queer community) who are members of our acting company.

"Les Cagelles"
Peach Cobblah (Hanna)
Celestial Seasons (Odette)
Kiki Lawhore (Phaedra)
Iona Whipp (Derma)
Cadence Winter Matthews (Chantal)

Buy your tickets at the www.vancouverplayhouse.com

Cupid's In Love (Reading)

2011-11-01T14:37:00.004-04:00

In September I played "Cupid" in a reading of a new musical called "Cupid's in Love" at Presentation House in North Van. Here are some links to clips from the presentation.

"Wild Stallions"
http://youtu.be/I1kr3YPTIpI

"Lightning Love"
http://youtu.be/7NaaPRuE9I0

If you want to read more about the musical go to:
http://www.kingmancommunications.com/Home_Page.html

Workshop at the Vancouver Playhouse Theatre Company

2011-10-31T17:09:00.003-04:00

Deep breath. Allison said to me on the first day. A week later, we have a new show. One that we were able to share last night for the very first time, in front of an audience. It will never be the first time again. This was an intense week, for myself and for everyone involved in the project. We cried together, laughed, and worked harder than I knew possible to get this script right. We had a special group of people working together, and I look forward to the next workshop, writing more, and seeing this show develop. Thanks to everyone involved. You never forget your first, and I will never forget this week.

Top row (L to R): Lindsay Drummond (dramaturge), Gloria May Eshkibok (Rita), Lance Cardinal (Wilson), Stephen Courtenay (Stage Manager).
Bottom row (L to R): Allison Grant (Director), Corey Payette (ME - Playwright, Composer, Lyricist), Josue Laboucane (Tom), Sera-Lys McArthur (Julia), Katey Wright (Sister Bernadette), Kevin Loring (Brother Christopher), and Steven Greenfield (Musical Director).

New Musical Workshop

2011-10-25T01:12:00.003-04:00

The day is finally here. I feel like its been coming forever, but tomorrow I start the workshop for my new musical at the Vancouver Playhouse Theatre company. We had our last meeting today to make sure all was set to start tomorrow, and it is.

This past year I have been writing an original musical. It has been picked up for a week long workshop at the Vancouver Playhouse Theatre the week of October 25, 2011.

Book/Music/Lyrics by Corey Payette.
The workshop is being Directed by Allison Grant
Stage Managed by Stephen Courtenay
Dramaturgy by Lindsay Drummond
Pianist for workshop is Stephen Greenfield

The following actors will be part of the workshop:
Sera-Lys McArthur (Julia), Josue Laboucane (Tom),
Gloria May Eshkibok (Rita), Lance Cardinal (Wilson),
Kevin Loring (Brother Christopher)
and Katey Wright (Sister Bernadette).

While this is the first full workshop for this piece, the show has had 3 separate readings with some of the best actors Vancouver has to offer. A little history of the piece.

The first reading was held on February 20th, 2011 with the following actors (no music): Kyle Cameron, Emma Slipp, Michael Dobbin, Courtney Lancaster, Robyn Leigh, Josette Jorge, Vic Ustare, Noah Drew, and Nick Hunnings.

A second reading happened on June 8th, 2011 with the following actors (some music): Jenny Moase, Michael Brock, Courtney Lancaster, Nick Fontaine, Cathy Wilmot, Marshall McMahen, Lindsay Drummond, and Brandyn Eddy.

The Sunset Theatre in Wells, BC provided a playwrights residency for 10 days at the end of August with a public concert of the music written during the residency on September 1st, 2011. The concert featured Corey Payette, Patrice Bowler, Sue Newman, and Marshall McMahen.

A third reading happened on October 16th, 2011 with the following actors (all music included): Jenny Moase, Michael Brock, Cathy Wilmot, Mandana Namazi, Shantini Klaassen, Brandyn Eddy, Lucas Blaney and Shane Snow.

I want to share the names of these actors as I feel they've contributed a great deal to this project. Through their questions and comments, the show has been able to develop. It has not been an easy process, but I feel so fortunate to have shared the journey with such talented and passionate actors; excited about new work and this process.

I look forward to the exciting week ahead but also feel its necessary to acknowledge these great artists who have contributed so much to the project already.

The Original Musical Project - Day (I have no idea, its been awhile)

2011-05-17T13:19:00.002-04:00

follow me on twitter: coreyptweets

This is a very exciting time, so many things happening with the show, unfortunately none of which are confirmed. Hopefully in the next few weeks (months?) I'll be able to announce what's happening and how you can check it out!

The Original Musical Project - Day 4

2011-02-28T20:38:00.000-05:00

the original musical project

2011-02-25T00:11:00.002-05:00

Time line so far

Sunday february 20th - first reading of book
Monday february 21- recording music w/jenny moase and Sean parson

More vlogs to come this week.

The Original Musical Project - Day 3

2011-02-17T16:06:00.000-05:00

The Original Musical Project - Day 2

2011-02-16T19:03:00.000-05:00

The Original Musical Project - Day 1

2011-02-14T19:56:00.000-05:00

The Fastest Clock in the Universe

2010-11-12T23:46:00.003-05:00

“Who gives a f*** about my insides? Can have a gut full of maggots, for all I care so long as I’ve got a suntan.”

Manipulation, sex, love and violence are all present in Ridley’s The Fastest Clock in the Universe. It is a plot based in reality, but taken to improbable and sometimes fantastical extremes. The play takes place in a dilapidated factory apartment where its two residents partake in a twisted game of cat and mouse. Just like every year self-absorbed Cougar Glass is about to celebrate his 19th birthday. His flat mate and sometimes skivvy, Captain Tock, is getting everything ready for the party - plucking Cougars grey hairs, signing all the birthday cards from his “admirers” who sadly couldn’t make it and preparing a cake to surprise Cougar with later. Each task is meticulously completed all to adhere to Cougar’s standard of eternal youth. Part of the ritual also includes Cougar manipulating and seducing a young boy. However, this year the tables are turned when the target, Foxtrot Darling, drops a bomb in the form of his pregnant girlfriend, Sherbet Gravel. Not only does she foil Cougar’s calculated plans to trap Foxtrot, but she also brings a secret that will change the game forever.
The play, although not well known, has appeared on stages across the world, having opened in 1992 at the Hamstead Theatre in London. The original cast included Jude Law as Foxtrot Darling.

Starring: Colin Legge**, Corey Payette, Helen Wrack-Adams, Vaughn Jones and Brenda Matthews
(**Appearing with permission from Canadian Actor’s Equity Association)
Performance details for The Fastest Clock in the Universe are as follows:

· OPENING NIGHT GALA: Friday November 19th, 2010 @ 8pm
· Runs Nov. 19&20th, Nov. 24th-28th and Dec. 1st-4th @8pm and at 2pm Matinee on Dec 4th at the PAL Theatre - 8th Floor, 581 Cardero Street.

Jacques Brel is alive and well and living in paris (with the longest show title in the world)

2010-06-19T16:09:00.002-04:00

I'm playing piano for this really fun show that opened this week at the Pal Theatre in downtown Vancouver. Some really talented people singing some pretty fantastic music.

Production Conception, English Lyrics, Additional Material by Eric Blau and Mort Shuman

MUSIC BY JACQUES BREL

Directed by Brianna Wiens and Maddison Popov

with
Erin Palm,
Kathy Fitzpatrick,
Brandyn Eddy,
and
Michael Kovac

June 17th-20th and 23rd-26th at 8pm
Matinee June 26th at 2pm

2 for 1 Sunday, June 20th and Wednesday, June 23rd!

My Broadway Review

2010-06-13T15:02:00.003-04:00

The Addams Family

Promises Promises

A Little Night Music

A Behanding in Spokane

MAKE ME STRONGER by Sarah Hudson

2010-04-13T04:40:00.002-04:00

Beyond Eden - Last Day in Calgary

2010-01-08T23:24:00.002-05:00

We've been rehearsing Beyond Eden at Theatre Calgary since the middle of December and now the show is all packed up and ready to move to Vancouver; where it opens for the 2010 Cultural Olympiad.

Here's a little sneak peak of us rehearsing, this is not the set, but it was the space we were using the rehearse. Get your tickets its a big show!

Run Away with Me

2009-12-03T23:43:00.000-05:00

Lost in the Wilderness

2009-11-18T16:41:00.003-05:00

Here is a video of me singing at Maxine's Hideaway "lost in the wilderness" from Children of Eden.

Make me Stronger (short film)

2009-11-16T00:54:00.002-05:00

A few weeks ago I shot a short film called "Make me Stronger" (dir. Sarah Hudson) alongside a really fantastic cast and crew. It was cold shooting, but I did get some fancy death make-up. Here are some shots from our days on set.

above: Corey Payette & Eve Harlow

Hero and Leander

2009-11-12T18:38:00.002-05:00

I perform at Maxine's Hideaway for their Musical Mondays pretty much every week. This upcoming week I'm going to be part of their take 5 show - where they have five singers sing five songs each. If you come, you'll get to hear me sing 5 songs, which is fun. It is always a really cool and relaxed vibe there so tell you friends, and bring them down. Its on Bidwell st/Davie St downtown vancouver.

The video above is from when I performed a few weeks ago the song "Hero and Leander" from Myths and Hymns by Adam Guettel. If you have been reading my blog/following my videos for a few years you will be able to remember when I attempted this song by myself, playing and singing. It didn't turn out so well and was just an evening of silliness and frustration. But with Kerry at the piano it is all good and finally I get to sing this song I've been obsessed with for so long.

Here's the other video of me giving it a shot to refresh your memory.

Sondheims' Passion in Concert

2009-11-12T03:18:00.004-05:00

Next weekend I will be doing my first Sondheim Musical "PASSION". A few weeks ago, I met Stephen Sondheim and he was so humble and kind, I can't believe this masterpiece came out of that ordinary man. I will be playing the role of Private Augenti and it only runs for one weekend so make sure to get your tickets now.

Winner of FOUR Tony Awards including BEST MUSICAL, Passion, is a haunting and intensely emotional chamber musical set at a remote military outpost in 1863 Italy. A handsome army captain, separated from his beautiful – but married – mistress, is forced to re-evaluate his beliefs about love when he becomes the object of the obsessive, unrelenting passions of Fosca, his Colonel’s plain, sickly cousin. In what is almost a beauty and the beast tale reversed, we find, love is more powerful than our physical limitations.

APPLAUSE! Musicals In Concert presents
PASSION, In Concert
November 19, 20, 21 - HR MacMillian Space Centre

A Backstage Vlog from the Summer!

2009-10-13T17:23:00.000-04:00

Hope you like it.

Finally the second part of "Abandoned"

2009-10-12T04:32:00.001-04:00

Hope you like this video, it wraps up the story. More to come.

Life in the Mountains

2009-07-16T18:55:00.002-04:00

I haven't updated in over a month, so here I go with what is new out here in the wilderness. All three shows I musical directed/arranged are up and running to really nice houses. Now we have to do this show schedule until September 4th which is very nice. We've had time to go hiking, this past week we climbed up Mt. Murray which was so exhausting but exciting once we made it to the top, if you look at the picture I posted above its like a mix between thrilled and holding each other up.

Another really exciting thing happened this past month, I got cast in the world premiere of "Beyond Eden" for the Vancouver Playhouse and Theatre Calgary opening in 2010 for the winter Olympics.

This is going to be a year of travel from city to city. First up here in northern BC, then to Calgary, Vancouver, and back home to Toronto.

I hope everyone back in Ontario is doing well and having a fantastic summer, so far mine is shaping up to be unforgettable.

Tony Awards 2009 Review/Predictions

2009-06-09T00:48:00.001-04:00

I was right about most things, but not for the big categories. I have a feeling Karen Olivo will be around for a long time, which is so sad for me. ewww... I'm not a fan of hers but I'm so happy for Alice Ripley, check out her acceptance speech, amazing.

First Video from the Mountains

2009-06-04T22:03:00.001-04:00

This might be fun to see, with nice shots of the mountains that are on my doorstep.