Love to Perform Holly Theatre Dance shows June 21 and 22 will feature Jeff Hyslop at the Old Church Theatre in Courtenay.
Danette Bell, director and choreographer, describes the show as “a dance, vocal and theatrical tribute … celebrating some of the most famous and gifted celebrities of our time while embracing the many talents of our Love to Perform local performers — an evening that promises to entertain the whole family.”
Vancouver-born Hyslop is indisputably one of Canada’s foremost performing artists.
Equally masterful as a singer, dancer and actor, he has starred with unqualified success in such landmark musical productions as Cabaret, Kiss of the Spider Woman, Jacques Brel, The Music Man, The Producers, and of course, the role of Mike in both the London West End and Broadway productions of A Chorus Line.
To many, he is the quintessential Phantom of the Opera, a role he embraced in the Andrew Lloyd Webber musical for over 975 performances.
He starred as Jeff the Mannequin in the TVO series Today’s Special, which maintained a huge popularity for over 10 years.
At age 21 Jeff was dancing and singing in Norman Jewison’s film Jesus Christ Superstar.
His numerous television appearances include series for both CTV and CBC-TV. The most memorable of these was his own Dancin’ Man Super Special where he partnered his favourite leading lady, Karen Kain.
He has received numerous awards including, three Jessie Awards (Vancouver) — two for Best Choreography, the other for Best Director; five nominations for the ACTRA Award for Best Variety Performer and a Dora Mavor Moore Award in 1984 for On Tap.
Choreography and directing are a real love for Jeff and it shows in productions such as Peter Pan, A Chorus Line, On Tap, Guys and Dolls and Joseph and the Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat.
Local productions under his direction include The Matchmaker, Nutcracker (with Danette Bell), Anything Goes, and Stepping Out, all with the community players of Campbell River.
Continually broadening his career, Jeff is in demand for his teaching expertise in the realm of Musical Theatre, adjudication for Theatre BC’s ongoing zone festivals, and workshops in all crafts. Additionally, he tours to great acclaim with A.R. Gurney’s Love Letters.
Showcase Theatre Festival in Campbell River occupied Jeff’s time for five years. As artistic director he was able to bring to the stage a broad variety of entertainment — A Midsummer Night’s Dream, The Dream on Royal Street, Taming of the Shrew and Kiss Me, Kate!, Cabaret and Waiting for the Parade — as well as developing Adventures in Theatre, a unique young people’s program.
In 2007, Jeff conceived the idea for a stunning new musical — Dancing in the Coal Dust — written by longtime collaborator David Warrack. He is determined to bring this brilliant new work to audiences across this great country of ours.
Tickets are on sale June 18 and 19 from 4 to 8 p.m. at the Old Church Theatre at 755 Harmston Ave. in Courtenay. Show time is 7:30 p.m. this Friday and Saturday. Extra tickets will be available at the door.
— Love to Perform Holly Theatre Dance
