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Shawp Talk


Wonderful Town has been in previews for a while now, and has really hit its stride. People just love this show. They are warmed by the set and costumes, dazzled by the music, and finally overcome by it’s sweet story and sense of goodwill. That, and some amazing performances by the entire cast, led by the hilarious Lisa Horner. I am having a blast doing the comedy thing for a change. Our official opening night is 10 days away, May 24th. I’m told there are good seats available for performances through the end of June, but after that it gets tougher. So, book now and don’t be disappointed.

For a video with actual show footage, go to the following site, and click on the Video tab. It gives you all the info you need about our production: www.shawfest.com/web/content.asp?docid=1_3_2_1

When I’m not chewing the scenery in Wonderful Town - and believe me, I chomp away pretty good - you'll find me in rehearsal hall 3, working on A Little Night Music. The show is really coming along. The music is definitely a challenge to perfect, as is the complex staging of the show on the three-sided Courthouse stage. We are looking forward to moving into the theatre this Friday to begin technical rehearsals. June 1st is our first preview performance, with the official opening night July 4th. So, all you Sondheim fans, don't wait - A Little Night Music is the best selling show so far this season! Get your tickets now!

Field of Stars

I had so much fun last night. I had the privilege of singing in a concert celebrating the release of a new CD/Songbook called “Field Of Stars - Volume 2”. First, let me tell you about the book. The songbook is the second in a series dreamed up by Jim Betts, featuring 22 Musical Theatre songs written solely by Canadian composers. Included in the book is the sheet music to each song, plus two CDs. Disc 1 is a CD of all the songs recorded by various "stars" of the genre (including me, of course), and Disc 2 is a CD of just the piano accompaniment, so you can fire up the karaoke machine and sing along at home. It’s a great idea for any actor just starting out, or who is looking for new audition repertoire, or for any fan of canadian music who wants to listen to a kick-ass compilation of songs and/or play along on the piano.

So, this past fall I had the privelege to record two songs for the Songbook, and last night I got to sing them live at Statlers, a club downtown Toronto. The songs come from two shows very close to my heart : “One Face” from Tristan with composer Paul Sportelli accompanying me, and “Disappointed House” from Emily with composer Marek Norman at the piano. I am thrilled to say that both songs went over extremely well! It was so exciting - you could have heard a pin drop in the packed club. Actually the entire event was such a hit that they had to turn people away. Many people were forced to stand out on the sidewalk, listening through the open windows and doors. It was quite an inspiring night, to be surrounded by so many talented supporters of Canadian Musical Theatre.

If anyone is interested in buying a book, go to this site for a bunch of information: http://northernriver.com/FOS2Preview.html. I believe you can buy it at Theatrebooks and Song and Script in Toronto, two stores that coincidentally also carry my CD, "Taking The Wheel". And if you haven't picked that up yet, get on it already! There are 14 beautiful tracks of musical theatre and pop songs with all new arrangements. It's really fine stuff. Actually, the easiest way to buy my CD is through my website www.jeffmadden.ca, or if you're in town to see a show, pick it up at the Festival Theatre Shaw shop. If you must, download it on iTunes. But if you do, you won't get the lovely 12-page booklet with lots of beautiful photos and information on why I chose each song. Trust me, the booklet really completes the package.

Support Canadian musical theatre talent! And, you'll have the added bonus of knowing that you helped put my kids through university. Well, daycare, anyway. Cheers, everybody.

The New 'Normal'

Lately, it seems like every post begins with an apology for not writing more often! The last post I wrote was exactly seven weeks ago today. I remember the day so well, because it was the day of Emily’s birth. I was so euphoric that day that I just had to post a photo and the good news right away. You see, tiredness had not yet crept in. Exhaustion was still around the corner. Collapse was several weeks away. In the meantime, whenever I even thought about blogging I began to laugh at the absurdity of that idea. Life has been such a blur. As you might imagine, having a newborn and a toddler and a 6-day-a-week job acting, singing and dancing takes a lot out of you. But I think we have now started to understand the new 'normal'.


Sleep. Hmmm, how can I put this... I really miss it. I miss being able to come home from work, maybe have a drink, relax, and finally hit the pillow knowing that eight hours later, I’ll gently wake up feeling wonderfully rested. These days, it’s a really great night when we get six hours of semi-interrupted sleep. On not-so-great nights, it’s more like four or five. After a week straight of crappy sleep you start to become some other person. Someone who bumps into things, mumbles two-word answers, and ceases to find anything funny. It’s rough a lot of the time. But somehow, we make it through.

We do, because in spite of everything, it’s unbelievably amazing.
Holding Emily as she squirms to find just the right position in my arms before falling asleep gives me an incredible feeling of joy.

And taking Sydney for a walk to the park these days is an amazing experience, listening to her say things like “Where are you, school bus?” and “Hi squirrel!” and “Oh Boy, the slide!”. These and a hundred other simple things a day give me such a sense of pride and contentment that it’s nearly impossible to describe. Crazy. And so, on we go stumbling around with smiles on our faces...


At this point I have to say that my incredible wife Christine is doing an amazing job holding it all together, managing motherhood with skill and grace. She got her great mothering instincts from her mom Ilse, just as I learned everything I know from my mom Jody. Happy Mother’s Day again to you three great ladies. There is no job more demanding than being a mother. What an undertaking. Thank you for doing such a great job, and for being such awesome grandparents.

Now, when can you come down to babysit???

Jeff in The Toronto Star today

Hey Everyone,

Guess how surprised I was to see my picture in the Toronto Star today? Plenty.

The unedited article is at http://www.thestar.com/comment/columnists/article/410890

An edited bit of the article appears below. In the actual newspaper, there's a nice picture of me by David Cooper that accompanies the article, but it doesn't show up online.

***
"THEATRE NEWS

Sudden Spring Awakening

Apr 07, 2008 04:30 AM
Richard Ouzounian
Theatre Critic

SHAW'S SUNSHINE BOYS

It also seems Shaw is proving a propitious place for its young actors these days. Three recent or current company members are all currently facing sunny scenarios.

Jeff Madden, star of last season's Tristan and still with the company this year, has reportedly landed the leading role in Andrew Lloyd Webber and Ben Elton's The Boys in the Photograph, which the Mirvishes will be presenting next season."
***
Just to set the record straight, it is true that I have been offered the male lead in the show. However, my agent and I have not even begun contractual negotiations with the theatre producers. So, it is not a done deal yet. Far from it, actually.

I am very excited about the prospect of doing this role in this show next year. I hope that negotiations move ahead smoothly, and I fully expect to make an official announcement soon. 2009 could be a very interesting year indeed.

For more information, check back here in the coming days.

Until then, keep on Taking the Wheel.

New Baby News!

Today was the day!!!

And in this corner, weighing in at an intimidating 8 pounds 12 ounces, measuring over 21 inches tall, in the pink trunks and knitted cap concealing a shock of black hair, Emily Rose Madden!!!


Yes sir, at 5:34am Monday, March 24, 2008, Emily Madden became a citizen of Planet Earth. Both Mother Christine and baby Emily are doing extremely well, resting at home. I couldn’t be happier with my amazing wife and two fantastic girls by my side.

Big sister Sydney, who is just 18 months old herself, is very sweet towards her new little sister. She asked me to pass this note along to you all on her behalf: “It is with prodigious delectation that I welcome Emily into our family unit. With firm conviction, I believe she will possess the facility, willingness and initiative to be an expert servant to my each and every whim, as any younger sister should. Peace out.” Wow, those Baby Einstein DVDs are really paying off, huh?


But seriously folks, it has been a bit of a struggle for us these last few months. As some of you know, Christine had a tougher time with this pregnancy than with the first. Basically, with her being unable to work and care for Sydney full-time, we were extremely fortunate to have the love and support of both of our families for extra help. But, an extra loud shout out must go to Christine’s mother Ilse. We couldn’t have made it through with your tremendous help. Thank you sooooo much to all the Maddens and Bajins!

"So, give me details, Madden! How did it happen?" Well, the discussion begins and ends with Christine. She is Superwoman. Not only did she have the consideration to go into labour on my day off, she was extremely efficient. The labour and birth were finished in near-record time (you won’t believe me, so I won’t bother telling), she ate, rested, recovered, and walked out of the hospital by 5pm. Not bad for a day’s work. Keep in mind, Emily weighed almost nine pounds. Like I said, Christine is Superwoman. Oh, and we’re seriously considering changing Emily’s middle name to Torpedo.


For now, we will take it a day at a time at Christine’s family's home in Oakville. In a couple weeks, we will move back home to Niagara, and try to get back to normal. Whatever the heck that is.

Lucky for me, being sleep-deprived will suit my klutzy awkward character in Wonderful Town just fine. If I happen to incorporate slurring speech and narcolepsy into the mix - no one will know the difference! But, I think I’m screwed in A Little Night Music, which starts rehearsal in a week. Those high B-flat’s scare me - there’s no faking that in rehearsal. Holy crap. One way or the other we will get through this! What a memorable summer it is going to be!

Oh, and stay tuned for thousands of ridiculously sappy baby pictures!!!!

And, with that, in Sydney’s words, Peace Out.

Wonderful Shaw

Greetings to my Taking The Blog devotees! I trust you have all had exciting winters and like me, have come out of hibernation full of energy, ready to Take the Wheel of your lives yet again. Here’s the latest news from all things Madden.

Well, we are already one month into my current season at the Shaw Festival. That’s number eight, for all of you counting out there. Seriously, time does fly when you’re having fun. As I mentioned on a previous blog post, this season I will appear in the musicals Wonderful Town and A Little Night Music.
Wonderful Town starts preview performances in two weeks, and we’ve been busy putting the show together in the rehearsal hall. And so far, things have definitely been Wonderful. With a capital W. (Insert snap here.) The show tells the story of two sisters from Ohio who leave their humdrum lives at home to “make it” in New York City, circa 1935. One is a plain-looking writer, one is a pretty actress, and they meet all sorts of interesting people (read: nut bars that only exist in Musicals, of which I play one) as they gradually succeed in their endeavors.

I must admit, upon first reading the script last year, the show seemed a bit ... oh, I don’t know... bland. But, let me tell you, I was wrong! To me, the show is a perfect afternoon or evenings diversion, full of heart, warmth, and generosity of spirit. I can’t imagine an audience member not enjoying him/herself, not smiling, or not getting on board inside the first half hour. After that, though, its complete crap -- No! Just kidding. It’s just a really sweet show, sure to please the crowds.

Rehearsals started as they always do at Shaw with a focus on learning the music. Although I had not heard any of the tunes before, I was surprised at the number of beautiful melodies and gorgeous harmonies, fitting together perfectly with the witty lyrics. For you Shaw history buffs (or, basically for you, Mom and Dad, who come to every show I’m in 23 times), Wonderful Town lyricists Comden and Green also wrote the lyrics for Shaw’s unforgettable 2003 production of On the 20th Century. Who could forget the image of Bridget Robinson’s religious wing nut hanging on for dear life to the front of the train? Wonderful Town’s Music composer is Leonard Bernstein, the composer of West Side Story’s classic score. Who could forget seeing me onstage with the ballet at the Opera House this past winter doing West Side Story Suite? Oh dear, the ballet. My woo-woo still has the boo-boo from the tu-tu. But I digress...

Back to the program. The other great joy so far has been playing Frank Lippencott, the manager of the Walgreen’s drugstore on 44th Street. Frank is the type of guy who, upon first meeting is totally normal and sweet, the kind you’d bring home to Mom. Then, as you get to know him, you find out he’s a FREAK! My, how I have embraced my inner geek, my inner klutz, my inner awkwardness. I know what you’re all thinking... Inner? My ass! I am an awkward geeky klutz! Huh... What do you know anyway?

So, yeah, that’s about it for now. Do plan on coming to see Wonderful Town this summer - it’ll only play 643 times, so book ahead!!! And when you do come, please send me a note either before your trip or during the show. I always like to know who’s in the crowd. There will be more updates to come, as we get into previews of Wonderful Town and rehearsals of A Little Night Music. You can count on me to keep you posted.