The Stars

Ross Petty

Ross Petty is delighted to be returning to produce and host his sixth Night of Stars.

Over the past 14 years, Ross Petty has created an eagerly anticipated Ontario family tradition with his “fractured fairy tale” musical versions of well-known children’s stories at Toronto’s Elgin Theatre.

Presenting audience-interactive productions of Peter Pan, Cinderella, Robin Hood, Snow White, Jack and the Beanstalk, and Aladdin, Ross has starred as the evil presence alongside some of Canada’s best-loved performers, including Kurt Browning, Bruno Gerussi, Karen Kain, “Mr. Dressup” Ernie Coombs, Fred Penner, and Don Harron.

In Europe, Ross sang at the Lido in Paris and appeared with Betty Grable in the London West End musical Belle Starr. In the U.S., he made his Broadway debut in Arthur Kopit’s Wings, created the role of Eddie Dorrance on ABC-TV’s All My Children, and co-starred with Ginger Rogers and Sid Caesar in a national tour of Cole Porter’s Anything Goes. Ross appeared in the U.S. and Canada in the title role of Stephen Sondheim’s Sweeney Todd, directed by Hal Prince. Among his many film and TV credits, Ross counts Extreme Measures with Gene Hackman and Hugh Grant, F/X 2, Perry Mason, Spenser: For Hire, Monk, and The Martha Stewart Story.

In 2006, Ross teamed up with Live Nation to take Aladdin across Canada with a 7-city tour featuring Bret ‘Hitman’ Hart, Jennifer Dale and Derek McGrath. Adding to his 5 CTV Specials of his children’s classics, Ross shot Aladdin for a CBC-TV special which aired nationally in December, 2007.

For more information, visit rosspetty.com

Karen Kain

Acknowledged as one of the leading classical ballerinas of her time, Karen Kain is also one of Canada’s foremost arts advocates, bringing the same passion and dedication she exemplified as a dancer to her roles as a spokesperson for Canadian culture and as the Artistic Director of The National Ballet of Canada.

A native of Hamilton, Ontario, Ms. Kain studied at Canada’s National Ballet School, graduating in 1969 when she joined The National Ballet of Canada. After quickly rising to the rank of Principal Dancer, she came to the attention of international audiences when she won the Silver Medal at the Moscow International Ballet Competition in 1973. This led to a highly successful career on stages throughout the world, dancing a wide range of classical and modern roles with such companies as Roland Petit’s Ballet de Marseilles, The Bolshoi Ballet, Hamburg Ballet, London Festival Ballet, Paris Opéra Ballet and the Eliot Feld Company.

Ms. Kain retired from dance in 1997 after a nationwide farewell tour and, shortly afterwards, assumed the position of Artist-in-Residence with the National Ballet. In 1999, her role was expanded to that of Artistic Associate and in June of 2005, she was appointed Artistic Director of the company.

Ms. Kain has received numerous accolades and awards throughout her career. She is a Companion of the Order of Canada, the first Canadian recipient of the Cartier Lifetime Achievement Award and was named an Officer of the Order of Arts and Letters by the government of France. In 2002, she was honoured with a Governor General’s Award for Lifetime Artistic Achievement and from 2004 to 2008 was Chair of the Canada Council for the Arts. In 2007, she received the Barbara Hamilton Memorial Award for demonstrating excellence and professionalism in the performing arts. In 2008, the Karen Kain School of the Arts officially opened. The school was named after Ms. Kain for her significant contributions to the arts over her career.

For more information, visit The National Ballet of Canada

Eva Avila

In the early spring of 2006 at the age of 18 Eva Avila knocked on the Canadian Idol’s door for an audition. Six months later the Gatineau singer won the crown, released her first #1 single, Meant to Fly (reached #1 on the singles charts), and recorded her debut platinum CD Somewhere Else (debuted #6 on the Canadian Album Charts), which included the follow up hits I owe it All to You and Fallin’ For You.

Behind the next door she found a schedule including a 30 plus date national tour and summer festival appearances that drew crowds. She earned a 2007 JUNO Nomination in the category “New Artist of the Year”.

Then FORD Models knocked on Eva’s door and asked her to be a national spokesperson for Maybelline NY. Then it was Sony Canada’s turn. Eva has appeared in national campaigns for both.

Eva’s current CD Give Me the Music features the top 5 title track, it follows up Damned and Eva’s first self penned songs. Most of 2009 was spent on the road promoting either the CD or her favourite school based children’s wellness program At My Best and filling the special guest slot on Beyonce’s Canadian tour.

Eva played the role of Maid Marion in Ross Petty’s recent 2009 holiday pantomime Robin Hood at the Elgin Theatre.

Eva’s powerful vocals caught the ear of the Disney Executives and landed her the opportunity to be the voice for Canada, You’re Lifetime Journey, the music for the film O Canada!, at Epcot’s Canada Pavilion at the Walt Disney World Resort in Florida. Another Canadian female artist on the rise!

For more information, visit evaavila.com

Debra Brown

Debra has choreographed 111/2 Cirque Du Soleil productions; most recently ZED at Tokyo Disney in 2008. Pushing the boundaries of aerial and earthbound performance earned her an Emmy for her Cirque du Soleil creation “Tribute to Special Effects” at the 2002 Academy Awards.

She has worked with the world’s most accomplished artists (Madonna, Shakira, Wyclef, Celine Dion, Bjork, Aerosmith) as well as major operas ( Ghosts of Versailles) MET, Wagner's Ring Cycle, Chicago Lyric Opera), film productions ( Catwoman, Barney, Van Helsing) and Opening Ceremonies around the world.

Inspired by the desire to bring together talented musicians, seasoned circus performers and dancers, then blend the boundaries of these worlds, (trampoline flipping guitarist, base player riding a wheel, bungee flipping guitarist and dancers playing music), she created Line 1, a diverse multicultural group of artists redefining the art of living together on stage.

She is thrilled to be working on an exclusive piece to open this year’s Night of Stars.

For more information, visit Apogée

Nathaniel Dett Chorale

The Nathaniel Dett Chorale is Canada’s first professional choral group dedicated to Afrocentric music of all styles, including classical, spiritual, gospel, jazz, folk, and blues. These 21 classically-trained, outstanding vocalists have shared the stage with internationally recognized artists such as Juno Award-winning jazz pianist Joe Sealy; and opera star Kathleen Battle and the Toronto Symphony Orchestra. The Chorale had the unique privilege being the only Canadian ensemble invited to perform as part of the celebrations surrounding the historic inauguration of President Barack Obama. The Chorale has also performed at events honoring world leaders Nelson Mandela and Archbishop Desmond Tutu, and personalities Muhammad Ali and Oscar Peterson. The multi-faceted vocalists of The Nathaniel Dett Chorale, whose talent stretches beyond the traditional expectations of a classical chamber choir, perform all styles and genres of music as appropriate to the traditions of the African Diaspora.

The Nathaniel Dett Chorale’s vision is to be a premier performer of Afrocentric composers, and a touchstone for the education of audiences regarding the full spectrum of Afrocentric choral music. The Chorale’s mission is to build bridges of understanding, appreciation, and acceptance between communities of people through the medium of music.

Founder Brainerd Blyden-Taylor named The Chorale after internationally-renowned African-Canadian composer R. Nathaniel Dett (1882-1943), who performed at prestigious concert halls such as Carnegie Hall and Boston Symphony Hall. Dett was dedicated to the cause of Black music, winning the Bowdoin and Frances Boott prizes in 1920 from Harvard University. Blyden-Taylor established The Chorale to draw attention not only to Dett’s legacy but also to the wealth of Afrocentric choral music, and to be a professional choral group where persons of African heritage could see themselves represented in the majority. Since its inception in 1998, The Nathaniel Dett Chorale has honoured the memory of its namesake, performing a jubilant and uplifting repertoire extensively throughout Ontario and North America and delighting national audiences in critically-acclaimed extended tours to the Maritimes (2000, 2004, 2006), Quebec (2002, 2005, 2006), Manitoba (2003), Western Canada (2001, 2004, 2005, 2009), and the United States (2003, 2005, 2007, 2008, 2009.) The Chorale has also garnered international attention, accepting invitations to perform at Polyfollia in France (2004), the 7th World Symposium on Choral Music in Japan (2005), and the prestigious chamber music series at the U.S. Library of Congress (2007).

For more information, visit nathanieldettchorale.org

James Ehnes

“a fizzing charm and charismatic bravado to rival even Itzhak Perlman.” (BBC Music Magazine)

Hailed as “the Jascha Heifetz of our day” (Globe and Mail), violinist James Ehnes is widely considered one of the most dynamic and exciting performers in classical music. He’s been dubbed “the 50 Million dollar fiddler”, named by MacLean’s as one of the “50 Canadians to Watch” (2003), and has performed in over 30 countries on five continents, appearing with many of the world's most well-known orchestras and conductors.

The 2009-2010 season takes James Ehnes to Japan, the Netherlands, the US, Canada and Germany. In Europe, James is featured in concerts with the BBC Philharmonic, Bournemouth Symphony, London Philharmonia, BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra, and the Netherlands Philharmonic. In the US, he will be seen in concerts with the Baltimore, St. Louis, Atlanta, Philadelphia, Seattle, Columbus, Houston, Dallas and San Francisco symphony orchestras and return to the San Diego Mainly Mozart Festival. As well, James appears in recital in Detroit, Toronto, Vancouver, Brandon, Montreal, and Glasgow.

Future seasons see James return to Australia, New Zealand, and Japan in addition to many performances throughout Canada, the US and in Europe.

Ehnes’s extensive discography of over 20 recordings features repertoire ranging from Bach violin sonatas to John Adams’s Road Movies. His recordings have been honoured with many international awards and prizes, including a GRAMMY, a GRAMOPHONE, and 6 JUNO Awards. His latest addition is a new recording of the repertoire that launched his recording career, Paganini’s 24 Caprices (ONYX). Other notable CDs include his JUNO Award-winning release of HOMAGE, a CD/DVD set which features performances on 12 of the greatest violins and violas ever made, all belonging to the extraordinary Fulton Collection, his GRAMMY and JUNO Award-winning recording of the Barber, Korngold, and Walton Violin Concertos, and his double CD set of the Mozart's complete oeuvre for solo violin and orchestra, released in 2006 in celebration of Mozart’s 250th anniversary.

Born in 1976 in Brandon, Manitoba, Canada, he began violin studies at the age of four, and at nine became a protégé of the noted Canadian violinist Francis Chaplin. For several summers he studied with Sally Thomas at the Meadowmount School of Music, continuing his studies with her in 1993 at The Juilliard School. He graduated from Juilliard in 1997, winning the Peter Mennin Prize for Outstanding Achievement and Leadership in Music. In October 2005, James was honoured by Brandon University with a Doctor of Music degree (honoris causa) and in July 2007 he became the youngest person ever elected as a Fellow to the Royal Society of Canada.

James Ehnes plays the "Marsick" Stradivarius of 1715 and gratefully acknowledges its extended loan from the Fulton Collection. He currently lives in Bradenton, Florida with his wife Kate.

For more information, visit jamesehnes.com

Alan Frew

Alan Frew is the voice of the Canadian group Glass Tiger. He is a 5-time Juno Award winner, 5-time Canadian Classic Award winner and a Grammy nominee.

As a songwriter, Alan has written numerous top ten songs with several of them having the distinction of reaching the chart topping #1 position. Someday, So Blind, I’m Still Searching and Don’t Forget Me (When I’m Gone) are just some of these hits.

Most recently Alan has written the 2010 Olympic Broadcast Theme and the new Toronto Maple Leafs theme called “Free to Be” (This is Canada’s Song) both with Stephan Moccio.

He has toured and performed with Rod Stewart, Tina Turner, Julian Lennon, Journey, Roxette, Cheap Trick, Creedance Clearwater Revival, Huey Lewis and Fleetwood Mac and has traveled extensively including performances in Bosnia, the North Pole, Israel, Egypt and Afghanistan for the Canadian Armed Forces and their allies. Alan is the celebrity face/performer for the annual “A Rose in My Book” Gala and Golf Tournament to raise funds for Breast Cancer Research.

As a speaker Alan's acutely observational comedy finds humour in some of the more edgy moments of everyday life including the experiences surrounding getting older, medical conditions and examinations, air travel, family relationships and growing up poor. Alan travels coast to coast speaking to Canadians about attaining success on their own terms.

Alan's first book is on the shelves of fine bookstores and is called "The Action Sandwich – A six step recipe to success by doing what you’re already doing". It is a practical guide to abundance told comedically through his tale of a tenacious street kid's bumpy ride to success and personal contentment. His Gordon Ramsay meets Deepak Chopra style has made the book a bestseller in Canada. He is now working on his second book “Free to Be” which will be in book stores late in 2010.

Alan made his stage debut as the crusty patriarch "Pops" in Ross Petty's musical production of "Snow White and the Group of Seven" at the Elgin Theatre in Toronto. On television you can see him on CMT's "Plucked", Showcase Television's "Billable Hours" and in his own show "Road Stories with Alan Frew". Alan was the celebrity "Man on the Street" for Sportsnet and TSN during the FIFA World Cup.

On the big screen Alan will soon be seen in April Mullen/Tim Doiron’s “Gravy Train” scheduled for Fall 2010 release in theatres across Canada.

He is an actor, author, singer, speaker, songwriter and philanthropist. Alan remains one of Canada’s favourite entertainers and most recognized celebrities.

For more information, visit alanfrew.com

Gryphon Trio

Formed in 1993, the Gryphon Trio continues to delight audiences around the globe with their highly refined and dynamic performances. Based in Toronto, the Trio tours regularly throughout Canada, the United States and Europe. Their celebrated recordings include works by Haydn, Mozart, Beethoven, Schubert, Mendelssohn, Dvorak, Lalo, Shostakovich, and Piazzolla.

With a strong commitment to expanding the piano trio repertoire, the Trio has commissioned and premiered over 50 works. Their 2004 recording, Canadian Premieres, features the work of leading Canadian composers and was awarded a Juno. They have just released a second Beethoven CD featuring the highly-loved Archduke trio.

Strongly dedicated to pushing the boundaries of chamber music, the Trio has collaborated on special projects with clarinetist James Campbell, actor Colin Fox, choreographer David Earle, and a host of jazz luminaries at Toronto’s Lula Lounge. Their most ambitious undertaking has been the groundbreaking multimedia production of Christos Hatzis’ Constantinople, which has been performed in Canada, the United States, and was presented by the Royal Opera House at Covent Garden in England in 2006.

For more information, visit gryphontrio.com

Jessica Holmes

Raised in Ottawa, Jessica moved to Toronto in 1993 to attend Ryerson’s Radio & TV program. After graduating, Jessica tried stand up at local clubs, and quickly developed a love of character-based comedy.

Her first gig as a children’s entertainer was YTV’s series Little Big Kid where she happily starred as an overgrown three-year-old (basically, she played herself). She joined the Second City, and from there starred in her own comedy special Holmes Alone and the sketch series The Holmes Show. Jessica has performed in the movies Citizen Duane and Welcome to Mooseport. She’s best known for her work on Royal Canadian Air Farce, where she was the first "added" cast member since the show began 11 years earlier.

Holmes is currently writing a book of comedic anecdotes. When not working or spending time with her husband Scott and two young children, she continues to promote causes close to her heart like WSPA and World Vision.

For more information, visit jessicaholmes.com

Ron James

Hailed by critics from coast to coast, award winning comedian, Ron James, has consistently sold out theatres across the country with his marathon, side-splitting, kinetically charged performances. With a comedian’s eye for satire and a poet’s ear for language, Ron cuts a wide swath through contemporary culture with a razor sharp wit and machine-gun delivery, making him a stand-out among stand-up performers.

Ron’s recent one hour comedy specials, Quest for the West, West Coast Wild, Back Home and Manitoba Bound garnered nearly one million viewers on CBC Television. They also received huge critical acclaim, with comments ranging from ‘a comedic tour de force’ (Globe and Mail) to ‘explosively funny’ (Halifax Herald). His previous comedy special The Road Between My Ears – ‘hilarious verisimilitude delivered with poetry and soul (Toronto Sun) - is the best selling comedy DVD in the CBC library.

Prior to his enormous success as a stand-up comedian, Ron spent nine years with The Second City, performing on Toronto’s prestigious Main Stage for three years. When Mike Myers was inducted into Canada’s Walk of Fame in 2003, he personally requested that Ron be the person to induct him. In 2004, when Late Night With Conan O’Brien filmed in Toronto, featuring Canadian superstars the likes of Mike Myers, Eric McCormack, Jim Carrey, and Michael J. Fox, Ron was the only comedian invited to perform a live set, that rocked the jam packed Elgin Theatre. This was Conan’s highest rated show of the season and brought the comedy of Ron James into the homes of 4.7 million North American viewers!

Ron has been seen on every major television network over the last twenty years, both here and in the United States. Selected film and television credits include Tommy Boy, Ernest Rides Again, Wings, Night Heat, Robocop, and SCTV. He enjoyed popular and critical acclaim for his ninety minute television special, Up and Down In Shakey Town on CTV, leading the Toronto Star to call it, ‘one of the ten best events of the television season’.

Ron has created, written and starred in his own television series on Global Television (Blackfly), leading John Doyle of the Globe and Mail to hail it as, ‘…an original and uniquely Canadian series’. He’s been nominated for Best Supporting Actor at the Genie Awards (Something About Love), has won a Gemini Award as part of the writing team for This Hour Has 22 Minutes and has been voted Canadian Comedian of the Year (inaugural Canadian Comedy Awards).

Ron tours across Canada regularly, playing over 70 sold-old dates per year. He is also a sought-after performer on the corporate circuit. Ron has recently finished shooting the first season of his new comedy series for CBC, aptly titled The Ron James Show.

For more information, visit ronjames.ca

Elicia Mackenzie

Elicia Mackenzie made her professional debut as the star of the Mirvish production of The Sound of Music which had a long run here at the Princess of Wales Theatre. Prior to that, she was a graduate of performing arts at Capilano University in North Vancouver, B.C. Elicia owes the role of Maria to the CBC reality series How Do You Solve A Problem Like Maria?, in which, out of thousands of hopefuls, Canadians voted for the girl of their choice to play the role. She is very grateful to everyone who had a part in that amazing experience and is humbled by it. Elicia won the 2009 Dora Mavor Moore Award for her performance in The Sound of Music and continues to star for the Mirvishes, currently in the lead female role of Sherrie in their production of Rock of Ages at the Royal Alexandra Theatre.

For more information, visit Rock of Ages

Yvan Pedneault

A native of Sept-Iles, Quebec; this multi-talented Canadian Singer/Actor/Musician started singing when he purchased his first guitar at 17, then left the comfort of the small town community theatre to pursue his dream. He moved to Montreal where he studied his craft for 3 years. In June 2005, Yvan played his first major professional role in the rock opera RENT at L’Olympia in Montreal. Singer/song writer Lynda Lemay was seduced by his talent and offered him the role of Jeff in Un Éternel Hiver which toured France, Belgium, Switzerland and Quebec. In 2007, Pedneault was nominated for Best Male Performance in a Musical at the 28th Dora Mavor Moor Awards for the role of Galileo in the Mirvish production of We Will Rock You. He was last seen, in Ross Petty’s Robin Hood in the role of Jacques Le Rock. Pedneault couldn’t be more excited to be back on stage to rock Toronto with Rock of Ages.

For more information, visit Rock of Ages

Sonia Rodriguez

A native of Toronto, Sonia Rodriguez studied dance in Madrid with Pedro de la Cruz and at the Princess Grace Academy in Monaco. She joined The National Ballet of Canada in 1990 and was promoted to Principal Dancer in 2000.

Ms. Rodriguez’s repertoire with The National Ballet of Canada includes Principal roles in Swan Lake, Romeo and Juliet, La Fille mal gardée, The Sleeping Beauty, Giselle, Song of the Earth and Opus 19/The Dreamer. She has also danced lead roles in numerous George Balanchine ballets, including Mozartiana, Stravinsky Violin Concerto, Theme and Variations, Serenade, the Sanguinic variation in The Four Temperaments and Diamonds from Jewels.

Ms. Rodriguez created the title role in James Kudelka’s Cinderella and Princess Vasilisa in Mr. Kudelka’s The Firebird, as well as roles in Matjash Mrozewski’s A Delicate Battle, Jean-Pierre Perreault’s The Comforts of Solitude, Mr. Kudelka’s The Four Seasons and, most recently, Sabrina Matthews’ DEXTRIS. In 2009, she danced the roles of Nina in the North American premiere of John Neumeier’s The Seagull and Michaela in the North American premiere of Davide Bombana’s Carmen. In 2008 she danced a featured role in the company premiere of 24 Preludes by Chopin and in 2005, Ms. Rodriguez danced the role of Dulcinea in the world premiere of Suzanne Farrell’s re-staging of Balanchine’s Don Quixote at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C.

Ms. Rodriguez has held numerous guesting engagements, most recently including the Gala of International Dance Stars in Cincinnati and the International Ballet Festival of Miami.

For more information, visit The National Ballet of Canada

Piotr Stanczyk

Polish-born Piotr Stanczyk trained at the State Ballet School of Poznan before studying at Canada’s National Ballet School. He joined The National Ballet of Canada in 1998 and was promoted to Principal Dancer in 2008.

With The National Ballet of Canada, Mr. Stanczyk’s repertoire includes lead roles in Don Quixote, Romeo and Juliet, Swan Lake, Etudes, The Nutcracker, Theme and Variations, The Four Seasons and Petrouchka.

Mr. Stanczyk has created several roles for the company, including those of Felix in James Kudelka’s An Italian Straw Hat and a Hired Escort in Mr. Kudelka’s Cinderella. Mr. Stanczyk most recently danced in the world premiere of Sabrina Matthew’s DEXTRIS and lead roles in the company premieres of John Neumeier’s The Seagull, Davide Bombana’s Carmen and Jerome Robbins’ West Side Story Suite.

In 2003, Mr. Stanczyk was, along with First Soloist Keiichi Hirano, the first-ever recipient of the William Marrié Award for Dramatic Excellence, for his role as Jaguar in The Firebird. In 2009 he performed at the International Ballet Festival of Miami.

For more information, visit The National Ballet of Canada

Chris Porter

Chris is thrilled to be the stage manager for this year's Night of Stars, in support of Sunnybrook’s Holland Orthopaedic & Arthritic Centre. Mr. Porter's stage management credits include The Sound of Music, Jersey Boys, Dirty Dancing, The Lord of the Rings, Hairspray, The Lion King, Beauty and the Beast, Miss Saigon and Les Misérables. During his 25 year career he has also collaborated with Cirque du Soleil in Las Vegas, Livent in London England, The Stratford Festival, Disney Cruise Lines, Canadian Stage Company, Soulpepper Theatre Company and Manitoba Theatre Centre, as well as, Canadian Opera Company, Edmonton Opera, Manitoba Opera and Opera Lyra Ottawa.