Meet the team
Jim Betts
Book & Lyrics
Jim Betts
Book & Lyrics
Jim Betts is an award-winning playwright and composer who loves writing, and celebrating, Canadian Musical Theatre. His Canadian themed musicals include Colours In The Storm (about Tom Thomson), The Shooting Of Dan McGrew, Lucy Maude & Anne, Extraordinary (The Extraordinary Life Of An Ordinary Woman), The Fabulous Kelley, and the upcoming Bluenose (written with composer John Estacio). He has also produced Stan Rogers • A Matter Of Heart, and published the Canadian Musical Theatre song collections, Field Of Stars. He is a former Artistic Director of Smile Theatre, Theatre Orangeville and ScriptLab, and started the Canadian Musical Theatre course at Sheridan College. Jim is both proud and excited that he and his wife Kate Barris have finally managed to bring this new Canadian Musical - Dancer (A Musical In Ten Furlongs) – to audiences here in Toronto.
Marek Norman
Music
Marek Norman
Music
Marek Norman is considered one of Canada’s most versatile theatre artists.
A multi-award-winning composer/songwriter/actor/producer, his performance credits include Canadian premieres of Closer Than Ever and Falsettos, world premieres of Amelia (by John Gray) and The Death of Von Richthofen ... (by Des McAnuff).
Marek has created over 50 original scores for theatre productions. His musicals include Dracula – A Chamber Musical, Emily, Larry’s Party, Dancer, Ballycroy – and Wanderlust (in collaboration with Morris Panych) which received its world premiere at the Stratford Festival.
Other works: The Tin Soldier, Oliver Button is a Sissy (National Tap Dance Co.), The Lover (a film-ballet), opening/closing ceremonies for The Canada Games, Bridgefest (PEI), and Special Olympics – for which his anthem, “Along The Way”, has become the organization’s main theme.
Mr. Norman co-produced (with his wife, Barbara Barsky) the Canadian premiere of Stephen Sondheim’s Assassins, which garnered five Dora Mavor Moore Awards – including Best Production and Musical Direction.
Their company, Reprise Concerts, produced classic works in concert format: including Company, Guys and Dolls, Anything Goes, Roar of The Greasepaint, Smell of The Crowd.
Marek has written, arranged and performed over 1500 commercial jingles. His theme for American Airlines –“We’re Giving Our Best” won the prestigious Clio Award for Best Song of the Year.
As a singer, Marek has provided vocal support for such superstars as: Bryan Adams, Sheena Easton, Roberta Flack, Aretha Franklin, Liza Minnelli, Luther Vandross and Colm Wilkinson.
As an educator, Marek works with many of Canada’s young writers of musical theatre. He’s the former composer-in-residence for Stratford’s famed INNERchamber music ensemble. Marek's most recent creation, Ballycroy, premiered this past fall.
Stacey Tookey
Director/ Choreographer
Stacey Tookey
Director/ Choreographer
Stacey Tookey is a multi Emmy-nominated choreographer, director, dancer and teacher who has worked with musical artists such as Celine Dion, Bette Midler, Christina Perri, Justin Timberlake, Michael Bublé, Ingrid Michaelson and Paula Abdul. Stacey has performed as a member of Mia Michaels’ company R.A.W., Parsons Dance Project, Ballet British Columbia, Peter Chu’s ChuThis, Houston Grand Opera and Celine Dion’s record-breaking show A New Day at Caesars Palace. Stacey worked as resident choreographer and guest judge on So You Think You Can Dance both in Canada and the U.S. for 10 seasons, where her passionate pieces earned her three consecutive Emmy nominations. Other choreography credits include; Dancing with the Stars, The James Corden show, Shia LeBeouf Live, Dance-Off and Fair Market Value and recently the musical feature film I’m not Gay and the Golden Jubilee for the UAE at the World Expo Dubai 2020. She has choreographed full length ballets for Cincinnati Ballet and Los Angeles Ballet, and taught at Loyola Marymount University, University of Jacksonville, Princeton, Montclair State University and The Juilliard School. Stacey also has her own dance company Still Motion who have performed to sold out audiences in NYC and L.A. as well as Perry Mansfield, Dans Encore and Jacob’s Pillow. She is currently working on new musicals Pump Up The Volume and, most recently Dancer. Her passion for inspiring others has led her to create mentorship programs. The Protégé Movement’s mission is to foster dancers as a whole, healthy bodies, informed & creative minds and authentic hearts. The Bridge Movement continues this mission for dancers who are bridging the gap between pre professional and professional career.
Mark Camilleri
Musical Director
