Hamilton-area theatre stars continue to make it big

Hamilton-born singer-actress Caissie Levy opened this week on London’s West End in the compelling musical drama “Next to Normal.”

Levy, who starred on Broadway as Elsa in the Disney musical “Frozen,” as well as revivals of the iconic rock musical “Hair” and the legendary classic “Les Misérables,” opened Wednesday at Wyndham’s Theatre as Diana Goodman in the celebrated musical about a woman struggling with emotional and mental issues.

Levy played this excoriating role last year at the Donmar Warehouse in London, where it sold out its entire run.

Nominated for an Olivier Award as best actress in a musical last season, Levy will perform the demanding role for a limited threemonth run.

“I couldn’t turn it down,” she says. “Even though it means being away from my husband and children for too long this kind of opportunity doesn’t come along that often. They will come and visit during the run and we will make every moment together count.”

Levy grew up in Hamilton, where she acted in plays at Westdale Secondary School.

She appeared in the Joanna Glass drama “If We Are Women” for the Players’ Guild of Hamilton, earning rave reviews. She has said that doing the Guild play was the catalyst for making her realize she wanted to be an actress, rather than a doctor.

After studying at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts in New York City, Levy was immediately cast in the coveted role of Maureen in the touring production of the musical “Rent.” She has worked in the theatre on Broadway and in London ever since. She is married to David Reiser, a professor, and has two children.

Levy, whose parents still live in Hamilton, has only performed in her home city once, starring in “Rent” at Hamilton Place in 2014.

Levy also performed her astounding cabaret act at The Burlington Performing Arts Centre to great acclaim in 2020.

Levy’s biggest Broadway exposure was as Elsa in “Frozen.”

“I was never a frilly Disney princess sort of girl,” she says. “But I did identify with Elsa’s big song ’Let It Go.’ People ask me to sing it at concerts and things, so in a way it has become my anthem. I suppose I will be singing it forever and that’s OK with me.”

Levy loves doing “Next to Normal,” which has a whole new feel and look under the expert direction of Michael Longhurst.

Levy has been thrilling in many of the shows she has tackled from Tom Stoppard’s searing drama “Leopoldstadt,” to the angst of the musical drama “Caroline, or Change.” But “Next to Normal” is so far the icing on the cake. You could say it’s Caissie Levy’s tour de force.

As if this wasn’t enough, Levy will star in the Encores Series presentation of “Ragtime” on Broadway come November.

Jesse Robb grew up dancing in Burlington.

He was called sissy by the neighbourhood kids. He ignored their taunts and teasing. Robb knew he was a boy who was born to dance. He just refused to be bullied.

A month ago, Robb and his choreographic partner, Shana Carroll, were nominated for the coveted Tony Award for their dances created for the Broadway musical “Water for Elephants.”

When he was five, Jesse Robb saw a dance show at a Burlington library and told his parents that dance was what he wanted to do.

“It quickly became apparent that wasn’t something common for boys in the 1980s in a small commuter town,” Robb says. No matter, Robb learned not to give up.

He danced on Broadway in the musical “Fame,” where his six foot two inches tall frame attracted attention. But he had other ideas about what he wanted to do. He became a choreographer because he listened to his gut instincts.

“You have to be willing to take risks, big risks,” he says. “I knew early on crafting and honing for other artists’ strengths was my key interest, not just dancing myself.”

Robb choreographed “Spamalot” for the Stratford Festival last year. It was a smash hit.

“I loved the challenge. As a kid I just had this innate need to move and create. It was something instinctive.”

Now 44, Robb has made a brilliant career making moves for other dancers to perform.

“I’m not afraid of change and time. I don’t think I ever expected any of the brilliant opportunities I’ve had. I just keep on walking through open doors.”

Robb and Carroll created the Tony Award-nominated choreography for the Broadway musical “Water for Elephants.” Though they didn’t win the Tony, their outstanding choreography has earned rave reviews from critics and thunderous applause from audiences impressed by its originality.

And more importantly perhaps, their work won the prestigious Chita Rivera Award for Best Choreography of a Broadway Musical, an award for dancers and choreographers chosen by their peers.

“Water for Elephants” continues at New York’s Imperial Theatre and will soon tour to the rest of North America. It’s terrific.

Jay Turvey grew up a shy kid in Dundas. He loved theatre and when he was still a teen he played Peter in “The Diary of Anne Frank” at the Players’ Guild of Hamilton and Romeo in Shakespeare’s “Romeo and Juliet” at Dundas Little Theatre.

Actor, director and playwright, 62-year-old Turvey has done it all. He has been a member of the Shaw Festival Theatre at Niagara-onthe-Lake for 23 seasons. Last year he directed its highly successful production of the musical “Gypsy.”

This year, with his life’s partner, Paul Sportelli, Turvey has created a new musical-play based on Frances Hodgson Burnett’s “The Secret Garden.”

The show follows the story of Mary Lennox, an embittered orphan, who finds happiness and joy through bringing life to an old untended garden.

Turvey has a way of finding the shading in a redemptive tale like this one and with Sportelli’s haunting musical score these gentlemen create the perfect ambience for this remarkable tale.

“‘The Secret Garden’ isn’t a story that’s just for children,” Turvey has said. “It has a spirit about it that speaks to adults as well. In many ways it is a perfect family entertainment.”

Though his acting performances have always been blessed with subtle shading and nuance, Turvey’s moving toward direction and creation of new work is something that will serve the Shaw Festival well. Who knows the work of this iconic company better?

“The Secret Garden” is in repertory at Shaw Festival until September.

And I just heard that Evan Alexander Smith, who studied at Theatre Aquarius and acted in Hamilton-area shows, started performances in Broadway’s hit show “Back to the Future” a couple of days ago. More about that one later.

Four folks who found their theatrical feet in the Greater Hamilton Area are standing tall in the world of professional theatre. Celebrations all round.

Jesse Robb, left, has made a brilliant career making moves for other dancers to perform. JESSE ROBB PHOTO

Caissie Levy, centre, stars in “Next to Normal” in London. MARC BRENNER PHOTO

Jay Turvey, right, is directing “The Secret Garden” at the Shaw Festival this year. DAVID COOPER PHOTO