Tomorrow I bid farewell...but not really

As I sit here in my office on lunch, I think about this morning and how tough it was to break the news to everyone regarding the future of the Tiki Room Morning Show. It was not easy. In radio there are certain times where you can easily get emotional. And some of the time you go by a 'script'. This morning I went off the top of my head, spoke from the heart and even...got a bit emotional. Thank goodness no cameras were around...the beauty of radio!

After nine and a half amazingly fun months of doing the Tiki Room Morning Show live from a radio studio which I do another show for as well (locally in Winnipeg), it is time to put a cap on the daily version of the show. My life has sadly taken a very, very busy turn. I no longer have the time needed to prepare this show on a daily basis, and yes, it hurts me to say this. I had so much fun in the chatroom every morning....but the good news is...the Tiki Room Morning Show is DOUBLING it's length! Thats right, the Tiki Room Morning Show will still go to air, LIVE for TWO hours each and every Friday! Beginning in the usual time slot of 8am Eastern and going straight until 10 with an extra magic hour, the Tiki Room Morning Show will continu

e to provide you with all the Walt Disney World music you need to get your weekend started! The

Animation Courtyard with interviews and some interactive skits will also still happen, so not to

worry...things will sound normal on Fridays still! I hope you all can join me live!

Now, the reasons? There are several of them. Where to begin? I am working at 830-430pm every single monday to friday for a local university. Besides this, I am also doing a radio show every Thursday night on a local station here which focuses on UFOs and mysteries, then I have Aladdin rehearsals, where I'm playing Jafar, 5 days a week and Sunday afternoons for four or five hours. On top of this, I am happy to say I have a weekend morning talk show on the #1 station in Winnipeg, and am proud to be back on-air for this! Oh and I guess I should find time to breathe in there, too.

So unfortunately the Tiki Room Morning Show will be ending it's weekly run BUT there is a whole new daily LIVE SHOW schedule at 8am Eastern daily that I want you to check out, courtesy of Sorcerer at SRsounds.com:

Monday

8:00 am - Top of the World LIVE (SRN LIVE)

7:00 pm - Top of the World replay

Tuesday

8:00 am - Sorcom Review

1:00 pm - Loopy Tuesday

7:00 pm - Sorcom Review replay

Wednesday

8:00 am - Backstage

1:00 pm - Top of the World replay

7:00 pm - Backstage replay

Thursday

8:00 am - DW:60

1:00 pm - Backstage replay

7:00 pm - DW:60 replay

Friday

8:00 am - Tiki Room Morning Show (2 hour shows)

1:00 pm - DW:60 replay

7:00 pm - TRMS replay

Sunday Replay Schedule

11:00 am - Loopy Tuesday replay

12:00 pm - Top of the World LIVE

1:00 pm - Sorcom Review

2:00 pm - TRMS

4:00 pm - DW:60

5:00 pm - Backstage

In the meantime, I beg you to stop by the chatroom tomorrow (September 25, 2009) for a fantastic party, where we'll celebrate you, and celebrate the last-ever traditional run of the Tiki Room Morning Show. We'll be live at 8am Eastern until 9am Eastern over on the chatroom at www.SRsounds.com/forum!

Chris

Becoming Jafar: The Read Through

Alright, so, Day One.

The read thru went great. The best part was that I already knew my role: Jafar. I had played him on-stage back in 2007 as I've already mentioned in my previous blog post. But this time I get to be a tiny bit more creative. See with the last performance of Aladdin being in 2007, and my first with Fantasy Theatre, now that this is my 6th show between now and then, I'm a bit more comfortable at what I can do with the character.

When I got to the rehearsal studio, we were handed out scripts. I knew all of the actors except one who I havent worked with. Everyone else I have performed with in shows such as Treasure Island, Wind of A Thousand Tales, and Max and The Grinch.

You know something, it is amazing how much you forget! At first, the story is about a bunch of gypsies who want to do a play, and they end up performing the story of 'Aladdin'. It's actually pretty funny how much you forget, as I have a whole two or three scenes that I had no idea about. But it all came back, and so did the lines. I felt myself looking up after glancing at the line, because it was slowly coming back to me. Slowly but surely!

When we got in to the 'Aladdin' part I was able to begin using my deep, evil voice. And of course I could have just 'read' it, but something took over me and I felt myself booming out the lines as if I was on stage. Keep in mind I was still at about 95%, recovering from laryngitis! Close to the end of the scene where my character is yelling at Aladdin to give him the lamp from the Cave of Wonder, my voice starts to go. I knew there were only a couple more lines until I had a substantial break, so I continued to belt them out. My voice nearly blew out completely. I can't help it, I just like being so evil and getting in to the character! I found myself sweating on my forehead JUST from reading the lines, so you could imagine how much I'll be sweating at rehearsal and on stage during the performances!!

At the end of the read thru, the other actors were assigned/designated their roles, and I went out for a beer with the director. We chatted a bit about how I want to do a few things differently this time compared to last time, to develop the character more. All he asked is that at next rehearsal (Sunday September 20), I take it easy on my voice. "I know what you can do, so don't strain your voice!," he told me. I respected that!

So I just highlighted my lines and will aim to know them all by Sunday.

Wish me luck!

Chris

Becoming Jafar

So today is the first read-thru for the 2009/10 Season Opener for Fantasy Theatre for Children, Aladdin.

It isn't the typical Aladdin with all the Disney jazz, it's more the traditional version, with two genies (genie of the lamp AND genie of the ring), and the villain is The Evil Magician. Although with my love of all things Disney, and with my love for acting, in a play that was done as a movie and stage-show in Disneyland, I like to think of the role as Jafar. After all, he's a tall, skinny, greedy man with a low voice, who wants the lamp, princess, palace, and power!

Upon finishing college in May 2007 I was looking for theatre companys to join. When I read one was auditioning for Aladdin, I immediately memorized the monologue of the opening beggar for Disney's Aladdin, and landed the role of the bad guy right away.

Since then, I've been cast in the same company as a sword-fighting, angry pirate...an evil king (twice, in two different shows!) and The Grinch last Christmas. Seperately - in a different theatre company after my initial Aladdin run in 2007 - I've been cast as a greedy, borderline-psychotic Las Vegas hotel owner, and a retired, short-tempered military sargeant. Is there a trend of evil going here or is it just me?!

Anyhow...as Tony, the director, first told me...villains are the most fun to play. And what is exciting for me this time is to play the role AGAIN. Getting a second chance nearly two years after the first run will be so much fun. You get to develop the character more, become the character more. I remember the entire crowd of 150-200 kids yelling at me as I kept saying, "The whole world will be MINE!" The audience went, "NO!"...and it went over and over....I sing a song at one point, and that specific audience booed at the end of it...talk about them hating me, rather, the character, lol. It's an amazing adreneline rush! I am going to blog every week about rehearsals and how they are going, and I hope you'll enjoy what I write.

Tonight is the first read-thru for selected individuals for the show. The rest of the show has to determine their characters...I'm the only one pre-selected for this show. Oh, and I get to try on the official Disney-licenced adult-sized Jafar costume tonight for this run! It's going to be absolutely amazing!

And...of course getting the chance to do this for a second time? It's like....a dream come true...and for audiences to see it again? Heh...just wait til they see how sssssssssssnake-like I can be, THIS time!

Chris

Back on the dial/Help a friend

It's my true calling: the broadcast industry. And yesterday I was swept off my feet and given a 'welcome back' to CJOB 68, Manitoba's Information Superstation.

I consider myself to be a pretty busy guy, doing the Tiki Room Morning Show live MOnday to Friday at 8am Eastern, then going and working a full-time job at the University of Manitoba. On top of this, I do the Sorcom Review show on Sorcerer Radio as well on Mondays at 9am Eastern, and then of course, I have my acting - where at the v

ery least I'm once again performing as The Evil Magician in Fantasy Theatre's prduction of "Aladdin" this October 12-18 with rehearsals starting soon.

Oh yes, and I need to remember to breathe in there, too.

But as I said, I have graciously accepted the offer to come back as the regular, perminant host of The Weekend Wakeup Show on CJOB. Why do I want to work 7 days a week, you ask? Easy: I don't do a whole lot on the weekends, I'm in my later 20's and don't go out too much

anymore, or at least too late. I figured I may as well do something with my weekends, and I'll be honest...the broadcasting bug had been nipping at me for quite some time! I love Sorcerer Radio and all that I do for it, but the Weekend Wakeup Show on CJOB has more of a personal feel to it as I connect with Manitobans in their every day lives, greeting them on the birthdays segment, or interviewing individuals who are putting on special events in our fair city.

Now, does this mean I am leaving Sorcerer Radio? Absolutely not. I'm going to continue doing the Tiki Room Morning Show.

But now I can be heard 7 days a week...Monday to Friday with Sorcerer Radio, and Saturday and Sunday mornings with CJOB.

I am so privledged and honored to be asked to come back and host the show. It really means a lot to me!

The big difference compared to being on Sorcerer Radio, is that CJOB is an all-talk station. Talk and news. So you can expect a lot more chatter than you're used to on the Tiki Room Morning Show, and keep in mind I'll barely be talking Disney...but will throw it in, if it's appropriate! ;)

My re-debut as host of CJOB's Weekend Wakeup Show goes September 12 at 6am-8am Central, then on September 13 from 6am-9am Central. You can stream the show live at www.cjob.com, or simply visit the same site and click Audio Vault (about half way down the page) to re-listen to the show (if you tend to sleep-in on weekends!).

In closing, on a seperate note, I received an e-mail this morning to my fantasmic@srsounds.com address from Rebecca. Her good friend from college is recovering from cancer treatments and is looking for two passes to EPCOT for TOMORROW so that she and her fiance can enjoy a special dinner at the park.

If possible, please e-mail Rebecca at farrell_rebecca@hotmail.com or contact her on Twitter at @FarfsGirl. She would really appreciate it.

Thanks everyone, and have a great day.

Chris

Pride Rock 'the king' on Broadway

What an amazing spectale. The Lion King on Broadway is phenominal!

And now for a more descriptive...description:

Upon entering the glorious Minskoff Theatre, on 46th Street just off of New York City's Times Square, you're immediately immersed with the colors of the Lion King. A wax figure of a female Rafiki shows herself off as you make your way up the elevators, and the next thing you know...you're in the theatre.

There are two balconies on either side of the stage where bongo dru

mmers slapped their tunes with the help of the orchestra.

The show opens immediately with the all-too-familiar "Circle Of Life". By the end of this, I was welling-up with tears. Just fantastic audio, loved their voices, and the way the actors marched down the aisles in animal costumes was breathtaking.

The show didn't miss a beat...there is a reason they've been performing it since 1997 to sold-out crowds. What a priveledge to be part of.

The gentlemen who played Mufasa and Scar were outstanding, but the entire cast was very very strong.

When "Can You Feel The Love Tonight" came on, cue tears #2. No show made me choke up two times...but I wasn't done yet.

The finale also got me choked up! Anyone familiar with the Circle of Life song knows the last beat of the song is a huge drum...and on that cue, the lights go out, but it was so well-planned that I was seriously speechless while walking out after the standing ovation.

The special effects are just phenominal. VERY creative. Whoever it is that put the creative effects in the show should be extremely proud.

Out of all the shows on Broadway, if you're heading down there, I beg you to see this show! There are really no words to describe the amazing feelings you'll get when watching it.

And I have no doubt it'll be around for generations to come. Show it to your kids, as they'll show it to their kids as well. What's that called?

Oh yeah...the Circle of Life.

Five out of Five Stars.

Chris

Vacation Week 2009!!

The Tiki Room Morning Show studio will shut down for one week, as I'm pleased to announce that I'm going on vacation!! I'm extremely excited about this vacation. I announced it on the morning show today that I'll be flying in to Philly tomorrow afternoon, then getting picked up by fellow Disney enthousiast Lady Aurora (follow her on twitter at @lady_aurora, and she also has an awesome blog, check it out on my 'Friends of the Tiki Room' section!).
Trust me, we've been keeping this a huge secret for close to a month now!!

On the agenda:

Leave for Philly Saturday morning
SUNDAY - Hershey Park, PA

MONDAY - Wildwood, NJ - The ocean!!!

TUESDAY - Claymont, DE

WEDNESDAY - New York City, NY - The Lion King on Broadway!

THURSDAY - Claymont, DE

FRIDAY - Flight back to Winnipeg!

It's going to be a blast! I'm really, really looking forward to this vacation as I've never been to this part of the United States before.

Stay tuned next week on the Tiki Room Morning Show for replays, 8am Eastern daily:

MONDAY - First-ever live broadcast of TRMS from Jan 9, 2009!

TUESDAY - RetroDis!

WEDNESDAY - The Muppets featuring an interview with Jim Henson's daughter, Heather!

THURSDAY - Tower of Terror Closing? Find out! ;)

FRIDAY - An unheard edition of TRMS that was made in 2008 during the TRMS planning stages!

Until I'm back at 8am Eastern on the 24th of August at SRsounds.com...have a magical week, everyone!

Chris

Rainbow Stage's latest production a Beauty

It takes a lot to recreate an animated Disney masterpiece while bringing it to life on the stage. Take in to consideration the costumes, sets, music, talent needed....its a lot of work to recreate a sensation such as that.

But that is exactly what Rainbow Stage did last night in their performance of Disney's Beauty

and the Beast. I had the pleasure of treating my mom to this performance last night, as a birthday present for her...and a treat for myself, too!

First off, you all know I'm a fan of Disney, so I may be biased towards this review, but ask any one of the estimated 1,500+ people at Kildonan Park Theatre last night if it was anything less than outstanding, and I'd be surprised if you hear something different.

Rainbow Stage first presented this show back in 2004 at the Pantages Playhouse, another brilliant theatre in Winnipeg. My only complaint about this specific show at the Pantages, however, is that the stage was too small.

Kildonan Park's stage looks to be 3 times as deep and about a third more wide, allowing the show to spread out and show more of it's colors in an organized fashion.

Directed by well-known Winnipeg actor Robb Paterson, the classic story was filled with amazin

g sets, brightly colored, large, fun costumes as worn by the actors portraying Lumiere, Cogsworth, Mrs. Potts and The Dresser, to name a few.

Belle (played by Samantha Hill, who played Wendy in Rainbow Stage's 2008 production of Peter Pan) and Beast (played by Kevin Aichele) both had outstanding voices. Their chemistry on stage was amazing as the love story develops, and the Beast becomes more of a fan-favorite

towards the children in the crowd.

In my opinion, the true show-stealer was the evil man himself...thats right: Gaston (played by Peter Huck).

Huck was right on cue, and must have studied the cartoon numerous times to play the role as he did. He stole the show with his amazing voice, gestures, and acting skills.

One of the highlights of the show, which received one of the loudest applauses, is the bar scene where the song "Gaston" plays. The ensemble grabs beer mugs and uses them with each other, clanking them around, as you might see during a performance of Stomp. No one missed a beat here either, and add some tap dancing to the number...and you've got yourself a fantastic piece.

A live orchestra accompanies the actors to their every move on stage, and follows them along to the tune of their voices. Just an amazing performance by the musicians, as well.

Several other well-known local Winnipeg actors graced the stage such as Chris Sigurdson playing Lumiere, Stan Lesk as Belle's Father, Maurice.

Another cool addition to the show, as I mentioned at the beginning, was the theatre. This is an outdoor theatre, with a dome to protect patrons from the rain. On such a gorgeous night like yesterday, it added to the overall excitement of the show.

Receiving an instant standing ovation once all cast was on stage, Beauty and the Beast at Rainbow Stage is not to be missed. I've heard a few people comment that they've done the show in 2004, why go see it again? People, please! It is a whole new experience out at Kildonan Park.

If anyone is going to be in the Winnipeg area between now and the 28th of August, I highly recommend checking out Beauty and the Beast. The music is sensational and the story is truly a tale as old as time...but a tale not to be missed!

Five stars out of five.

To order tickets for Beauty and the Beast or for more information on Rainbow

Stage and their 55-year history, click here for their official homepage.

Chris

Above: Kildonan Park's Rainbow Stage outdoor-domed theatre.