The Selfish Giant’s Garden

A musical written for Westben by Brian Finley and Ken Tizzard based on the short story  “The Selfish Giant” by Oscar Wilde. 

Fridays, June 14 & 21 at 7 pm - at The Barn

Saturdays, June 15 & 22 at 2 pm - at The Barn

Sundays, June 16 & 23 at 2 pm - at The Barn

“Trespassers will be prosecuted!” So warns the sign at the base of the new wall surrounding the Giant’s beautiful Garden. What will the Children do without their beloved playground? Can one Child make a difference? Westben presents “The Selfish Giant’s Garden”, an original, fully-staged musical starring Robert Longo (Beauty and the Beast, Les Mis), Donna Bennett (Rapunzel, The Pencil Salesman), Gabrielle Prata (Canadian Opera Company, Saving Hope) and a colourful garden full of singing Flowers with the Westben Youth & Teen Choruses. Bringing to life the short story by Oscar Wilde, the musical explores the precarious beauty and power of nature and our responsibility to future generations.

Greed becomes Giving in this beautifully moving and joyful musical written specially for the Westben stage.

TICKET PRICES

$45.00 Adult | $43.00 Senior

$30 Under 30 | $5 Under 18

(all ticket prices + HST)

 
 
 

ABOUT

 

Robert Longo

Westben has been a long-time home away from home for Robert Longo and he has enjoyed wearing many hats for the Festival. Bob enjoys a diversified career as Singer/Actor, Director and Teacher. On stage, he made his Broadway debut in the revival of SHENANDOAH! His favorite credits are Javert in Les Miserables (Mirvish, Canadian National Tours, U.S. National Tour, Westben Festival); The Beast in Beauty and the Beast (Disney/Mirvish); and Anatoly in CHESS in concert (Royal Alex Theater).  He has sung on Opera, Concert and Theater stages all across North America and can be seen in Murdoch Mysteries, Saving Hope and Comfort and Joy. He is currently the Arts (Music) Consultant for the Toronto Catholic District School Board and teaches Singing for the Randolph College for the Performing Arts. In New York, Bob taught at CAP 21 at New York University and was Adjunct Professor of Voice at William Patterson University. Producing, performing and music directing BROADWAY NITES, a retro Broadway Cabaret, with Gabrielle and Rod has been a passion project. Bob looks forward to revisiting the role of Norman Biggs.

 
 

Gabrielle Prata

Over the course of the last two decades, Gabrielle Prata has graced the Westben stage in 48 gowns, 6 wigs and a towel. She has been featured on International Opera, Musical and Film Stages, including an extensive repertoire with The Canadian Opera Company. Gabrielle has appeared in varied operatic and concert repertoire with the festivals of Bermuda, Ravinia, Colorado and Oregon Bach, as well as Edmonton Opera, Calgary Opera, Opera Atelier, Anchorage Opera, Gold Coast Opera, FL and Boheme Opera, NJ. She has enjoyed performing with the Cincinnati Pops, Toronto, Detroit, Spokane, Peterborough, Winnipeg and Saskatoon Symphonies, as well as the Rochester Philharmonic in many Pops and Broadway concerts. Film credits include Closing the Ring, Impulse, and featured singing roles on Saving Hope, Copper and Christmas Inc. Most recently Gabrielle has produced and performed in BROADWAY NITES, a retro Broadway Cabaret, which opened at the Jazz Bistro in Toronto. She is very happy to reprise the role of Snow in The Selfish Giant.

 
 

Ken Tizzard

Ken Tizzard is a Canadian singer-songwriter, bassist and producer, known for his work as a member of the popular Canadian bands The Watchmen, Thornley and Ron Hynes. In 2003 Ken went into semi-retirement from the rock and roll world to continue to work in the music industry as a solo artist and producer. He has released several albums, including “Lost In Awe" and "No Dark No Light," which showcase his talent as a songwriter and musician. As well Tizzard has proven himself as a talented interpreter of other’s music as shown with his 2018 release of “A Good Dog Is Lost - A Collection of Ron Hynes Songs” and his covid collaboration record “All Together Now” which features 42 musicians from across Canada and the US recording versions of 12 of Ken’s favourite songs. 

 

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