Everyone knows and loves listening to Ace Burpee on HOT 103, but will everyone love his acting skills? Will Ace earn the judges praise?  It’s time to meet everyone’s favourite radio personality, Ace Burpee!

Ace Burpee is from Cooks Creek, Manitoba. He currently works as the host of the Ace Burpee Show with Chrissy Troy on HOT 103. Prior to that, he played in the NHL. This is not true. At all. Prior acting experience includes being on float with Beethoven the dog in Beethoven’s Christmas Adventure. Ace was cut from the scene prior to release.

So…now that we know Ace’s prior acting experience, we wait with baited breath to see him act! We are pleased to announce that Ace will be performing a scene with his mom, actor Jan Burpee! Not only that, but they will be performing a scene from For Whom The Southern Belle Tolls by Christopher Durang! This parody of Tennesse Williams’ The Glass Menagerie is sure to have the audience rolling in their seats with laughter. Here’s a teaser to give everyone something to look forward to:

LAWRENCE: I can’t work, mama. I’m crippled.

AMANDA: There is nothing wrong with your leg, Lawrence honey, all the doctors have told you that. This limping is an affectation.

LAWRENCE: I only know how I feel, mama.

AMANDA: Oh if only I had connections in the Mafia, I’d have someone come and break both your legs.

LAWRENCE: Don’t try to make me laugh, mama. You know I have asthma.

Will Ace and Jane Burpee will the coveted trophy?  Will they be the pair to beat?  You must come to So You Think You Can Act to find out! Join us February 16th at 8pm, Gas Station Arts Centre! Tickets are limited so purchase yours in advance on our website or by calling 586-2236.

It’s time to meet the host of So You Think You Can Act, Big Daddy Tazz! Tazz is sure to make the evening a barrel of laughs.  Any night with Big Daddy Tazz on the scene is a night you don’t want to miss!

Often described as “one of the most talented comics in the business,” Tazz has been delighting crowds at fundraisers, corporate events, festivals and on television for more than a decade and a half. Known as the “Bi-Polar Buddha”, Tazz is equal parts comedian, and motivational speaker who likes to enlighten, educate and inspire. As a result, his one-man shows have drawn rave reviews and standing ovations from coast-to-coast.

Tazz’s many national festival appearances have included the prestigious Just For Laughs festival in Montreal, the Moncton Comedy Festival and the CBC Winnipeg Comedy Festival, for which he annually multi-tasks as a writer, producer and performer. Tazz’s explosive Gala performances at the Winnipeg Comedy Festival over the years can be seen frequently on CBC television and the Comedy Network. On April 1st 2008 Tazz set a record for the longest uninterrupted stand up comedy show at 8 1/2 hrs. Tazz is currently co starring in the APTN comedy hit “Mixed Blessings.”

With this funny, talented, and inspiring man as our leader for the evening, we know So You Think You Can Act is going to be wonderful!

Come see Big Daddy Tazz February 16th at 8pm, Gas Station Arts Centre! Tickets are limited so purchase yours in advance on our website or by calling 586-2236.

It’s time to meet the final judge for So You Think You Can Act!  We are so excited to have this funny man sitting at our judging table! You probably recognize Lee from CRUMBS, and as a Winnipeg staple Lee adds that little something extra to the judging trio.

Lee White is an actor/improviser from Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. He started acting at the age of ten, at Manitoba Theatre for Young People.  In 1997 started CRUMBS, and since then has traveled the world performing, learning and teaching the art of Improvisation.

CRUMBS has won many international Improv competitions, been voted Winnipeg’s Favorite Theatre Group In Uptown Magazine many times and was listed in The Winnipeg Free Press’s list of top reasons to live in Winnipeg. Lee has performed in countless plays and independent films, as well as stand up comedy.

Will Lee be the Steven Tyler of So You Think You Can Act? Will he bring the “X-Factor” to the evening? You’ve got to buy your tickets to find out!

Join us February 16th at 8pm, Gas Station Arts Centre! Tickets are limited so purchase yours in advance on our website or by calling 586-2236.

It’s time to meet another judge of So You Think You Can Act! Meet Robert Metcalfe, Artistic Director of Prairie Theatre Exchange! We are so ecited to have Bob on our panel of experts judging our celebrities. A favourite in the theatre community, Bob brings his passion for theatre and charisma to the judging table.

Will Bob butt heads with Kayla and Lee? Will Bob and Kayla develop a Paula/Simon or Nigel/Mary relationship? Will Bob judge like J.Lo and tell eveyone they’re great? Let’s learn more about Bob and find out!

Originally from BC, this is Mr. Metcalfe’s ninth year in Winnipeg as the Artistic Director of Prairie Theatre Exchange where he has directed Zadie’s Shoes, I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change, Unity (1918), Molly’s Veil, Copenhagen, Dogbarked, apple, MacGregor’s Hard Ice Cream and Gas, Chimera, Having Hope at Home, How it Works, The Vertical Hour, Lawrence and Holloman, Glorious!, The Savannah Disputation, Burnin’ Love, and The Secret Mask. This summer, he directed for Festival Antigonish Summer Theatre in Nova Scotia for the fourth year (2011- Caught in the Net, 2010-Sleuth, 2009-Glorious! and 2008-Sexy Laundry, which broke box office records for the Festival).

Before arriving at PTE, he was the Artistic Director of Sunshine Theatre in Kelowna, BC, served as the Associate Artistic Director at Green Thumb Theatre in Vancouver, and had a successful career as a freelance director, actor, dramaturge and fight director after graduating from the acting program at Studio 58 in 1980. Most recently Bob directed The 39 Steps  for the Persephone Theatre in Saskatoon. Bob’s next show at PTE will be Till it Hurts, the new comedy by Douglas Bowie.

He’s never entered a talent contest, nor judged one before, however, Bob has never let lack of experience or inadequate information curtail his judgmental nature.

We can’t wait to see your “judgemental nature” in action Bob!

Please join us February 16th at 8pm, Gas Station Arts Centre! Tickets are limited so purchase yours in advance on our website or by calling 586-2236.

It is time to meet the judges for So You Think You Can Act!  Our panel of experts will be sure to give Paual Abdul and Simon Cowell a run for their money!  Our first judge is the lovely Kayla Gordon, a heavy hitter in the theatre community.  She is one busy woman, and has brought Winnipeg hits like Altar Boyz, The 25th Annual Putnum County Spelling Bee, Hersteria and Spring Awakening!

Kayla has directed, acted and taught in all aspects of theatre over the past 30 years. Born in Winnipeg, and trained at the University of Winnipeg and Banff Centre, she has performed and directed in theatres in Winnipeg as well as other Canadian and US theatres.

Presently working as the Artistic Director for the Winnipeg Studio Theatre, Kayla’s most recent directing includes  Spring
Awakening ,  The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee and Altar Boyz which is currently on at Prairie Theatre Exchange. She also teaches Musical Theatre and Acting at the University of Winnipeg Theatre and Film Department. Kayla received the Young Leadership Award from the University of Jerusalem and she was nominated for the John Hirsch Young Directors Award.

Will Kayla’s expertise make her the audience’s favourite judge?  Will she a Paula or a Simon?  There’s only one way to find out!

Join us at So You Think You Can Act February 16th at 8pm, Gas Station Arts Centre! Tickets are limited so purchase yours in advance on our website or by calling 586-2236.

We are so pleased to welcome Judy Wasylycia-Leis to the So You Think You Can Act line-up!  Will Judy take home all the votes and the coveted trophy?  Stay tuned!

Involved in public service all her adult life, Judy served as Manitoba’s Culture Minister before working as MP for Winnipeg North from 1997 – 2010.  During her time in Ottawa, Judy was critic of Heath, Finance, Status of Women, Immigration and Persons with Disabilities.

After running in the 2010 Winnipeg mayoral campaign, Judy became active in a number of organizations including Northend Stella Community Ministry, Community Ventures and Heifer Canada.  She has also spent time in Jordan on a parliamentary strengthening initiative and just completed a dozen townhalls in Ontario as Chair of the Public Services Foundation of Canada.

We are so excited to see Judy test out her acting skills!  Come see Judy win over voters at So You Think You Can Act!

Join us February 16th at 8pm, Gas Station Arts Centre! Tickets are limited so purchase yours in advance on our website or by calling 586-2236.

So You Think You Can Act is coming up fast, so it’s time to feature another local favourite, Howard Mandshein!  A Winnipeg Radio legend, Howard Mandshein will test his skills on the stage February 16th.

Howard is a child of the 50′s, and his love and passion for music has made him a perrenial favourite for Winnipeg ears.

His first introduction to music was by the mighty KY58 in the early 60′s. It might have been Elvis, Bobby Darrin or perhaps even the Everly Brothers that first seduced him, but it was radio and the role that the medium played. The songs, the melodies, the chords, the harmonies… this little box became his companion, his escape and his playground. At the time, he really didn’t know if it was curiosity or novelty. Then something really shook his world… The British Invasion and the wonderful music that came over the ocean. He was hooked and this solidified his ambition. The next decade and a half he spent procuring education through school, travel or just basically hanging. A door for him opened in radio in the late 70′s. After a stint at University of Manitoba campus radio, Gary Magic Christian asked him to come aboard and join the team at 92 CITI FM just as the fledgling station hit the airwaves.

Fast Forward to today. He’s back entrenched on the weekends and to quote some old Canadian rockers “Lovin Every Minute of it!”

So, will Howard love every minute of So You Think You Can Act?  Only time will tell!  Will Howard’s performance “be in tune” with the judges?  There’s only one way to find out!

Join us February 16th at 8pm, Gas Station Arts Centre! Tickets are limited so purchase yours in advance on our website or by calling 586-2236.

We are so excited to have Tracy Koga as one of our celebrities for So You Think You Can Act!

Tracy Koga is senior producer and host of “Backstage” on Shaw showcasing the arts, entertainment and lifestyle highlights in our city!  Not only is she everyone’s go to gal for all the Winnipeg Arts scene news, she now adds actor to her impressive resume.

Tracy Koga is a true Manitoban, born and raised in Winnipeg, and now happily married and raising her family here. Tracy is a former dancer with The Royal Winnipeg Ballet going through the school ranks, graduating right into the company. After dancing around the world, she settled down back home and landed an opportunity to work for Shaw TV covering arts and entertainment.  For more than 10 years with Shaw TV, Tracy enjoys producing and hosting “Backstage” everyday, and working on TV specials that have taken her to Disney World, Churchill and The Pas in Manitoba’s north, and as far away as Israel!

Tracy has traveled around the world but finds Winnipeg the best place to be for arts and culture!

We are thrilled to see Tracy on the stage again!  We are also excited that she will be performing a scene from I Love, You’re Perfect, Now Change. What do you think, will Tracy dance all the way to the winner’s circle?

Only one way to find out, come see So You Think You Can Act!  Join us February 16th at 8pm, Gas Station Arts Centre! Tickets are limited so purchase yours in advance on our website or by calling 586-2236.

Our next So You Think You Can Act celebrity that we are excited to feature on our blog is TSN reporter John Lu.

John has been a sports reporter with TSN for 12 years. He was stationed in Toronto for over 7 years and currently lives and works in the Montreal area with his Nova Scotian wife and sassy little dog. However, John considers Winnipeg his home after growing up in Southdale and having attended SJR, U of M and RRC. So even though the Canadiens are his main beat, he is thrilled that his hometown is back in the NHL. After all, you can take the kid out of The Peg but you can’t take The Peg out of the kid.

We are also really excited to announce that John will be performing a scene from Marty Chan’s hit comedy – Mom, Dad, I’m Living with a White Girl!

Do you think John will have what it takes to walk away with the trophy? We know it’s not the Stanley Cup but we can fill it with champagne for John’s sake. The audience gets to make the call, although the judges might be awarding penalties.

Join us February 16th at 8pm, Gas Station Arts Centre! Tickets are limited so purchase yours in advance on our website or by calling 586-2236.

He’s a musician! He’s an inventor! He’s a nut!  He’s been called the Thomas Edison of entertainers, a wizard of one-liners and a lightning bolt of lunacy. His astounding gadgets, preposterous songs, impeccable comic timing and kooky take on classic vaudeville have thrilled and entertained fans of all ages for over 4 decades. Juno Award winner Al Simmons is a creative genius whose highly original performances of profound wackiness and off-the-wall inventions have taken the arts of Music and Comedy to unparalleled heights of hilarity. Young or old, you cannot fail to appreciate this man’s frenetic stage antics and mind-boggling lovableness.

See Al in a different light as he takes the stage during So You Think You Can Act on February 16th, 8pm at the Gas Station Arts Centre! Although he might be performing a comic scene, he will also have to act his age for once without the help of musical instruments or gadgets. Word on the street is that he’s already trying to bribe the judges, but it is the audience who gets to vote for the winner of the inaugural trophy. If you love Al’s work come out and support his bid for top spot! Tickets can be purchased through our website.