Famous People Players
Formation | June 1, 1974 |
---|---|
Type | Theatre group |
Purpose | Black light production |
Location | |
Website | famouspeopleplayers |
Famous PEOPLE Players is a black light theatre company. It is based in Toronto, Ontario, Canada and tours worldwide. It is a non-profit organization that is known as Canada's Goodwill Ambassadors to the world. They are famous for bringing inclusion and integration for people with disabilities. Those individuals share duties in dining room management, arts administration, and theatrical and visual arts performances.[1]
Since inception, the company has paid homage to the works of famous people within its own theatrical context, hence the name Famous PEOPLE Players.
History
[edit]Famous PEOPLE Players was founded on June 1, 1974, by Diane Dupuy of Hamilton, Ontario. At inception, the company consisted of Dupuy and an assistant, eleven performers, and Dupuy's mother Mary Gioberti Thornton; Thornton designed and built the costumes and props.
The company's original piece was Aruba Liberace, in which a life-size character of Liberace plays the piano. It is still the company's signature performance. Liberace attended a showing of Aruba Liberace, and was so impressed he invited Famous PEOPLE Players to perform with him in Las Vegas. The company debuted in Las Vegas at Las Vegas Hilton Hotel in October 1975; over the subsequent ten years, the company performed with Liberace both in Las Vegas and internationally.
As a result of the increasing popularity of Famous PEOPLE Players, the company was featured as regulars on CBC Television's 1976–1977 variety series, The Wolfman Jack Show; the network also later produced and aired Carnival of the Animals hosted by Canadian Actor Gordon Pinsent. In 1980, Sorcerer Apprentice premiered at Radio City Music Hall in New York. In 1982, Famous PEOPLE Players was invited to perform in the People's Republic of China. The company's first Broadway Show, A Little Like Magic, opened at the Lyceum Theatre in New York City and ran for 49 performances in 1986.[2] They returned to New York in 1994 for a 4-week run, under the sponsorship of Phil Collins and actor Paul Newman, where they performed the show A Little More Magic for inner city kids to dream BIG![2]
Dine & Dream Theatre
[edit]In 1994, the company opened the Dine & Dream Theatre; Paul Newman funded the restaurant's development from some of the proceeds of Newman's Own products and Phil Collins funded the theatre's sound system. In 2009, facing the demolition of its 25-year location, for condominium construction, the company moved further west to a new location. The company opened its first show on October 23, 2009.
The Dine & Dream Theatre is located at the company's Toronto west-end headquarters. Guests first arrive to the restaurant for dinner, where they are served by individuals who also perform in Famous PEOPLE Players productions. After dinner, they are led to the Phil Collins Theatre, where the main production is performed. The theatre is named after Phil Collins, who became a source of inspiration for the actors when he viewed a performance interpretation of his music. It is currently the only theatre in Canada exclusively devoted to live animation under the blacklight, showcasing the life-size characters that flow mysteriously in the air.
Recognition
[edit]The troupe has been subject of numerous talk shows, specials and documentaries. A 1984 CBS movie-of-the-week entitled Special People was based on the company's early history. A Little Like Magic, which detailed the company's operation and success, was an Emmy Award-winning documentary that hosted Ann-Margaret. The company was also featured in the plot of an episode of the popular U.S. television drama 7th Heaven in 2002. TV Special called "Blacklight Dreams" was aired on Bravo! CBC in 2004. They also appeared in the Rick Mencer's documentary on CBC in 2013.
In co-production with Treehouse's "Roll Play" Famous PEOPLE Players children series [clarification needed] became hugely popular.
Founder Diane Dupuy C.M. has been inducted as a member of the Order of Canada, Order of Ontario and the King Charles Coronation Medal in recognition for her contributions to social fabric of Canada. She also got recognised as Canada Frontrunner by Urban Economy Forum and Canadian Ambassador to United Nations-Bob Rae. Her mother Mary Gioberti Thornton has won many accolades, like The Toastmasters as woman of the year and Queens Jubilee Medal.
Productions
[edit]Famous PEOPLE Players has created many productions over its 50-year history.
Leave the Porch Light On was the company's first original, full-length musical production on the story of Famous PEOPLE Players and was created for the company's 25th-anniversary. The initial performance of Leave the Porchlight On was attended by a number of celebrities and other well-known people, including the Governor General of Canada.[3] The production was very successful and is still occasionally performed at the company's theatre in Toronto and on tour. A sequel of sorts followed two years later, entitled Hide and Seek: A Game of Human Spirit and A.D.H.D.(Awesome Dreams with High Drama) The Musical.
tour. A sequel of sorts followed two years later, entitled Hide and Seek: A Game of Human Spirit and A.D.H.D.(Awesome Dreams with High Drama) The Musical.
References
[edit]- ^ "Famous PEOPLE Players Dine & Dream Theatre". See Toronto. Archived from the original on 11 February 2017. Retrieved 8 February 2017.
- ^ a b Playbill Vault: A Little Like Magic, accessed April 17, 2014
- ^ "Governor General of Canada: Opening Performance of "Leave the Porch light On" -- the 25th Anniversary Production of the Famous PEOPLE Players". Archived from the original on 2005-02-15. Retrieved 2005-05-15.
- ^ "Shantero Productions - Archives: Leave the Porch Light On". Archived from the original on 2005-02-12. Retrieved 2005-05-15.
External links
[edit]Name | First Performance | Last Performance |
---|---|---|
Aruba Liberace | 1974 | still performed |
Sorcerer Apprentice | 1980 | 1980 |
Scheherazade | 1981 | 1981 |
A Little Like Magic | 1985 | still performed |
Night On Bald Mountain | 1986 | 1986 |
A Little More Magic | 1994 | 2001 |
The Best of the Best | 1994 | 2001 |
The Oldies But Goodies Show | 1996 | 1998 |
A Magical Christmas | 1997 | 2000 |
Leave the Porch Light On[4] | 1999 | still performed |
Rock Around The Clock | 2000 | still performed |
Hide and Seek: A Game of Human Spirit | 2001 | 2007 |
Jumpin' and Jiven' | 2005 | still performed |
Shake, Rattle & Roll | 2005 | 2005 |
Hollywood Rocks | 2006 | 2006 |
On Broadway | 2006 | 2006 |
Alice in Funky Land | 2006 | still performed |
Good Rockin' | 2007 | still performed |
Going Bananas | 2008 | still performed |
Rock and Roll Heaven | 2010 | 2015 |
A Black Light Night at the Opera | 2012 | 2014 |
A.D.H.D.(Awesome Dreams with High Drama) The Musical | 2014 | 2014 |
Rock & Roll Heaven | 2015 | 2015 |
Under The Big Top | 2015 | 2015 |
Mistletoe Magic | 2015 | 2015 |
Great Balls of Fire | 2015 | 2016 |
Too Darn Hot | 2016 | 2016 |
TreeMendous | 2016 | 2016 |
Shufflin' On Broadway | 2017 | still performed |
Canada Stands Tall | 2017 | 2017 |
Sleigh Bells Ring | 2017 | still performed |
Rock This City | 2017 | 2023 |
Made in Canada | 2018 | 2018 |
A Rockin' Good Time | 2018 | still performed |
Jingle Around the Clock! | 2018 | 2019 |
Winter Wonderland | 2019 | 2020 |
Flashback Fun | 2024 | 2024 |
Believe in Magic | 2024 | 2024 |
Deck the Halls | 2024 | 2025 |
Twist & Shout | February 2025 | June 2025 |
Changing the Label: a Musical | June 2025 | June 2025 |
Joy to the World | November 2025 | January 2026 |
References
[edit]- ^ "Shantero Productions - Archives: Leave the Porch Light On". Archived from the original on 2005-02-12. Retrieved 2005-05-15.
External links
[edit]nter"|November 2025
References
[edit]
External links
[edit]Name | First Performance | Last Performance |
---|---|---|
Aruba Liberace | 1974 | still performed |
Sorcerer Apprentice | 1980 | 1980 |
Scheherazade | 1981 | 1981 |
A Little Like Magic | 1985 | still performed |
Night On Bald Mountain | 1986 | 1986 |
A Little More Magic | 1994 | 2001 |
The Best of the Best | 1994 | 2001 |
The Oldies But Goodies Show | 1996 | 1998 |
A Magical Christmas | 1997 | 2000 |
Leave the Porch Light On[1] | 1999 | still performed |
Rock Around The Clock | 2000 | still performed |
Hide and Seek: A Game of Human Spirit | 2001 | 2007 |
Jumpin' and Jiven' | 2005 | still performed |
Shake, Rattle & Roll | 2005 | 2005 |
Hollywood Rocks | 2006 | 2006 |
On Broadway | 2006 | 2006 |
Alice in Funky Land | 2006 | still performed |
Good Rockin' | 2007 | still performed |
Going Bananas | 2008 | still performed |
Rock and Roll Heaven | 2010 | 2015 |
A Black Light Night at the Opera | 2012 | 2014 |
A.D.H.D.(Awesome Dreams with High Drama) The Musical | 2014 | 2014 |
Rock & Roll Heaven | 2015 | 2015 |
Under The Big Top | 2015 | 2015 |
Mistletoe Magic | 2015 | 2015 |
Great Balls of Fire | 2015 | 2016 |
Too Darn Hot | 2016 | 2016 |
TreeMendous | 2016 | 2016 |
Shufflin' On Broadway | 2017 | still performed |
Canada Stands Tall | 2017 | 2017 |
Sleigh Bells Ring | 2017 | still performed |
Rock This City | 2017 | 2023 |
Made in Canada | 2018 | 2018 |
A Rockin' Good Time | 2018 | still performed |
Jingle Around the Clock! | 2018 | 2019 |
Winter Wonderland | 2019 | 2020 |
Flashback Fun | 2024 | 2024 |
Believe in Magic | 2024 | 2024 |
Deck the Halls | 2024 | 2025 |
Twist & Shout | February 2025 | June 2025 |
Changing the Label: a Musical | June 2025 | June 2025 |
Joy to the World | November 2025 | January 2026 |
January 2026 |
References
[edit]- ^ "Shantero Productions - Archives: Leave the Porch Light On". Archived from the original on 2005-02-12. Retrieved 2005-05-15.
External links
[edit]Name | First Performance | Last Performance |
---|---|---|
Aruba Liberace | 1974 | still performed |
Sorcerer Apprentice | 1980 | 1980 |
Scheherazade | 1981 | 1981 |
A Little Like Magic | 1985 | still performed |
Night On Bald Mountain | 1986 | 1986 |
A Little More Magic | 1994 | 2001 |
The Best of the Best | 1994 | 2001 |
The Oldies But Goodies Show | 1996 | 1998 |
A Magical Christmas | 1997 | 2000 |
Leave the Porch Light On[1] | 1999 | still performed |
Rock Around The Clock | 2000 | still performed |
Hide and Seek: A Game of Human Spirit | 2001 | 2007 |
Jumpin' and Jiven' | 2005 | still performed |
Shake, Rattle & Roll | 2005 | 2005 |
Hollywood Rocks | 2006 | 2006 |
On Broadway | 2006 | 2006 |
Alice in Funky Land | 2006 | still performed |
Good Rockin' | 2007 | still performed |
Going Bananas | 2008 | still performed |
Rock and Roll Heaven | 2010 | 2015 |
A Black Light Night at the Opera | 2012 | 2014 |
A.D.H.D.(Awesome Dreams with High Drama) The Musical | 2014 | 2014 |
Rock & Roll Heaven | 2015 | 2015 |
Under The Big Top | 2015 | 2015 |
Mistletoe Magic | 2015 | 2015 |
Great Balls of Fire | 2015 | 2016 |
Too Darn Hot | 2016 | 2016 |
TreeMendous | 2016 | 2016 |
Shufflin' On Broadway | 2017 | still performed |
Canada Stands Tall | 2017 | 2017 |
Sleigh Bells Ring | 2017 | still performed |
Rock This City | 2017 | 2023 |
Made in Canada | 2018 | 2018 |
A Rockin' Good Time | 2018 | still performed |
Jingle Around the Clock! | 2018 | 2019 |
Winter Wonderland | 2019 | 2020 |
Flashback Fun | 2024 | 2024 |
Believe in Magic | 2024 | 2024 |
Deck the Halls | 2024 | 2025 |
Twist & Shout | February 2025 | June 2025 |
Changing the Label: a Musical | June 2025 | June 2025 |
Joy to the World | November 2025 | January 2026 |
References
[edit]- ^ "Shantero Productions - Archives: Leave the Porch Light On". Archived from the original on 2005-02-12. Retrieved 2005-05-15.
External links
[edit]Name | First Performance | Last Performance |
---|---|---|
Aruba Liberace | 1974 | still performed |
Sorcerer Apprentice | 1980 | 1980 |
Scheherazade | 1981 | 1981 |
A Little Like Magic | 1985 | still performed |
Night On Bald Mountain | 1986 | 1986 |
A Little More Magic | 1994 | 2001 |
The Best of the Best | 1994 | 2001 |
The Oldies But Goodies Show | 1996 | 1998 |
A Magical Christmas | 1997 | 2000 |
Leave the Porch Light On[1] | 1999 | still performed |
Rock Around The Clock | 2000 | still performed |
Hide and Seek: A Game of Human Spirit | 2001 | 2007 |
Jumpin' and Jiven' | 2005 | still performed |
Shake, Rattle & Roll | 2005 | 2005 |
Hollywood Rocks | 2006 | 2006 |
On Broadway | 2006 | 2006 |
Alice in Funky Land | 2006 | still performed |
Good Rockin' | 2007 | still performed |
Going Bananas | 2008 | still performed |
Rock and Roll Heaven | 2010 | 2015 |
A Black Light Night at the Opera | 2012 | 2014 |
A.D.H.D.(Awesome Dreams with High Drama) The Musical | 2014 | 2014 |
Rock & Roll Heaven | 2015 | 2015 |
Under The Big Top | 2015 | 2015 |
Mistletoe Magic | 2015 | 2015 |
Great Balls of Fire | 2015 | 2016 |
Too Darn Hot | 2016 | 2016 |
TreeMendous | 2016 | 2016 |
Shufflin' On Broadway | 2017 | still performed |
Canada Stands Tall | 2017 | 2017 |
Sleigh Bells Ring | 2017 | still performed |
Rock This City | 2017 | 2023 |
Made in Canada | 2018 | 2018 |
A Rockin' Good Time | 2018 | still performed |
Jingle Around the Clock! | 2018 | 2019 |
Winter Wonderland | 2019 | 2020 |
Flashback Fun | 2024 | 2024 |
Believe in Magic | 2024 | 2024 |
Deck the Halls | 2024 | 2025 |
Twist & Shout | February 2025 | June 2025 |
Changing the Label: a Musical | June 2025 | June 2025 |
Joy to the World | November 2025 | January 2026 |
References
[edit]- ^ "Shantero Productions - Archives: Leave the Porch Light On". Archived from the original on 2005-02-12. Retrieved 2005-05-15.
External links
[edit]Name | First Performance | Last Performance |
---|---|---|
Aruba Liberace | 1974 | still performed |
Sorcerer Apprentice | 1980 | 1980 |
Scheherazade | 1981 | 1981 |
A Little Like Magic | 1985 | still performed |
Night On Bald Mountain | 1986 | 1986 |
A Little More Magic | 1994 | 2001 |
The Best of the Best | 1994 | 2001 |
The Oldies But Goodies Show | 1996 | 1998 |
A Magical Christmas | 1997 | 2000 |
Leave the Porch Light On[1] | 1999 | still performed |
Rock Around The Clock | 2000 | still performed |
Hide and Seek: A Game of Human Spirit | 2001 | 2007 |
Jumpin' and Jiven' | 2005 | still performed |
Shake, Rattle & Roll | 2005 | 2005 |
Hollywood Rocks | 2006 | 2006 |
On Broadway | 2006 | 2006 |
Alice in Funky Land | 2006 | still performed |
Good Rockin' | 2007 | still performed |
Going Bananas | 2008 | still performed |
Rock and Roll Heaven | 2010 | 2015 |
A Black Light Night at the Opera | 2012 | 2014 |
A.D.H.D.(Awesome Dreams with High Drama) The Musical | 2014 | 2014 |
Rock & Roll Heaven | 2015 | 2015 |
Under The Big Top | 2015 | 2015 |
Mistletoe Magic | 2015 | 2015 |
Great Balls of Fire | 2015 | 2016 |
Too Darn Hot | 2016 | 2016 |
TreeMendous | 2016 | 2016 |
Shufflin' On Broadway | 2017 | still performed |
Canada Stands Tall | 2017 | 2017 |
Sleigh Bells Ring | 2017 | still performed |
Rock This City | 2017 | 2023 |
Made in Canada | 2018 | 2018 |
A Rockin' Good Time | 2018 | still performed |
Jingle Around the Clock! | 2018 | 2019 |
Winter Wonderland | 2019 | 2020 |
Flashback Fun | 2024 | 2024 |
Believe in Magic | 2024 | 2024 |
Deck the Halls | 2024 | 2025 |
Twist & Shout | February 2025 | June 2025 |
Changing the Label: a Musical | June 2025 | June 2025 |
Joy to the World | November 2025 | January 2026 |
References
[edit]- ^ "Shantero Productions - Archives: Leave the Porch Light On". Archived from the original on 2005-02-12. Retrieved 2005-05-15.
External links
[edit]Name | First Performance | Last Performance |
---|---|---|
Aruba Liberace | 1974 | still performed |
Sorcerer Apprentice | 1980 | 1980 |
Scheherazade | 1981 | 1981 |
A Little Like Magic | 1985 | still performed |
Night On Bald Mountain | 1986 | 1986 |
A Little More Magic | 1994 | 2001 |
The Best of the Best | 1994 | 2001 |
The Oldies But Goodies Show | 1996 | 1998 |
A Magical Christmas | 1997 | 2000 |
Leave the Porch Light On[1] | 1999 | still performed |
Rock Around The Clock | 2000 | still performed |
Hide and Seek: A Game of Human Spirit | 2001 | 2007 |
Jumpin' and Jiven' | 2005 | still performed |
Shake, Rattle & Roll | 2005 | 2005 |
Hollywood Rocks | 2006 | 2006 |
On Broadway | 2006 | 2006 |
Alice in Funky Land | 2006 | still performed |
Good Rockin' | 2007 | still performed |
Going Bananas | 2008 | still performed |
Rock and Roll Heaven | 2010 | 2015 |
A Black Light Night at the Opera | 2012 | 2014 |
A.D.H.D.(Awesome Dreams with High Drama) The Musical | 2014 | 2014 |
Rock & Roll Heaven | 2015 | 2015 |
Under The Big Top | 2015 | 2015 |
Mistletoe Magic | 2015 | 2015 |
Great Balls of Fire | 2015 | 2016 |
Too Darn Hot | 2016 | 2016 |
TreeMendous | 2016 | 2016 |
Shufflin' On Broadway | 2017 | still performed |
Canada Stands Tall | 2017 | 2017 |
Sleigh Bells Ring | 2017 | still performed |
Rock This City | 2017 | 2023 |
Made in Canada | 2018 | 2018 |
A Rockin' Good Time | 2018 | still performed |
Jingle Around the Clock! | 2018 | 2019 |
Winter Wonderland | 2019 | 2020 |
Flashback Fun | 2024 | 2024 |
Believe in Magic | 2024 | 2024 |
Deck the Halls | 2024 | 2025 |
Twist & Shout | February 2025 | June 2025 |
Changing the Label: a Musical | June 2025 | June 2025 |
Joy to the World | November 2025 | January 2026 |
References
[edit]- ^ "Shantero Productions - Archives: Leave the Porch Light On". Archived from the original on 2005-02-12. Retrieved 2005-05-15.
External links
[edit]Name | First Performance | Last Performance |
---|---|---|
Aruba Liberace | 1974 | still performed |
Sorcerer Apprentice | 1980 | 1980 |
Scheherazade | 1981 | 1981 |
A Little Like Magic | 1985 | still performed |
Night On Bald Mountain | 1986 | 1986 |
A Little More Magic | 1994 | 2001 |
The Best of the Best | 1994 | 2001 |
The Oldies But Goodies Show | 1996 | 1998 |
A Magical Christmas | 1997 | 2000 |
Leave the Porch Light On[1] | 1999 | still performed |
Rock Around The Clock | 2000 | still performed |
Hide and Seek: A Game of Human Spirit | 2001 | 2007 |
Jumpin' and Jiven' | 2005 | still performed |
Shake, Rattle & Roll | 2005 | 2005 |
Hollywood Rocks | 2006 | 2006 |
On Broadway | 2006 | 2006 |
Alice in Funky Land | 2006 | still performed |
Good Rockin' | 2007 | still performed |
Going Bananas | 2008 | still performed |
Rock and Roll Heaven | 2010 | 2015 |
A Black Light Night at the Opera | 2012 | 2014 |
A.D.H.D.(Awesome Dreams with High Drama) The Musical | 2014 | 2014 |
Rock & Roll Heaven | 2015 | 2015 |
Under The Big Top | 2015 | 2015 |
Mistletoe Magic | 2015 | 2015 |
Great Balls of Fire | 2015 | 2016 |
Too Darn Hot | 2016 | 2016 |
TreeMendous | 2016 | 2016 |
Shufflin' On Broadway | 2017 | still performed |
Canada Stands Tall | 2017 | 2017 |
Sleigh Bells Ring | 2017 | still performed |
Rock This City | 2017 | 2023 |
Made in Canada | 2018 | 2018 |
A Rockin' Good Time | 2018 | still performed |
Jingle Around the Clock! | 2018 | 2019 |
Winter Wonderland | 2019 | 2020 |
Flashback Fun | 2024 | 2024 |
Believe in Magic | 2024 | 2024 |
Deck the Halls | 2024 | 2025 |
Twist & Shout | February 2025 | June 2025 |
Changing the Label: a Musical | June 2025 | June 2025 |
Joy to the World | November 2025 | January 2026 |
References
[edit]- ^ "Shantero Productions - Archives: Leave the Porch Light On". Archived from the original on 2005-02-12. Retrieved 2005-05-15.
External links
[edit]Name | First Performance | Last Performance |
---|---|---|
Aruba Liberace | 1974 | still performed |
Sorcerer Apprentice | 1980 | 1980 |
Scheherazade | 1981 | 1981 |
A Little Like Magic | 1985 | still performed |
Night On Bald Mountain | 1986 | 1986 |
A Little More Magic | 1994 | 2001 |
The Best of the Best | 1994 | 2001 |
The Oldies But Goodies Show | 1996 | 1998 |
A Magical Christmas | 1997 | 2000 |
Leave the Porch Light On[1] | 1999 | still performed |
Rock Around The Clock | 2000 | still performed |
Hide and Seek: A Game of Human Spirit | 2001 | 2007 |
Jumpin' and Jiven' | 2005 | still performed |
Shake, Rattle & Roll | 2005 | 2005 |
Hollywood Rocks | 2006 | 2006 |
On Broadway | 2006 | 2006 |
Alice in Funky Land | 2006 | still performed |
Good Rockin' | 2007 | still performed |
Going Bananas | 2008 | still performed |
Rock and Roll Heaven | 2010 | 2015 |
A Black Light Night at the Opera | 2012 | 2014 |
A.D.H.D.(Awesome Dreams with High Drama) The Musical | 2014 | 2014 |
Rock & Roll Heaven | 2015 | 2015 |
Under The Big Top | 2015 | 2015 |
Mistletoe Magic | 2015 | 2015 |
Great Balls of Fire | 2015 | 2016 |
Too Darn Hot | 2016 | 2016 |
TreeMendous | 2016 | 2016 |
Shufflin' On Broadway | 2017 | still performed |
Canada Stands Tall | 2017 | 2017 |
Sleigh Bells Ring | 2017 | still performed |
Rock This City | 2017 | 2023 |
Made in Canada | 2018 | 2018 |
A Rockin' Good Time | 2018 | still performed |
Jingle Around the Clock! | 2018 | 2019 |
Winter Wonderland | 2019 | 2020 |
Flashback Fun | 2024 | 2024 |
Believe in Magic | 2024 | 2024 |
Deck the Halls | 2024 | 2025 |
Twist & Shout | February 2025 | June 2025 |
Changing the Label: a Musical | June 2025 | June 2025 |
Joy to the World | November 2025 | January 2026 |