Star of ABC's Nashville and Broadway Shows Kyle Dean Massey Montreal-bound

Kyle Dean Massey was making his way through a McDonald’s at Times Square getting a drink for his mom when I reached him by phone Tuesday afternoon.  I wanted to ask him about his plans to be in Montreal this Saturday, July 11 (10 a.m. to 5 p.m.) to give an exclusive masterclass for local performers. During the workshop, participants will learn all the tricks of auditioning for musical theatre productions, on-camera technique and how to book the job. Enrollment is extremely limited and open to participants who will each have one-on-one time with Massey, as well as auditors who can observe and learn from the audience.  

Kyle Dean Massey

Kyle, 33, has plenty to share. Known for his work on Broadway in top running shows such as Pippin, Next to Normal, Wicked, Xanadu & Altar Boyz, he has called New York City home for 13 years. He also has a recurring role in the smash ABC hit Nashville where he plays songwriter Kevin Bicks who not only pens tunes for character Will Lexington (Chris Carmack) but becomes romantically involved with the very much in the closet country heartthrob.

“I am heading back to Nashville in about 10 day to start filming for the next season,” said Massey. “I was a fan of the show from the beginning. The way that they found these beautiful songs that they've integrated so well into the show is really appealing. I love how music can enhance emotion and a storyline. It's like those slideshows that they do at award shows for the people that have passed away. They add the music to it and suddenly you're crying and you don't know any of these people.  Music obviously has a very strong effect on our emotions. You get a good lyric in there, and it can tell the story better than any written dialogue can."

Massey says he was contacted by Noelle Hannibal from In the Wings Promotions to come to Montreal. “I love the city first of all,” he said, “and I am always happy to come do some private coaching. Becoming a perfect actor takes years of practice. In a masterclass I am providing some tricks of the trade.”

Massey was raised in Jonesboro, Arkansas, a town 60 miles northwest of Memphis.  He started taking dance classes at age six after seeing his older sister perform in a local production of The Nutcracker. Although he spent almost all of his adolescent years singing in school choirs and studying the piano, it was not until his sophomore year of high school that he did his first musical. He has now performed in over 60 productions. In addition to his stage work, he has been seen on the screen in Up All Night (NBC), Hart of Dixie (CW), Cupid (ABC), Sex and the City 2 (HBO Films) and the upcoming film The Contest. He has also performed on Good Morning America, The CBS Early Show, Regis & Kelly and the 62nd Annual Tony Awards.  

Having the lead role of Pippin on Broadway and in a number of touring productions was a grueling experience. Pippin tells the story of a young prince on a death-defying journey to find meaning in his existence. It's a show full of circus acts creates  by Gypsy Snider of the Montreal-based circus company Les 7 doigts de la main (also known as 7 Fingers).

The participation fee for the masterclass is $185 (taxes included) while it is $75 (taxes included) to observe. It all takes place at Studio CETM (2205 rue Parthenais) near Old Montreal  

You can email inthewingspromotions@gmail.com. Make sure to  in the subject line "Kyle Dean Massey Masterclass – Participant"  and specify if you wish to focus on a musical theatre or on-camera Technique. A picture and resume is also necessary. For those  interested in observing, reservations can bemade on a first come, first serve basis via the same email address.  In this case include in the subject line "Kyle Dean Massey Masterclass – Observer." Full payment will need to be made upon confirmation of reservation.  Those selected for Musical Theatre Technique will need to prepare two contrasting 32 bar cuts and bring their book. Full payment will need to be made by upon confirmation of participation. Those selected for On-Camera Technique do not need to prepare anything. Massey will select and provide sides for you. An accompanist will be provided. Space is limited.

In The Wings Promotions provides public relations for theatre companies and events in and around Montreal. They also actively contribute to the Montreal theatre community by producing special theatrical events along with a masterclass series. It was founded by Hannibal in 2011. Recent masterclasses included Seth Rudetsky and Natalie Weiss. In The Wings will present The Who’s Tommy November 19 to 21 at the Rialto Theatre.

 

Noelle Hannibal's CHESS in Concert plays before a standing room only crowd

Montreal does not get a lot of really good musical productions. So when I heard that In The Wings Promotions would be presenting Highlights From CHESS In Concert at La Vitrola on St. Laurent Boulevard I was anxious to see (and hear) it in person.

CHESS originated as a 1984 concept album and has spawned many stage renditions over the past three decades – mainly via  concert presentations. The score is by ABBA composers Benny Anderrson and Bjorn Ulvaeus ("Mamma Mia") and lyricist Tim Rice ("Evita") and it tells the  tale of Cold War intrigue, complex romantic entanglements, and cutthroat chess competition. I am most familiar with it from the concert version with Josh Groban, Idina Menzel  and Adam Pascal in 2008, which I have watched more than once on YouTube.

In The Wings promotions is the baby of the talented Noelle Hannibal. She moved here from Los Angeles 14 years ago and resides in West Island Vaudreuil with her husband.

This was a one night only presentation and performed before a standing room only crowd. “It was definitely a lot of work and I am feeling it today,”  Noelle commented the morning after. “It was the first large show I have produced on my own, so it was a risk. My last cabaret at the Segal studio drew in less than half the capacity, so I didn't want to take a chance. I was thrilled that we had standing room only! I wish we could have done more shows.”

With a powerful score blending pop, rock, and operetta, the cult musical CHESS tells the story of two rival chess masters whose antagonism mirrors that of their respective countries. Against the backdrop of the Cold War, American chess champion Freddie Trumper faces Soviet challenger Anatoly Sergievsky for the world title — and the affections of Freddie’s presumed lover and second, Florence Vassy, a Hungarian-born former refugee torn between the two sides. The songs by   Andersson  and Ulvaeus, with lyrics by Rice, include the top-10 dance hit “One Night in Bangkok,” the classic duet “I Know Him So Well,” and the stirring “Anthem.” 

Left to right: Tamara Clark, Kenny Wong, Marc Ducasin, Mike Melino and Noelle Hannibal.

Besides Hannibal (Florence), the cast included established performers along with up-and-coming young talent including   Mike Melino (Freddie), Jonathan Eidelman (Anatoly), Kenny Wong (Molokov), Tammy Clark (Svetlana), Marc Ducusin (Arbiter), Will Fech (Walter), Corey Tomicic (Emsemble) and Ilana Zackon (Ensemble) with musical direction by Ian Baird and directed by Nadia Verrucci.   Hannibal, Melino and Eidelman really exercised their vocal chords on this night, not an easy job.

In The Wings Promotions provides public relations for theatre companies and events in and around Montreal. They also actively contribute to the Montreal theatre community by producing special theatrical events along with a masterclass series.

Founded in 2011, In The Wings has brought such Broadway personalities as Seth Rudetsky and Natalie Weiss to town for a masterclass  series. Past productions include Corner of the Sky: The Music of Stephen Schwartz, Like Breathing: Musical Theatre Songs for a New Generation, Barefoot Broadway's Highlights from "RENT": In Concert, Music Theatre Montreal's "The Birthday Party," Waterworks Company's "Gidion's Knot,"  Music Theatre Montreal's, "Cabaret,"  CETM's  "South Park: Smaller, Shorter and Definitely Cut,", "Broadway Gals" and "The Ghosts of Broadway,"  In Your Face Entertainment's "Jacques Brel Is Alive and Well and Living in Paris,"  The Becket Players' "Gasoline and Matches,"  CETM's "The Sound of Musicals" and "Barefoot Broadway."