Showing posts with label Bottle Tree Productions. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Bottle Tree Productions. Show all posts

Thursday, January 1, 2015

Year in Review 2014

Year in Review


2014 was a year of big changes for Bottle Tree Productions. We became a company in residence at The Grand Theatre at 218 Princess Street. We produced two music shows on the main stage at the Grand; We Walk the Line and The Bobby Show. We also produced Cyrano-a fun-slimmed down version of Cyrano de Beregerac in the Baby Grand Studio. Our two Musical Theatre classes were five sold out shows of Disney Jr.'s Beauty and the Beast at the Baby Grand  and a sold out free show as Peter Pan flew into St Andrews Presbyterian Church in July. Most of our end of class shows will be performed at the Baby Grand Theatre. Lots of new and exciting things. To top it off we did a full scale musical theatre version of A Christmas Carol on the main stage of the Grand Theatre December 18-20.

In other news, we sold 140 of our plays in 2014.Those plays are Ghost of the Tree and Pretty Pieces. Our website which promotes our classes and shows but also offers mentoring advice to parents and young actors was ranked in the top 1 percent of websites in the world.

Our classes continue to be taught at St Andrew's Presbyterian Church and we have acquired two more rooms for those classes. Our Acting Classes start on Saturday January 10th and our Musical Theatre Classes start the following week. For more information please go to Bottle Tree Acting Classes

Eight years ago Bottle Tree Productions was a company of only three people but we are happy to report that in the last year we paid 26 people for doing music and theatre. We also paid for the rights and books for three musicals so that our productions are completely legal and we paid for a play as well, meaning money from those shows went back to the creative artists like Alan Menken and Stephen Sondheim. Join us on our journey to share the performing arts with Kingston and the surrounding area. Check out our website at Bottle Tree Productions

Hope to see you in 2015!


Thursday, June 19, 2014

A Christmas Carol at the Grand Theatre, Kingston, Ontario

Tickets now on sale!


A Christmas Carol (Broadway) is a spectacular adaptation of Charles Dickens's most well known story. Proving its staying power with a decade long run at Madison Square Garden.


Bottle Tree Productions is now a Theatre in Residence at the Grand Theatre. Their first big musical at The Grand Theatre will be A Christmas Carol


Thurs., Dec. 18 - Sat., Dec. 20 @ 7:30pm
Matinee Performance Sat., Dec 20 @ 2:00pm
Tickets $38.75 (+HST and Box Office charges)


Tickets available at the Grand Theatre Box Office at 218 Princess Street in Kingston, Ontario. Phone 613-530-2050 or go online at http://kingstongrand.ca/event/christmas-carol-musical


A Christmas Carol (Broadway)
Music by  Alan Menken
Lyrics by  Lynn Ahrens
Book by  Mike Ockrent and Lynn Ahrens
Based on the story by Charles Dickens
Directed by Charles Robertson
Musical Direction by Daryl Bryan
Produced by Anne Marie Mortensen


One Act, Book Musical, Rated G
Original Radio City Entertainment/
Madison Square Garden Version

Director Charles Robertson said that “Years ago Dramatic Impact did  A
Christmas Carol at the Grand. It had been a Christmas Tradition for a number of years with Dennis Curtis as Scrooge It was a magical show that opened up to me the possibilities of theatre. Performances like that make theatre a wonderful experience for the young and the young at heart.”


“We are delighted to be opening up with Christmas Carol at the Regina Rosen Auditorium” said company founder and producer; Anne Marie Mortensen. “Over the last 8 years, we have produced a tremendous number of shows-from very small to quite large. I can’t possibly remember how many exactly. But we have had great success with our musicals. Cats directed by Ebon Gage, Les Miserables directed by myself and The Sound of Music directed by my Bottle Tree partner Charles Robertson.


Why the Grand Theatre? “A Christmas Carol is the quintessential story of a man finding the meaning behind the season. "Peace on earth, goodwill toward man" (especially the goodwill part!) is what Scrooge ends up learning and longing for. His redemption is a story that everyone can identify with. We all have moments of miserliness where we think less generously of others than we ought to - but at Christmas time especially, we try hard to overcome the baser emotions and bring forth a feeling of generosity. Scrooge has to learn this lesson in a way that is harder than most, but it makes  his reform that much more poignant. We are able to bring this familiar fare to our audience in a format that has never been  done in Kingston - as a piece of musical theatre.”


Why should people go? “First and foremost; Alan Menken’s music is tremendous. The story is fabulous. Everyone knows it. You can bring your kids. It gets to the heart about what Christmas is all about. Before Charles Dickens wrote Christmas Carol, people did not exchange gifts, did not have a day off work, did not give to the poor. Christmas Carol is about one day to remember the best of mankind. In Christmas Carol, Ebenezer Scrooge is transformed from mean and miserly to warm, giving and kind. Its wonderful stuff.  Great songs, dancing and acting will make this show a Christmas highlight. Musicals are a tremendous amount of work but seeing the pleasure it gives to audiences is all worth it.”


A brief summary of the show.


Ebenezer Scrooge is a prosperous curmudgeon who believes personal wealth is far more valuable than the happiness and comfort of others. With an infuriated "Bah! Humbug!" Scrooge summates his feelings of Christmas tidings and charitable giving, but he's forced to face his selfish ways when three ghosts on Christmas Eve lead him through his Past, Present, & Future. Thanks to their guidance, Scrooge recognizes his faults and greets Christmas morning with a cheerful "Happy Christmas" before spending the day reconnecting and sharing love with those that mean the most to him.


For further information
email info (at) bottletreeinc.com

Sunday, July 21, 2013

Classes de théâtre en français

Classes de théâtre en français

Bottle Tree Productions offrira pour la première fois des cours de théâtre en français qui débuteront le samedi 14 septembre 2013, de 14h30 à 16h. Les cours viseront à enseigner les bases du théâtre à travers de jeux, tout en permettant aux acteurs de développer leur estime de soi, leur sens de coopération et leur appréciation de l'art du théâtre de façon amusante. La session de 10 semaines se terminera avec une performance où les amis et les familles des jeunes pourront constater leur progrès. Les acteurs seront encouragés à se développer à leur propre rythme, et seront poussés à relever des défis selon leurs habiletés et leur niveau de confort. Les classes sont idéales autant pour les jeunes gênés que pour les extravertis, et plairont à une vaste gamme d’âges.



Acting Classes in French

Saturday, February 16, 2013

Young Kingstonians star in Disney's Little Mermaid

Bottle Tree Productions brings Disney's beloved Little Mermaid to life on stage at L'Octave Theatre Friday March 29th at 2 pm and 7 pm and Saturday March 30th at 2 pm and 7 pm. Tickets cost $12, including hst, L'Octave Theatre is located out on Dalton Avenue off of Sir John A. Macdonald Boulevard near the 401. From the team that brought you The Sound of Music, Oliver and Fiddler on the Roof comes the wonderful watery world welling up from the imaginations of the great creators at Disney.

By show time, 20 local kids will have spent ten weeks mastering their craft and honing their skills. Learning to act, sing and dance, these kids will leave the theatre on closing night having accomplished much. It is important for a cast to pull together and become a team. And this cast has  done that. They have supported each other and because of that each young actor has grown in ability and confidence.

Based on the Hans Christian Anderson fairy-tale of the same name; The Little Mermaid follows the adventures of Ariel the mermaid with the beautiful voice. With her best friend;  Flounder she heads to the surface to collect human artifacts. They visit the seagull Scuttle. Scuttle is a self-styled mis-informed expert on Humans. During a storm, Ariel saves the handsome human Prince Eric from drowning and she falls in love. She wishes she were human, too and could walk among the humans. She wished she had feet instead of fins. She finds an unexpected ally in Ursula the Sea Witch who will make her human in exchange for her voice. Disney creates a magical world under the sea with the faithful Flounder, the entertaining Sebastian and the friendly sea gull; Scuttle. There is a host of imaginatively created characters with wonderful songs such as Part of Your World, Under the Sea, and She's in Love.

The audience cannot help but be moved by this very energetic and talented young cast of local performers, as they breathe life into this Disney classic




Buy Tickets

Saturday, December 29, 2012

The Little Mermaid

After putting Rogers and Hammerstein's The Sound of Music to bed after a highly successful run at St Andrews Presbyterian Church, we now turn our attention to our next big project; The Little Mermaid. Bottle Tree Productions has secured the rights to Disney's The Little Mermaid. It is the show that our musical theatre class will perform. We are looking for young aspiring actors to play Ariel and her friends; Flounder and Sebastian. Also Prince Eric and Triton and of course the evil Ursula. Good parts are also available in the roles of Scuttle; the Sea Gull and the eels; Flotsam and Jetsam.
There are a number of great songs in this show including Part of Your World and Under the Sea. in this popular Disney classic about a mermaid who wants to be human. Based on the Hans Christian Anderson fairy tale. This will be a spectacular show on stage.

Our first class is Monday January 7th from 6 pm-8 pm.

Each child that signs up for our musical theatre class will get either a lead or chorus. But either will give your child memories for a lifetime. The big musical numbers will be a blast for the chorus members to perform and the leads will be a challenge for whomever is picked. In our musical theatre classes, we strive to give the child a taste of what a professional production is like. There is a time commitment of three to four classes a week. There are singing, acting and dancing lessons by Charles Robertson (Director of 2012's The Sound of Music) and Anne Marie Mortensen (Director of 2011's Oliver! and 2012's Fiddler on the Roof) There is instruction about how to prepare for an audition.

We choose shows that have appeal to young people and that support large casts, and role sharing. Every student who enrols in the class is guaranteed a place on stage as an actor in the production. There are no prerequisites for enrolment - if you have an interest, we will train you! When possible, we share roles so that more students get a taste of being both chorus and a named role. The class runs like a production, and the show is performed for a paying audience in a proper theatre, with lights, sound, set, costumes - the works!

Each child will be put in a position where they can be successful on stage. We encourage team work in theatre. When everyone is contributing as part of the team it makes for a far more enjoyable experience for everyone.

The final production will be at The Octave Theatre on Dalton Avenue which comes equipped with everything for a professional looking show-lights, sound, dressing rooms and a nice-looking theatre.

To register, pay online or to find out more information please go to Musical Theatre Class

Monday, December 10, 2012

Two Marias

Two very talented young women are sharing the role of Maria

Bottle Tree Productions presents Rodgers and Hammerstein's The Sound of Music and two very different Marias

Bottle Tree Productions presents The Sound of Music at St. Andrews Presbyterian Church on the corner of Princess and Clergy Streets. Performances are December 13th to the 22nd, Thursdays to Saturdays at 7:30 pm. Tickets can be purchased online at Bottle Tree Productions; The Sound of Music or at the Grand Theatre Box Office. 613-530-2050 or online at grandtheatre2@cityofkingston.ca. The Grand Theatre Box Office is located at 218 Princess Street in downtown Kingston. Ticket Prices are $25/adults, $22.50/seniors, $20/students, $15/children under 12.


Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein wrote the musical based on the memoirs of Maria von Trapp. Maria von Trapp, the misfit nun who became governess to the von Trapp family was played by Julie Andrews in the filmed version of the musical. Christopher Plummer played Captain von Trapp.

In Bottle Tree's production, two very talented young women are sharing the role of Maria. Both are first year Queens students and they could not be more different. Engineering student Hannah Smith and Con Ed student Sara Sturgeon play Maria on alternate nights. Robert Bruce plays Captain Von Trapp. 

Sara is French Canadian and Hannah is English Canadian.

Sara attended Marie Rivere, the francophone high school on Dalton Avenue and Hanna attended KCVI.
Sara's first big role came in last year's Meistersingers' production of Oliver as Charlotte the undertaker's daughter  where, as she says: ”I had four lines” Previous to that Sara had been in a Not So Amateur Amateurs Production. She wasn't sure if she was guard number two or guard number three.

Sound of Music director Charles Robertson saw Oliver and when Anne Marie Mortensen and he were looking for someone to play Cinderella, they both thought that Sara had great stage presence and so cast her in the lead. Robertson commented. “She was everything a Cinderella should be. Charming and graceful with a nice singing voice. You would have thought she had been acting for years. It was shocking that Sara only had bit parts before.”

Robertson has known Hannah Smith for a long time. “Hannah is one of the best actors I have worked with. She is very bright, very well read and very creative. Great imagination. She has a great voice and tremendous acting skills. She recently appeared in Domino Theatre's production of 'A Street Car Named Desire' as Stella and before that as Rita in Theatre 5's 'Educating Rita'”  You tube video of Hannah performing Juliet.

Robertson added; “While both first year Queen's students do intend to keep acting in the future, they are working hard to succeed in their chosen career paths at the university. If for whatever reason; engineering and teaching don't turn out, they always have a plan 'b; to fall back on; they can act and sing.”

Friday, August 31, 2012

Sound of Music in Kingston, Ontario

Please note that we are also offering this production for the holidays Dec. 5 - 14, 2013.  This is our second year featurying this musical. Please refer to 'Sound of Music Kingston Ontario 2013' post for new information, or better yet, visit our website (bottletreeinc.com)!


Bottle Tree Productions presents The Sound of Music this year at St Andrews Presbyterian Church in downtown Kingston at 130 Clergy Street East. Dates are Thursday, Friday and Saturday December 13-15 and the following Thursday, Friday and Saturday December 20-22

This family favourite stars among others: Robert Bruce, Mary Deacon, Theresa Witjes, Hannah Smith, Sara Sturgeon, Alex Whitehead, Justin Robertson, Savannah Kimmerer, Maureen Barnes, Julia Moore, Khira Whiting, Cindy Chapelle, Gillian Foster and many more, singing songs like “Climb Ev'ry Mountain.” My Favourite Things.” “Sixteen going on Seventeen.” “The Sound of Music” and “Eidleweiss” 

Robert Bruce makes his stage debut as Captain Von Trapp and Queens University students Hannah Smith and Sara Sturgeon will split the role of Maria.

Directed by Charles Robertson. Produced by Anne Marie Mortensen.

The production takes place in the beautiful confines of St Andrews Presbyterian Church where the songs and the music will be a treat for the ear because of the great acoustics. Because several scenes take place in a church, this will be a great setting for the musical.

Because the musical takes place in downtown Kingston, there will be a fabulous opportunity to have dinner before the show or drinks after ward if you have left the kids at home. Take in some shopping before hand and then a show.

Bottle Tree Productions has a rich tradition of theatre and theatrical education including musical theatre classes. in Kingston.

The Sound of Music will be a must-see.

To buy tickets go to Sound of Music-Tickets 

Wednesday, August 29, 2012

Acting Classes Fall Session-Bottle Tree Productions


Interested in Acting?

Why not try our acting classes. Acting Classes are a great way to develop self-esteem, social skills, reading skills, comprehension skills, vocal skills, movement skills, creative skills, and the imagination. 

Our acting classes can also open the door to a career in the performing arts. According to ACTRA, the Canadian professional actor's union in Canada, there are approximately 22,000 professional actors in tv, film and commercials in Canada. According to SAG-AFTRA, the American professional actor's union in the United States, there are approximately 120,000-130,000 such professional actors. These figures do not include professional actors exclusively doing theatre. Through Bottle tree Productions, learn the nuts and bolts of a career in the performing arts.

Bottle Tree Productions starts its fall session of Stage Right acting classes Saturday September 14th .at St Andrews Presbyterian Church at the corner of Princess and Clergy Streets in Kingston's down town.

Stage Right JR (6 - 10) years $159.90    ($141.50 + HST) 
Stage Right INT (11 & 12) years $245.78     ($217.50 + HST)
Stage Right SR (TEENS)               $245.78     ($217.50 + HST)

On Wednesdays we have Stage Right Acting Classes from 7 pm until 8:30 pm. These classes cost 217.50 dollars plus hst.

We have a large room for classes. Our teachers have a lot of experience and connections to various amateur and professional theatre companies.

Our acting class program has been developed over years of experience. We believe in developing the fundamentals for technique and self-confidence.

We believe each child and adult has an incredible amount of potential. Our goal is to unleash that potential that is inside everyone. But potential is not identically distributed, so we do not believe in the cookie-cutter approach. We believe in suiting our teaching approach to the needs of the individual within the context of the class as a whole. 

We use theatre games to develop the imagination and the ability to be in the moment and to build self-esteem. We do scenes to develop technique. Warning-This is not the public education system. We do not have lessons and marks. Lessons and marks not an optimum way to learn how to succeed in any art form.  While the public education system considers success moving on to the next grade, we consider success the development of the person. We know what works and what doesn't. We work with young and old to get them ready for the stage. We are not concerned with the passing fads of theatre learning. We are only concerned with making our students ready for performing under the lights.

Several of our students, young and old, have recently appeared in productions of The Sound of Music, A Midsummer Night's Dream, Fiddler on the Roof, various Domino Theatre productions, Blue Canoe and many more. Some of our more successful students have worked professionally, in film, television and theatre.

We believe that theatre is a team sport, that in order to succeed in theatre a student has to learn that the team is important, that strength comes from numbers, that wanting attention, or being concerned only about your own needs, does not work in professional theatre, film or television. No one will work with someone who rubs everyone else the wrong way. No one in show business wants to work with a diva.

The performing arts is a collaborative art form. Everyone has to pull together in the same direction. There are so many people that contribute to the success of a show. Directors, writers, choreographers, costumers, set designers, stage management, sound and lighting people, marketing people and performers are some of the people that contribute to the success of a show. Theatre is a community. We work hard to make sure that our students are ready to become a valuable part of that community.

For more information about our fall acting classes or to register please go to Acting Classes

To purchase an acting class and be automatically registered through Paypal - See below


Acting Class Options (all regular classes)


Saturday, July 23, 2011

Musical Theatre Classes in Kingston Ontario

Bottle Tree Productions is launching its Fall Musical Theatre classes on Saturday, September 17th/2011  from 3:30 to 5 pm. Kids from 7 years old up to 18 have starred in our musical theatre class productions. In the spring of 2010, we show-cased our kids in Stephen Sondheim's Sweeney Todd. In the spring of 2011 we performed Willy Wonka. I wonder if Johnny Depp's involvement in the filmed versions of these shows had anything to do with it. Anne Marie Mortensen is in charge of our musical theatre classes, and whether a child has little musical experience or a lot, they have the opportunity to improve and develop their abilities. Musical theatre involves a lot of hard work but the rewards are enormous., including a sense of well-being, confidence and a sense of achievement. In the performing arts, we lay down a foundation for team work. The sum of the parts is always greater than the whole. We can't make you better if you don't work. There is no magical formula for achievement in the performing arts. An honest desire and a work ethic can achieve wonders. Anne Marie's catch phrase for running the classes is 'Great, Do it again!'

The Musical Theatre classes are a more demanding discipline to teach than acting classes, because there is singing, dancing and acting involved.

Because it is a musical theatre production, we want to give the kids as polished a performance as we can, so to that end we have a three to four week rehearsal schedule towards the end of the class and before the show. This might include up to 4 or 5 rehearsals a week.