A musical story of two famous toe-tapping stars,
Fred Astaire and his sister Adele,
featuring classic routines from the dancing days of Vaudeville.
Presented from January 17 to March 19, 2005.
Click for the Tour Schedule.
Artist Biographies
William Orlowski, Fred
William Orlowski is not only one of the greatest tap-dancers Canada has produced, but is an award-winning choreographer as well. He is the recipient of two Dora Mavor Moore Awards for Best Choreography in a Musical, and both choreographed and performed at the Shaw Festival from 1994-2001. Mr. Orlowski’s vast experience ranges from founding the National Tap Dance Company of Canada to choreographing for the likes of Ginger Rogers and Liza Minnelli. He had the privilege of collaborating with Tom Kneebone, as a choreographer and performer with the Smile Theatre Company, for many projects since 1979. He is delighted to return to Smile with his favourite assistant, Rosie Kneebone.
Susan Cuthbert, Adele
Susan was most recently seen in Jacques Brel is Alive and Well and Living in Paris, in Toronto, (Winter Garden),Vancouver and Ottawa (National Arts Centre) as both Woman 1 and 2. Previously, Susan performed at the Stratford Festival as Antonia in Man of La Mancha and as Helen Keller (u/s) in The Miracle Worker. Susan is best known as Christine Daeé (alternate) in the original Canadian production of The Phantom of the Opera directed by Hal Prince. In addition to touring Canada as Christine, Susan played Anne in Anne of Green Gables from P.E.I. to Vancouver and is on the original Canadian recording. Susan also toured North America in HMS Pinafore as Josephine (u/s) and Chorus. Other theatre credits include Clara in the World Stage workshop of Passion directed by James Lapine; a special guest artist in the Music of Andrew Lloyd Webber Concerts at the Pantages; three roles in the original Toronto production of Cats and Juliet (u/s) and Lady Montague in Romeo and Juliet and Maria in Westside Story (Neptune Theatre). Susan was also nominated for the prestigious Toronto theatre award (Dora Mavor Moore Award) for her portrayal of Ruby in Dames at Sea. Susan enjoys teaching singing, dance and drama at her private studio and she has directed, including the opera, Hansel and Gretel and Into the Woods for the Canadian Children’s Opera Chorus. Currently, Susan is working on a new project, a two person spoof based on the works of Mozart.
Bill Brillinger, Stage Manager
Fred and Adele marks Bill’s second production with Smile this season. Other credits include Has Anybody here seen Willy?, Consider This Lillie, Tonight We Raid Berlin, Sweethearts and Two on a Toonie. He spent the summer seasons of 2001 and 2002 in Nova Scotia with Ship’s Company Theatre, and was fascinated by the enormous tides in the Bay of Fundy. He has toured with a production of Bush Ladies, a show about the early experiences in Canada of Susannah Moodie, Catherine Parr Traill and Anne Langton. Bill is delighted to be back with the wonderful audiences of Smile Theatre.
Tom Kneebone, C.M., O. Ont., Writer
For fifteen wonderful years, Tom was the Artistic Director of Smile. As a performer, Tom appeared with the London Old Vic, the Stratford Festival, the Shaw Festival, the Canadian Opera Company, the National Ballet of Canada, the Charlottetown Festival, on Broadway and in countless films and television productions. Smile is very proud that Tom has been honoured this past year with the Order of Canada, the Order of Ontario and the Queen’s Jubilee Medal. We are sad to inform you that Tom passed away November 15, 2003. We dedicate our efforts to him, and we intend to continue his legacy of Smiles.

Dinah Christie, Director
Dinah Christie has been singing, dancing and acting all over North America with indefatigable energy since her twelfth birthday when her father gave her a guitar. Christie’s eclectic career covers the spectrum from the Stratford Shakespearean Festival in Canada to her role of singing Hostess on the highly controversial C.B.C. Television network show, This Hour Has Seven Days. Her 10 years on the comedic Party Game series and her co-star role with Don Adams in Check It Out led to two Gemini awards. She earned another for her C.B.C. special, Dinah and Friends. The writer, Dinah Christie, has been creating musicals for Tom Kneebone’s ‘Smile Theatre Company’ for the past several years. Between them, they have 20 one-hour original Canadian stories. In 1999 Kneebone and Christie created A Marvellous Party, in honour of Sir Noel Coward’s 100th birthday and toured it to theatres everywhere. She has directed the U.S. Premier of Dean Regan’s A Closer Walk With Patsy Cline, assisted with his Black And Gold Revue and assisted in the direction of two International Tours of Forever Swing out of Baltimore. This versatile lady has become an inventor and entrepreneur. She has a bronze plaque in Ottawa’s Museum of Science and technology for her ‘Hot Heels’ – protectors for the backs of drivers’ shoes. Her hemp line of ‘adventure accessories’ are available at Tilley Endurables and from her web site www.baddsisters.com. She raises money for causes that are close to her heart, including Breast Cancer Research, Childrens’ Hospitals, AIDS Research, Big Sisters, South Simcoe Theatre and Shakespeare-by-the-Sea in Halifax, Nova Scotia.

Mark Rutherford, Musical Arranger
Mark is a Canadian musician originating in Winnipeg who enjoys a multi-faceted career, participating variously as Pianist, Keyboardist, Composer, Musical Director, Producer, and Accompanist. Professional associations with Dinah Christie, Dianne Heatherington, Buffy Ste. Marie, Louise Pitre, plus a two decade involvement in the Toronto theatre scene has enabled him to encompass a broad range of musical styles. His career has included a year-long regular stint on CBC’s Morningside, many TV and radio appearances, film and recording credits. Besides numerous cross-Canada trips, touring opportunities have taken him throughout the U.S., across Europe, and to the Middle East. Since 1990 he has provided Musical Direction and recorded arrangements for over 50 productions for Toronto’s Smile Theatre, and composed for and performed with his jazz group MRQ at festivals and concert events. He anticipates another action-packed 2004-05 season with the Smile Theatre.