A musical story of two “Minstrels of War”, Canadian Army Show entertainers who faced the hazards of war in order to boost the morale of men fighting on the front lines.
Presented from October 25 to December 24, 2004.
Click for Show Photos, the Tour Schedule, and Candid Photos.
Public Showcase Performance on December 16, 2004.
Artist Biographies
Rachel Fischer, Violet Dewey
Rachel is thrilled to be in her first production with Smile Theatre! Originally from Winnipeg, she came to Ontario to attend the Music Theatre Performance program at Sheridan College. Upon graduation, she headed North to the beautiful Muskokas to perform as lead vocalist in Sing, Excite the Night at the Deerhurst Resort. Most recently, Rachel was seen in Chicago at Rainbow Stage and portrayed Jennifer in a touring production of Jennifer’s Dream for the National Tap of Canada. This show is dedicated to Pearl, who I know will be singing along to every tune!
Michelle Piller, Katey Rouffer
Michelle Piller is delighted to return to Smile Theatre after playing Beatrice Lillie in Christmas Lillies and Consider This Lillie, as well as Mona Parsons in Mona Parsons. Toronto credits include I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change (Vaughn City Playhouse), Toronto The Good (Artword Theatre), The Dance of the Dead (Berkeley Street Theatre) and You Thought Your Family Was Strange (Young People’s Theatre). Regional credits include The Last Resort, Side by Side by Sondheim, Nunsense, Hair, Dads, Anything Goes, Assassins, Beautiful City, Body and Soul, Toad! and Great Harry (workshop production). Michelle co-founded DuffleBag Theatre, now in it’s twelfth season. Album recordings include DuffleBag Theatre’s 10th Anniversary CD, The Polka Dot Flu, Dudley the Dragon and Mother Goose and All That Jazz. Michelle thanks her family and Sam for their love and support.
Daniel MacDonell, Stage Manager
Daniel is delighted to be on the road again with Smile Theatre, after recently stage managing Son of Remade in Canada and Stardust Circus and appearing in At The Hostess in 1998. Daniel received his BFA in Acting at the School of Dramatic Art at the University of Windsor. Since graduating in 1991, he has worked in many aspects of theatre; Musical Theatre, Dramas, Classical Theatre, Clown, and Opera. As a performer, he has appeared in Les Miserables in Toronto and Ottawa, and two seasons at The Stratford Festival. He has performed across Canada in productions as varied as The Mikado in Victoria, BC, and Aristophanes’ The Clouds in St. John’s Newfoundland.
Sandra Margolese, Writer & Director
Sandra is honoured to be directing her third show for Smile. She had the great fortune to study with Tom Kneebone, and assist him in the direction and research of two shows last season. Other Smile experience has involved work in administration, production and performances in six shows, including two that she wrote, directed and performed in herself; Say it With Jazz and Showstoppers. She was director and producer for the Voices of Hope benefit, staged at The Winter Garden Theatre. Performing credits include: Phantom of the Opera (Pantages Theatre), Pirates of Penzance, Mikado, and Vaudeville (Drayton Entertainment), The Music Man (Theatre Aquarius), and Fiddler on the Roof (Huron Country Playhouse). She has recorded a Jazz CD with Juno winning producer Peter Mann and her song writing skills are featured on This Old Harbour Town CD. Special thanks to Norm Foster for guidance and Billie Mae Richards for inspiration. Sandra dedicates this show to the memory and magic of T.K.

Tom Kneebone, C.M., O. Ont.
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.

Jill Diane Filion, Choreographer
Jill has been singing and dancing her way through life for over 25 years. In 1994 she met Sandra Margolese in the Toronto production of The Phantom of the Opera. Jill went on to do Ragtime, a Canadian tour of Camelot and Cabaret for the Citadel Theatre. Most recently, she appeared as the Moorish dancer in Man of La Mancha at Huron Country Playhouse. Jill has choreographed for the Randolph Academy for the Performing Arts in Toronto and for Carousel Theatre School in Vancouver. Jill is delighted to be making her debut with Smile Theatre and to be working with her colleague Sandra Margolese.

Michelle Blore, Set, Costume, and Props Design
This is Michelle’s third production with Smile after having designed Has anybody here seen Willy? and Consider This Lillie from last season. She is a product of York University’s Theatre Production Program. Her recent Design credits include Fillin’ the blank with Arts Etobicoke and Expect Theatre, Puppets for the Film Labrats, Set Design for Big Love with Theatre@York, and Puppet / Set Design for Puppetwerx’s The Pied Piper of Hamelin. She participates in collective creation theatre; just having finished two pieces entitled Blacked Out and The Ongoing Adventures of Sado, Narc, Butch and Ped. She is delighted to be returning to Smile Theatre and looks forward to every bright moment shared with them.

Mark Rutherford, 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.