A movie star musical about Deanna Durbin. Written by Tom Kneebone. Adapted by Sandra Margolese and Tom Carson. Directed by Carson, Thomas. Available February 27 to May 13, 2006. Click for show photos and tour schedule.
Artist Biographies
Shawna van Omme
Shawna is very excited to be a part of the “Smile Theatre” experience. She has performed at the Charlottetown Festival in such shows as; Anne of Green Gables--the Musical, Something Wonderful, The Happy Prince, Dracula: a Chamber Musical and Somewhere in the World. Last Christmas she was the Musical Director of Jack and the Beanstalk at The Gayety Theatre. She is a recent graduate of Sheridan College in their Music Theatre Performance Program. This performance is dedicated to the audience. Enjoy!
Kevin Etherington
Kevin is excited to be working for Smile Theatre again. Most recently he was in Through the Gable Window, and many years ago, Stardust Circus. Kevin has performed throughout Canada for such companies as The Charlottetown Festival, Winnipeg Jewish Theatre, Theatre Aquarius, Theatre Orangeville, Sudbury Theatre Centre, Theatre New Brunswick, Georgian Theatre Festival, Stirling Festival Theatre and more. His favourite roles include Yvon in Art, Narrator in For The Pleasure of Seeing Her Again, and Roger in The Long Weekend. Kevin sends his love to Lezlie Wade for her support and would like to dedicate this performance to his big sister Karen who passed away this past Summer. May God bless you all and enjoy the show!
Joy Prime, Stage Manager
After a four year hiatus, Joy is absolutely delighted to return to Smile Theatre to stage manage Popcorn Princess. Previous Smile credits include The Judy Garland Story and Peggy’s Garden, both directed by the late Tom Kneebone. Other stage management credits include: the 2004 Ontario Special Olympics Spring Games, the Stratford Festival, the Canadian Opera Company, the Grand Theatre (London), Persephone Theatre in Saskatoon, and Upper Canada Playhouse. Away from the stage Joy is fiercely proud of her husband Steve, who is completing his PhD at York University in Cognitive Neuroscience. Joy dedicates this production to the memory of Tom Kneebone. Miss you Tom, we wish you were here.
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 had been honoured with the Order of Canada, the Order of Ontario and the Queen’s Jubilee Medal. Sadly, Tom passed away November 15, 2003. We dedicate our efforts to him, and we intend to continue his legacy of Smiles.

Carson, Thomas, Director
Carson, Thomas (Tom Carson) is proud to be the General & Artistic Manager of the wonderful Smile Theatre. As a director, his work has appeared across Canada, winning the hearts of audiences from Montreal to Vancouver. He has received critical acclaim as well, including three nominations for “Outstanding Production--Theatre For Young Audiences” at Toronto’s prestigious Dora Awards. Tom also writes for the stage, as well as poetry for young children. He is married to wife, Stephanie and has a son, Jonah. He lives in Milton, Ontario.

Wayne Gwillim, Musical Director/Arranger
Wayne is pleased to be working with Smile Theatre again, having recently arranged music for their workshop production of How To Get Rid of a Monster! Recent music direction credits: john & jen, tick, tick… boom! (Acting Up Stage); Cotton Patch Gospel (Georgian Theatre Festival); Berlin to Broadway with Kurt Weill (Theatre Sheridan). Wayne serves on the faculty of both Sheridan College (Oakville) and the Randolph Academy of Performing Arts (Toronto) as an accompanist and vocal coach. Originally from Saskatchewan, he is a graduate of the Faculty of Music, University of Toronto.

David W. Smith, Choreographer
Since receiving his BFA in Musical Theatre from the University of Windsor, David has been working professionally in the theatre as both a performer and choreographer. Recent choreography credits include A Funny Thing Happened On The Way To The Forum and Forever Plaid (Sudbury Theatre Centre) and 42nd Street (Drayton Entertainment). As a performer, David spent four seasons with the Stratford Festival, appearing in both the musicals and the classics. He has also worked with Drayton Entertainment, Theatre By The Bay, Disney Cruise Line, and, most recently, he played the role of Harry in the Port Hope Festival Theatre’s production of My Fair Lady. David is thrilled to be working with Smile Theatre, and hopes that you will enjoy the show.

Michelle Blore, Set, Costume, and Props Design
This is Michelle’s third season with Smile having designed Everything’s Coming up Rosie, Home for the Holidays, Has Anybody here seen Willy? and Consider this Lillie. She is a proud graduate of York University’s Theatre Design Program. Her recent design credits include Market of Tales with Artword Theatre, The Train with Thirty Below Theatre, Klapps Trap with Film@York, Fillin’ the Blank with Arts Etobicoke and Expect Theatre and puppets for the film Labrats. She is delighted to be returning to Smile and looks forward to every bright moment shared with them.