On this episode of Finding Your Bliss, Celebrity Interviewer and Bliss Coach Judy Librach is joined by the talented cast of the musical Extraordinary, musical theatre actresses, who are also mother and daughter, Charlotte Moore and Emily Masurkevitch. Also on the program is the show’s acclaimed playwright,composer and director, Jim Betts.

Charlotte Moore has been a staple in Canadian Musical Theatre for over 40 years, including seasons with the Shaw Festival, the Charlottetown Festival, Drayton Entertainment and Mirvish. She won a Dora Mavor Moore Award in 1990 for “The Rocky Horror Picture Show” and was nominated again exactly 30 years later for “Sunday In The Park With George.” She has three solo albums to her credit: “Friends of Mine- Songs From Canadian Musicals” (2004), “Long Road Back” (2017) which features all original material, and “Some Comfort Here” (2021) with Mark Camilleri.

Hailing from Toronto, Emily Masurkevitch is a multidisciplinary artist and Sheridan college graduate. Previous credits include: (For the Grove Theatre) Cinderella in Into The Woods, lead vocalist in ABBA, Elton John and Carole King tributes. (For Victoria Play House Petrolia) Jonas and Barry in the Home, Oil Rush and Starbright. As well, she was in the runaway hit of the 2023 Toronto Fringe, Dancer and more!

Jim Betts is an award-winning playwright and composer who loves writing, and celebrating, Canadian Musical Theatre. His Canadian themed musicals include Colours In The Storm (about Tom Thomson), The Shooting Of Dan McGrew, Lucy Maude & Anne, Extraordinary (The Extraordinary Life Of An Ordinary Woman), The Fabulous Kelley, and the upcoming Bluenose (written with composer John Estacio). He has also produced Stan Rogers • A Matter Of Heart, and published the Canadian Musical Theatre song collections, Field Of Stars. He is a former Artistic Director of Smile Theatre, Theatre Orangeville and ScriptLab, and started the Canadian Musical Theatre course at Sheridan College. Last summer the new musical, Dancer (A Musical in Ten Furlongs), with book and lyrics by Jim and music by Marek Norman, won the Adams Prize for New Musical, which earned them a spot in the 2023 Toronto Fringe Festival. The show, produced by Jim and his wife Kate Barris, was a Fringe favourite, received 9 Broadway World Toronto Award nominations and won the award for Best Choreography in a Musical or Play. Dancer is now scheduled for a return Toronto production in 2026.

The Smile Theatre is a registered charity that has been bringing joy to seniors in care for over 50 years. They enrich lives by presenting professional, thoughtfully crafted musical theatre performances created especially for older adults. Beyond their shows, they also offer creative programs and practical resources to help care workers and family members connect more deeply with their loved ones. The Smile Theatre’s work reaches people in Long-Term Care, Retirement Homes, Seniors’ Active Living Centres, Rehabilitation Centres, and Mental Health Facilities, making every interaction more meaningful and memorable. To learn more about The Smile Theatre visit: https://smiletheatre.com/

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