Copyright © 2010 The Canadian Press. All rights reserved.
TORONTO — Canadian stage actress Lindsay Thomas is being remembered as a powerhouse triple-threat performer whose warm and vivacious spirit charmed audiences on both sides of the border.
Thomas died Wednesday of lung cancer, say officials at the Stratford Shakespeare Festival. She was 31.
"She had a vibrant talent," Antoni Cimolino, general director of the festival in southwestern Ontario, said in a release.
"In addition to being a gifted dancer and singer, Lindsay was an outstanding comedienne with both energy and wit."
A graduate of the music theatre program at Sheridan College in Oakville, Ont., Thomas appeared in the original Broadway production of "Hairspray" in 2002. She was also a member of the show's original Canadian company, as well as the first U.S. tour.
In 2006 she made her debut at the esteemed Stratford festival, appearing in "Oliver" and "Don Juan."
The following year, she drew rave reviews as Ado Annie in "Oklahoma" and as the tap-dancing Anchovie in "My One and Only." In 2008 she played Gracie Shinn in "The Music Man" and Jacinta in "Fuente Ovejuna."
Thomas also played Frankie Valli's troubled daughter, Francine, in the original Toronto production of "Jersey Boys."
Des McAnuff, artistic director of the Stratford festival who helmed "Jersey Boys," said Thomas "excelled as an electrifying performer."
"Lindsay had more than simply abundant talent; she had a huge heart," he said. Thomas also performed at theatre festivals in Charlottetown, Edmonton and Stirling, Ont. She is survived by her partner, actor Gareth Potter, her parents, Marilyn and Derek Thomas, and her brother, Gareth Thomas.
A memorial service will be held on Monday at Parkview United Church in Stratford.
No comments:
Post a Comment