Update - January 2nd, 2008...

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

Well, folks - the holidays are over, and the "Christmas Comes to Oz" tour was a happy success, with great shows and enthusiastic audiences yet again. A very big thank-you to the venues and patrons... we enjoyed our second visit to the magical land somewhere over the rainbow, and look forward to returning to many of the same venues with a new show in the new year... keep posted to this site for further details!

Many exciting projects are on the horizon - Canucula (Midnight Over Kingston) is just about ready to go, and a new film project is about to commence, along with some theatre and radio-theatre news set to come in the weeks ahead of us. It will be hard to top 2007, but 2008 is looking like the most promising year yet!

Hope everyone had a great holiday season - Cheers!

-Anthony

 

Update - November 1st, 2007!

CHRISTMAS TOUR - 2007

PRESS RELEASE: "CHRISTMAS COMES TO OZ"

BRAND-NEW PRODUCTION ON TOUR!

It’s the Wizard’s first Christmas in the wonderful Land of Oz, but there’s a problem… no one in the Land of Oz has ever celebrated Christmas before! Through music and laughter, the Wizard takes it upon himself to bring Christmas to Oz, and teach Glinda – the Good Witch of the North – the true meaning of the season!

Written by and starring ANTHONY D.P. MANN as the Wizard of Oz, accompanied by PAMELA TOMSETT as Glinda, this yuletide musical sequel to last summer’s “From Omaha to Oz: The Wizard’s Tale” is bound to bring holiday cheer to audiences of all ages.

FREE ADMISSION TO ALL SHOWS!

2007 TOUR ITINERARY (Ontario):

Wed. Nov 28th @ 7PM – Kingston Public Library (Central Branch)
Sat. Dec 1st @ 10:30AM – Belleville Public Library
Sat. Dec 1st @ 2:30PM – Quinte West Public Library (Trenton)
Wed. Dec 5th @ 7PM – Kingston Public Library (Isabelle Turner Branch)
Sat. Dec 8th @ 10:30 – Brockville Public Library
Sat. Dec 8th @ 2:30PM – Lansdowne 1000 Islands Public Library
Sun. Dec 9th @ 1PM – Cornwall Public Library
Sat. Dec 15th @ 10:30AM – Napanee Public Library
Sat. Dec 15th @ 2:30PM – Amherstview Public Library

* NOTE: There will be a very special preview conert performance of this new show on November 10/07 at the Domino Theatre in Kingston, as part of the Eastern Ontario Drama League Festival.

Update - September 3rd, 2007!

Well, folks... The summer is coming to an end, and with it our tour of "From Omaha To Oz: The Wizard's Tale".

I'm very happy to inform that our show played to hundreds of patrons over the course of the production, and our audiences were very enthusiastic, with nothing but kind words forthe fabulous cast and crew. My compliments to my co-horts: Pamela, Michael, Angella and Rosemarie -- this touring adventure in the magical land of dreams was an absolute success, and we can't wait to get back "on the road" with a new show.

Thanks to everyone involved: cast, crew, patrons, and venues for making "Oz" a wonderful experience for all involved... Cheers!

-Anthony

News...

Michael Pontbriand's "Anxious For Love" (starring Anthony) is currently available for free viewing on Cogeco's Video-On-Demand service. For customers of the Cogeco system, this feature can be reached via the menu screen under the Free Video on Demand option. For those without Cogeco service, the film will soon be seen on the Moviola channel... details as they become available!

The official website can be found here.

With some sadness, we must announce the end to Anthony and Pamela's weekly TV program, "The Lounge". This is not due in any regard to viewership or quality, but rather an issue of time and resources. It was a mutually-agreed decision to not pursue a third season of the popular program due to time constraints and resources with the production team and the hosts, as well as Anthony's desire to pursue larger and more substantial projects outside of the Kingston area.

That being said, Anthony will continue to produce and appear in a series of specials for TVCogeco throughout the course of the next season!

Update - July 21st, 2007!

SUMMER MINI-TOUR - EXTENDED!!!!

The shows have gone wonderfully, with excellent attendance and happy faces throughout! The other actors and myself (with Rosie at the technical helm) have had a wonderful time, and we're happy to announce two more shows in August. Come out and see us if you can - the shows have been magical.

Cheers, all!

-Anthony

NEW DATES:

Napanee, ON

Thurs Aug 9th @ 7PM - Napanee Public Library

Amherstview, ON

Wed Aug 15th @ 7PM - Amherstview Public Library

PREVIOUS DATES:

Kingston, ON

Sat June 23rd @ 7:30PM

Tues July 10th @ 7PM - Isabelle Turner Pulic Library

Wed July 18th @ 7PM - Central Frontenal Public Library

Belleville, ON

Sat July 7th @ 10:30AM - Belleville Public Library

Brockville, ON

Sat July 14th @ 10:30AM - Brockville Public Library

PRESS RELEASE

Everyone knows the story of Dorothy Gale, and her fantastic adventure in the Land of Oz… but what’s the Wizard’s story?

An exciting new musical adventure sets out to tell the tale of Oscar Zoroaster Diggs – an inventor from Omaha who discovers a magical world beyond the rainbow, where man-eating dragons and mechanical monsters run rampant! With the help of a third-class witch (Glinda – before she was the Good Witch of the North), Oscar sets out to find a way back home… but will he survive the perils he encounters, and will he choose to leave this wondrous place?

An original musical written by and starring Canadian actor and TV personality ANTHONY D.P. MANN as The Wizard, “From Omaha to Oz: The Wizard’s Tale” is a family friendly event enjoying a limited-engagement mini-tour in the 1,000 Islands region this summer.

Come join us somewhere over the rainbow!

 

Update - March 27, 2007!

Michael Pontbriand's "Anxious For Love" (starring Anthony) won very special honours at this year's Kingston Canadian Film Festival (KCFF). As a result, it will be seen on the Moviola network later this year. Details forthcoming...

The official website can be found here.

...and here's a promo postcard!

 

"Midnight Over Kingston" has been re-named "CANUCULA: Midnight Over Kingston", and will be released for home-viewing shortly. For now, here's a taste of the film with last year's teaser-trailer:

 

Local film "Making Strange" (starring Anthony) also played at this year's KCFF, and has enjoyed screenings in Utah at the Park City Film Music Festival and Chicago at Sound of Silent Film. There's rumour that the film is heading to Cannes... but more of that later ;-)

Anthony and his group of very talented actors will again be appearing as part of the 2007 Domino One-Act Play Festival. This year's entry "From Omaha to Oz: The Wizard's Story" will see Anthony playing the Wizrd of Oz in a prequel to the original story. Also appearing: Pamela Tomsett, Michael Pontbriand and Angela Scott.

Pre-production is well underway, and photography about to commence on a secret new film project entitled: "Son of the Devil"... more information in the months to follow...

Finally, Anthony is wrapping-up recording of his long-promised album of original songs -- "The Way Love Ought to Be" will be available this Summer... details to follow soon.

Keep checking this site for updates, and don't forget to watch "the Lounge" every Wednesday at 7:00PM on TV Cogeco!!

 

Update - December 1st 2006!

New Christmas album now on sale!

(Soundclip and ordering info now online)

CLICK HERE FOR A SOUNDCLIP

A Performance of "A Christmas Carol" with traditional and NEW (*) Christmas songs:

A Christmas Carol (For Christmas Day) *

God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen

The Huron Carol

O Christmas Tree

What Child Is This?

Silent Night

Thank You For Sharing This Christmas Day *

A Nasty Time of Year! *

Charles Dickens' timeless tale is brought to life in an enchanting new CD recording by Kingston actor and TV personality Anthony D.P. Mann (TV Cogeco's "The Lounge", "Hound of the Baskervilles"). With vivid interpretations of Scrooge, the Ghosts of Christmas, and other favourite characters - complimented by Anthony's bass-baritone on Christmas songs both traditional and new - this is "A Christmas Carol" unlike any you've ever heard, and one certain to become a perennial favourite to enjoy with your family around the tree or hearth.

This album is only available for a limited time - from December 1st through to the end of the holiday season - at the following Kingston locations:

"As The Plot Thickens Mystery Bookshop" - 66 Brock Street

"Chapters" - 2376 Princess Street

This Christmas, give the gift of HUMBUG!

With the kind support of media Sponsor:

 

AUTOGRAPHED copies of "A Christmas Carol" are available through this website for $15.00 CDN including shipping anywhere in the world - follow the PayPal ("Buy Now") link below to place your order... hurry to ensure delivery in time for Christmas!

* * * * *

Message from Anthony:

"Hi, folks!

I'm very happy to be releasing my new CD of "A Christmas Carol". Although the release of 1998's "Humbug! A Celebration of the Christmas Season" will forever hold a place in my heart, I believe this new recording of the story to be my definitive work on the subject. The story has a much richer tone, and I'm very happy to have been able to record 8 wonderful musical tracks to compliment Dickens' tale.

I hope you will enjoy this very special album, which we look forward to keeping in circulation, and touring as of 2007.

Bah, Humbug to all... Cheers!

-Anthony :-)"

 

Update - October 24th, 2006!

First, we are very happy to announce that "Midnight Over Kingston" is nearly complete, and we will soon have a whole page up dedicated to this very original work of vampiric Canadiana! To satisfy your thirst, however, feel free to sink your teeth into this tasty teaser-trailer:

Now on to other exciting news...

Pierre Duran's film "Making Strange" (starring Anthony in a romantic and contemporary twist on the subject of the silent film) is set to premiere on the big screen in Kingston (Nov 5th/06 at the "Screening Room" @ 5PM) and Ottawa (Nov 12/06 at "Saw Video" @ 7PM) - both screenings as part of "A Folly of Two: An eclectic collection of short films" presented by Modern Fuel Art Centre and Saw Video. A personal commendation to Pierre Duran following an invitation-only screening of the film read as follows:

"Well done Pierre! Fine casting - strong acting - Your leading man (Anthony) gave an impressive performance along the lines of the great classical silent screen actors. I was particularly impressed with your direction and film editing - sensitive and creative and allowing the viewer some scope to imagine and interpret. Thanks for inviting us. All the best. ps- music was well done too."

...Congradulations to Pierre on the completion of this wonderful short film!

Next-up on film for Anthony is a new work produced by Linden's Fix and directed by Michael Pontbriand. Entitled "Anxious for Love". From the official website:

"A short, romantic comedy exploring the anxiety-ridden experience of not feeling confident in one’s own ability to entice the opposite sex. A rejection-scarred man, desperate for love, undertakes a blind date in his continued pursuit of romance.

He’s eager! He’s ready! He should be jaded, but he’s not! Oliver (Anthony D.P. Mann) desperately wants to fall in love. Problem is Oliver’s no good around members of the opposite sex. His usual happy go lucky, humorous demeanor all but disappears when he’s attracted to someone or when he’s required to engage women in intimate conversation. He becomes a nervous wreck, lacking self-confidence, unable to think of the right thing to say or do. Although he’s terrified of going on dates or asking someone out, he presses and prods himself forward, fueled by the dream that any day now he will meet the girl of his dreams, someone who will accept him for the great person he is.

Although the prospect of going on a blind date makes him more anxious than he would care to admit, Oliver, nonetheless, agrees to go along with it. His string of bad luck with women is long and he’s ready to try anything to find love. He’s prepped properly: a new haircut, a snazzy shirt and an impressive floral bouquet. He’s sporting a positive attitude and ready to try it all again. But is it enough to overcome the onslaught of humiliation, intimidation and rejection that is waiting for him at his faceless rendezvous of love?"

The official website can be found here.

...and here's a promo postcard!

On TV...

"The Lounge" is back on air, and even better than ever with a new set and many more resources available, if you live within in the broadcast area, it can be seen LIVE every Wednesday at 7:00PM (TV Cogeco), with subsequent repeats throughout the week - keep an eye out for an update on the Lounge page in the near future.

Anthony will co-host the television broadcast of the Santa Claus Parade this year (a promotion from his previous dutie as "Mann on the Street"), this time with CHUM personality Shauna Cunningham as co-presenter... more details to follow.

Many more exciting projects are in the works, including a musical project (details forthcoming) and a new feature film following the release of "Midnight Over Kingston".

Thanks for visiting, and be sure to check back soon for more updates!

 

Summer 2006

Anthony had been very busy as of late, preparing a stage show for this year's Domino Theatre One-Act Play Festival. This year's entry is a musical telling of the George du Maurier classic "Trilby" (entitled "Tanz, Trilby!"), featuring Anthony as the evil hypnotist Svengali - with regulars Joanna Szczepanski, Michael Pontbriand, and Pamela Tomsett - belting out an original score written by the Mann himself. Tickets are becoming quite scare for this one-night only event: Thursday June 22/06 at 7:30PM (tickets available through Kingston's Grand Theatre box office).

Between rehearsing "Tanz, Trilby!", hosting "The Lounge", and shooting / editing "Midnight Over Kingston", Anthony has also found time to star in film-maker Pierre Duran's most recent film, "Making Strange" - a tribute to the silent film genre (including Anthony's favourites, Laurel & Hardy). More information on the film's release will be found here shortly. For now, here are some pictures (courtesy of Rosemarie Neumayer) from the shoot...

The dapper Mr. Mann (above), with Gypsy Sylvanna (below left) & co-star Angella Scott (right)...

...film-maker Pierre Duran (below left), a-la Oliver Hardy (right)...

...on set (below left), and with PA extraordinaire, Martin (right)...

...and during the BIG DANCE SCENE!!!

January 9th, 2006

"The Lounge" page has been updated in lieu of our return to the air on January 18th, 2006! Come and take a peek...

December 12th, 2005

Just a quick update with a photograph that speaks for itself...

...interviewed the one and only ROGER WHITTAKER for "The Lounge" this evening -- proudest moment in my professional career thus far. Thanks Roger!

-Anthony

December 11th, 2005

Well, Christmas is coming and Anthony is getting ready to celebrate on-air with a very special holiday edition of "The Lounge"!

PHOTO: R.D. NEUMAYER

December 14th will see a special one-hour broadcast loaded with festivities, and a very special appearence by Anthony's musical hero - ROGER WHITTAKER - who Anthony will be interviewing during Roger's current Canadian tour. Special thanks to Rory and Vicky McEvoy for arranging this interview!

To get you into the Christmas spirit, here's a recording of "Winter Wonderland" performed by Anthony and Pam, and to be aired during the program...

"Winter Wonderland" (Anthony D.P. Mann and Pamela Tomsett)

...enjoy!

November 29th, 2005

Just returned from a wonderful evening of song and spirit...

Canadian actor / singer Tom Jackson ("North of 60") has been touring the country for 17 years with "Huron Carol", raising over $3.55 million for the Canadian Association of Food Banks in the process. That program has now evolved into a new concert series, "Singing For Supper", which is touring across Canada this winter. The show rolled into Kingston today, and I was lucky enough to arrange for an interview with Tom himself. He is among the most gentle, inspiring and lovely individuals I have ever had the opportunity to meet. He truly believes in the cause he supports, and helms a wonderful evening of song and inspiration. I highly recommend taking in the show, if you have the chance. Here's ashot of Tom with Rose (my wife) and I...

Thanks for such a wonderful evening, Tom!

- Anthony

November 16th, 2005

A quick note to Kingston viewers...

Anthony will be the "Mann on the Street" for the third consecutive year during this Saturday's Santa Claus Parade!

The program will be broadcast LIVE on TV Cogeco at 5:00 PM on November 19th, with repeat broadcasts on both Cogeco and CKWS.

Come downtown to enjoy this wonderful night-time celebration of the holiday season, and say "Hello!" to Anthony as he chats with people in the crowd... an annual delight with our favourite "Mann"!

November 13th, 2005

Hi, folks!

It's been a few weeks since I've provided an update.

First of all, I'd like to thank everyone who has shown interest in purchasing a copy of "The Hound of the Baskervilles" DVD, and encourge the disc as an excellent stocking stuffer for that very special person (Shameless self-promotion :-) The screenings of the film went very well, and the film has been quite well received... I'm very proud.

The Lounge is going very well, with some great episodes already under our belt (including our Halloween episode which closed with Pamela and I performing "The Monster Mash"), and some great shows ahead! To mark Remembrance Day, an original song of mine entitled "Tir Nan Og" was set to footage of World War II. The song and video were quite well-received, and we are currently exploring the possibility of a CD single release.

Contrary to my comments on the Hound DVD, it appears that the next Holmes project may not be "Sign of Four", but rather "The Cardboard Box". I'll keep you posted as more info is made available.

Again, thanks for all the kind words, and the interest in my work... it remains a pleasure to continue to entertain you...

Cheers!

-Anthony

October 6th, 2005

A reminder to any visitors within the Kingston, ON area that The Hound of the Baskervilles will be screened twice at the Screening Room cinema at the following times:

Sat Oct 15th @ 6:30 PM

Sun Oct 16th @ 3:00 PM

...both screenings will be introduced by Anthony D.P. Mann. Tickets are $4.00 each. The DVD is also on sale in Kingston at: As the Plot Thickens Mystery Bookshop. For Torontonian enthusiasts, the DVD will soon be available at the Sleuth of Baker Street Bookshop.

Also of note:

An interview with Anthony can be found in today's Kingston Whig Standard newspaper's "Ticket" pull-out.

October 1st, 2005

To everyone back in Montreal, and those with an internet connection...

Just a quick note to let you all know that I'll be appearing on Montreal radio - CJAD's (800AM) Peter Anthony Holder show - this Monday (Oct 3rd) evening at 8:30pm, just after the news. I got my first "breaks" on Peter's show almost a DECADE ago, and it's going to be a great time... he's always had one of the best shows around.

I'll be on for about half an hour, and the main focus of the appearance will be to promote "The Hound of the Baskervilles" DVD, but I'm sure we'll get side-tracked along the way!

For those outside of Montreal, you can listen to CJAD online at: www.cjad.com

Peter's website is: www.peteranthonyholder.com - check it out!

Hope you all can listen... enjoy!

-Anthony

September 26th, 2005

EXCITING NEWS!

"The Hound of the Baskervilles", starring Anthony D.P. Mann, will receive it's cinematic premiere on Oct 15th and 16th at the Screening Room cinema in Kingston, ON (www.moviesinkingston.com)! The Saturday night show begins at 6:30pm, and the Sunday show will be at 3pm. Anthony will introduce the film at both screenings, and will answer questions / autograph copies of the film afterwards. Tickets are a steal at only $4.00 each... more information to follow, shortly.

September 17, 2005

We can now accept credit card payments via PayPal for the items in The Shoppe.

September 15, 2005

A new page has been set up for "The Lounge"... click here to check it out!

September 10, 2005

It's here!

The DVD of "The Hound of the Baskervilles" is finally available, loaded with extra features... For more information, visit the HOUND page.

Thank you, to all the folks who have been very kind (and exceptionally patient) as we have been chipping away at preparing the DVD for release.

Buy the film - I think you'll like it... at the very least - even if you don't like it - you'll be entertained. Your patronage also ensures further productions from our fledgling production company.

"The Lounge" will be heading into production on TV Cogeco shortly, with out first live broadcast slated for October 5th at 7pm - the old "Buy, Sell & Trade" slot. Our first episode will feature "Full House" star Dave Coulier - an amazing and talented actor / comedian - with some great live music. For more details on the show, keep checking this news page.

As Halloween season is nearing, TV Cogeco viewers are also reminded to keep their eyes open for some of our past Halloween specials, and a television broadcast of our "Hound of the Baskervilles" film in near future - a cut produced especially for TV Cogeco, in thanks for their generous support in the making of the film.

Well, I let the cat out of the bag on the DVD, so I might as well share this with all of you now... We are currently hard at work getting the gears in motion to commence production on our next film, "The Sign of Four" - a follow up to the Hound, and my very favourite Sherlock Holmes story. Some faces from the first production will return, however our fabulous Watson - Bill Morrow - will not be able to appear in the film, due to prior work commitments. His presence will be missed, but I promise you an exciting adaptation of this classic story never-the-less, and one which is significantly more faithful to the original story.

Keep checking back for more info!

Again, thanks for your continued support... I look forward to sharing more with you soon.

Cheers for now!

-A.

August 12, 2005

Just confirmed - Anthony will be the official MC of the evening for tomorrow (Aug 13/05) night's edition of the Festival of the Islands in Gananoque, Ontario - starring Canadian band Great Big Sea. Hillarity and cheer will ensue!

August 10, 2005

Here's an interview with Anthony from the Winter 2005 issue of "Interaction":

Mann, what a voice!
By Karine Bollman

Kingston - Voice, voice, and voice-these words have echoed in Anthony Mann's head since the late 1990s, back when he was an up-and-coming performer. That's when Canadian actor Al Waxman,approached him after a broadcasting gig to say he'd already mastered the art of being a great actor-it's all in the voice.

"Those words continue to drive me to this day," says Anthony, who is now an accomplished TV and radio presenter, film writer, producer, director, actor, ballad composer, and singer.

His deep, resonant voice has reverberated across stages and the Canadian media. Currently, he co-hosts Buy, Sell & Trade, a Kingston-based TV show, and has a radio stint on The Midnight Players' Radio Theatre. In between, he's released two CDs-one in which he sings Christmas carols and narrates Charles Dickens, and the other in which he recounts Edgar Allan Poe stories.

His most ambitious project to date is a film based on the character of Sherlock Holmes. He wrote, co-produced, and starred in it.

Anthony has learned that success means staying motivated and not taking himself too seriously. "To get ahead in this business, you have to forge your own path, although you must be prepared to walk into a few trees along the way!"

Anthony admits the path to stardom is filled with tree stumps at times. On opening night of a stage production of The Phantom of the Opera a few years ago, Anthony tripped and fell as he was carrying the heroine in his arms. The actress never spoke to him again. "My ego was a little bruised, and so was I...not too badly though, she broke my fall!"

Anthony's upcoming TV project is The 1,000 Islands Amazing Race, which will have him running to various locations to raise money for the Canadian Lung Association.

July 31, 2005

Many exciting new developments!

For those faithful viewers of our TV Cogeco program "Buy, Sell & Trade", I announce (with some slight trepidation), that the show will not be returning to the airwaves in September of this year. Pamela and myself thought it was time to move on - a direction in which the show seemed to be indicating, but could not accomodate.

The VERY happy news that comes from this decision, is that we will coninue to occupy our Wednesday @ 7pm time-slot with a brand new LIVE call-in program called "The Lounge" - akin to popular personality-based talkshows like "Regis & Kelly Ripa" - with a focus on arts and entertainment, and what's on our viewers' minds. We are hard at work developing and shooting segments for the new season (most recently scoring an interview with TV star and comedian Dave Coulier) - more news as it becomes available.

(Anthony with everyone's favourite uncle - Dave Coulier)

Well, I suppose that I can now refer to myself as an award-winning television producer, having won a Star Award in the category of "Entertainment" for our 2004 Halloween special "Vampires, Werewolves... and Some Really Spooky Kids!". We enjoyed shooting this enchanting program very much (featuring hosting duties by one of my favourite alter-egos - Count Vincent Spookula and the lovely Dame Francesca Stein), and wish to send further congradulations to my co-producer (and dear friend) Steve Heron, as well as the children from Nicole Hepburn's 2004-05 class at St. Martha's School in Kingston for all their award-winning involvement... cheers!

(Here's a pic of Steve Heron and I celebrating our win - like the Garfield tie?)

Everyone has been quite patient in regards to the oft-delayed release of "The Hound of the Baskervilles". The film is ENTIRELY complete (following a technical glitch that resulted in the necessity of re-recording about half of the film's dialog), and the DVD features will be polished within a matter of days. We are already in the process of arranging a couple of public screenings of this short film (it runs about 35 minutes), and will have the disc available for sale through this website and at some specialty shops in August 2005. The disc will be available for $20.00 + shipping and handling, and will feature a director's commentary, a featurette, extended scenes, a photo / storyboard gallery, and subtitles. There will be a very limited run of discs available, and it is highly recommended to contact us so as to place your name on our mailing list to notify you when they become available (see "The Hound" page for more information).

Other projects are in the works right now, including a possible follow-up to the Hound of the Baskervilles to be released online at Christmas-time. As the new television season approaches, we also expect to have more information available regarding our 2005 Halloween special.

Keep visiting this website for news as it becomes available, and do feel free to keep in touch... Cheers!

-Anthony