Marek Norman
Third season: Associate musical director, and conductor from June 2013, and keyboards for Tommy. Stratford: Wanderlust; Dracula – A Chamber Musical. Elsewhere: Marek Norman has spent his life in the theatre and, over the past four decades, has participated in countless productions as either composer/musician, actor/singer, director or producer. He has created original scores and incidental music for theatres across Canada, with projects as diverse as Larry’s Party, Emily, The Great Adventure, Oliver Button is a Sissy (ballet), The Tin Soldier (ballet), Twelfth Night, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, As You Like It and She Stoops to Conquer. As musical director, Mr. Norman has received seven Dora Mavor Moore Award nominations, winning twice (Best Music Direction, Best Production) for the Canadian première of Stephen Sondheim’s Assassins, which he co-produced with his wife, Barbara Barsky (Grassy Knoll Productions). Other favourites include The Last Five Years (Canadian première, Canadian Stage); The Drowsy Chaperone (MTC); and A Chorus of Disapproval and Oh What a Lovely War (Soulpepper). Marek’s performance credits include the title role in Stephen Sondheim’s Sweeney Todd, the Canadian premières of Closer Than Ever (Dora Award nomination) and Falsettos, the New York première (at The Public Theater) of The Death of Von Richthofen..., written/directed by Des McAnuff, and the world première of John Gray’s Amelia (National Arts Centre). His many television appearances culminated in an ACTRA Award nomination for Clowns (a CBC “super special”). As composer/arranger, Marek has recorded two major works for soloists, choir and orchestra. Both Maranatha and Noel were filmed and broadcast on CBC-TV. His scores for the opening/closing ceremonies of Canada Games, Bridgefest (PEI) and Special Olympics have been heard ’round the world. Marek’s arrangement of Lennon/McCartney music (“Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow”) was commissioned and performed by the New York “Pops” Orchestra at Carnegie Hall. Marek was awarded the coveted Clio Award (Best Song of the Year) for “We’re Giving Our Best” (American Airlines) – one of the 1,500 commercial jingles he has created. As a recording artist, Marek has provided vocal support for Anne Murray, Bryan Adams, Aretha Franklin, Sheena Easton, Roberta Flack, Liza Minnelli, Luther Vandross and other such luminaries. Et cetera: Marek has assisted in the development of many original musicals, and teaches composition for theatre at various schools across the country. Online: For further information, please visit www.mareknorman.com.