Grant Tilly
Playwright and Composer – Bingo Ladies
Grant Tilly (he/him)’s musical, BINGO LADIES premiered at Lunchbox Theatre in Calgary in 2014 and has since played to joyous packed houses in Ontario (Port Stanley Festival) and Quebec (Hudson Village Theatre). Other works include the THE NAMING OF PORT REXTON (Rising Tide Theatre), REMEMBER THAT SONG? (Smile Theatre) and the country rock musical THE CHRISTIAN REPUBLICAN FUNDRAISER IN DAYTON TENNESSEE (extended run at the Toronto Fringe, Best of Fringe, Talk is Free Theatre).
As an actor, Tilly has also works professionally in regional, summer stock, and tours across Canada and into the USA, including a two year run with the Canadian National Company of JERSEY BOYS. Other favourite gigs have included, WEST SIDE STORY (Arts Club, Vancouver), RED ROCK DINER (National Tour), I LOVE YOU, YOU’RE PERFECT, NOW CHANGE! (Stage West Calgary, Persephone Theatre), BAT BOY (National Premiere), WRECKED! (Roseneath Theatre Ontario/US tour), SOMEWHERE IN THE WORLD… (Charlottetown Festival) and many other summer stock and regional productions.
Tilly’s works have also been performed internationally through the Canadian Musical Theatre Writers Collective, and he has contributed songs to Forte Theatre’s Betty nominated shows TOUCH ME: SONGS FOR A (DIS)CONNECTED AGE and NAUGHTY BUT NICE, a Christmas cabaret.
Currently, Tilly is developing QUEBEC COWBOY, a musical based on the true life of Cowboy artist/novelist Will James (developed through Lunchbox Theatre and the Port Stanley Festival Theatre). As well, he is composing the music for THE MOON IN AUTUMN (developed through Sheridan College), a contemporary musical take on Uncle Vanya, with lyricist/librettist Richard Ouzounian. Plays in development include A SUMMER IN NEWFOUNDLAND (Thousand Islands Playhouse Playwrights Unit) and CHRISTMAS WITH THE CRATCHITS, a sequel to Dickens’ A Christmas Carol.
Tilly’s two folk/pop albums, BEFORE MY EYES and THE WORLD KEEPS PASSING BY have received national airplay in Canada and are available on itunes. Tilly has a BFA with honours from the University of Calgary and is a member of Theatre 20’s Composium, CAEA, ACTRA, the Playwrights Guild of Canada and the Dramatist Guild.