THEATRE NEWS: GG's Literary Awards finalists; Mirvish/Mackintosh cast Les Miz for 2012
12 OCT/11

JOHN COULBOURN - QMI Agency

The finalists for the 75th anniversary edition of the Governor General's Literary Awards have been announced, chosen from a slate of 1,684 eligible books.

English language fiction finalists include David Bezmozgis's The Free World, Esi Edugyan's Half-Blood Blues: A Novel, Marina Endicott's The Little Shadows, Patrick deWitt's The Sisters Brothers and Alexi Zentner's Touch.

In English language non-fiction, finalists include Charles Foran's Mordecai: The Life And Times, Nathan M. Greenfield's The Damned: The Canadians at the Battle of Hong Kong and the POW Experience, 1941-45, Richard Gwyn's Nation Maker: Sir John A. Macdonald; His Life, Our Times, Volume Two: 1867-1891, J.J. Lee's The Measure of a Man: The Story of a Father, a Son and a Suit, and Andrew Nikiforuk's Empire of the Beetle: How Human Folly and a Tiny Bug Are Killing North America's Great Forests.

In English language drama, the finalists include Brendan Gall's Minor Complications: Two Plays, Jonathan Garfinkel's House of Many Tongues, Erin Shield's If We Were Birds, Donna-Michelle St. Bernard's Gas Girls and Vern Thiessen's Lenin's Embalmers.

For a complete list of nominees in all categories, including French language fiction, non-fiction and drama as well as French and English poetry, translation and children's literature, text and illustration, visit www.canadacouncil.ca/prizes/ggla.

Winners in all categories will be announced Nov. 15,and awards will be presented by Right Honourable David Johnston, Governor General of Canada, at ceremonies at Rideau Hall in Ottawa, Nov. 24. Each winner receives a cash purse of $25,000.

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It's not slated to open 'til next summer, but David Mirvish and Cameron Mackintosh have already begun the casting process for their Canadian 25th anniversary production of Les Miserables. All those interested in auditioning are asked to send a photo and resume, as well as a voice demo, if available, to Les Miserables Casting, 62 Ellerbeck St., Toronto, ON, M4K 2V1.