Prescott, ON, Dec 28, 2011 — Crane School of Music professor of piano Paul Wyse has mastered two art forms. He's a classically trained concert pianist and also paints portraits. Earlier this month, he unveiled a full-length portrait of "piano man" Billy Joel in New York City. The artist joined the bestselling musician to unveil the painting at Steinway Hall. Paul Wyse was commissioned by Steinway and Sons to paint Joel's portrait. Two of Wyse's portraits of award-winning pianist and conductor Leon Fleischer are part of the Smithsonian's permanent collection in Washington D.C.

Wyse has performed at the piano on the concert stage around the world and his oil portraits hang in public and private collections and appear in national publications.

So, how does a classically trained concert pianist become an award winning visual artist? "It's hard to explain," says Wyse. But he adds that it's not uncommon for musicians who study the structure of a symphony to use those same skills in the visual arts.

During a visit to his portrait studio in his home near Prescott, Ontario, he told Todd Moe that the mystery of transforming cloth and pigment into something that is looking back at you is powerful, alluring, and part of the compulsion to paint.  Go to full article

Prescott, ON, Aug 08, 2011 — Twelfth Night is running in rep with All's Well that Ends Well at the St. Lawrence Shakespeare Festival through August 13. Resident theatre critic Connie Meng was at a recent performance and has this review.  Go to full article

Prescott, ON, Aug 02, 2011 — Crane School of Music professor of piano Paul Wyse has mastered two art forms. He's a classically trained concert pianist and also paints portraits. Two of Wyse's recent portraits of pianist and conductor Leon Fleisher have become part of the permanent collection of the National Portrait Gallery at the Smithsonian.

He's performed at the piano on the concert stage around the world, and his oil portraits hang in public and private collections and appear in national publications.

So, how does a classically trained concert pianist become an award winning visual artist? "It's hard to explain," says Wyse. But he adds that it's not uncommon for musicians who study the structure of a symphony to use those same skills in the visual arts.

During a visit to his portrait studio in his home near Prescott, Ontario, he told Todd Moe that the mystery of transforming cloth and pigment into something that is looking back at you is powerful, alluring, and part of the compulsion to paint.  Go to full article

Prescott, ON, Jul 19, 2011 — The St. Lawrence Shakespeare Festival is underway in Prescott, Ontario again this summer. It's live theater with the St. Lawrence River as a backdrop. Todd Moe talks with Artistic Director Ian Farthing and actor Kerry Ann Doherty about this summer's two main stage productions: Twelfth Night and All's Well That Ends Well -- both romantic comedies. Farthing plays Malvolio in Twelfth Night which also includes lots of Celtic music, while Doherty appears in both productions.  Go to full article

Prescott, ON, Jul 18, 2011 — All's Well that Ends Well is running in rep at the St. Lawrence Shakespeare Festival in Prescott through August 13. Resident theatre critic Connie Meng was at a recent performance and has this review.  Go to full article

Prescott, ON, Feb 11, 2011 — The St. Lawrence Shakespeare Festival's artistic director will play cupid on Valentine's Day, delivering Shakespeare Sonnet-Grams in Prescott and Brockville, Ontario. Ian Farthing spoke with Todd Moe and shared some of his favorite love poems. For a $25 donation, Ian says he'll deliver the Sonnet-Gram dressed in white tie and tails on Monday. Call the Festival's Valentine Hotline: 613-246-4301.  Go to full article

Prescott, ON, Jul 16, 2010 — A new comedy, written by an Ontario playwright, is part of the lineup at the St. Lawrence Shakespeare Festival this summer -- outdoor theater along the river. John Lazarus wrote Trouble on Dibble Street. It was commissioned by the festival to help celebrate Prescott's bicentennial this year. Now in its eighth season, the St. Lawrence Shakespeare Festival is presenting Trouble on Dibble Street and Macbeth as its two mainstage shows. Lazarus told Todd Moe that his play is loosely based on Shakespeare's The Merry Wives of Windsor.  Go to full article

Ogdensburg, NY, Jan 15, 2010 — A state report says the international bridge between Ogdenbsurg and Prescott, Ontario is in "urgent need" of repair. The bridge over the St. Lawrence River rates 4.3, or "partially deficient", on a 7-point scale used by the Department of Transportation. The report by Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli warns closing the bridge would cost the region millions of dollars in commerce and tourism. Local officials say they welcome the attention of the Comptroller's report. They hope it'll attract the $75 million needed to repair the 50-year-old span. David Sommerstein reports.  Go to full article

Prescott, ON, Jul 10, 2009 — Some of Canada's best-known actors are spending part of their summer in Prescott, Ontario for the annual St. Lawrence Shakespeare Festival. This season the company performs Measure for Measure and The Taming of the Shrew. Todd Moe talks with cast members about live theater on the waterfront.  Go to full article

Jul 09, 2008 — Shakespeare plays are becoming a summer ritual in an Ontario river community. This year marks the sixth season of the St. Lawrence Shakespeare Festival in Prescott. It's streets have come alive with the sights and sounds of the festival, including quotes from this summer's productions on shop windows and a sculpture of William Shakespeare by a local artist. As You Like It and The Merchant of Venice open this weekend. Todd Moe spoke with artistic director Ian Farthing about another season of Shakespeare on the river.  Go to full article