Meet Marion Abbott

marion@marionabbott.com

Marion is a Theatre Creator and Professional Pianist from Scarborough, Ontario. Marion started piano lessons with Ted Ellis, but after a short time, it was apparent that Marion needed more of a challenge. She then studied with world-renowned pianists and pedagogy specialists Margaret and Clifford Poole and achieved one of the highest marks in Canada on her level eight exam. Always a big fan of musical theatre, Marion directed and produced her first musical at the age of 16: You’re A Good Man, Charlie Brown, accompanying the show on the battered school piano. Marion was given immediate acceptance into Canada’s top Musical Theatre Performance Program at Sheridan College. The late Christina James (Head of the Vocal Discipline) immediately recognized Marion’s talent as both an accompanist and as a theatre creator. Christina would have Marion play for the assessments for her classmates and the other classes and hired her to accompany the entrance examinations and the convocation ceremonies, including her own! Upon graduation, Marion was immediately hired to work as a faculty member, accompanying classes and giving voice lessons and coaching.

Marion has written the libretto, lyrics and music for Upward Climb: A Musical - The Life Story of Lucy Maud Montgomery. Marion produced a stage reading in October 2022. The cast featured Barb Fulton (Come From Away) and Susan Henley (Charlottetown Festival) and received instant standing ovations.

Marion is the creator of The Confidential Musical Theatre Project. (A show is cast, the cast are sworn to secrecy about the show’s title and their role in it. There are no group rehearsals. The audience arrives not knowing what show they’re going to see.) The first production executed using this concept was Sunday In the Park with George in Toronto in 2014. It received a rave review, was a resounding hit and was immediately franchised and executed in other cities, including Vancouver, Los Angeles, Pittsburgh, New York, Chicago, Ottawa, Hamilton, Montreal, and Halifax. Utilizing the concept, Marion produced a production of Ragtime that featured Jewelle Blackman (Hadestown on Broadway), Mark Cassius (Ragtime on Broadway) and the late Gordon McLaren (Showboat on Broadway). The process was filmed and made into a documentary entitled 100 Proof Musical Theatre. Other notable CMTP productions were Nine featuring Broadway’s first double amputee David Connolly and My Fair Lady, featuring Bruce Dow from Broadway’s Diana The Musical. The concept was expanded to include Theatre, Shakespeare, Opera and Operetta.

Marion completed both her ARCT Piano Performance exam and her Grade Ten Voice exam through the Royal Conservatory Of Music. At Sheridan, Marion was awarded the award for Vocal Excellence, achieving the highest vocal mark in her second year. In 2006, Marion was named one of the Top Twenty Graduates of the Musical Theatre Performance Program and was featured on the Sheridan website. Marion’s production of Nine was awarded ‘Best Independent Production’ by the 2016 Broadway World Awards. Most recently, Marion was nominated for Best Director and Best Music Director for her work on SMT’s Into The Woods.

Marion is a highly sought after accompanist in the musical theatre community. During the months of lockdown in Ontario, Marion built a YouTube Channel of accompaniment tracks that is utilized by singers and voice teachers all over the world. Her channel has over 1100 tracks, over 8500 subscribers and has had 3.5 million views. Marion is also highly respected adjudicator. She has worked for festivals all over Canada and recently, an online festival in Thailand. Marion is known for her sense of humour and for encouraging and celebrating young artists.

Marion's hero is Walt Disney and Walt Disney World in Orlando Florida is her most favourite place on the planet. She tries to get there at least twice a year to rejuvenate her soul. Marion is a voracious reader, whose favourite authors include Peter Robinson, Jenny Colgan, Maeve Binchy and Fannie Flagg.