The Perfect Portion Cookbook by Anson Williams, Bob Warden and Mona Dolgov (Partners In Publishing, $29.95)

For those who watched their fair share of TV programs back in the 70s, they will remember Anson Williams for his role of Warren “Potsie” Weber on the hit ABC sitcom “Happy Days”.  When the show ended its 10-year run in 1984, Williams decided to continue his career in television, but this time on the other side of the camera, and established a stellar reputation as a director for such hit shows as “Beverly Hills 90210”, “Melrose Place”, “Star Trek: Deep Space Nine’, “Sabrina the Teenage Witch” and “Charmed”.

However, it was while directing an episode of “The Secret Life of An American Teenager” that Williams decided to pursue his latest venture: that of a cookbook author.

“On the set’s craft services table it was just non-stop food, and when you’re directing an episode of a popular TV show, there’s always a lot of pressure involved, so I constantly passed by the table taking little bits of food. I ended up gaining 30 to 40 pounds from all those little bits. I was in terrible shape and I thought to myself that I couldn’t live like this,” said Williams during a recent phone interview.  “Food is important to me, yet I had to stay healthy. I wanted to still eat what I loved, yet not stay overweight.”

“When I was doing some grocery shopping at Ralph’s (a popular supermarket chain in California), I noticed that there were hundreds of snack foods that were available in 100 calorie portions. And I figured out that I could eat the foods that I loved, and eat healthier and not lose the taste of good food, by dividing it up into exact portions of 100 calories each,” he added.

With that in mind, Williams teamed up with QVC cooking guru Bob Warden and nutritionist Mona Dolgov (who are pictured below)and throughout a two-year period, tested and compiled 150 comfort food recipes – from breakfast dishes, to soups, casseroles and sandwiches, to side dishes, snacks and desserts – that were easy to prepare and with ingredients that could easily be found in the kitchen. And most important, how these dishes can be enjoyed in healthier 100 calorie portions. And the end result was The Perfect Portion Cookbook, which will be officially launched by Williams and Warden this Sunday (February 7) at 12 noon on the QVC shopping channel.

 

Throughout our conversation, Williams spoke with a great deal of enthusiasm and passion regarding the 150 comfort food recipes that made up the book. However, he highly recommended the French toast, mac and cheese, chicken pot pie, lemon tarts and “hot cocoa” pretzel recipes for those readers who want to start out cooking a full day’s worth of meals as soon as they get a copy of the book (and for those who are all thumbs in the kitchen like me, I highly recommend for starters the steel cut oatmeal recipe, which is easy to make, and topped with moderate helpings of raisins and walnuts, makes for a delicious change-of-pace option for breakfast).

And as a result of being able to enjoy the dishes that are featured in the book and following the 100-calorie portion guidelines that are prescribed for each recipe, Williams has enjoyed a positive effect on his well being.

“I lost up to 30 pounds, and I feel like I have the body of a 30-year-old,” he enthused. “I am eating better now; I am now having a wonderful eating experience, and when you look good, you feel good, you become more productive and more satisfied in life. I am now 66 years old and I am the living proof that ‘sixty is the new sexy’.”

Based on how well the QVC launch of the book does this Sunday, Williams hopes to create a whole food industry based on The Perfect Portion Cookbook, which would include subsequent cookbooks and even a line of Perfect Portion frozen foods featuring recipes from the book.

“Putting together this cookbook was an education for me. I always loved finding problems and how to solve them with a product based on a need, which was how I started my  company StarMaker Products,” he said. “With the Perfect Portion Cookbook, I believe that I am quietly helping to solve the huge obesity problem that is going on today. And you don’t have to be a physicist to count calories. All you have to do is enjoy good food and still enjoy the taste of it, because you can’t live life just eating cardboard. Food is indeed an important part of your existence, and an important part of living a joyful life.”

The Perfect Portion Cookbook is a colourful, lavishly illustrated, attractive volume that will have experienced – and rookie – cooks enjoy some of the most delicious comfort food recipes around … 100 calories at a time. And with the extra bonus features of sample meal plans, how to enjoy certain foods and measure them in those 100 calorie portions, and how to burn off 100 calories, this book can help you get on your way to eating healthier by still being able to eat hearty.

So You Think You Can Dance 2015-2016 Tour wraps up in Montreal

Here I am in the lobby of the St. Denis Theatre, with So You Think Can Dance season 12 top four finalists (left to right): Ja Ja Vankova, Gaby Diaz, Virgil Gadson and Hailee Payne

It started with a dance tribute to 18^th century France, and ended two hours later with an energetic group street dance number, a loud standing ovation, and quite a few hugs and tears.

On January 28, the 2015-16 edition of the So You Think You Can Dance Tour of North America – which began last October – wrapped up on a vibrant high note at the St. Denis Theatre, which marked the final performance of the tour.

The tour was a showcase for the top 10 finalists who competed in season 12 of the popular Fox Network reality competition series. Many of the routines that were performed during the show were previously done on the TV series (in which many of them received enthusiastic applause of recognition from the full house crowd at the St. Denis Theatre, many of whom came from all across the province – as well as Ontario – to catch the live show).

This season, the competitors were divided into two groups: those who are stage dancers and those who are street dancers, and they showed their breathtaking dancing skills to the amazed audience. As well, they showed how these dancers can broaden their talents by performing different dance styles and genres, whether it be hip-hop, jazz dance, techno, ensemble, or even Broadway. As well, throughout the evening, each finalist did a mini solo showcase that represented the type of dance that is best associated with each one. Basically, if you were a fan of the TV series or not, you couldn’t help but be astounded by how these talented young dancers can show such energy and ability by performing so many different routines (not to mention costume changes) and not miss a step … and do it night after night live on stage for over four months across North America.

About four hours before the final show began, I got the chance to have a brief conversation in the lobby of the St. Denis Theatre with the final four from season 12 of So You Think You Can Dance, which comprised of JaJa Vankova, Hailee Payne, Virgil Gadson and of course, season 12 winner Gaby Diaz.

“The tour has been exhausting, tiring and lots of fun. We danced practically every night, we have seen a lot of cities and got to know our fans a lot more,” said Gaby, who is a native of Miami.

“Participating on this tour was amazing, especially getting to know the other dancers throughout. It’s like you’re exploring a dancer’s dream of performing in a professional manner,” added Virgil.

Although the four shared a sense of sadness that the tour was coming to an end, they already have their plans laid out for what they will be doing next; Gaby plans to dance for a Broadway production that will be announced later; Virgil plans to return to New York City where he has some performing jobs lined up; and Hailee and JaJa are returning to Los Angeles – where they both currently reside – and plan to teach several dance classes.

“Performing on this show has been incredible,” said Hailee. It’s been two hours of nothing but straight dancing night after night, where I got the chance to do a lot of diverse dance styles. I loved every minute of it.”

West Island Community Shares raises record $214,000 at Red & White Evening, plus a preview of Black History Month events in Montreal

West Island Community Shares Executive Director Caroline Tison, the Red & White Evening organizing committee, and members of the WICS board of directors present the cheque for $214,000 that was raised on January 25.

For West Island Community Shares (WICS), their Annual Red & White Benefit Evening is a January tradition that attracts West Island business and community leaders for an evening of great food, fabulous prizes, and a good time in the warmth of the 40 Westt Steakhouse.

And this year’s 12^th edition of the event is no exception, as more than 300 people gathered to raise a record amount of $214,000, that will go towards the 40 West Island-based community and charity organizations that are under the WICS umbrella, which helps 1 in 5 West Island residents in need every year. The amount will go towards WICS’ 2015-2016 fundraising campaign, which they hope to raise $1.2 million by March 31.

Co-chaired by Susan Handrigan of Scotiabank, Chirfi Guindo of Merck Canada and John & Paul Broccolini of Broccolini Construction, the Red & White Evening treated its guests to a wide array of delicious hors d’oeuvres, endless raw oysters at the restaurant’s rawbar, and a sumptuous four-course dinner. As well, guests got to bid for a large assortment of gifts at the silent auction, from jewellery to fine wines and liqueurs to gift baskets to some unusual items, such as a Keurig coffee machine with 400 assorted K-Cups (pictured on the right) and the chance to fly a prop plane solo for one hour from the St. Hubert Airport (under the qualified supervision of a flying instructor).

As well, the evening included a live auction, where guests got to bid on five unique, once-in-a-lifetime experiences, including a VIP tour of Trudeau Airport for 12 people (which went for $2,500), an exclusive private home dinner prepared by 40 Westt’s executive chef for 10 people (which sold for $12,000) and a private go-karting lesson for four people with champion NASCAR driver Alex Tagliani, plus his racing helmet (which sold for $5,000); and to promote this racing experience, Tagliani was on hand during the cocktail reception to take selfies with the guests (as he did with me, pictured below).

This year’s Red & White Evening had a sort of bittersweet feeling to it, as it was the last one presided by WICS’ longtime Executive Director Caroline Tison, who will be stepping down from her post following the conclusion of the fundraising campaign this spring. I have known Ms. Tison since I started covering WICS events six years ago, and she is known for her hard work and dedication to the goals of WICS, and her friendly, personable approach to everyone she meets, whether they be a donor, business leader, a member of the media, or the people from the organizations that benefit from WICS’ efforts. She is one the main reasons why West Island Community Shares has been such a respectable model of what a community organization should be like.

For more information about what West Island Community Shares is all about, go to www.partageaction.ca.

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February is Black History Month, and this year marks 25 years that this celebration of the achievements of Montreal’s Black community in particular and the global Black community in general will take place with over 150 cultural and social activities throughout the city.

The theme for this year’s edition of Black History Month is “Rise and Shine”, and will be represented by three prominent spokespeople: veteran singer Ranee Lee, comedian Eddy King and hip-hop artist and anti-racism activist Webster.

Highlights for the silver anniversary edition of Black History Month in Montreal include: An exhibition at the Salle Georges-Emile-Lapalme of Place des Arts called “Black Muses”, which will celebrate 12 inspiring women singers who made their mark in the world of Canadian music (Feb. 5-28); the annual Monnaie Money Talent Show at the Oscar Peterson Concert Hall (Feb. 27); the launch of the book Words and Poems by Doudou Boicel, who owned and operated the legendary St. Catherine Street nightclub Doudou’s Rising Sun (Feb. 4); a live celebration of Black women’s hair with the Eccentric Tribal Fashion Hair Show (Feb. 25); a screening of the film “Honour Before Glory”, which recounts the story of the first Canadian all-Black military battalion which was formed during World War I (Feb. 7); and the Croisee des Bossales Ball, a formal ball and international epicurean event that will take place at the Theatre St. James on February 13.

For more information on these and the other events that will be part of the 25^th edition of Black History Month in Montreal, go to www.moisehistoiredesnoirs.com.

Centaur Theatre’s “Butcher” a sharp, suspenseful play

It was supposed to be an uneventful Christmas Eve night shift for Inspector Lamb of the Metro Toronto Police Department. But when an elderly man is dropped off at the station by a couple of teens – wearing a Santa Claus hat, a disheveled military officer’s uniform and speaking a strange sounding Eastern European-type language – and what will be discovered about this homeless man by the time Christmas Day roles around, will be ugly, disturbing and shockingly revealing. This is the gist of “Butcher”, the latest production of the Centaur Theatre’s 2015-2016 season, which is thrilling audiences from now until November 29.

Throughout the 90-minute production, layer upon layer is unraveled to reveal the dark secret about this old man, especially by the interpreter/nurse who is called into the station in the middle of the night to help Inspector Lamb with his investigation (as well as treat the old man’s feet, which are bloodied thanks to having all his toenails pulled out); in actuality, this old man was a general in the army of the Eastern European country that he came from, and was one of the main people responsible for a series of heinous war crimes and a genocide in that country (which directly affected the interpreter/nurse); basically, she is not there to aid the old man, but to mete out her vengeance for the crimes that he committed in her native country, hoping to get that sense of closure and justice that an international war crimes tribunal could not accomplish.

“Butcher” is an intense story of deception, genocide, trauma, and the burning question of what is getting that sense of justice, and if taking the law into your own hands is really worth getting justice. There are plenty of great performances across the board from the four-member cast, and kudos to Chip Chuipka, Alain Goulem, James Loye and Julie Tamiko Manning for their exceptional acting that keeps the audience’s interest – and in constant suspense – throughout the production. Additional kudos go to Evita Karasek for the great set that captures the grittiness of a typical urban police station ... even with its own steady rainfall! And the ongoing plot twists really makes "Butcher" an engrossing, thrilling, thought-provoking night at the theatre that cuts right to the bone; it’s a don't-miss production at its highest level. For more information, or to purchase tickets, call 514-288-3161, or go to www.centaurtheatre.com.

Funny Girl a "hello, gorgeous" way to launch Segal Centre's 2015-16 season

For nearly 50 years, theatre and movie audiences knew about the late vaudeville comedienne Fanny Brice through the memorable portrayal of her by Barbra Streisand in the 1964 hit Broadway musical "Funny Girl", and the subsequent 1968 film version (which earned Streisand an Oscar for Best Actress). If it wasn't for that -- and if you never heard old recordings of her 1930s radio comedy series "Baby Snooks" or seen one of her rare filmed appearances, such as MGM's "The Ziegfeld Follies of 1946"-- then Fanny Brice would, for most part, be largely forgotten.

To launch its 2015-2016 season, the Segal Centre for the Performing Arts has decided to stage an ambitious production of "Funny Girl", and it succeeds tremendously by offering a lively, highly-spirited show that focusses on Fanny Brice, the superstar of the Ziegfeld Follies during the 1910s and 20s, rather than how she was seen through Streisand's legendary portrayal.

Although the role of Fanny Brice is automatically associated with Barbra Streisand, Gabi Epstein does a remarkable job in the lead role. The best thing is that she doesn't emulate Streisand, but recaptures the spirit of the actual Fanny Brice (in fact, at the beginning of act two, there was I moment I thought Ms. Brice actually came back to life!). We see Fanny Brice as the product of New York's teeming Lower East Side neighborhood at the turn of the 20th century, who through her brassy, self-deprecating sense of humour, transformed herself from an awkward vaudeville chorus member to the comedienne who became the toast of Broadway. Also, we see the personal side of Brice, as she struggles to balance a successful showbiz career with her on-again, off-again marriage to notorious gambler Nickie Arnstein, which provides a lot of joy and heartbreak for her. If that was Ms. Epstein's intention when she approached the role, then she passed with flying colours.

The set design is simple, yet effective; they consist mainly of a series of rolling racks of clothing and costumes, and within an instant, can magically transform itself from a backstage dressing room in a Broadway theatre, to a train station ticket window, to an East Side tenement, to a Long Island mansion. What I found striking about the set design is the life-sized, unblemished, full facial photo portrait of the real Fanny Brice that was taken at the height of her fame, which practically dominates the backdrop. It's almost like she is watching over the production as its conscience, making sure that Ms. Epstein and company are doing justice to the story of her life. As well, the costumes are great and the lively musical numbers really gives you a sense of the golden age of vaudeville in America as seen through the life and career of one of its funniest and brightest stars. It's now playing at the Segal Centre until November 8. Don't miss it! For more information, or to purchase tickets, go to www.segalcentre.org.

Canadian road flick "Borealis" an enlightening must-see

"Borealis" co-stars Jonas Chernick (left) and Joey King

At this year's Montreal World Film Festival, which concluded its 39^th edition this past Labour Day (Sept. 7), I managed to catch only one film, and what a really good one it is! It's the Canadian feature called "Borealis" by Sean Garrity, which had its world premiere at the MWFF, and it's a road trip movie with plenty of humour and humanity. Starring Jonas Chernick (who also co-produced the film and wrote its screenplay) and Joey King, it tells the story of a rather dysfunctional father and daughter (the former is a chronic gambler who owes a crushing debt to a violent bookie -- played to scene-stealing perfection by Kevin Pollak -- and the latter a rebellious teen who is gradually losing her sight to a visual disorder) who hit the road from Winnipeg to Churchill, Manitoba so they can catch the natural wonder that is the Northern Lights, as a means of re-establishing their fragile family ties. From beginning to end, you really care about the main character's respective quests -- both naturally and emotionally -- and hope they are reached with success. So if you would like an entertaining, reaffirming time at the movies, "Borealis" delivers it with flying colours. I wish the film a great deal of success, as it heads to the Vancouver, Calgary, Edmonton and Sudbury film festivals before its general release in theatres across Canada early next year. For more information about “Borealis”, go to www.borealisthemovie.com.

Centaur Theatre caps 2014-15 season with triple-tiered smash "Triplex Nervosa"

The Centaur Theatre capped off its 2014-2015 season with a comedy that’s a triple-tiered smash.

“Triplex Nervosa” by Marianne Ackerman, tells a series of interwoven stories in the life of a triplex apartment complex in the increasingly trendy Mile End district of Montreal, in the midst of the 2008 financial crisis. Tass Nazor is the landlord of the triplex in question, and has hired Rakie Ur, a Russian immigrant to be her new superintendant and enforcer to a hermit-like tenant who is delinquent with the rent. As if she doesn’t have enough problems, Tass has to deal with another tenant who plans to leave, but not until he sells his property in T.M.R. (which delays her plans to have his apartment entirely renovated), a young Westmount woman who is getting over a bad break-up and considers renting one of the apartments so she could convert it to an art studio, and a Chassidic rabbi who formerly owned the triplex, who is a questionable business negotiator and admits he could have gotten a better deal for Tass if she was a man (or was married).

When Max Fishbone (the hermit tenant) dies suddenly, Tass and Rakie worry that the police will think they played a part in his mysterious death, which could mean the end of Tass’ triplex ambitions.

This production works so well mainly because of the strong ensemble of local actors that make up the cast. It is so well-anchored by Holly Gauthier-Frankel as Tass, the harried, stressed out landlord, who plays the part with so much comic nervous energy as she copes with all the compounded aggravation she experiences that gives her a big triplex headache. Also, special shout outs go to scene-stealers Karl Graboshas as superintendant/enforcer Rakie Ur, and Cat Lemieux as Montreal Police Sergeant Tremblay, in which the scene where she questions Tass and Rakie after Max Fishbone’s death, is a fun piece of comic repartee which allows room for some well-placed ad-libbing (especially when it involves a crumbling slice of pizza).

So whether you lived in a duplex, triplex or apartment building as a landlord, super or tenant and know all the foibles, pitfalls and aggravations of being one of the three, “Triplex Nervosa” offers an entertaining – albeit temporary – antidote to the stressful world of rental properties; it’s playing at the Centaur until May 17.