Grad Andrew Musselman in the limelight 
9/19/2008
Andrew Musselman, a member of UCC’s Class of ’99, is starring in a production of the award-winning play, Catalpa, which is currently running at the Diesel Playhouse in Toronto.
Catalpa follows the true story of a band of Irish expatriates in Massachusetts, and their harebrained scheme to sail a whaling ship to the colonial prison in Fremantle, Australia, to free six Irish rebels. While the story takes place in 1875, the audience watches it unfold through the eyes of Matthew Kidd, a present-day writer whose lifelong dream is to make a movie based on the rescue mission. Full of intrigue, suspense, and a tour-de-force performance in which one actor plays over 15 different characters, Catalpa is a billed as a “theatrical thrill-ride.”
After graduating from UCC, Musselman trained in the three-year acting course at the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art (LAMDA). He has worked professionally in theatre and television in England, Ireland, Croatia and across Canada. In addition to performing in Catalpa, Musselman is the show’s producer.
For this production, Musselman welcomes Irish Director Geoff Gould to Canada for the first time. Gould has directed all over Ireland, and in 2004 co-founded the theatre company Blood in the Alley.
“Geoff has cast me in productions in Ireland, as well as in London, England, so I figured it was time to get him to Canada,” says Musselman. “I’m delighted that he is sharing his work with us in Toronto.”
After touring to London, Ont., Antigonish, N.S., and Gros Morne National Park in Newfoundland, Catalpa opened September 18 and runs until October 5 at the Diesel Playhouse, 56 Blue Jay Way, Toronto. To buy tickets or learn more about the production, visit www.catalpatour.ca.