Musical comedy production brings students together to help fight cancer
By
Suniya Kukaswadia
Second-year medical student Michael Fridman has two passions in life—saving lives and romancing the stage. That is why the budding actor-cum-future doctor is part of Daffydil 2013, the Faculty of Medicine’s annual musical production.
Now in its 102nd year, the musical comedy—called Dreaming Nights Under Hospital Lights— is produced, directed and performed by Faculty of Medicine students. While organizers are staying tight-lipped about this year’s plot, they promise a wacky, over-the-top show that takes a quirky look at the daily realities of health care. Daffydil’s Facebook page also reveals some juicy details.
“Daffydil features some incredible music, choreography and acting. It’s a great quality production, comparable to an off-Broadway—well, make that off-off-Broadway—show. It’s going to be a hilarious night that you don’t want to miss,” says Fridman, slipping oh-so-slightly into character.
The show is more than just a Faculty tradition for first-year Speech-Language Pathology student Mary Bowden—it’s a family legacy. Bowden’s mother was also part of the play when she was in medical school at the University of Toronto some 40 years ago. “Daffydil truly represents the interprofessional future of health care. Students from all areas of the Faculty are coming together to fight help cancer,” says Bowden, who is one of dozens of students involved in the show.
Proceeds from ticket sales support the Canadian Cancer Society, and the production has raised more than $600,000 for the charity since it first began in 1911.
“Daffydil is hugely important to us,” says Susanne Morphet, Manager of Corporate & Community Partnerships at the Canadian Cancer Society. “With the support of long-standing donors such as the Faculty of Medicine, we can continue to fund life-saving cancer research year after year. We look forward to continuing this partnership for many more years to come.”
To see Bowden, Fridman and the rest of the gang in action, check out www.daffydil2013.com for behind the scenes photos and other show-related information. You can also follow them on Twitter.
Event details
Dates:
The show runs from Wednesday, February 20, 2013 to Saturday, February 23, 2013. Saturday is Alumni Night.
Showtime:
8 p.m. (Doors open at 7:30 p.m.)
Venue:
Hart House Theatre
7 Hart House Circle
Toronto, ON
M5S 3H3
