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In other news, the Winter Olympics were awesome! The city of Vancouver has never seemed so much like a city! There were literally hundreds of thousands of people downtown, from all over the world. What a pleasure to see so many different nations' flags and colours, and everyone getting along so well! It didn't hurt that Canada set a record for most gold medals by any nation in the Winter Games.....EVER! And that we won gold in men's and women's hockey. I managed to see the semi-final match between Canada and Slovakia........what a treat! I'll never forget it.

The family is doing great as well, both boys are growing like weeds, and Hagan learned how to ride a 2-wheeler this week........HE'S 4!

October 25, 2009

Cormac Sebastian Oddy Shandel was born on Sept 23 at 2:56 am in Vancouver! He weighed 8 lbs, 1 oz. He and Christine are doing very well since then.....and we are very happy! Hagan loves his new baby bro...and hopefully we can keep him from loving him the way Lenny from Of Mice And Men loved those rabbits!

September 18, 2009

It suddenly occurs to me that visitors to this site whom I don't know personally may be unaware that Christine and I are expecting our second son....tomorrow! The due date is September 19, so we'll see what happens! And, no, we don't have a name picked out yet...thanks for asking.

APRIL 4, 2009

"Early morning...April 4...shot rings out in the Memphis sky-yyyy" Sorry...had to...I love U2. Anyway, we open A CHORUS LINE this week, and it's been an interesting experience. Very challenging for me as far as trying to look like not only a dancer, but a choreographer! It ain't my strong suit. Also, rehearsals were only 3 times a week...it's taken me a really long time to get this show in my head and body. In fact, it isn't quite all there yet. There are a lot of really talented people in the cast, including Vancouver's leading lady, Sara-Jeanne Hosie who is incredibly talented and fun to work with. Many thanks to Lloyd Nicholson, and especially Val Easton for getting me involved with this show. I'll post more pics and hopefully good reviews soon.

By the way, listen to Sara-Jeanne and I on Dal Richards' show Dal's place this Sunday April 5 at 9 PM PT on 650 am CISL. Or at www.am650radio.com

JANUARY 4, 2009

A happy and healthy New Year to one and all!!

I am pleased to announce, that I will be playing 'Zach' in A CHORUS LINE for New Westminster, BC's Royal City Musical Theatre. Performance details are above. This will indeed be my first project since Mamma Mia!, and I am extremely gratified and excited.

If you are in the Lower Mainland, please come check us out in April; the show is a classic, and they're giving away free canned hams!!!(Kidding. Thanks to Dave Letterman for that one.)

OCTOBER 15, 2008

Unfortunately, I've had to withdraw from the workshop of SLAVE TO A DREAM. I've had the worst throat infection of my life for the past 2 weeks, and it's taking forever to clear up. I'm talking knives! Anyway, there was no way I could sing on those chords, and since it's a 1-week workshop, I thought it would be better to let them find someone else. Christine is still in it, however, and predictably rocks!

OCTOBER 1, 2008-VANCOUVER, BC

Ok, first of all...I can't believe it's October! Now that I've got that off my chest (cuz it was heavy, yo.), I am pleased to announce that Christine and I will be performing in a workshop performance of Hector Johnson's musical SLAVE TO A DREAM. It will be on Oct 18 at 7:30 at the Playwright's Theatre Centre on Granville Island in the beautiful city of Vancouver. RSVP by Oct 10 to 604-728-6965. And, yes, in case you were wondering, it is the first thing I've done since the Mia.

Also, check out the following link http://weblog.brentwood.bc.ca/index.php?id=304

for a very entertaining article by a student at my old high school about an audition workshop I conducted for the musical theatre students.

Hhhmmmmm...lot's of workshops in my life lately. Maybe the Universe is trying to tell me to go into furniture-making.......

SEPTEMBER 11, 2008-VANCOUVER, BC

I was so saddened to hear of Richard Monette's passing at far too young an age. He was a uniquely talented director and actor, and he truly saved The Stratford Festival from having to make more budget cuts than the Conservative Party at a gay theatre festival.

His legacy will live on in the Birmingham Conservatory, the 14 years of surpluses, and in the memory of theatre-goers for such brilliant productions as TAMING OF THE SHREW (1988), the single most entertaining night at the theatre I have ever experienced.

RIP monsieur......I was honoured to have worked with you.

JULY 7, 2008-TORONTO, ON
Here in T.O. working on our house. Putting in new hardwood floors!!! (Not me...someone who actually knows how to do it) The radio show is on hiatus for now, but stay tuned for news on when we'll be on again........

JUNE 6, 2008
MESSAGE TO DOUG AND MARY JANE IN ALABAMA!!!!!!!! You two are true fans! Thanks for all of your kind words over the years, and thank you for the gift you mentioned! I am truly touched. The only thing is, I don't have your email address. Please send me an email so I can send you my current mailing address. Thanks again, and I hope that Mamma Mia! still kicks ass even though I ain't in it any more!

MAY 28, 2008-VANCOUVER, BC

Christine and I have a radio show on Sunday afternoons 1-2 PM Pacific Time on 1410-The Buzz of Vancouver. Listen to us live on the web at www.radio1410.com

FEBRUARY 9, 2008-APPLETON, WI

Ok Appleton, you saucy little vixen; I tried to resist your advances, but you finally got me! You get to be on the best audiences list! Actually, I don't know why I haven't put you on before now...every time we've been here, the response in the audience has been unbelievable. So congrats...you're on.

There's something about this place though....people look you in the eye, smile and say hello. And not in that trying-too-hard, semi-psychotic, I'm-going-to-eat-you-alive-with-my-exuberance kind of way. Why, it's practically Canadian!

Truly, this is a great community, really geared to families, and livin' the good life. Also, a 5-year old, acoustically excellent, state-of-the-art performing arts center...and there's lots and lots of cheese and frozen custard (Culvers!), so what more can a dairy-lovin' Danish-Canuck like me ask for?

New, New, New! If you really want to chill your blood, check out the list of all the cities I have played with Mamma Mia!

Also, I have added a section of Dirty Tour-City Limericks, penned by my friend and former castmate, Marlene Handrahan. Look for how she corrupts the good name of your own home town! Hours of fun!

FEBRUARY 1, 2008-RICHMOND, VA

THE END OF AN ERA!

Well, it's official....I will not be back for a 7th (!?) year of Mamma Mia! My spandex days end on March 2 in the town of Kalamazoo (Hagan's new favourite word BTW).

It has truly been a life-changing experience, and I will post many boring thoughts about the meaning of it all in the coming days. Suffice it to say that I am grateful for these past years, and yet.....I CAN'T WAIT! We all need a home...wherever that may be....Toronto, Vancouver, Walla Walla, who knows?

Thank you to all who have come out to see the show over the years, and thank you to all with whom I've performed the show over the years...you have all had an impact.

JULY 7, 2007-SASKATOON

Congratulations Saskatoon...you just made the list of Top Ten Best Audiences! Honestly, the response we've gotten here has been overwhelming. Thanks to all who came out; we had a great week!

JUNE 21, 2007-CALGARY

Ok...so which Duffy brother keeps leaving MGKFARJ in my guestbook?

JUNE 8, 2007

Jeez, has it really been 4 months since I last updated this thing? For those of you who check this site for the tour schedule and new photos, I apologize. Over the next couple of weeks I'll add lots more stuff to look at and read....lucky you.
For now: new tour dates!

MARCH 4, 2007

Well, tonight we said goodbye to our compatriots Corey Greenan, Lisa Mandel, Carrie Manolakos, Lisa Mandel, Laura Ware, and Laurie Wells. Best of luck, and good fortune to all of them! I'll miss them all! Great bunch of people, and very talented actors.
Check out the new section Unexpectedly Awesome Cities...it's under the section, The Road.

FEB 18, 2007

5 Years ago today, I began rehearsals in Philadelphia for the First National Tour of Mamma Mia! I'm still doing it, and I marvel at how my life has changed in those 5 years. As an actor, it's a once-in-a-lifetime chance for a steady, paying gig. And you know what? ...I still love this show!

JAN 30, 2007

Happy New Year everyone! We're here in El Paso, TX. Had a great visit with Tom & Connie (Dad & Stepmom) in Albuquerque...Hagan was smitten with both of them!
New Stuff on the website:
-Lots of new reviews, and a great interview from the Sioux City paper.
-A bunch of links for friends' websites...check them out.
-More cities on the Tour Schedule page....speaking of which: as you may be able to tell, I have signed on for another year (my sixth!) of Mamma Mia! I have now officially been in this show longer than I was in high school. I am so fortunate to not only be offered so much work by the Mamma Mia! Mandarins, but also to have a wife who is so supportive, and willing to travel with a toddler all over North America! Anyway, we're heading back to Canada on the tour, and Florida, and....San Francisco! Can't wait..it was one of my first cities on tour, and I haven't been back since.
In other news, Hagan turned One last weekend...I can't believe how time flies! He continues to be an absolute treasure.

DEC 18, 2006
Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays from Christine, Hagan, and Milo in Chicago! Peace in 2007...please.

NOV 19, 2006

5 Months in the making! Finally, MiloShandel.com, the ultimate vanity project, is up and running. With a new baby, and all the travel, I barely have time to sleep and eat. But...here it is! Check out the tour schedule page for where we are now...and when you find out, let me know. Thanks.