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www.oakvillebeaver.com The Oakville Beaver, Friday June 23, 2006 - 29 Artscene Oakville Beaver · FRIDAY, JUNE 23, 2006 29 Gollum earns Oakville actor Dora nomination By Krissie Rutherford OAKVILLE BEAVER STAFF Playing the role of a hunch-backed, two-faced, scratchy-voiced creature who walks on all fours and was animated in a movie isn't an easy task, but Michael Therriault has received the ultimate compliment. The Bronte native is up for a Dora Mavor Moore Award for Outstanding Performance by a Male in a Principal Role, Musical, for his portrayal of Gollum in the Toronto production of The Lord of the Rings. It's a nod the humble actor calls "a surprise" and "a really nice recognition." "It's comforting to know that people liked what I did, and that it didn't stink," said the 32-year-old, laughing. "It's just really nice to be recognized and it's an honour whether you get the award or not." The 27th annual Doras will be announced Monday at the Winter Garden Theatre, recognizing Toronto's theatre, dance and opera productions. Therriault, a Sheridan College theatre grad, is no stranger to the prestigious awards show, having won Outstanding Performance by a Male in a Principal Role in 2004 for his portrayal of Leo Bloom, the boring accountant turned extroverted impresario in the Toronto production of The Producers. "Being recognized (with a Dora) feels the same this time, really. In both cases it's a real honour," said Therriault, who has been getting rave reviews for his performance in The Lord of the Rings since the show opened in February. "They're two very, very different parts ­ Gollum is the complete antithesis to Leo, and he's definitely a departure from other characters, which is fun. It's always great as an actor to have the opportunity to do different parts. I've been really lucky that way." His roles this year have included Motel the tailor in the Broadway presentation of The Fiddler on the Roof, legendary Canadian politician Tommy Douglas in the CBC miniseries, Prairie Giant, The Tommy Douglas Story, and now, Gollum. "You always sort of dream to be a working actor, but like all dreams, you prepare for it not to happen," said Therriault. "I've been really fortunate, all my dreams so far have come true." That's why he's not complaining about putting on eight three-and-a-half-hour shows with The Lord of the Rings every week, in addition to the two hours it takes to put on his scary, mummy-like costume. He's performed the Gollum role more than 140 times since the show opened at the Princess of Wales Theatre five months ago. "It's nice not to be looking for work, so you stick with it and you take time off when it's over," he said. "We're having a really good time, but it's exhausting. It's a lot. My life pretty much is the show." The hard work has paid off, though. The $27 million Mirvish production is up for 15 Doras, the most of any individual show, including Outstanding New Musical, Outstanding Production for a Musical and Outstanding Direction for a Musical. "It's a phenomenal show, and I think it deserves every nomination it got," said Therriault, who's up against four other actors for Outstanding Performance by a Male in a Principal Role, Musical, including Brent Carver (Gandalf) and Peter Howe (Sam), of The Lord of the Rings. If Therriault does win a second Dora, he's not sure what he'll do with it. His first one is sitting in a box in a storage unit in Stratford, where he worked on the theatre scene for seven seasons. "Everything I own pretty much is in a box in Stratford," he said, laughing, and adding that he's been subletting an apartment in Toronto and hasn't fully settled. "I don't know that I'd ever have a trophy room ­ there wouldn't be much in it. If I ever owned a house, and I don't foresee that happening, I would put it in the den." -- Krissie Rutherford can be reached at krutherford@oakvillebeaver.com ALLAN FEILDEL / SPECIAL TO THE BEAVER Actor Michael Therriault as Tommy Douglas in CBC's Prairie Giant: The Tommy Douglas Story. More stories about your community @ www.oakvillebeaver.com LARVAL MOSQUITO MONITORING AND PESTICIDE USE 407 ETR Concession Company Limited will conduct larval mosquito monitoring from June 12 to September 30, 2006, and, as may be required, a larviciding program from June 21 to September 30, 2006. 407 ETR is undertaking these measures to meet any requirements of local Medical Officers of Health to control larval mosquitoes to prevent their development into potential carriers of the West Nile Virus. Applicators, licensed by the Ministry of Environment, or trained technicians will apply the larvicide in storm-water detention ponds and catch basins on Highway 407 ETR throughout the municipalities of Halton, Peel, York and Durham only where it is determined prudent to do so. The pellet formulation of the larvicide Vectobac 200G (Bti), Pest Control Products Act No.18158, will be placed into storm-water detention ponds and the briquette formulation of the larvicide Altosid (Methoprene), Pest Control Products Act No. 27694, will be placed into catch basins on Highway 407 ETR throughout the municipalities of Halton, Peel, York and Durham, only where it is determined prudent to do so. For further information: Contact: John Trakalo, Supervisor ­ Roadway Services 407 ETR Concession Company Limited Office: 905-264-5380 ­ please call collect Fax: 905-264-5379 Email: jtrakalo@407etr.com OR Michelle Mathies, Supervisor ­ Structures and Drainage 407 ETR Concession Company Limited Office: 905-264-5380 ­ please call collect Fax: 905-264-5379 Email: mmathies@407etr.com NOTICE 407 ETR Concession Company Limited