Michael Giel

Young Werther opens in theaters nationwide today! Also, I'm in a movie that opens in theatres nationwide today! I know, right?!

Opening at TIFF last year, this adorable romantic comedy is entirely Canadian made, and stars some great Canadian talent. Patrick J. Adams of Suits fame, Kids in the Hall alumnus Scott Thompson, and starring Douglas Booth, who rocked the role of Nikki Sixx in the infamous Motley Crue biopic The Dirt. I first took notice of lead actress Alison Pill when she starred in Shyamalan's latest clincher The Trap, and has perfect chemistry on screen with Booth's hilarious, quirky delivery of a loveable idiot in the pursuit of passion.

Directed by Jose Lourenco, he bravely and seamlessly adapts Goethe's timeless 1775 novel The Sorrows of Young Werther into a modernized tale of laughter-in-love.

I had the privilege of performing in one particular scene alongside Booth and Adams, that sets the pace and tome for the third act of the film. Even better than being an entirely Canadian made film, with an entirely Canadian crew, it was entirely shot in and around Toronto. And guess where the story takes place - Toronto! I really have the feels for this one, folks.

So, be sure to check out the trailer wherever trailers can be see, and go support a lovely little story that will surely give you a pick me up.

In theatres, like, now!

*still photo of my self-tape audition for said role, for fun :-)

I hope YOU have a Hairy Thanksgiving!

Psst...some silver lining for the day; the 2012 1st grade survivors from Sandy Hook will be voting for the first time in their lives this November, and they have all registered to do so. Every single one.

The thing happened.
Last night, it happened,
and I watched it all. With wine.
Wine helped me injest a wretched, beleaguered,
frightened, morally bankrupted, lying little man,
for ninety minutes.

In my head, from time to time,
I romanticize the feeling of pure luxury,
in not giving a s**t about any of this.
Unfortunately, for me, I am invested in this,
in several different ways.
I'd say we all are,
but I'm not the noss of you.

Anyways, Jon Stewart did a 19 minute thing last night, covering the pertinent points of interest, and it made me feel better about all of this - laughed my ass off. If you're stirred about last night I recommend it.

Hope is wonderful.

Power. To. The. People.
Period.

Go get it, lady.

I guess this is my first headshot ever:

I called myself "The Velcro Memory", for the battle of the bands in a high school show, featuring...bands. Bands consisting of 5 or more members. A lot of bands. They all freaked out a little because I was a solo artist on the bill that night, and, well, I was inundated with the endless cries of "He's NOT a BAND, and he doesn't belong HERE!".

Unbeknownst to all of those academic, musical little schoolmates, THAT was all the inspiration that my 17 year old self needed to rock the house that night. And, quite frankly, I did. I smashed out a cover of "Summertime Blues", an Eddie Cochrane classic, to thunderous applause, which pi**ed everybody backstage off something fierce. In defiance of it all, the t-shirts they were selling that night featured every band's name that was on the bill. Except for The Velcro Memory.

I kinda sorta relished in it, and the residue that it left behind, for some people. I came, I played, I left the stage that night leaving everyone north of the stage on their feet. And I lived to tell the tale to you!

*and by the way...that is a Velcro Memory t-shirt I am wearing!

I can be defiant too, where it counts.

Blaze your own path, and jump over the ones standing in your way.

Mmkay wow.
Just...wow.

An oldie but a goodie! 11 years ago I starred in a Nightbox rock video that got some international airplay, and I'm still thankful. Plus, I got to star in, like, a for real rock video!

Rescuin' aliens and takin' names, good people. 😉

NIGHTBOX • Relocate You (Official Video) A music video by Kheaven Lewandowski ++www.nightbox.ca ++EP available on iTunes ++(c) 2011 Atria Music