One thing you might not know about me is I love music.
Lots of people love music, but I LOVE music. It’s played a key role in my life since I was little. I started on piano when I was 5 (I have a digital piano in my apartment), singing off and on in choirs when I was 8 and have played French Horn since seventh grade.
One of the biggest things I’ve missed since moving away from the Toronto area is easy access to musicals and symphony orchestra performances.
Since moving out west I’ve gotten myself to a few shows — I took a trip or two to the Edmonton Symphony when I was living in Cold Lake, and I enjoyed RuBarb Production’s Cinderella when I lived in Moose Jaw.
I’ve also enjoyed the local theatre and local high school musical productions when they’ve been put on. Last year, during my vacation, I finally saw Come From Away in Toronto.
But that Broadway Bug just isn’t being tickled the way it used to be.
I’ve seen Les Miserables, Wicked (twice), the Lion King, Joseph and the Technicolour Dreamcoat, HMS Pinafore, Sound of Music, Jersey Boys and Come From Away. The list of shows I want to see is even longer.
It’s not uncommon to find me, at deadline, laying out the paper while grooving along to a Broadway cast recording.
So imagine my excitement when I learned that not one, not two but three local groups are going broadway right now.
It starts with the Watsonairs. Their spring concert, set for this Sunday at St. Mary School. The choir is presenting a Broadway-themed show. Tickets for that one can be found at Canadian Tire and Watsonair members.
Then, there’s another St. Mary-based show, as Upstage Productions is putting on Jesus Christ Superstar May 8-11.
Finally, there’s the Prince Albert Concert Band (which I’m in – second chair French Horn, world’s most beautiful-sounding instrument, but I’m biased.) We’re also presenting a Broadway theme for our spring concert.
It has music from Chicago (close to my heart — I once performed Mr. Cellophane at a music festival and at a school talent show), Mary Poppins, Hamilton, West Side Story, Wicked, Les Mis and more, along with some young, high-school-aged, guest talent. Our show is set for Thursday, May 30 at the E.A. Rawlinson Centre. Admission by donation.
And that’s just the month of May.
But there’s something even more exciting coming this summer.
As they announced on Facebook: “Here We Go Again.”
Broadway North’s summer show is back.
The theatre company has revived its popular adult summer show and will present Mamma Mia at the Rawlinson Centre this August. Tentatively, the company is planning for seven shows over six days.
The cast list was announced last week and includes a cast of 34, a huge number. I’m looking forward to joining them on stage, as I was cast as part of the chorus.
Tickets for that show go on sale on June 5.
With so much music this summer, You Can’t Stop the Beat as I’ll be Having the Time of My Life. It’ll feel like my heart is Defying Gravity as I take in some of my favourite songs from my favourite shows.
You can’t tell me there’s nothing to do in P.A., because There’s No Business Like Show Business.
Don’t Rain on My Parade because Show People are Singing in the Rain. Do You Hear the People Sing? Maybe it will be The Greatest Show. So spend your Money, Money, Money Somewhere to say, Thank you For the Music.
