A fond musical nostalgic retrospective sung with heart, guts, and bravado.
A uniquely staged concert presentation, Port Hope’s Capitol Theatre presents a terrific evening of entertainment at 20 Queen Street for a short run.
It’s a terrific and fond musical nostalgic retrospective from 1986 with songs that I still hold near to my heart.
As narrator for the production, Dan Fraleigh’s welcoming persona wins over the audience. Dabbed with a pinch of adorable goofiness, he sets the context for each musical number, donning the various clothing styles from 1986 (featuring bright neon pastels). Amusingly, Dan reminded the audience he was 10 in ’86. I was 26 and in the beginning years of my educational career. I coulda been your teacher, Dan. Thanks for making me feel old (as the late Queen Elizabeth 2 once told former Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau).
Much credit to Katherine Smith, Director of the production and Jeff Newberry, Music Director, Supervisor and arranger. Their vision to keep the production’s pacing tight works well. The changes between the setups remain fluid, smooth and ready for the artists to begin. Nothing appeared rushed. Christie Heriot’s sound design finely balances between the band and the singers. Za Hughes makes some interesting lighting choices to underscore and heighten dramatic intensity of several songs when required.
Fraleigh aptly sets the theme of this concert: Love is the ultimate addiction and the greatest vice. To quote respectfully from Billy Crystal’s Fernando Lamas to the ladies: “You look and sound mahvelous, dahlings, mahvelous.” More about artist Colin Ronald shortly.
Thanks to Newberry’s appropriate musical arrangements of the song selection, Michelle Bardach, Zoë O’Connor and Kelsey Verzotti hit their mark and demonstrate their effortless vocal range with aplomb, grace and style. There’s well-earned applause at several points in the performance I saw, and I’m almost certain that appreciation will be extended the next two days.
What also makes this production memorable is showcasing two local artists: Shannon Linton and Colin Ronald. To do this for Port Hope and Northumberland residents remains critical. The Capitol wants to embrace and highlight local talent and allow them to perform on its stages. Linton nicely reminded me of Canadian singer Sarah McLachlan. There’s an attractive wholesomeness in the way both pique audience attention. Their smiles made me want to enter their world and listen to the stories they tell through their songs. Colin Ronald’s outdoorsy appeal with a voice akin to Canadian singer Gordon Lightfoot certainly made me listen to the stories he told through his song selection.
Bravo to the Capitol Theatre for their choice to bring quality music talent to the theatre.
More, please.
Running time: approximately two hours with one intermission.
A short run, the performance continues through to September 28 on the Mainstage at Port Hope’s Capitol Theatre, 20 Queen Street. For tickets: www.capitoltheatre.com or call (905) 885-1071.
BILLBOARD IN CONCERT 1986: The songs you know and love. Live on stage
Conceived by Jeff Newberry and Rob Kempson
With Musical Arrangements by Jeff Newberry
Director: Katherine Smith
Music Director and Supervisor: Jeff Newberry
Lighting Designer: Za Hughes
Sound Designer: Christie Heriot
Band: Matt Ray, Haneul Yi, Tami Sorovaiski, David Schotzko, Jeff Newberry
Narrator: Dan Fraleigh
Artists: Michelle Bardach, Zoë O’Connor, Kelsey Verzotti with Colin Ronald and Shannon Linton
