“A chillin’ docu-concert. Part educational and part entertaining, ‘Inside American Pie’ rocks the CAA Theatre. The roof-raising audience appreciation in applause nearly brings the house down. One can’t help but hum along to the songs.”

The line ‘the day the music died’ from the iconic 1971 ‘American Pie’ by Don McLean refers to the 1959 plane crash that killed rock and roll legends Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens and the Big Bopper.

McLean’s nostalgic and iconic song continues to be debated for its sometimes-vague line (mis?) interpretations.

Artist Mike Ross and co-creator Sarah Wilson (Ross acknowledges his wife/producer, Nicole Bellamy, too) take the song’s nostalgia to the next level. They want to decode its possible meanings.

In his Programme Note, Ross writes that the docu-concert is really what it implies—a collision of context interpretation and song delivered directly to the audience. Ross writes he developed this format mostly at Soulpepper, where he was given space to make mistakes and figure things out.

On this opening night at the CAA Theatre, Inside American Pie’s 90-minute docu-concert aims to unravel the mystery behind the iconic 1971 song. Ross and Wilson select specific songs from the ‘60s and ‘70s that may have influenced McLean while writing ‘American Pie.’

Does this docu-concert format work?

Yes.

Wonderfully.

Lorenzo Savoini’s concert design works well in placing Ross stage right on piano. Performers Alicia Toner, Brielle Ansems, and Greg Gale are centre stage, with Kirk White on drums upstage. Lighting designer Simon Rossiter perfectly accentuates those solo moments, most notably in Brielle Ansem’s rendition of Creedence Clearwater’s Revival’s ‘Bad Moon Rising.’

At the top of the show, Ross shares that his interpretations of ‘American Pie’ reflect are derived from his research. He encourages audience members to speak with him if they know something he might have overlooked.

Led by Ross on piano, the four PEI musician ensemble accompaniment sounds terrific. They’re chillin’.

Several of Ross’s arrangements are memorable: the opening ‘Come On, Let’s Go’ by Ritchie Valens, John Lennon’s ‘Imagine’ and Bob Dylan’s ‘The Times They Are A-Changin.’ Acknowledgements to Sound Designer Sergey Varlamov to ensure the song lyrics can be heard.

Ross is also an incredible pianist. There’s a moment when he stands and plays with remarkable gusto and spirit. Ross’s joy in sharing his music becomes contagious. That same joy infects the audience, who nearly bring the CAA house down with their roof-raising applause.

That moment is forever etched in my mind.

Final Note: Again, in his Programme note, Ross describes the process of a docu-concert as alchemy that involves back-and-forth collaborations with great people who lent their gifts to a meeting ground for music, design, story, and documentary.

The key word is gift.

Harmony House, in partnership with Mirvish Productions, presents a most welcome gift as spring approaches.

The gift of song and storytelling.

When these two elements are superbly combined in this five-person ensemble, the result is a memorable theatre experience.

Give yourself a gift and go see ‘Inside American Pie.’

Running time: approximately 90 minutes with no interval/intermission.

‘Inside American Pie’ runs until March 30 at the CAA Theatre, 651 Yonge Street, Toronto. For tickets: mirvish.com or call 1-800-461-3333.

DAVID AND HANNAH MIRVISH present the HARMONY HOUSE production
‘INSIDE AMERICAN PIE’ created by Mike Ross and Sarah Wilson

Producers: Harmony House, Nicole Bellamy and Mike Ross
Music Director/Arranger: Mike Ross
Set Designer: Lorenzo Savoini
Lighting Designer: Simon Rossiter
Sound Designer: Sergey Varlamov
Stage Manager: Rob Harding

Performers: Mike Ross, Alicia Toner, Brielle Ansems, Greg Gale, Kirk White