Now playing at Native Earth’s Aki Studio, this thoroughly enjoyable production is brimming with triple-threat performers, most under 30, who quickly capture our imaginations and effortlessly whisk us into an eccentric, charming world of 1990s Paris.
Based on the hugely successful 2001 French film, which earned five Academy Award nominations, this stage adaptation preserves the film’s fun, whimsical spirit while adding lively music and vibrant orchestrations.
Amélie (a winsome Colette Richardson) is a young, shy and highly imaginative woman who works as a waitress in a Parisian cafe. Her parents kept her isolated while growing up, and now she dedicates herself to secretly intervening in other people’s lives to help them find happiness, reconnect with the past, or overcome loneliness. Problem is, she struggles with her own happiness so when she meets Nino (a sympathetic Graysen Lapointe) an eccentric young man who shares her sense of wonder, she must overcome her fears and learn to step out of the shadows and embrace love and life.
The charm of this production is that it’s less a conventional plot-driven musical than a highly theatrical, offbeat piece about imagination, connection and the courage to truly live life. The songs are jaunty and fun with a French, atmospheric quality that supports the show’s imaginative world.
Director Catie Thorne makes maximum use of the Aki Studio’s diminutive black-box space. She deftly moves a dozen cast members with clever staging and precise scene transitions. Nothing ever feels crowded. Hats off to her clever use of the upstage door and window that takes us above and below the streets of Paris. The pace in Act One is smart and never lets up, but things do slow down in Act Two, due to Craig Lucas’s book feeling somewhat drawn out. We know how things will end. It just takes too long to get there.
Nicholas Rocque’s excellent choreography gives the capable cast fluid, sometimes hard-hitting movement that maintains the surreal, fantastical nature of the piece. The collective breath heard in the group numbers is a testament to the cast’s remarkable precision, unity and synchronization.
Sophie Jestadt, a fourth-year music student at U of T, delivers near-flawless musical direction. Her twelve-piece band, comprised mostly of young musicians, is top-notch. Though positioned on either side of the stage, the musicians nonetheless produce a rich, beautifully blended sound. Unfortunately, volume was an issue on opening night. At times, the band was so loud that it overpowered some of the ensemble’s choral work in Act One and drowned out portions of Amélie’s lyrics in Act Two, particularly “Times Are Hard for Dreamers.” A little more restraint in the mix would allow the performers’ vocals to shine through. I’m sure the balance will be refined as the run continues.
Nathan Burg’s lighting design is creative and colourful, making impressive use of almost every fixture in the theatre. Bright colours, flashing lights and clever silhouettes enhance and contribute significantly to the visual appeal. However, shadowy areas during group numbers made it difficult to see some ensemble members’ faces. Otherwise, it is an effective and imaginative lighting design that complements the atmospheric quality of Amèlie’s quirky world beautifully.
Julia Sanders’ set and props are simple and effective. The hand-made puppets are particularly charming, and the upper level on stage right as Amélie’s apartment adds welcome dimension and visual interest. The bland grey brick wall behind the action, however, feels somewhat at odds with the show’s imaginative aesthetic. A more colourful or abstract backdrop, perhaps evoking the warmth and charm of Parisian city life, might have enhanced the production’s overall visual appeal.
Gabriel Woo’s costumes subtly convey a European flair, with everyday looks, textures and fabrics of the 1990s.
The performances are what truly make this production memorable! Colette Richardson is simply delightful as Amélie, winning our hearts from the very first number. Alongside her perky charm, infectious energy and beautiful voice, she brings lovely nuance to Amélie’s journey, convincingly charting her transformation from an isolated child into a young woman navigating the complexities of romance, relationships and human connection.
Graysen Lapointe brings understated believability to the shy, withdrawn Nino. Every look, movement and gesture feels authentic as he searches for his lost book of discarded photo-booth pictures. His voice blends beautifully with Richardson’s, and their chemistry is palpable. Their duet in Act Two is both heartwarming and genuinely moving.
The myriad of oddball characters inhabiting Amélie’s world—painters, parents, shopkeepers, flight attendants, writers and neighbours—are brought to life by the ensemble, with each performer taking on multiple roles. They are all excellent, committing themselves to every character with joy, humour, energy and passion. Special shout-outs to April Rebecca, Kayla Samson, Lucas Romanelli, Megan Kasiban and Matthew Romantini for their particularly entertaining and wonderfully diverse characterizations.
Ultimately, this Amélie succeeds because it captures the essence of the story: its whimsy, warmth, romance and celebration of human connection. It’s not a musical on a grand scale, and that’s a good thing. It’s about personal transformation. A talented young cast, strong musical direction and imaginative staging intersect to create a production that is both charming and genuinely moving. Most importantly, it leaves us with the central message of Amélie’s journey — that even ordinary life can be extraordinary.
For anyone wondering about the calibre of graduates emerging from our local theatre schools, rest assured. Toronto’s Shifting Ground Collective’s Amélie is ample proof that today’s crop of musical theatre graduates is ready to make their mark on professional stages everywhere!
Running time: Approx. 2 hours with one intermission.
The production runs until October 10 at the Native Earth Performing Arts Centre, Aki Studio, 585 Dundas St. East, Toronto.
For tickets, call the Box Office at 416-531-1402 or email boxoffice@nativeearth.ca
Shifting Ground Collective Presents Amélie.
Book by Craig Lucas
Music by Daniel Messé
Lyrics by Daniel Messé and Nathan Tysen
Directed by Catie Thorne
Choreographed by Nicholas Rocque
Musical Direction by Sophie Jestadt
Lighting by Nathan Burg
Set/props by Julia Sanders
Costumes by Gabriel Woo
CAST: Colette Richardson, Graysen Lapointe, Matthew Romantini, Nathan Farmer, April Rebecca, Kathleen Kovacs, Kayla Samson, Lauren Taylor Scott, Megan Kasiban, Jeremy Foot, Jakob Zancanaro, Lucas Romanelli, Daniela Bauer, Clark J. Burger, Matt Schermann
