Volume 28 Issue 4 | February - March 2023

illiantly with the strictly classical arias she sings in the studio –
and yet, the richness of the interwoven opera and blues also comes
to symbolise Kathleen’s growing artistry as her friendship with her
accompanist Rose ripens into a deeper relationship. Samantha Hill as
Kathleen has a clear classically trained voice which is a joy to listen
to and a wonderful contrast to the jazzy richness of Janelle Cooper’s
club turns. All the musicians, though usually hidden away upstage,
do a superb job, easily trading instruments and contributing vocals –
Maryem Toller’s vocals were a standout in Part One.
One thing that I had expected from early rehearsal photos of the
production and missed seeing onstage was a more experimental or
expressionistic movement style – except in one instance when a line of
uniformed soldiers tumbles up to, over and around the upright piano
as Materia plays a song of the period, giving us an unforgettable image
of James at war in the trenches of World War One.
Under the symbolic giant piano strings strung above the stage from
the flies to the wings like the sails of a ship, and under the careful
music direction of Sean Mayes, music weaves together the acting and
physical elements of this production making a whole that is deeper,
richer, more evocative of the colours, depths, dark secrets and eventual
redemption within the story of this family and all those who
touch their lives.
www.canadianstage.com In Toronto until Feb 5, Halifax Feb.
10-March 5, Ottawa March 8-25, and London March 29-April 2.
RUBABOO
A second world premiere at the Grand Theatre in London, with
the intriguing name of Rubaboo, explores and celebrates another
facet of our Canadian mosaic, the Métis heritage of the prairies.
Commissioned by the Grand from the well-known Métis actor, singer
and activist, Andrea Menard, Rubaboo promises to be a delightful
evening of song and story combined, according to the Manitobaborn
Menard, into a truly theatrical whole that she prefers to term
a “cabaret,” but a cabaret with
a purpose.
In a promotional video
Menard says that when the
Grand’s artistic director, Dennis
Garnhum, asked her about
possibly creating a show, she was
not interested “unless I was using
the platform to further reconciliation,”
and that she “wanted to
be somebody who was furthering
education [about Indigenous
people and their history] and
expanding compassion.” While
this sounds very serious the name
of the cabaret indicates that the
evening will also be a lot of fun.
Derived from the Michif word
for “leftovers stew” or “big pot”
Rubaboo promises to be a feast of
Andrea Menard
music and masterful storytelling
with the sound of drums and guitar adding grace notes to stories and
songs of reconciliation, unity, love, frustration and resilience, to “help
people fall in love with the Métis people.”
At the Grand Theatre from March 7-25.
Catch a glimpse of show and creator in a video here:
https://grand theatre.com/event/rubaboo
RETOLD
From the East Coast to the Prairies and back east to Quebec:
Back in Toronto, also in March, the Musical Stage Company and Yonge
Street Theatricals are joining forces for the second edition of Retold
via Launch Pad, their musical development program that gives three
THE ROSE ORCHESTRA
OPENING NIGHT AT THE OPERA
Be transported to the excitement of opening night at the opera!
The curtain rises on the drama of operatic overtures and the
passion of arias sung for you by astounding soloists. Featuring
four incredible GTA and Brampton based singers who trained with
the Canadian Opera Company: Soprano, Lindsey Duggan; Mezzo-
Soprano, Danielle MacMillan; Tenor, Adam Luther; and Baritone,
Alexander Hajek.
MARCH 25, 2023
7:30PM
OAKLAND STROKE
JAZZ @ LBP HOSTED BY JAYMZ BEE
Get ready for the Greatest Horn Hits of the 70s!
Featuring music by Tower of Power, Earth Wind & Fire, Blood
Sweat & Tears, Chicago, and more! Oakland Stroke is a 10-piece
juggernaut of soul and good vibes, featuring a 5 piece horn section.
Led by Toronto native Lou Pomanti, experience them live.
BOOK TICKETS
THEROSEBRAMPTON.CA
APRIL 11, 2023
thewholenote.com February & March, 2023 | 17