A Rockin’ Symphony Experience: WSO: The Music of ABBA with Jeans n’ Classics

It was an unexpected delight to enjoy an evening here in Windsor at the Chrysler Theatre with the WSO (Windsor Symphony Orchestra - Geoffrey Larson as the conductor ) and Jeans n’ Classics. They were paying homage to one of my favourite all time bands, ABBA. Balcony seats were perfect for a great view.

Photo before the show. 

No camera/video recording allowed.

The large glittery disco ball set the stage and it was exciting to see the WSO performers getting ready with their instruments. The lead vocal performers of Jeans n Classics were all powerhouses and had enough shimmer and sass to share their own heartfelt renditions of ABBA songs throughout the decades.

Many songs were played from the vast ABBA catalogue that were and probably still are on people’s playlists like Mamma Mia, Super Trouper and Waterloo. It was beautiful to hear Chiquitita, I Have A Dream, SOS, and The Winner Takes It All, especially with the orchestral touches that just elevated the whole experience. 

Were there songs that didn’t get played? Of course! Bill would have loved to hear his favourite; The Visitors and for me, definitely Angel Eyes.

Of course, you couldn’t possibly end an ABBA show without Dancing Queen! One of the most popular and crowd-pleasing hits from the band which got everyone up singing and dancing – some even in the aisle on the main floor.

The only thing left to say is Thank you for the music! 🎶

💜Jeans n Classics 

💜Chrysler Theatre

💜WSO

Feline Good: CATS The Musical

Photo Credit: SCC

Director and Choreographer, Kristyn Wiklanski set the stage for a purr-fect evening to go out to the Chrysler Theatre and see the St Clair College Performing Arts students in a modern day creation of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Broadway musical Cats, adapted from T.S. Eliot’s whimsical poetry collection titled Old Possum’s Book of Practical Cats.

In a nutshell, the story revolves around The Jellicle Ball, a celebration held once a year for all the Cats and an opportunity to share tales of their lives to Old Deuteronomy, their wisdom-filled and highly-respected leader, who will choose only one of them to journey to the Heaviside layer and be reborn into a new life.

With a beautifully haunting set design, the junkyard alley where the tribe of cats live and play, every inch of the stage had its own little tale to tell. The entire cast did an excellent job personifying their chosen character cat and exhibiting kitty-like body language and gestures with submissive and dominant poses.

There was so much thoughtful consideration into the movement on stage, mixed with heightened operatic solos and ensembles, and of course jaw-dropping dance sequences that kept up momentum in energy from start to finish.

Highlights:

👉Alex Wyant gave an outstanding performance as Rum Tum Tugger, a wildly energetic and uninhibited cat.

👉It was amazing to experience the zest of the fashionable lit-up ensemble and electrifying solo performance of the lovable magical black and white cat, Mr. Mistoffelees – Paige Moore. 

👉Another show-stopping vocal and dance performance was from Skimbleshanks, the Railway Cat - Josie Bianchi. 

👉Grizabella played by Gracienne Swarbrick blew the audience away with her ballad of “Memory”.

👉Joanna Empey as Old Deuteronomy spoke to our hearts with every note sung in “The Ad-Dressing of Cats”.

As an audience, getting to experience the full emotional spectrum of a mystical world that highlights the connective fabrics that are within ourselves and shown to others is something to always hold dear in our memories.

 

💜For any animal lovers out there, this show had an paw-some initiative to support the Windsor/Essex County Humane Society. Any donations are always appreciated to help our furry friends.

💜 Chrysler Theatre    

💜 SCCPA Facebook Page

You Can Be My Friend: Junie B. Jones - The Musical

Photo credit: Bloomsbury House Stage Production

After what has seemed like endless days of grey skies from morning till night, Sunday turned out to be a beautiful blue sky and sunny day.  It was a perfect way to spend the afternoon at the Chrysler Theatre seeing Bloomsbury House Stage Production of Junie B. Jones – The Musical! 

Starting off, Director, Martin Ouellette was able to bring to life many of the characters from the beloved Junie B. Jones book series from author, Barbara Park. The show had impressive choreographed dance scenes, meticulously derived from Julia Pastorius that were set to heartfelt and fun musical numbers. Having an all-adult cast playing multiple roles, including adorable first graders, elevated this experience making it truly an all-ages family show to enjoy. 

It was a packed theatre with kids excitedly in their seats, holding onto their Junie B. Books and awaiting the moment when the very first song “Top-Secret Personal Beeswax” would start off this high energy production. 

👉Junie B. Jones (played by Charlotte Salisbury) was just like the character from the book, emulating Junie’s exuberant personality, mature wisdom and quick-witted antics on stage. She was a joy to watch, all complete in her brightly striped leggings and tutu – vision of Costume designer, Carly Morrison Hart.

👉Herb (played by Gianluca Ieraci) gave another stand-out performance, especially with his mannerisms and adorable connection to Junie B in the bus scene, where we get to see best friends in the making.      

👉Sheldon (played by Bill Dileva) – a first grader allergic to fake meat, cheese and dairy, who is often pushed out of his comfort zone and highly accident-prone, dove straight into this role and really had perfect comedic timing throughout the show. Bill's unique talents as a performer shone as he took centre stage with sheer confidence doing a solo of Sheldon’s anthemic “Half Time Show” performance. 

👉Daddy (also played by Bill Dileva) showcased his unbelievable juggling skills on stage, as the audience cheered wildly.  His scene with Mother (Alysia Therrien) who sang beautifully in the song “When Life Gives you Lemons” was also another really special moment together, encouraging Junie B to not give up when times get a little rough in life.

👉May (played by Krystal Laframboise) gave a highly gratifying performance as Junie B’s antagonist in the show.

👉Mr. Scary (played by Craig Gloster) was anything but scary! He was the kind and encouraging teacher figure that makes you want to come to school every day and who can forget Mrs. Gutzman, played by Laura K. Bird, the nurturing head cook, baking your favourite cookies and sending you off to math class relaxed.

👉Other actors rounded out the production, playing multiple characters including Lucille, Camille and Chenille – played respectfully by Alysia Therrien, Julia Pastorius and Krystal Laframboise, who were really fun to watch on stage and gave sassy performances. Alex Hristoff, was convincing in her child-like portrayal of José, Junie B.’s bilingual friend.

👉The final song, “Writing Down the Story of My Life” mixed in comedic elements and sweet sentiments of how to trudge through the hard parts of life and was the encouraging message that we all need to hear sometimes.

                            

💜What's playing next? Visit Bloomsbury House

💜Upcoming shows at the Chrysler Theatre