Entertaining Elgin
By David J. Ferguson
By David J. Ferguson
Whether you can recall, remember or even existed ‘Back in ‘59’ does not really matter. Resistance is futile – you cannot ignore the music that was at the birthplace of rock n’ roll. Harmonies by the Everly Brothers, love songs with girl and boy names, tunes about relationships, love that will never be, losing your true love or even downright silly songs that lasted an average of two minutes, still are, the cornerstone of music today.
“Back in ‘59” at the Port Stanley Festival Theatre, is deliciously directed by Thom Currie as he serves up a stellar cast with a believable storyline filled with a steady diet of sing-along music. The four part cast is made up of Miranda MacDonald as Crystal, Anna Hurshman as Leanne, Clayton Labbe as Charlie and Glen Mills as Dave.
“Back in ‘59” at the Port Stanley Festival Theatre, is deliciously directed by Thom Currie as he serves up a stellar cast with a believable storyline filled with a steady diet of sing-along music. The four part cast is made up of Miranda MacDonald as Crystal, Anna Hurshman as Leanne, Clayton Labbe as Charlie and Glen Mills as Dave.
Glenn Mills; Miranda MacDonald; Clayton Labbe; Anna Hurshman.
The storyline takes you back to a high school reunion set ten years after graduation. Dave leaves the reunion and returns to his old singing stomping grounds to avoid seeing Leanne, whom he blames for breaking up their musical group on the eve of graduation by running off and getting married. One by one, members of the group return to the stage, to reminisce about the good times and the bad, eventually breaking into a non-stop sing fest in an attempt to come to terms with their past and aim towards their futures.
They perform old favourites like ‘Teenager in Love’, a Dion and the Belmont’s tune, ‘Why Do Fools Fall in Love’, ‘Splish Splash’, ‘The Wanderer’, and so many more. The production presented a number of song collections strung together, based upon a theme. They performed tunes with girl names like ‘Barbara Anne’ and ‘Diana’; goofy songs like ‘One Eyed One Eared Flyin’ Purple People Eater’; girl band songs like ‘My Boyfriend’s Back’ and oodles of others that bring back memories or evoke new ones.
Crystal, played by Miranda MacDonald, stole the show for me with her numerous attempts to sing the Connie Francis favourite, ‘Where The Boys Are’, but had to fight many an interruption from the other cast members until, finally, near the end of the show they relented. Miranda delivered a breathtakingly beautiful rendition of this song which no doubt had many guys swooning in the aisles.
Costumes were spot on from the argyle sweater, to pink pedal pushers and the poodle style skirt.
I would rate this a must see performance; however it appears that the popularity of this production has the show completely sold out, unless you are lucky enough to beg or borrow a ticket. “Back in ‘59” show runs until June 9th.
They perform old favourites like ‘Teenager in Love’, a Dion and the Belmont’s tune, ‘Why Do Fools Fall in Love’, ‘Splish Splash’, ‘The Wanderer’, and so many more. The production presented a number of song collections strung together, based upon a theme. They performed tunes with girl names like ‘Barbara Anne’ and ‘Diana’; goofy songs like ‘One Eyed One Eared Flyin’ Purple People Eater’; girl band songs like ‘My Boyfriend’s Back’ and oodles of others that bring back memories or evoke new ones.
Crystal, played by Miranda MacDonald, stole the show for me with her numerous attempts to sing the Connie Francis favourite, ‘Where The Boys Are’, but had to fight many an interruption from the other cast members until, finally, near the end of the show they relented. Miranda delivered a breathtakingly beautiful rendition of this song which no doubt had many guys swooning in the aisles.
Costumes were spot on from the argyle sweater, to pink pedal pushers and the poodle style skirt.
I would rate this a must see performance; however it appears that the popularity of this production has the show completely sold out, unless you are lucky enough to beg or borrow a ticket. “Back in ‘59” show runs until June 9th.
Photos by Dave Ferguson.
Say tuned for Dave’s reviews of upcoming shows at Port Stanley Festival Theatre. “Dating by the Book” by Uwe Meyer starts June 13th. Carolyn is divorced, determined, and desperate! A ‘How-To’ book, a helpful ‘friend’, and some dubious advice combine, as she attempts a re-entry into the world of romance, for a night she will never forget. Don’t miss the laughs; get your tickets now. Visit www.portstanleytheatre.ca or call 519-782-4353.
Say tuned for Dave’s reviews of upcoming shows at Port Stanley Festival Theatre. “Dating by the Book” by Uwe Meyer starts June 13th. Carolyn is divorced, determined, and desperate! A ‘How-To’ book, a helpful ‘friend’, and some dubious advice combine, as she attempts a re-entry into the world of romance, for a night she will never forget. Don’t miss the laughs; get your tickets now. Visit www.portstanleytheatre.ca or call 519-782-4353.
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