by WGO staff
From the creators of Legends I, Legends II and Christmas Legends comes Legends Remembrance, a tribute to some favourite war-time music and more. Featuring the music of Vera Lynn, The Andrews Sisters, Frank Sinatra, Elvis Presley and even Bob Hope, Legends Remembrance takes a unique musical journey into the humble love story of accidental narrators Mary Anne and James. Get your tickets now for an evening of nostalgia and whimsy as these great performers bring back an era that’s gone, but not forgotten.
Known as “the Forces’ Sweetheart”, Vera Lynn performed for the troops regularly and brought them such beloved songs as “We’ll Meet Again”, “The White Cliffs of Dover”, “A Nightingale Sang in Berkeley Square” and “Lily Marlene.”
“To emulate the tone and the vibrato of Vera Lynn, we needed a confident vocalist,” says show director Stephen Muise. “We found that confidence in 18-year-old MacKenzie Sechi, and we are proud to include her into our mix.”
MacKenzie Sechi is a first-year student at Wilfrid Laurier University, where she is studying voice in their Bachelor of Music program. Her passionate delivery, keen ear and exceptional vocal abilities make her a crowd favourite wherever she performs. Stand-out performances for Sechi would be her roles in The Rocky Horror Picture Show (Savoy Theatre), ‘S Wonderful (The HAT), and Heart of Steel (The HAT). Sechi is excited to take on the role of Vera Lynn in Legends Remembrance.
In the years just before and during World War II, the Andrews Sisters were at the height of their popularity with their intricate harmonies pumping out hits like “Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy”, “Don’t Sit Under the Apple Tree (With Anyone Else but Me)”, “A Hot Time In the Town of Berlin”, and “Bei Mir Bist Du Shein”.
“To really achieve the sound of the Andrews Sisters, we needed singers who are adept with harmonies, who could skillfully weave around each other vocally, as the sisters did,” said Muise. “There needs to be a chemistry and a trust between them.”
Enter Jenn Sheppard, Margaret MacPherson and Emily Dingwall.
Jenn Sheppard has spent the past three decades performing on stages across the Maritimes as a singer/songwriter, recording artist, and comedian. She has been lauded for her tributes to such voices as Patsy Cline, Mama Cass, Emmy-Lou Harris, Shania Twain, and Anne Murray. Sheppard has been with The Cape Breton Summertime Revue since 2016 and is also a cast member of the wildly popular show Island Girls, where she rounds out the music and comedy quartette that includes Bette MacDonald, Heather Rankin and Lucy MacNeil. When not at the theatre, she can be found fronting the in-demand rock and roll band High Society. Sheppard takes on the role of Patty Andrews of The Andrews Sisters in Legends Remembrance.
Margaret MacPherson has been wowing audiences for the past 13 years in countless dinner theatres, musicals and concerts on stages across the province. A confident musician and actor, she has been featured in productions of Annie, Les Misérables and Chicago, and has also been a featured artist with the Celtic Colours International Festival, all whilst managing a brand new nursing career in Cape Breton. MacPherson has been a member of the Cape Breton Summertime Revue for the past five years and enjoyed portraying Michelle Phillips (The Mamas and Papas) in last years’ Legends II. She plays LaVerne Andrews.
Emily Dingwall has been singing, playing bass, guitar and fiddle, in an around Cape Breton Island, for over two decades. She has worked with, and loans her formidable talents to, various well-known artists like J.P. Cormier, Gordie Sampson, and Heather Rankin. Emily also shares the stage with her singing sister, to form the performance duo Rosa while managing her full-time gig travelling across Canada as bassist and background vocalist for the legendary Matt Minglewood Band. Normally, Dingwall is part of the Legends’ house band but she’ll be stepping out from behind the bass for the first time, to enjoy a purely singing role as she portrays Maxene Andrews.
Though Frank Sinatra was exempted from military service because of a perforated eardrum, he helped the war effort greatly with his appearances in movies and benefits for soldiers. Elvis Presley served in the United States Army and at the time of his draft, was the most well-known name in the world of entertainment. He insisted he serve as a regular soldier, which earned him the respect of many of his fellow soldiers. Bob Hope broadcasted a total of 144 radio shows during the war, the majority of which were from military bases. With his quick wit and dry humour, Hope was able to lift the spirits of countless numbers of soldiers with his jokes and monologues.
“We call him the man of 1000 voices, but he says it’s more like eleven,” chuckles Muise. “When you need an iconic performer to come to life in a tribute, we can always depend on Terrance Murphy to make us believe that performer is really in the room.”
Terrance Murphy is a singer/songwriter, recording artist, voice actor and professional musician, who fronts the popular Celtic band The Privateers. As a veteran performer in Cape Breton and area, past tribute shows have seen him emulate the voices of Roy Orbison, Kenny Rogers, George Burns and Elvis Presley. During any given night, he’s been known to throw in a bit of Louis Armstrong, or even a Michael Jackson impersonation to the delight of audiences. Terrance also voices multiple characters in CBC TV’s The Secret World of Og. For Legends Remembrance he’ll pull out all the stops to bring the iconic personas and voices of Frank Sinatra, Elvis and Bob Hope to the stage.
The list doesn’t end there. As in previous Legends shows, there will be some “accidental narrators” to guide the audience around the timeline. Legends Remembrance will introduce a young, love-struck girl, Mary Anne, played by Bethany Reid and her love interest, a soldier, called James, played by Dane Pedersen.
Bethany Reid most recently appeared as the lead female role of Sandra-Dee in the Savoy Theatre’s production of Grease, the Musical but she’s been performing on the Savoy stage since she was just 10 years old, when she portrayed the boy Gavroche in the Savoy’s 2013 production of Les Misérables. Her honey vocals and passion for performance led her to many roles, including Captain Hook in Peter Pan Jr, and the Ghost of Christmas Past in the Highland Arts Theatre’s production of A Christmas Carol.
Dane Pedersen is a 17-year-old, unassuming talent from Millville, Cape Breton. From a young age, he had a spirited interest in music and started off playing guitar and singing. It wasn’t long before Pedersen and his rich baritone vocals were noticed and he was pulled in to perform in various productions, like A Tribute to the Rotary Show, She Loves Me, Kitchen Party, and the Drowsy Chaperone (HAT Theatre).
Legends co-producer Pam Leader says these shows have been a great vehicle to bring different performance communities together.
“Some of these actors have only ever been in musical theatre. Other performers have only ever sung in concerts or at community events. The Legends brand has allowed us to adopt some full-time musicians and make them actors and visa versa. And it’s almost magical the way it works to infuse each camp,” she says.
Of course the entire cast will be backed by some of the best musicians in the business with Director Stephen Muise on keys, Fred Lavery on guitar, Aaron Lewis on drums and Ron Hynes on stand-up bass. Additionally, there will be a five-piece horn section featuring Richard Burke, Steve MacInnis, Ken Howatson, Tyler Campbell and Matt Nicholson.
Legends Remembrance will be onstage at the Savoy Theatre on Saturday and Sunday, November 9 and 10 at 7pm. Tickets are $46.50 and available at the Savoy Theatre Box Office, 902-842-1577 and online.
