Legends Christmas, the third in a series of Legends shows produced by the Savoy Theatre, is a tribute show with a twist, paying homage to the music of Elvis Presley, Dolly Parton, Kenny Rogers and the one and only Jim Reeves.
Savoy Theatre manager Pam Leader is also excited to announce the addition of a third show due to the fact that December 9 and December 10 are both nearing the sell-out point. “Based on the enthusiasm of our ticket buyers and the conversations we’ve been having at the box office, we feel we need to add a third show on December 11 at 7pm,” said Leader. “We know we’re going to need it. We’ve already got a waiting list.”
The Legends series is an original concept, written and directed by husband and wife team Stephen Muise and Jenn Sheppard and has been met with great success. The idea was developed and produced as a partnership with the Savoy Theatre. Upon deciding there would be a Legends Christmas show, Muise and Sheppard have put their own annual Christmas Show, Happy ha Ha Holidaze, on hold for 2018. “We just can’t do both,” said Muise. “If we try to do both, one will suffer and so we’ve made the decision to make Legends Christmas the best it can possibly be and we hope everyone will come out and enjoy it with us.”
To make a show the best it can be, you have to have the right people in the right places. and to do that, the Legends creative team called on local, professional performers to fill the roles of the tribute artists.
“For this show, we knew we needed Elvis and we knew just the guy who could pull it off,” said Muise. As the lead singer of the Halifax-based band Satori, and as the man who convinced audiences that he was one half of the Righteous Brothers in Legends II, Colin Burke is up to the task of bringing the King to life on the Savoy stage. “Colin’s got the pipes and the attitude to give audiences the Blue Christmas they’re craving,” joked Muise.
“When you think Christmas music, you think Dolly and Kenny. You just do,” said Jenn Sheppard. To fill the role of Dolly Parton, the team didn’t have to go far to find popular Sydney songstress Ashley Buckingham. “Ashley is a force and has the ability to sound just like Dolly, so we can’t wait to dress her up for the part and then let her knocks our socks off,” said Sheppard. Buckingham recently performed songs of Dolly Parton with the Trio Country Women show this past March.
Kenny Rogers’ unique raspy voice may have presented a problem to fill in other locations, but Cape Breton is lucky to have the incredible vocal talents of one Mr. Terrance Murphy – who audiences may remember from his epic portrayal of Roy Orbison in Legends II. “We call him the man of 1000 voices for a reason,” said Muise. “We have great faith in Terrance’s chameleon-like abilities. Kenny Rogers will be here for Christmas.”
As a late addition to the show, the character of Jim Reeves has been added to the lineup.
“To be honest, we wanted to announce Jim Reeves right away, but we didn’t have the voice for him. It’s not an easy role to fill, as Jim had a broad vocal range and a unique style,” said Muise. “We almost gave up. But that’s when we found Rob Barrie. He nails it!” Rob Barrie is a well-known, versatile, veteran Cape Breton performer who has proven he can deliver the goods. Barrie is very excited to join the Legends Christmas cast and bring Jim Reeves to the Savoy stage.
As in other Legends performances, the show also features the roles of “accidental narrators”; characters who unknowingly navigate the audience through Legends via a storyline of their own. This time around, the narrator roles will be taken on by the mother and daughter duo of Jenn Sheppard, who played the roles of Patsy Cline and Mama Cass in previous Legends shows, and 16-year-old singer/songwriter/recording artist Jordyn Crocker, who has performed annually in Happy Ha Ha Holidaze, various musicals at the Savoy.
As the backbone of the Legends Christmas show, the team has recruited some of the best musicians in the business to become the Legends Band. “For these shows to work, the artists have to sound just like the people they’re emulating. That can only happen when your band is on their game. Our band is second-to-none,” said Leader.
The Legends Christmas band, under the direction of Stephen Muise, includes the combined talents of Fred Lavery, Richard Burke, Aaron Lewis, James MacDonald and Em Dingwall.
Legends Christmas show tickets are now on sale for all shows December 9, 10 and just added December 11 at 7pm. Tickets are going fast at just $44.50. Get yours today by calling 902-842-1577 or visiting tickets.savoytheatre.com
