It’ll be a night of showstoppers when Bow Valley Chorus takes the Cornerstone Theatre stage for the group’s annual Variety Night, Sunday (March 16).
Variety Night! 2014: A Musical Soirée is created and directed by Karen Minish and will feature Lara Dodds-Eden on piano. Shows will take place at 2 and 7:30 p.m.
“We’re changing the format a bit this year,” said Minish, who is also working with Calgary’s Cowtown Opera to perform as the head nun in The Sound of Music. “It’s going to be a mini retrospection of tunes that people really enjoy and our singers will be in a cabaret setting where they’ll get up and sing.
“It lets us have more choir members involved and we’ve picked some real showstopper numbers from the past. We’re putting in two months of Sundays and five-hour rehearsals, so it’s nice to have people involved.”
Dodds-Eden is a collaborative pianist at The Banff Centre, who is filling in for Heather Klassen, and the evening will feature director John Goulart, Marion Walsh, who has created entertainment specifically for the show, and the BVC Cheerios.
Minish said numbers for the Soirée include those from The Music Man, the group’s first mini-musical. “It’s going to be a fun look back at past mini-musicals,” she said. “We’re also going to showcase some songs from the upcoming summer Oh Canada Eh? show at Cornerstone, which has been so generous to us.”
Minish will direct the Oh Canada effort this summer. Her hubby John Goulart is also working on a new album which will be showcased at the Soirée. “John hasn’t played a concert here for a while, but he will be showcased this year with his classical guitar repertoire,” she said.
As well, while Minish hasn’t decided what she will do yet, on a solo level, for the show, she and John will perform as the Blackbird Duo.
“And a show like this is a good chance for me to work out a duet with (choir member) Barb Shellian, who is the hardest working person I know.”
Minish also hopes to get substantial audience participation during the evening. “Everyone should bring a martini glass and olives,” she said. “We really hope people will come out and have a look at what the chorus is doing.
“It’ll be the usual evening of silliness, fun and sheer entertainment. It’s a chance to come and see and watch and hear friends’ fabulous music.”
In all, about 20 choir members will take part in the Soirée and they will present some teaser numbers from the upcoming spring concert in May.
Tickets are $20 and available at Stratton’s Jewellery in Banff and Café Books in Canmore, from choir members and at the door.
