december 2015 odeum magazine

dec

emb

er

201

5

Sharron matthewS StarS in

Sharron’S ChriStmaS Party

The charming tale of

comes to life!

the CeltiC tenorS

are pioneering a new style of "cool" never before seen on the classical stage

The Magazine of The Rose TheaTRe BRaMpTon

THEATRECOMEDY

DANCEMUSIC

eXperience it live!

3BOX OFFICE 905.874.2800 rosetheatre.ca

contentSdecember 2015

11 John mCDermott

back by popular demand!

12 SiSter’S ChriStmaS CateChiSm

the mystery of the magi's gold

15 moSCow ClaSSiCal Ballet ComPany’S the nutCraCker

a must-see holiday event for the whole family!

18 Sharron’S ChriStmaS Party

musical comedy cabaret ”

20 the CeltiC tenorS

an emotive and uplifting musical voyage ”

22 the next Generation leahy

high-energy, infectious, celtic-based music

FEATURES

With gratitude for the purchase of specialized equipment

EvERY MONTH

15

1812

11

20

22

5 SerViCeS & PoliCieS

8 SCene @ the roSe

24 SPonSor & Donor reCoGnition

4 odeum DECEMBER 2015

Telephone Brampton City Hall at:

3-1-1 • TTY 905.874.2130

The Mayor and members of City Council invite your comments.

Wards 1 and 5

Regional Councillor Grant Gibson

Wards 3 and 4

Regional Councillor Martin Medeiros

Wards 2 and 6

Regional Councillor Michael Palleschi

Wards 9 and 10

Regional Councillor John Sprovieri

Wards 1 and 5

Regional Councillor Elaine Moore

Wards 7 and 8

Regional Councillor Gael Miles

regional CounCillors

CiTY CounCillorsWards 2 and 6

City Councillor Doug Whillans

Wards 9 and 10

City Councillor Gurpreet Dhillon

Wards 3 and 4

City Councillor Jeff Bowman

Wards 7 and 8

City Councillor Pat Fortini

City CouncilBrampTon

maYor linda JeffreY


SerViCeS PoliCieS

our SerViCe Commitment If there is anything we can do to make your experience

more enjoyable, please do not hesitate to ask one of our volunteer ushers or staff

members for assistance.

Bar SerViCeMost events at The Rose will include bar service.

When this is the case, the bar will be open one hour before showtime and during intermission.

PreorDer SerViCe Avoid long lineups at the bar by taking

advantage of our preorder drink service. Purchase drinks before the show.

hearinG aSSiStanCeDevices may be obtained from the Box Office, free of charge.

Coat CheCk There is a complimentary

coat check located next to the entrance for Studio Two.

Free ParkinGParking in the Market Square

parking garage beneath the theatre is always free for all evening and weekend

events at the Rose Theatre Brampton.

CellPhoneSPlease keep electronic devices turned off during the performance. The light from texting is distracting for other patrons and performers.

FraGranCeSDue to allergies and sensitivities, please refrain from wearing perfumes, colognes or other scented products.

CameraS/reCorDinGCameras and recording devices are not permitted in the theatre unless otherwise specified in the preshow announcement.

FooD & DrinkOnly cold drinks are permitted inside the theatre. Try to unwrap candies or lozenges prior to the performance as the crinkling paper can be distracting.

arriVinG lateLatecomers will be seated at the discretion of Front of House during an appropriate break in the performance.

BaBeS in armSAre not permitted in the theatre, except for certain age-appropriate shows indicated. However, each person – including children – requires a ticket.

For the Benefit of All Patrons, Please Take Note ...

&


Well, do you believe it? We’re fast heading into an especially magical time of year. The City’s annual tree lighting kicked off the downtown holiday celebrations and the opening of the City’s Winter Market and outdoor activities in Garden Square that delighted one and all. Some folks gathered around the fire and roasted marshmallows – while many families and friends enjoyed all of the activities offered by the City of Brampton and Brampton’s business partners. The Winter Market will continue throughout December - and lace up your skates! Skating is now open in Gage Park. For those of you who like a cozier environment, or for those who just want to change it up over the winter we invite you to enjoy the magic of the performing arts with your friends and family in the City’s beautiful Rose Theatre. We are delighted to bring back a Brampton favourite to get your holiday festivities underway. John McDermott graces us with an exquisite performance on December 3. And as an added feature, guests are invited to enjoy a holiday themed buffet dinner and cash bar in the Rose Theatre Rotunda and Studio before the show.We have a few other treats in store for you this month that are sure to ramp up that holiday spirit!Sister’s Christmas Catechism takes us through The Mystery of the Magi’s Gold, a mystery extravaganza on December 8th. Following that, the Moscow Classical Ballet will be presenting The Nutcracker, a must-see holiday event, on December 10th. In the studio, Sharron Matthews celebrates the holiday season with her irreverent hit musical comedy cabaret, Sharron’s Christmas Party from December 11th – 13th.The Celtic Tenors’ perform on December 17. And a very special treat is coming your way on December 18 when The Next Generation Leahy comes to perform for you. The talent of these family members from will delight and amaze you.And remember for those loved ones who are hard to buy for --- how about a gift of the performing arts this year? Gift certificates are available for any of our shows and it’s an opportunity to make holiday celebrations last throughout the winter.Special thanks and holiday wishes to all our subscribers, sponsors, donors and friends for supporting arts and culture in Brampton. Wishing everyone a wonderful holiday season filled with sharing, caring, laughter and joy -- and very best wishes for an especially happy 2016!

Sincerely,

Bernice Morrison Manager of Arts and Culture On behalf of the Arts and Culture Team

For voting

us your

Favourite

Live theatre!2015 Readers’ Choice

G U A R D I A NBRAMPTON

2015

MANAGER'S NOTES


For more information about volunteering your time with the Brampton theatres, email [email protected]

LET'S TALk...While you’re online, sign up to receive our e-newsletter or subscribe to our blog (find it on the home page).

A Round of Applause for

Our Fabulous Volunteers!

At the @RoseTheatreBram for a midnight showing of #RockyHorrorPictureShow. Ready for the partici-(SAY-IT)-pation!

Some in #Brampton got into the #Halloween spirit early at the @RoseTheatreBram #RockyHorrorPictureShow

Loved, loved, loved #EvilDeadtheTour last night (one row back of the splatter zone)!

Go here all the time to either watch a performance or be a part of a performance running in the theatre, and have an amazing experience every time! You guys do an amazing job!

@brookekellypr

@Bmptguardian

@orbitstudios

rachel Walker

the Rose Theatre App!

Check out events at a glance.

Find local restaurants for a preshow bite to eat.

Watch videos for upcoming shows.

Share your comments and connect with fellow patrons on the fan wall.

Just search Rose Theatre

Brampton in your App Store

BECOME A FAN facebook.com/RoseTheatreBrampton

FOLLOw uS ON TwiTTER @RoseTheatreBram #RTP1516

ViSiT www.rosetheatre.ca

upLOAd A piC@RoseTheatreBram

The Wiggles returned for two sold-out performances and Evil Dead The Musical

was a bloody good time!

Scene the roSe

[email protected]

www.rosetheatre.ca

Rose Theatre Box Office1 Theatre Lane, Brampton

Mon to Sat: 10:00 am to 6:00 pm Sun: Closed if no event

Hours are subject to change.Please call ahead

or check the times online.

Odeum is the monthly magazine of the Rose Theatre Brampton

Managing EditorBernice Morrison

EditorSofia Stanidis

Associate EditorTerry Bachtis

Art Direction & DesignVanessa Dhanbeer

ContributorsAlison Broverman

Ashley GoodfellowNita Balani

David PatersonMarcy Cornblum

Nick Krewen

To advertisewith The Rose contact:Advertising and Sponsorship

[email protected]

o·De·um 1. A small building of ancient Greece

and Rome used for public performances of music and poetry.

2. A contemporary theatre or concert hall.

Photo credits: Custodio’s studio


Chantal KraviazuK • Johnny reid • hairspray • niKKi yanofsKy • GeorGe Carlin • liGhthouse • MiChael KaeshaMMer • Jann arden • rosanne Cash • roMeo & Juliet • MystiC india • Gord BaMford • Chantal KraviazuK • Johnny reid • hairspray • niKKi yanofsKy • GeorGe Carlin • liGhthouse • MiChael KaeshaMMer • Jann arden • rosanne Cash • roMeo & Juliet • MystiC india • Gord BaMford • Chantal KraviazuK • Johnny reid • hairspray • niKKi yanofsKy • GeorGe Carlin • liGhthouse • MiChael KaeshaMMer • Jann arden • rosanne Cash • roMeo & Juliet • MystiC india • Gord BaMford • Chantal KraviazuK • Johnny reid • hairspray • niKKi yanofsKy • GeorGe Carlin • liGhthouse • MiChael KaeshaMMer • Jann arden • rosanne Cash • roMeo & Juliet • MystiC india • Gord BaMford • Chantal KraviazuK • Johnny reid • hairspray • niKKi yanofsKy • GeorGe Carlin • liGhthouse • MiChael KaeshaMMer • Jann arden • rosanne Cash • roMeo & Juliet • MystiC india • Gord BaMford • Chantal KraviazuK • Johnny reid • hairspray • niKKi yanofsKy • GeorGe Carlin • liGhthouse • MiChael KaeshaMMer • Jann arden • rosanne Cash • roMeo & Juliet • MystiC india • Gord BaMford • Chantal KraviazuK • Johnny reid • hairspray • niKKi yanofsKy • GeorGe Carlin • liGhthouse • MiChael KaeshaMMer • Jann arden • rosanne Cash • roMeo & Juliet • MystiC india • Gord BaMford • Chantal KraviazuK • Johnny reid • hairspray • niKKi yanofsKy • GeorGe Carlin • liGhthouse • MiChael KaeshaMMer • Jann arden • rosanne Cash • roMeo & Juliet • MystiC india • Gord BaMford • Chantal KraviazuK • Johnny reid • hairspray • niKKi yanofsKy • GeorGe Carlin • liGhthouse • MiChael KaeshaMMer • Jann arden • rosanne Cash • roMeo & Juliet • MystiC india • Gord BaMford • Chantal KraviazuK • Johnny reid • hairspray • niKKi yanofsKy • GeorGe Carlin • liGhthouse • MiChael KaeshaMMer • Jann arden • rosanne Cash • roMeo & Juliet • MystiC india • Gord BaMford • Chantal KraviazuK • Johnny reid • hairspray • niKKi yanofsKy • GeorGe Carlin • liGhthouse • MiChael KaeshaMMer • Jann arden • rosanne Cash • roMeo & Juliet • MystiC india • Gord BaMford • Chantal KraviazuK • Johnny reid • hairspray • niKKi yanofsKy • GeorGe Carlin • liGhthouse • MiChael KaeshaMMer • Jann arden • rosanne Cash • roMeo & Juliet • MystiC india • Gord BaMford • Chantal KraviazuK • Johnny reid • hairspray • niKKi yanofsKy • GeorGe Carlin • liGhthouse • MiChael KaeshaMMer • Jann arden • rosanne Cash • roMeo & Juliet • MystiC india • Gord BaMford • Chantal KraviazuK • Johnny reid • hairspray • niKKi yanofsKy • GeorGe Carlin • liGhthouse • MiChael KaeshaMMer • Jann arden • rosanne Cash • roMeo & Juliet • MystiC india • Gord BaMford • Chantal KraviazuK • Johnny reid • hairspray • niKKi yanofsKy • GeorGe Carlin • liGhthouse • MiChael KaeshaMMer • Jann arden • rosanne Cash • roMeo & Juliet • MystiC india • Gord BaMford • Chantal KraviazuK • Johnny reid • hairspray • niKKi yanofsKy • GeorGe Carlin • liGhthouse • MiChael KaeshaMMer • Jann arden • rosanne Cash • roMeo & Juliet • MystiC india • Gord BaMford • Chantal KraviazuK • Johnny reid • hairspray • niKKi yanofsKy • GeorGe Carlin • liGhthouse • MiChael KaeshaMMer • Jann arden • rosanne Cash • roMeo & Juliet • MystiC india • Gord BaMford • Chantal KraviazuK • Johnny reid • hairspray • niKKi yanofsKy • GeorGe Carlin • liGhthouse • MiChael KaeshaMMer • Jann arden • rosanne Cash • roMeo & Juliet • MystiC india • Gord BaMford • Chantal KraviazuK • Johnny reid • hairspray • niKKi yanofsKy • GeorGe

Natalie MacMaster

leahy FaMily christMas

Group oF seveN Nutcracker

Broadway’s spirit oF

christMas

diaNa paNtoN

Gord BaMFord/victoria BaNks

JohN McderMott

colM wilkiNsoN

Mark Masri

TEN

sEa

soN

s!

2006 2007 2008

2009 2010 2011

2012 2013 2014

The Rose Theatre

has been Brampton’s

proud source of live entertainment

and theatre since 2006. In recgonition of

our 10th season, we recollect

the terrific acts that performed

on the Rose Theatre stage over the years.

December’s highlight

artists include Broadway’s

Spirit of Christmas,

Gord Bamford and Diana

Panton.


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by alison broverman

John mcdermott

John McDermott’s career arc is proof that it’s never too late to follow your dream.

Although McDermott, who is now known and beloved across Canada for his stirring renditions of traditional Irish music, has been making music his whole life, he didn’t even consider music as a career option until he was almost 40.

“I recorded an album for my parents’ wedding anniversary in 1992, and then opened for The Chieftains across the country!” McDermott says when glibly asked to summarize how his career started.

That first album was only intended to be a gift for his parents. Music played a huge part growing up in the McDermott family. “We all sang growing up, it was a weekly thing,” says McDermott. On that first album, he recorded all the traditional family favourites that he and his siblings would sing.

But this personal family album found its way into the world.“Peter Gzowski got a copy of it and played three tracks,”

McDermott says. Then in 1993, Peter Mansbridge closed a CBC National news broadcast with a 10-minute segment about McDermott and his album.

One thing led to another, and suddenly McDermott was touring with the Irish band The Chieftains. He hasn’t looked back since. “I was 38 years old, I didn’t expect anything like that,” he says. “I never ever expected that EMI would release [the album] on Angel. To see the success it had was totally due to having the right people at the right time.”

To open for The Chieftains, he had to put a band together– and he seems to have quite the eye for talent. First, he hired a young fiddler named Ashley MacIsaac, who soon went on to a successful career of his own. So McDermott hired a new fiddler, a young woman he could tell was destined for stardom. It was Natalie MacMaster. “She was too good to be hanging out with us,” says McDermott. “She had stardom written all over her.”

This December, McDermott brings his signature warmth and “Irish tenor” to the Rose Theatre with a concert featuring all his old favourites.

McDermott says his biggest musical influence has been his father – it goes back to all that singing they did as a family growing up. “Before he sang a song he’d tell you where it came from, who wrote it and why he wrote it,” McDermott says. “There was always a history tied to it. And that’s present in my shows now.”

Maybe it’s because he feels he got so lucky with his career but one of the most important things to McDermott these days is giving back, both to his audience and to the community. McDermott has started McDermott House Canada, a foundation for hospice care and palliative care. This also goes back to his father. “My dad was a veteran in WWII ... when he saw I was going to have some success, he asked me to give back to the community.”

Right now, McDermott House Canada is working on the expansion and renovation of the palliative care unit at Sunnybrook Hospital. “I’m raising 3.6 million and so far we’ve raised $2 million,” says McDermott.

He also gives back in an even more personal way. A couple of years ago, he was extremely touched to be asked to sing at the funeral of a devoted fan. “[While in hospital] the family called and asked me if I had a chance, to phone and talk to him,” says McDermott, who went them one better and offered to visit in person. “The day before I was going to go visit him, he died, so I offered to come and sing at the service. They were a lovely family.”

McDermott prides himself on being accessible to his fans.

“The audience feels they can talk to me, and I like that,” he says. He eschews the stereotypical “meet and greet” scenario, where the star sits behind a table surrounded by security and fans line up for the honour of an autograph. McDermott prefers to just be present and talk to people.

“At the end of the day, I’m successful not because I’m good, but because I have an audience. I have a loyal fan base and that’s where you succeed.”


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Late Nite Catechism (LNC) fans should brace themselves for the holiday edition of the popular live comedy series, because – get ready for it – Sister is throwing a party.

Well, sort of.It’s as close to a “party” as Sister may ever get, so you won’t

want to miss it when she returns to The Rose with Sister’s Christmas Catechism – The Mystery of the Magi’s Gold.

Those who know Sister also know of her strict ways. They shouldn’t be surprised that, before the party, class will be in session and everyone in the audience will become a student. The idea behind the series is to reimagine – and reenact – a Catholic school setting where students are taught by an unyielding nun.

While Sister maintains her no-nonsense attitude toward “students” who misbehave (those who behave may be rewarded, those who don’t will be handed a punishment), the premise of this show does deviate a little from the other seven in the wacky and popular series.

For instance, this is the only show where she has a helper: a two-metre elf named Frosty. She also encourages the taking of photos throughout, and has brought in a choir to entertain her students before and during the show.

“The Christmas show is the biggest one of the eight in the series,” says Kim Richards, who takes on the role of Sister and has played the part more than a thousand times. “It’s the closest thing Sister’s had to an extravaganza.”

Students are taught a (hilarious) lesson on the Magi and the mystery that has plagued historians throughout the ages: the

by ashley goodfellow

SiSter in party mode for Late nite hoLiday Show


disappearance of the Magi’s gold. Sister will retell the story of the Nativity, and examine evidence to solve this mystery – including a living reconstruction of the Nativity scene.

It’s a lesson loaded with lots of fun questions, and lot of prizes, and lots of laughs, says Richards.

“In Act Two we build a living Nativity scene, and one lucky gal gets to be Mary,” she says. “One by one we bring people up (from the audience) and dress them up with fun costumes.”

Costumes made of toilet seat covers, fitted sheets and lampshades, for instance.

All of this happens before a backdrop of what Richards describes as “gigantic” Christmas decorations, including a tree and all the trimmings.

“It’s a family show more so than all of the others in the series,” she notes, adding that Sister includes children in the audience participation. “There’s more involvement with audiences, and they are encouraged to take photos, and the kids get involved.”

The holiday show continues to be part-comedy and part-improv, and Richards is a pro at portraying Sister. She’s played the part in this particular show for about 10 years, and has

been performing as Sister in other LNC shows for nearly 15 years.

“It’s a big Christmas party with lots of music, lots of decorations, lots of prizes and lots of fun,” she says, adding that she always hosts a meet-and-greet after the show.

The series, and Richards, has grown a cult-like following for the punchy, sharp-witted, off-the-cuff comedy she delivers. While the LNC shows are predictably hilarious, the comedy Richards serves up is often spontaneous and unexpected. She plays to the audience, which means no

two shows are ever the same.And, since the series isn’t sequential in nature, she says

anyone can jump into any LNC show at any time without missing a beat – just don’t be late!

“ It’s a big Christmas party with lots

of music, lots of decorations, lots of

prizes and lots of fun”


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Visit pama.peelregion.ca to learn more

December 19-24 and 28-31

• Join instructor-led family friendly activities each day, from clay creations to winter watercolour painting

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Fun Weekend Family Activities (Year Round!) Sat. and Sun. from 1 – 4:30 p.m.

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No holiday season would be complete without experiencing a traditional classical ballet performance by none other than the world-renowned Moscow Classical Ballet (MCB). The troupe, formerly known as the State Academic Classical Ballet Theatre under the artistic direction of Natalia Kasatkina and Vladimir Vasilyov.

In fact, the company is one of the leading ballet groups and among the few that are still supported by the Russian Ministry of Culture. The company gave its first performance in 1968 and since then has gone on to perform in over 30 countries. It also performs regularly at the Kremlin Palace of Congresses in Moscow and over 200 cities.

The MCB is a professional company distinguished by openness to innovation alongside a commitment to preserve the expansive “Moscow style” in the classics. Kasatkina and Vasilyov infused traditional ballet with modern romantic and innovative twists shocked audiences in the 1970s and 80s. In fact, their production Creation of the World that starring a young Mikhail Baryshnikov as Adam, was labelled as “too erotic” and “anti-Soviet” by the Russian government but went on to become one of their most popular works of art, explains the company’s representative. Kasatkina and Vasilyov’s dream is to establish their very own stage and theatre to hold their spectacular and flawlessly executed works of art.

The MCB’s vast and diverse repertoire includes classical pieces like Swan Lake, The Sleeping Beauty, Giselle, Coppelia, Romeo and Juliet and Don Quixote along with modern pieces like Creation of the World, Le Sacre du Printemps, Cinderella and Mowgli to name just a few. They have a rare gift of spotting talented artists and have trained a whole assembly of world-class ballet dancers, thus earning the nickname “Ballet Star Factory”. Among the leading dancers brought up in the theatre, and performing in this winter’s tour, are two Grand Prix winners and 19 gold medal winners at various international competitions.

twirls and weaves its winter magic in brampton!

by nita balani

the nutcrackero

n th

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in s

tag

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in s

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by marcy cornblUm

Season’s Greetings, Happy New Year. Welcome to Sharron’s Christmas Party as she celebrates the holidays with her comedy cabaret. Good times and laughter guaranteed.

Matthews is a multi-talented performer. She is comfortable and at ease, whether performing her cabaret show or acting alongside Colm Wilkinson in the megahit musical Les Misérables or portraying the Wicked Witch of the West in YPT’s version of The Wizard of Oz.

TV audiences can watch Matthews on Global’s hit show Canada Sings; Matthews is the vocal coach for the teams competing on the show.

And, if you’d like to take Matthews home with you, her CD Party Girl is available for purchase in the theatre lobby.

“It is always one of my favourite times of the year,” she smiles. “I love spending time with my family. And I love performing at this time of year … audiences are all very sentimental and ready for fun.

“Sharron’s Christmas Party is a PANIC! I sing old and new Christmas songs and wrap them up in a festive comedy musical bow.

Sharron matthewS


“I sing songs like “White Christmas” and “Frosty the Snowman” and tell the stories in a whole new way. Hysterical, sometimes a bit naughty and suddenly moving … you kind of have to see it to believe it.” The audience can also look forward to singalongs.

Matthews describes her relationship with her audience. “The audience is the most important part of the show and we have to be in the same world. The audience is the show for me. The way they react brings me such joy. I bring my world and invite everyone in. I have done hundreds of shows and they always come along. And they never regret it …well maybe one or two … but they forgive me later.

“Sharron’s Christmas Party is the best Christmas party in town. Everyone is invited, and you don’t have to clean up after. Imagine!”

Christmastime has always been special for the Hamilton, Ontario-born Matthews. “I remember, when my mom would go to work (when my two sisters and I were on Christmas break from school) we would open all our Christmas presents … and then wrap them back up!”

Matthews and her husband of 21 years (actor, producer and member of the baritone trio Bravura) George Masswohl “do all the Christmas things. We have always loved tradition. I get so excited. We get our tree, we wrap presents while we watch White Christmas … we are filled with Christmas spirit!

“George makes cookies (I don’t bake or cook) and he creates a delicious holiday menu, which includes turkey and potatoes. I can really balance a cheque book … that is my Christmas skill.”

Matthews’ mantel is overflowing with awards and honours. For example, in 2012 she was named “Woman of the Year” by UK’s New Current (online student magazine), “Best of the Fest” by The Scotsman newspaper, “Best Cabaret Performer” by Now magazine and she also received the Greg Bond Award (for continuing work in the area of commercial theatre).

Matthews shares some of her career highlights: “Singing on the stage of the Baxter theatre in Cape Town, South Africa, in 2012. The opening night of my cabaret debut in New York City at Joe’s Pub at The Public theatre; it was one of the most magical nights of my life.

“My first day of work on the Mean Girls set when Tina Fey came to my trailer to walk me to set and welcome me to the movie. She was wonderful and kind.

“The night I lived one of my dreams and did a dance scene in a movie musical with John Travolta (Hairspray). What a night!

“The moment I finished my first cabaret in 1994, I knew I wanted to do this work forever.”

When asked who makes her laugh, Matthews answers, “So

many people make me laugh. My pal Gavin Crawford just slays me. My husband makes me laugh, hard.”

When Matthews is not entertaining audiences worldwide, she is a homebody. She enjoys spending time with her family or walking the paths with her pals in Stratford, Ontario, where she resides.

Fans can look forward to hearing Matthews’ beautiful voice on Jann Arden’s recently released Christmas album.

Asked for her advice for people who are contemplating a career in the entertainment business, Matthews says, “Be brave and humble. And, as soon as you are able, create your own work.”

And, in true Matthews style, “Put your HST in a separate account. Seriously, people!”

Join us for a

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by david paterson

the ceLtic tenorS


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You might think that what you’d get at a Celtic Tenors concert would be summed up by their name — Celtic music sung by tenors.

And, while the talented trio will be performing a fair amount of music from Ireland and Scotland when they return to The Rose this month, there’ll be a lot more besides their soulful versions of well-known tunes like “Danny Boy.”

“We’re a bit more than it says on the tin,” says Matthew Gilsenan, one of the three Celtic Tenors.

That tin has now been around for 16 years and the trio — made up of Gilsenan, James Nelson and Daryl Simpson — have developed a broad repertoire that takes in classical crossover, beloved folk tunes and their own takes on popular modern songs, as well as pieces such as the wistful “Remember Me,” that have been written especially for them.

Three platinum-selling albums testify to their talent as singers who take on songs that are both technically difficult and instantly relatable. They are also performers who like to challenge the stereotypes. At a Celtic Tenors concert you won’t find the tie-and-

tails favoured by classical singers nor will you see

them overplay their Irish roots. Very much in line with

the modern brand of Celtic performers coming out of Ireland

today, they have a pared-back, modern aesthetic and a laid-back style.

“We are just three ordinary guys who take the mickey out of each other,” says Gilsenan. “We take the music seriously, but we don’t take ourselves too seriously.”

He adds, “It’s a relaxed environment. Yes, we do sing opera, but it’s fun opera.” By which he means they sing the bits people know — and they often get the audience to join in, particularly on the chorus of “Nessun Dorma.”

Having just toured the United States and Australia alongside Celtic Woman, another hugely popular crossover group, The Celtic Tenors will be coming to Ontario with a show featuring several songs from their latest album, Timeless.

While not quite a departure from what the trio have done before, Timeless certainly pushes

them further into the realm of pop music. The Celtic Tenors worked with Australian producer Charles Fisher, known for producing Savage Garden’s wildly popular 1997 album, selecting many of their own favourites for the record, including Martina McBride’s “In My Daughter’s Eyes” and Bob Dylan’s “Forever Young.”

That genuine enthusiasm for the music they are performing is one of the reasons The Celtic Tenors have proved enduringly popular. It’s also what pushes them to step outside their comfort zone and pick pieces from different styles that take real skill to perfect.

“We don’t play it safe in the way we perform and I think that adds to our performance. We might have 10 or 15 top Cs in an evening and these really are no-prisoners type top Cs where we are really giving it welly,” says Gilsenan.

“If you can easily go through the motions and it doesn’t require huge skill, the audience doesn’t have the sense that there’s something dangerous going on, that there could be the monumental crack at any moment and this could fail. I love that risk of danger in performance.”

In all ways, The Celtic Tenors have a gift for delivering the unexpected.


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The apple doesn’t fall far from the tree. Or, in the case of Next Generation Leahy, the apples – six of them aged between five and 13 years – don’t fall far from the trees, namely parents Doug and Jennifer.

Doug is a member of the original Leahy, the sensational eight-sibling-strong troupe from Lakefield, Ontario, that comprises fiddle-heavy Celtic-flavoured music, French Canadian step-dancing and is led by Donnell Leahy, husband to East Coast fiddling sensation Natalie MacMaster.

Leahy’s biggest claim to fame, perhaps, was being chosen as Shania Twain’s opening act for her very first big stadium and arena tour for Come On Over. Leahy also won three Juno Awards, including Best New Group, in 1998.

Though they haven’t put out many albums – three, at last count – they’re still a going concern, thrilling thousands around the world with their exciting and animated tours.

At the moment, however, the band is on hiatus (Donnell and Natalie are touring their first album together) and fiddler Doug – with the help of his pianist wife Jennifer – are introducing their own kids – Adele, 13, Gregory, 12, Angus, 11, Cecilia, 8, Joseph, 7, and Evelyn, 5 – to the public … with a few more kids waiting in the wings?

“We have eight children now, of which six are onstage,” says Doug over the phone as the clan is returning from a North Carolina appearance.

“For many years, my band Leahy would do Christmas tours, and we’d bring out a couple kids onto the show, because

Christmas is so much about kids. And, all of a sudden, people started asking, ‘When are the kids going to be doing their own thing?’”

Eighteen months ago, a Winnipeg promoter invited Doug, Jennifer and the kids to headline at a festival.

“We put a show together and, since then, we’ve been asked to tour with The Chieftains; we’ve done shows with the Tenors and Natalie and Donnell, and many, many other things. The opportunities that are presenting themselves to us … .”

Doug maintains that it’s the natural love of music that has sparked the Leahy brood to take it this far.

“Some of them would rather play music than watch television,” said the proud pop. “They literally would ask, ‘Can we put on music and dance?’ They really love music, they love touring, so it makes it pretty easy for us to get them to practice and to inspire them to do what they do.”

And as much as Next Generation Leahy is about Doug and Jennifer’s kids, they aren’t the only progenies of the 11-member Leahy clan (eight are actual members of Leahy) that make music. In total, Doug says there are 37!

“A lot of it is with their cousins, because when kids get around other kids, doing the same thing, they get inspired,” Doug explains.

“When I was a kid, we were the only ones in school that played fiddles and danced and stuff, and sometimes you felt a little awkward. But our kids are surrounded by so many other children playing music that they truly enjoy what they’re doing.”

by nick krewen

the neXt generation – yoU will be assimilated

Leahy:

Performance sponsored by:


EXPIRES SEPTEMBER 30th, 2016

Doug and Jennifer have taken over the Lakefield homestead (which houses the majority of the Leahy clan, with Donnell, Natalie and their family living 10 minutes away) and for the moment are overseeing their kids’ act.

But Doug admits the days of he and Jennifer joining their children onstage are numbered.

“The kids, being so young, needed some assistance, even just emceeing the show and coordinating stuff,” says Doug. “But a year-and-a-half in, we’re doing less all the time. Trust me, you might not see us too much longer.”

Young as they are, age hasn’t stopped the Next Generation from progressing creatively.

“The kids are starting to write and arrange music,” Doug states. “That’s something we actively promote so that they express the things that they like and their personalities.”

Another of the show’s highlights is Adele, Cecilia and Evelyn singing in three-part harmony, a talent that Doug maintains is spontaneous.

“We didn’t teach them that – they picked it up on their own,” Doug explains. “You ask them to sing something in harmony and, bang – they sing it in harmony! Cecilia is eight years old and she has perfect pitch. And the step-dancing – they’re step-dancing at a world-class level.”

Doug says that Next Generation Leahy’s talent has impressed so many that the troupe has received some juicy performance offers.

“The opportunity is there for the kids to get into the game and, boy oh boy, are they delivering! We’re being booked right across the United States next year, coast-to-coast, and we’ve been asked to go to China to do 30 shows. The response has been overwhelming.”

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