FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - Oct., 17, 2019 

LEGENDS REMEMBRANCE unveils cast…

From the creators of Legends I, Legends II and Christmas Legends comes LEGENDS REMEMBRANCE, a tribute to some of our 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 us on a unique musical journey into the humble love story of our accidental narrators ‘Mary Anne’ and ‘James’. Join us for an evening of nostalgia and whimsy as these great performers steal us away to an era gone, but not forgotten. 

VERA LYNN

Known as "the Forces' Sweetheart" Vera Lynn performed for the troops regularly and brought them such beloved songs like, "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 MacKenzie would be her roles in The Rocky Horror Picture Show (Savoy Theatre), ‘S Wonderful (The HAT), and Heart of Steel (The HAT).  Mackenzie is excited to take on the role of Vera Lynn in Legends Remembrance.

THE ANDREWS SISTERS

In the years just before and during World War II,  the Andrews Sisters were at the height of their popularity, with their intricate harmonies they pumped 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. There needs to be a chemistry and a trust between them,” said Muise. 

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. Jenn has been with The C. B. 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. Jenn 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 guest artist with the Celtic Colours International Festival for the past two seasons, all whilst managing a brand new nursing career in Cape Breton. Margaret has been a member of the Cape Breton Summertime Revue for the past 5 years and enjoyed portraying Michelle Phillips (The Mamas and Papas) in last years’ LEGENDS II. Margaret plays LaVerne Andrews of The Andrews Sisters in Legends Remembrance.

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, Emily 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 of The Andrews Sisters in Legends Remembrance.

FRANK SINATRA, ELVIS PRESLEY  AND BOB HOPE

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 us around the timeline. In LEGENDS Remembrance, we’ll meet 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, 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. Bethany is thrilled to play the role of ‘Mary Anne’ in LEGENDS Remembrance and is excited to work with some of the best performers on the island!

Dane Pedersen is a 17 year-old, unassuming talent from Millville, Cape Breton. From a young age, Dane had a spirited interest in music and started off playing guitar and singing. It wasn’t long before Dane and his rich baritone vocals were noticed and he was pulled into to perform in various productions, like A Tribute to the Rotary Show, She Loves Me, Kitchen Party, and the Drowsy Chaperone (HAT Theatre). In LEGENDS Remembrance, Dane has been recruited to play the part of ‘James’, a soldier who is headed off to war, leaving his young love interest behind.

Legends co-producer Pam Leader says LEGENDS has 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. 

The LEGENDS brand has brought us the music of Patsy Cline, Buddy Holly and the Everly Brothers, The Mamas and the Papas, The Righteous Brothers and Roy Orbison Dolly Parton, Kenny Rogers, Jim Reeves and Elvis, all performed by local Cape Breton singers and actors. LEGENDS Remembrance promises to be an escape from reality, as we celebrate those timeless classics ingrained in our memories and our hearts around the era of wartime. Bless them all! 

SAVOY THEATRE:

LEGENDS Remembrance

SHOW DATES: Saturday, NOVEMBER 9 @ 7pm & Sunday, NOVEMBER 10 @ 7pm, 2019

Tickets: $46.50

Savoy Theatre Box Office, 902.842.1577 tickets.capebreton.ca.

For info or Interviews: 902-842-1599 [email protected]