FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - May 10, 2017
THE LEGENDS: BUDDY HOLLY, PATSY CLINE & THE EVERLY BROTHERS
TRIBUTE SHOW - CAST ANNOUNCEMENT

THE SAVOY THEATRE will be the place to be on May 27 & 28 as the ninety-year old venue continues anniversary celebrations with an exciting original production.

THE LEGENDS: Their Music, Their Stories, a tribute show with a twist, promises to take us on a unique journey through the music and the moments of Buddy Holly, Patsy Cline and The Everly Brothers, all through the eyes and ears of a narrator, who doesn’t realize she’s a narrator.

Pam Leader says it’s time to let the public in on who will be bringing the legends to life on the Savoy stage. “We couldn’t be happier to make this announcement,” said Leader.

To that end, the Savoy Theatre is happy to reveal, the Legend known as Buddy Holly will be portrayed by well-known local performer, writer, director and Savoy dinner theatre crowd favourite, Colin Appleton. A graduate of Dalhousie University, Glace Bay born Appleton, boasts a wealth of stage experience on and off island. You may have seen Colin in Chicago, Les Miserables or Are You Being Served Cape Breton to name a few.

The role of Patsy Cline will be taken on by another well-known local performer, hailing from New Waterford. With more than 30 years of stage experience to her credit, singer/songwriter/actor Jenn Sheppard will be belting out all the Cline favourites for Legends’ show goers. Sheppard has been and is front and centre in an array of musical ventures including The Cape Breton Summertime Revue, The Anne Murray Tribute Show and regular performances with the party band High Society. Jenn also serves as co-writer of Legends.

The duo of the Legends crew are the much-loved Everly Brothers and the Savoy team is excited to announce the return of Glace Bay native and popular performer, Jimmie Inch to take on the role of Don Everly. Jimmie has spent the past two decades building an impressive performance and media resumé, including his co-founding of the syndicated radio show East Coast Countdown and his hosting of Bell TV’s Sessions, with Jimmie Inch program. No stranger to the Savoy stage, Jimmie is excited to be home for a portion of the venue’s 90th anniversary year.

Don’s brother and musical partner, Phil Everly will be played by one of Cape Breton’s most sought-after leading men, Ron Newcombe. As a talented local actor, Ron has had the opportunity to portray a seemingly endless list of characters, both musical and not, on various stages. Ron can also be found as a staple in the Savoy Theatre’s dinner theatre shows. You’ve seen Ron in Chicago, Annie, Les Miserables, Pride and Prejudice, Into the Woods and more.

As for the narrator who doesn’t know she’s a narrator, the Savoy is proud to announce this mysterious role has been awarded to the talented, Heather Kerr-Merrill, who was the confident choice by the Legends team. Heather has an impressive performance history, which includes, Chicago, the Musical, Les Miserables, Holiday on Christmas Island, Confidential Musical and her most recent work with award-winning director, producer and playwright Ron Jenkins in the hit rock musical Next to Normal.

Of course we couldn’t visit the music of the Legends era without the addition of a vocal harmony group to fill the spaces in between, and so the award-winning male vocal group Quattro - consisting of members Gary Peach, Rex Dunn, John Peach, Glenn Drodge - have been secured to replicate the look and sounds of The Jordanaires: the American vocal quartet who provided background vocals for the likes of Elvis Presley and our Legends, both during live performances and on recordings.

As if that wasn’t enough, our house band will feature some of Cape Breton’s top musicians including Fred Lavery, Emily Dingwall, Aaron Lewis, James MacDonald and show co-writer and director Stephen Muise.

Savoy Theatre Manager Pam Leader thinks they have a winning show on their hands, “We are so lucky to have a vast amount of talent to choose from to bring these shows to life. The cast we have secured are pros, the musicians are pros and we’re all invested in making this experience real for our audiences. We also have a highly efficient back stage crew, and that’s going to come in handy because the approach is unique. We can’t wait to present it. We’re going to make people forget where and when they are!”

QUICK FACTS
THE LEGENDS: Their Music, Their Stories, two shows at the Savoy Theatre, Glace Bay.
May 27 at 7 p.m. and May 28 at 2 p.m. Get your tickets by visiting or calling the box office: 902-842-1577 or tickets.capebreton.ca

SUMMARY CAST LIST:
BUDDY HOLLY- COLIN APPLETON
PATSY CLINE - JENN SHEPPARD
THE EVERLY BROTHERS; JIMMIE INCH AND RON NEWCOMBE
NARRATOR - HEATHER KERR-MERRILL
THE JORDANAIRES - QUATTRO

LEGENDS BAND:
FRED LAVERY
AARON LEWIS
EMILY DINGWALL
JAMES MACDONALD
STEPHEN MUISE 

For more Information:
Call Savoy Theatre Box Office: 902-842-1577
Call Savoy Theatre Administration: 902-842-1599
Website: savoytheatre.com

CELEBRATING 90 YEARS