If you’re a fan of both Gordon Lightfoot’s music and theatre production, we’ve got the show for you!
The Belfry Theatre will present the world premiere of If You Could Read My Mind: The Songs of Gordon Lightfoot, running from Thursday, April 24th to Sunday, May 18th.
There will also be two preview performances on Tuesday, April 22nd and Wednesday, April 23rd.
If You Could Read My Mind was created by Michael Shamata and Tobin Stokes, and features actors Kelt Eccleston, Evangelia Kambites, David Lennon, Melissa MacPherson and Pedro M. Siqueira—who is also the assistant musical director.
When talking about the process, Shamata shared that a blueprint is created first, and details which songs are in what order, and who will be singing them. The blueprint is then taken to rehearsal and revised as they run through it.
“It’s a very collaborative process—which continues once we’re in the room with the actor/singers—they have a lot of input into the chords and harmonies and choices of instruments,” said Shamata in a press release.
Stokes added that audiences can expect many beloved familiar tunes, as well as some surprises.
“Right now in rehearsal we have a big room full of talent, and it’s crowded with instruments. It’s a good chaos…There’s only room for so many songs in there!” said Stokes.
For frequent theatre-goers, you may recognize Victoria’s Eccleston from the Belfry’s production of Home is a Beautiful Word, and Stratford-based Kambites, who starred in the original production of I Think I’m Fallin’: The Songs of Joni Mitchell.
Additionally, Siqueira (who hails from Brazil) was in Belfry’s presentation of A WONDERHEADS Christmas Carol. Both Lennon and MacPherson are making their Belfry debuts with this play!
According to Shamata, he and Stokes had been talking about creating a show around Lightfoot’s music for quite some time.
Similar to their Joni Mitchell show, he shared how thrilling it is to hear the music in these new arrangements, which allows everyone to hear the lyrics anew and experience them in a whole new way.
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In addition to their regular scheduled performances, they’ll have a special Talkback Thursday on Thursday, May 8th. This is where actors will return to the stage after the performance and answer audience questions.
The Q&A will last around 20 minutes and will provide great insight into what you’ve just experienced!
There will also be a VocalEye performance on Sunday, May 11th at 2 p.m., which includes an in-person event with a Touch Tour and Social afterwards.
This show is for guests with low or no vision, where the Belfry will provide trained Audio Describers to give descriptions of the visual elements of the show.
Tickets are on a ‘pay what you can’ scale, and can be purchased online or by calling (250) 385-6815.
If You Could Read My Mind: The Songs of Gordon Lightfoot
- Where: The Belfry Theatre, 1291 Gladstone Avenue
- When: Thursday, April 24th to Sunday, May 18th (preview shows April 22nd and 23rd)
