Cape Breton Summertime Revue

12 Great Years
This was the show from June 13th
Unfortunately, thirteen proved to be the last show

The 1997 Cape Breton Summertime Revue

Well, this year's Revue lives up to the long standing reputation of fun and entertainment for all! This year's cast includes former alumni and several new people. Among this year's new people are several with a strong history with Cape Breton entertainment:

Gordie Sampson - He's this year's Musical Director and has MORE than adequate credentials for this demanding post. He is a fantastic musician, with drums, guitar, fiddle, & keyboards demonstrated last night. He also has worked with some of the top Cape Breton entertainers.

Allie Bennett - He's played and worked on a whole host of musical events and recordings over the span of his time in the entertainment industry. Mostly played guitar last night.

Howie MacDonald - We've seen Howie on stage as fiddler and back up musician for quite a number of years. I'm sure close friends and relatives have seen another side of Howie, which we ONLY got to see with this year's Revue! He's quite a funny man!! And has a good singing voice! Hey, Elvis!

Dave MacKeough - Guitar player extraordinaire!! Just watch his fingers going through the TOO-FEW solos he got!

Tom Roach - For those who haven't seen the Barra MacNeils or Natalie MacMaster over the last few years, this show will introduce you to Tom Roach's musical abilities. To everyone, the Revue taps into another side of him. As it has with Howie, the unknown was seen and brought out during a couple of non-musical parts. Watch for them!

Lisa MacIsaac - She's the youngest of this year's cast, but that belies her talent. She's known more as "Ashley's younger sister", but that does NOT mean she's untalented. Just watch her feet move or her fingers stroke that bow across the strings! Talented family. She's going to come into her own soon. As Natalie did in 1991 with the Revue, it is giving her a chance to stretch and grow.

Julie Martell - Young girl, but fantastic voice. She seems like one who does NOT need the microphone. Absolutely fabulous lung capacity. She also sings and is quite funny on stage. An accomplished actress as well with an Honours Degree in Musical Theatre.

Maura Lea Morykot - She was in the 1995 Revue, but this year, she is QUITE noticeable. Nice voice, rich in tones. I like her. She's VERY VERY funny.

Richard Burke - He may look young, but his musical abilities are mammoth. He played keyboards, accordian, and sax through the night. Also he participated in numerous skits as well as sang several songs.

Maynard Morrison - Cecil's back!!! This energetic man has been a mainstay of the Revue cast for most of its' history. Cecil is almost as beloved as Mary Morisson. By merely appearing in costume (rubber tire around the waist) and not saying a word, he can bring the house down. As "Joe EveryCaper" he is a spokesperson of immense proportion. Thanks for returning this year.

********** ACT 1 *********

The set goes back to the beginnings. Simple and basic. We don't need the fancy. Our imaginations will supply that from the characters we're presented with. There are some risers for the musicians to stand up on. All except for Tom are standing throughout. Hardy souls.


Juxtaposition
The traditional Maynard character looking for his job and or benefits. Watch for the punchline which Shannon gave us the other night. (See below)

Christy Campbell/Drunken Landlady
Both Howie and Lisa MacIsaac were featured here. Nicely done with a few quick steps as well from Lisa.

Note, in between all of this, there are quick interludes where the various musicians would tie things together while the set changes rapidly.

Is This Cape Breton Or What?
Imagine a radio program where YOU are watching the studio where the broadcast is set in..... A simple counter/table, some props and a chair. Howie walks on and sits down. The musician's cue up the radio theme music! Then the fun begins!! I've often been entertained by the musical abilities of one Howie MacDonald. However last night I was treated to the comic abilities of this same person. He's a pretty famous character, and yet here he is acting the part of radio host and several guests. Quite convincingly. If Howie (*perish forbid*) should ever lose his capacity to produce music, he could find a ready stage for the other side of his personality. This man has many facets which seem to have been totally ignored! He has a fascinating ability to make you BELIEVE in the person he's playing.

Another Morning
Next up is the song recently released on JP Cormier's new CD Another Morning. Maynard did an excellent job on this, with Howie supplying the plaintive tones on his fiddle. This is where we first see just about the entire cast at once.

Emergency
Bette MacDonald created this piece of political satire. Set in the emergency room of a "fictitious" hospital. We see two staff nurses meeting the various patients and commenting on them and their fellow staffers! Stars Maura and Julie.

Frank
This is a satire on the "fair game" magazine, Frank! Delightful song. Pokes fun at the magazine and you're NOT offended! Richard Burke as a "Garth Brooks" clone along with a western motif. Watch the background singers, Maynard, Julie and Maura!

Strathlorne
Matt Minglewood was the special guest and performed this lovely song from the 1991 show, with Natalie's part taken by Howie.

The Store
Maynard wrote this about a curmudgeon of a storeowner who with his wife, Lisa, meet a Texan with his wife, played by Richard and Julie. Shannon's already passed on the punch line. (Again, see below)

The Water is Wide
This traditional song starts off well with Richard Burke. However it seemed to come alive with Julie Martell's wide open voice starting in the second part!! I had seen her cousin last year, and expected wonderful sounds out of this young lady. I was NOT disappointed at ALL! Thanks!

Down The Broom
This is another fiddle set starring Lisa MacIsaac and backed up by Al Bennett on guitar and Howie MacDonald on keyboards. Straight out of the tradition.

Dare to Dream
Remember the family reunion from hell? Well, imagine if your family included Cecil!! Richard Burke's character found out in this skit that Maynard wrote! Cecil RULES!

Joe Neil
Last year, the Cape Breton landscape was diminished by the loss of several members of its' Gaelic community. One of them was Joe Neil MacNeil. This is a respectful treatment of a man who "was considered 'Gaidheal gu chùl' - A Gael to his backbone"

Intermission

********** ACT 2 *********

Act two started with the musician's playing what might be the funkiest version of Buain Na Rainich I have EVER come across! It's hard to describe. Sort of Celtic tradition meets Mick Jagger or April Wine.

She The Ocean
From there we proceeded to a lovely version of this classic Barra MacNeil's song performed by Maura Lea Molykot, backed up by Gordie Sampson. The vocals were hard to make out last night though so I missed most of the verses.

Better Than Nothin'
Hilarious! Howie's character as the TV game show host was the scene stealer. Nothing that Richard or Maynard did through this skit compared to the memorable character portrayed by Howie!!! Tom Roach took part in this skit as well, which was well done! Enjoyed it. Maura's version of the game show-hostess was also unforgettable. Julie played the show's contestant on this Caper version of The Dating Game!

The Stepping Song
Mary Jane Lamond recently put this group of tunes on her recording. This was performed by Lisa and Howie along with assitance from most of the cast, but featuring Tom Roach AND Julie Martell! Watch for it! Show stopper!!!
Joseph
Written by Gordie Sampson and Bruce Guthro, this is a moving ballad. Simply done, it featured Gordie center stage with a guitar in his lap.

Friday Report
Tom Roach returned to front and center again with this TV newcaster short of some local news and commentary! What would the Revue do without politicians!

Howie's Group
Features none other than, Howie MacDonald with two pieces he wrote tied to several traditional pieces.

Long Way from Texas
Matt Minglewood came back for another of his favourite songs. He brought with him his own special guest for the keyboards on this one.

Atlantis
Maynard front and center with the character from Juxtaposition. He HAD found a job but lost it. Think Zamboni on the street during a winter storm. Anyway he decides to change careers as Shannon relates. Due to the upsurge of Cape Breton entertainers, he decides to write songs. He's got a DOOZY! Watch for the background singers, especially Lisa!

The Miner's Song and Seams
The show would NOT be complete without mention of these famous hardworkers of the Island. Lovely version of the Miner's Song featuring Richard Burke. It began with a reading by Wally MacAulay of his poem Seams.

No Frontiers
Julie Martell wow'd them before and does it again with her excellent musical capabilities. This is someone to watch for in the future. She'll be EXTREMELY famous.

Hughie and Allan
Richard and Maynard portray these famous Capers in a VERY respectful manner. Loved watching this. You'd think it WAS Hughie and Allan in person.

Purple Heather
What a fantastic way to go. This version of "Wild Mountain Thyme" is almost as hard to believe as the Buain a Rainich at the start of the second act. It works though! Gordie's fantastic guitar playing as well as his singing combined to create a wonderful closer.

However that was not to be the end. The cast finished off the evening with some beautiful music leading to the appearance of FOUR fiddlers center-stage. Howie, Gordie, Lisa and Al picked up their fiddles and stomped our way through one more excellent fiddle set! Great work!

Directors: Bette MacDonald & Maynard Morrison
Musical Director: Gordie Sampson
Script Co-ordinators: Max MacDonald, Maynard Morrison, Bette MacDonald
Stage Manager: Ingrid Bjornson
Road Manager: Nigel Kearns
Sound Engineer: Scott Fraser
Lighting Technician: Scott MacMullin
Costumes: Laurie MacDonald
Production Assistant: Jamie Crane
Voice-Overs: Wally MacAulay
Photographs (in Programme): Warren Gordon

From S_POIRIE@HUSKY1.STMARYS.CAFri Jun 13 06:33:51 1997
Date: Fri, 13 Jun 1997 01:42:11 -0300
From: SHANNON M POIRIER 
To: cb-music@chatsubo.com
Subject: A review of the Revue

My Review of the Revue

The 1997 Cape Breton Summertime Revue opened it's 3 night run in Halifax
to a packed house.  We were treated to a full evening of side-splitting
humour and fantastic music. 

The show opened with Maynard Morrison in character, complaining that he
didn't have a job.  He explained that you needed college for most jobs and
that he had failed every question on the entrance exam but one.  He was to
use the word "juxtapose" in a sentence, to which his reply was, "juxtapose
a had a job!" 

This gave way to a fabulous fiddle set by Howie MacDonald and 18 year old
Lisa MacIsaac, including "Christy Campbell" and "Drunken Landlady".
Throughout the show, Lisa also wowed the crowd with her step-dancing.  And
Howie showed us there's nothing he won't try.  He was hilarious as the
host of Cape Breton's version of the Dating Game, "Better Than Nothing". 
The crowd also got a kick when, during another sketch, he broke into a
drunken version of "Oran Luadhaidh"  (Fail Il E). 

The crowd howled when store owner Maynard told an obnoxious Texan tourist
to "kiss me arse", and his sweet wife (played by Lisa MacIsaac) told Tex
it was gaelic, and meant "a thousand welcomes"! 

The comedy was interspersed with strong and poignant ballands, with great
vocals by show newcomer Julie Martell, and 1995 cast-member Maura Lea
Morykot.  Gordie Sampson delivered a moving piece, "Joseph", which he
co-wrote with Bruce Guthro.  Revue alumnus, Matt Minglewood was a special
guest performing a couple of numbers. 

Gordie Sampson is one talented fellow.  He sang, played accoustic and
electic guitars, fiddle and keyboards, and even contributed to the comedy
writing. Sampson, who accompanied The Rankin Family on their recent U.S.
tour, is also the musical director of this years Revue. 

The second act opened with "She The Ocean", a concert favourite of mine
by the Barra MacNeils. 

The highlight of the second act had to be Maynard Morrison's hilarious
parody of Alanis Morrissette's "One Hand In My Pocket".  He had decided,
since he couldn't get any other job, he would try songwriting.  His
version of this hit include lyrics such as,

	"I suck but I'm lucky"
	"I'm better than Minglewood" (and that, eh)
	"I'm taller than Raylene Rankin"
	"and what it all comes down to, "
	"is everything's gonna be good, dear good"

The finale featured Gordie Sampson on lead vocals again, on a surprising
rock-ish version of the pretty, traditional "Purple Heather". 

All in all, a wonderful show.  I'm looking forward to next year already. 

Slainte!
Shannon


From S_POIRIE@HUSKY1.STMARYS.CAFri Jun 13 06:33:56 1997
Date: Fri, 13 Jun 1997 01:54:16 -0300
From: SHANNON M POIRIER 
To: cb-music@chatsubo.com
Subject: Summertime Revue Dates

Karen,

I picked up the schedule for the CB Summertime Revue at the show tonight.  The
remaining sceduled dates are:


July 8:   Ottawa, ON, National Arts Centre	613-996-5051
July 9:   London, ON, Centennial Hall		519-672-1968
July 10:  Brantford, ON, Sanderson Centre	519-758-8090
July 11:  Kitchener, ON, Centre in the Square	519-578-1578
July 12:  Owen Sound, ON, Kelso Park		519-371-2833
July 13:  Kingston, ON, Grand Theatre		613-530-2050
July 14:  Hamilton, ON, Hamilton Place   <== Might be cancelled - Lack of sales

Go see it!  It was great!!!  If you want the phone # for a specific venue, I
have that info too(just too tired to type it all), let me know.

Shannon
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