Local producer/actor/musical director Curtis Labelle will be showcasing his latest production soon before leaving town for a new venture in St. Albert.
He’s busy putting the finishing touches on a new musical revue called Let the Sunshine In, set to run Aug. 12-14 at The Matchbox Theatre.
Doors open at 7 p.m. with showtime at 7:30 p.m. There is also a matinee on Aug. 14 at 2 p.m.
Let the Sunshine In features a string of tunes from Broadway shows including Mr. Cellophane from Chicago, Macavity from Cats and Shadowland from the Lion King and of course Let the Sunshine In from Hair to name a few.
Labelle describes the show as essentially comedic in nature with a few dramatic numbers mixed in as well. The cast includes Daniel Machuk, Lena Dabrusin, Elly Jacobson and Mjaa Danielson.
“They’re catchy songs, and they are timeless,” Labelle adds of the appeal of the tunes selected for Let the Sunshine In.
“It’s also an interpretation, so Mr. Cellophane might not be the same as people would think it would be,” he explains, adding that it’s been fun adding new colours and textures to the material. “I like offering that as a musical director.”
Adding to the fun is that the show doesn’t follow a conventional pattern as well.
“The set doesn’t match the numbers. It’s not going to be what one might expect. There’s also a really simple set, but it’s a really cool set,” he adds.
A three-piece band featuring Labelle, David Luchenski and Charlie Jacobson will also be featured.
Meanwhile, Labelle is moving to St. Albert to take up a teaching post at Visionary College.
Hailing originally from Vernon, B.C., he’s been consistently busy in a number of artistic projects over the past several years.
He has musically and/or vocally directed more than 35 productions from small cabaret shows as Pulse (Kompany!), Rendezvous (Garter Girl Theatre Yukon) to theatrical productions including Footloose, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, FAME and Anne of Green Gables (Central Alberta Theatre).
He has also worked as a private piano and voice instructor with the Labelle School of Music.
Currently, he’s gearing up for a new chapter in his life as an instructor at Visionary College in St. Albert.
“I will be an instructor for the musical theatre department and a musical director. I’m overwhelmed and ecstatic. I’m on a natural high – it’s phenomenal,” he said. “It’s a new start and a new life.”
Tickets for Let the Sunshine In ($18 and $15) are available at The Matchbox (#110, 5301–43rd St.) For more information, call 403-341-6500.
