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Theatre Orangeville is An Affair of the Heart

February 11, 2021   ·   0 Comments

By Constance Scrafield

What a terrific line-up there is for the next Theatre Orangeville Online show, opening February 12 and running until February 25.

By now, you might even know the drill. You can buy your virtual ticket online and watch the show any time over its two-week run. Such a lovely list of artists to celebrate Valentine’s, old love, new love or simply chase the doldrums and blues away. 

Artistic Director, David Nairn said it: “Just want everyone to have a lovely time; share the show by Zoom with friends in other parts of the country and watch it at the same time – get family together. Even if you are alone, you still feel the warmth of what the show is.”

He promised, “It’s a breath of fresh air. We’re all desperate for the sun light and warmth and romance. I think it’s going to be one of our best shows, as we keep learning. I hope – it’s my wish – to refresh people’s spirits. Everybody needs a lift.”

Canadian musical theatre composer, lyricist, librettist and much more, Leslie Arden is singing her own song, Nothing Can Prepare You. What makes it additionally special, this will be the first time she’s ever sung this song in public. Although she wrote it, she has never sung it before. 

Derek Marshall, the epitome of elegance, Mr. Nairn calls him, with his debonaire recreation of the famous crooners of the Rat Pack and others will charm us with a couple of old charmers, accompanied by the talented Nick Mustapha.

People say that Trevor Patt has such an extraordinary voice that he could sing the phone book and we would still all be delighted. He too has brought his guitar to sing and chase the blues away, Nick Mustapha on board at the piano.

“Every single performer has said how wonderful it is to ‘spread their wings on a stage and feel the stage under their feet again,’” David Nairn declared. “And we’re getting some great comments about people sharing these shows with others.”

He accompanies singers and performers, yes, but it is always a pleasure to see and hear Nick Mustapha add his own contribution as a solo, which he does with two romantic favourites. 

Happy are the days always, when Leisa Way comes on the stage with her beautiful energy and light. Only a couple of well-loved songs, but with Leisa singing them, they are new again and she will make those moments shine. 

A delightful vignette has been prepared for our viewing pleasure, designed and performed by Roland and Sandy Kirouac, called My Funny Valentine. This is the love story of how these two people met.

Roland Kirouac was last on the main stage here, to present his wonderful little book: “It brought back memories for me,” he said. “The last time I was on the stage [at Theatre Orangeville] was when I launched my book Message From a Fool, telling the surprising story of how I was inspired to become a dancer.”

For this show, “My funny Valentine, David asked us to do something. I had the music My Funny Valentine for this re-enactment in dance and mime when we first got together, 49 years ago,” Roland told the Citizen, “It ends with a kiss.” 

Sandra Kirouac added, “We had a wonderful time on the stage; it was so good to be on the stage and work with David and Beckie [Morris, Technical Director] and others. David was wonderful to work with; he has such a generous nature and so enthusiastic.”

They agreed: “It’s amazing that they’re doing [it] – Theatre Orangeville is doing tons.” 

Offering a bit of personal history, they told us in turn, Sandra starting with, “I was on my way to Vegas and I got a show but I had some time before going. So, I went to Roland’s dance studio and never made it to Vegas.. 

Ms. Kirouac got an agent. She was on CBC’s Second City. She and Mr. Kirouac also did shows together.

He did choreography; he orchestrated the opening of the Skydome, while she was acting and singing. “Dancing was my third thing.” She played at the Royal Alex, did some film work.

“I worked quite a bit,” she was happy to say. 

In this community, Roland helped Orangeville Music Theatre (OMT), Choices Youth Shelter fundraiser. 

A professional since he was 16 years old, “when David first asked us to do it and when Roland found out it was a Valentine piece, he had the concept. It took a couple of weeks to do it but, then, he presented a complete plan, with lighting and everything and the script – each line in the music and it was really great. They were blown away. He always puts it together at a professional level.”

They were very pleased to see how well in line all the protocol was in line for the rehearsal and filming of the performers.

Roland Kirouac waxed poetic, “From the moment I met Sandra, I was besotted and, after 49 years, I feel the same… I’ve always been captured by her beauty; she is so charitable and kind and it shows through.”

“Roland tells her every day that he loves me,” Ms. Kirouac said.

“It makes me feel good to say it. We have an exceptional relationship, yet we are not actually so identified with the art,” Mr. Kirouac explained. 

Their relationship with Theatre Orangeville came about when they bought a farm in East Garafaxa, where they raised their two children. Sandra began to volunteer at the theatre and, eventually, was offered a job there.

Robin Schisler and Nigel Shawn Williams are bringing Shakespeare into the mix with two of his fine sonnets. The wonderful Bard will play with our heart strings.

From David Nairn about An Affair of the Heart, “Online is a means to an end: we want to spread some joy, push some buttons.”

He said, “It’s my prayer that this will ease the load – I just want the world to be a happier place – I want to mend a broken-hearted world. That’s our job as artists: to do our small part to make the world a more joyous place.”

To purchase Roland Kirouac’s book, Message From a Fool, visit www.booklore.ca 

An Affair of the Heart opens February 26. For a virtual ticket to share with your family and friends, please go to www.theatreorangeville.ca or call 519-942-3423.

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