Oh What a Night, besides being the opening number of Legends of Harmony, which opened Aug. 2 at the Schoolhouse Theatre here, is also just the phrase to describe the experience the show provides.
The latest in Drayton Entertainment’s popular Legends series, the show is a high-energy evening of outstanding music.
The playlist is basically a non-stop stream of the some of catchiest tunes ever written, performed in harmonic vocal fashion by a talented cast of singers.
I say “cast” rather than “group” because the show is much more than a concert, because the performers change costumes and take on roles as they rip through the retinue of the top guy groups of the past three decades, covering songs by the Four Aces, the Four Lads, the Four Season, the Beach Boys, the Hollies, The Platters, The Temptations, The Beatles and a litany of others.
Legends of Harmony is the brainchild of Drayton Entertainment artistic director Alex Mustakas, who conceived and wrote the show, as well as directed the production.
While the show focuses largely on guy groups from the early rock and roll era (amazing how many of them consisted of four members), it leaves few musical stones un-turned with roughly 100 numbers and even tips its cap to the barbershop roots of harmony with a couple of well-chosen songs.
There is a brief country set, which admittedly this reviewer could have passed on. However even that detour through hoedown heaven was forgivable in that it peaked with a spectacular rendition of The Eagles’ haunting Seven Bridges Road.
While it would be fair to say the music itself is the centerpiece of the show, the performers make it happen in highly entertaining style and Mustakas has assembled a crew with the vocal power to handle a full two hours of nearly a cappella singing.
The singers are accompanied only by a piano, handled in masterful style by music director Craig Fair, who pitches in on vocals where needed and occasionally takes centre stage himself.
Fair has the best all-around voice in the show and, early on, you find yourself wishing he took the lead more often.
That need is satisfied mid-way through the show when Fair moves into the spotlight on a powerful rendition of The Hollies He’s Not Heavy – He’s My Brother. This is not actually among my favourite songs, but Fair’s voice, backed by the other four cast members, made it a moving experience in the intimate confines of the 100-seat venue.
The number also provided the evening’s most effective use of the video screen in the stage backdrop as images from the Vietnam era rolled across the screen while Fair wrenched the ballad from the keyboard to the delight of a hushed crowd.
The rest of the night, the screen was mostly used to display images and identification of the bands being portrayed, interspersed with a bit of fairly obscure music trivia.
Other cast members all get a turn in the spotlight on various numbers and use their diverse gifts to full advantage.
Kraig Waye, who performed in Drayton Entertainment’s original Legends show impressively recalls Frankie Valley’s falsetto on a selection of Four Seasons numbers and shines again in several other segments.
Chris Sams is a smooth performer and his rendition of The Righteous Brothers’ Unchained Melody is a highlight of the show.
He also demonstrates impressive ability to hit the high notes on some Jackson Five numbers, particularly for someone who can also provide a booming baritone.
Iain Stewart displays a deft comic touch, as well as a strong singing voice on a rousing audience-inclusive version of I’m Henry The Eighth and the hilarious, yet melodious, barbershop-style tongue-twister Sarah.
Jeremy Crittenden shows off a smooth crooning voice as he takes the lead in a set of Dion and the Belmonts tunes.
The set and lighting by Jeff Johnston Collins provides an uncluttered backdrop for the show, centred around a baby grand piano and featuring some clever devices to simplify the changes in wardrobe, which is overseen by Jessica Bray.
Choreographer Gino Berti keeps the performers moving smoothly and effectively throughout what is no doubt a strenuous show.
The Schoolhouse Theatre is the ideal venue for this type of production, with its intimate dimensions and excellent acoustics allowing for total audience absorption.
From the opening number to the final song, Legends of Harmony delivers quite a night.
The show is on stage until Dec. 22.
Regular performance tickets are $40 and tickets for groups of 20 or more are $32. HST is applicable to all ticket prices.
Tickets may be purchased online at www.draytonententertainment.com, or by calling the box office at 519-638-5555 or toll free at 1-855-DRAYTON (372-9866).
