Every year for the past ten years at The Soo Theatre Project, the women’s Lock Cities Chorus and the men’s Northland Chorus perform together for a one-night-only show. It’s dynamic. It’s powerful. And it’s so much more than just barbershop! Join the exciting performance Sunday, June 4 at 3 pm. Tickets are on sale now at the STP office. Below, each group explains the contents of its shows.
The Lock Cities Chorus of Sweet Adelines International’s Our Favorite Things written by Terri Miller
The Lock Cities Chorus of Sweet Adelines International certainly has something to sing about! Not only is is the group celebrating its 10th anniversary with the Soo Theatre Project, but also its 30th Anniversary of the Lock Cities Chorus as a sister chapter in the Sweet Adelines organization.
Linda Sirie, the director of the Lock Cities Chorus, envisioned a show that would not only celebrate the chorus’ long time commitment to the Soo Theatre Project, but also enable the chorus a certain level of involvement. To that end, Director Sirie asked chorus members to name one or two of their all-time favorite chorus numbers. From that list, the Lock Cities music team and show committee developed this year’s show aptly named Our Favorite Things and Linda’s vision of a musical revue came to life.
Our Favorite Things is a compilation of time honored classics arranged in traditional barbershop style, but written for women’s voices. The show opens with long time crowd favorite Beethoven’s “Ode to Joy,” and then moves on to some great Irving Berlin classics. A popular doo wop number from the 50’s “Hold Me Thrill Me” is another favorite, along with some wonderful ballads and toe tapping up-tunes including a naughty little number entitled “It’s Raining Men.”
As previously mentioned, Lock Cities chorus is affiliated with Sweet Adelines International and international it is. Members of the chorus come from both sides of the St. Mary’s River.
As part of the Sweet Adelines organization, chorus chapters are required to compete in a regional competition at least every three years in order to maintain their chapter status. This past April, the Lock Cities chorus attended a regional competition in Dearborn, Michigan where Director Sirie was the recipient of the Regional Novice Director Award. The group is looking forward to using this experience to bring to the stage its best barbershop sounds.
Along with performances by Notorious and Straight From the Heart, two chorus quartets, Our Favorite Things promises to be a delightful evening of song and entertainment.
Interested in knowing more about the Lock Cities Chorus? See the Facebook page at Lock Cities Chorus of Sweet Adelines.
The Northland Chorus’ The Last Voyageur – or – All Fur Naught: A Barbershop Melodrama written by Bob Shami
The Voyageur Era: In celebration of Canada’s 150th anniversary in 2017, the Northland Chorus presents a show set in the 1880’s, near the end of the Voyageur era. The fur trade had long been the backbone of an emerging national economy and at the heart of Canada’s identity as a new nation. Fur was the primary currency and its pursuit is credited with opening up the continent’s interior as furs were sought ever further afield. It fell to the Voyageur to transport the furs from outlying ports to market, using only freight canoes and the muscle necessary to travel vast distances in harsh and dangerous conditions. By the late 1800’s, beaver stocks had plummeted due to over-trapping while at the same time, demand was falling as European gentlemen began to prefer silk hats to those made from fur. By the time the Canadian Pacific Railway was completed in 1885, transportation of bulky cargo by canoe had become impractical. The fur trade had come to an end and with it, the Voyageur’s way of life.
The Melodrama: This show is presented using a style of theatre that was popular in the 1800’s when the Sault was new: the melodrama. The word “melodrama” comes from “melos”, the Greek word for music, combined with “drama”. Melodramas were traditionally performed with live orchestral or vocal music accompanying the action. They feature stock characters such as: the heroine, the hero and his sidekick, and the villain – a scheming, black-caped character who menaces the heroine whilst twirling his long moustache in evil glee. Despite dire circumstances, in the end, virtue always overcomes vice. The Northland Chorus has a tradition of presenting a melodrama every 5 years, having previously done so in 1997, 2002, 2007, and 2012. In 2017, the action is set at the ST. JOSEPH ISLAND TRADING POST, circa 1880.
Melodramas are characterized by acting which incorporates large gestures and lavish facial expressions, an acting style once necessary so that people sitting in the backs of theatres could follow the action. Modern melodramas are more about having fun and are never intended as passive entertainment. It remains the essence of bringing community to theatre as the audience is encouraged to show its displeasure by booing and hissing at the heartless villain and its delight by cheering the heroine and her intrepid hero as good triumphs over evil.
Also at STP in the very near future… Summer Camps! See the STP website or Facebook pages at Soo Theatre Project Inc. for informational regarding camps this summer at STP. Discounts for early registration!
The Somewhat True Tale of Robin Hood will make you laugh and laugh on Friday, June 16 at 7:30 pm, Saturday, June 17 at 7:30 pm, and Sunday, June 18 at 3:00 pm. See the men in tights in this fairly true story.
“Raise The Roof” Concert Series Come enjoy the great sounds of The Go Rounds, a band from Kalamazoo, MI, on Thursday, June 29 at 8 pm as you “Sip and Support The Heartbeat of Downtown.”
At the Soo Theatre Project, there is always something for everyone all year long. Call at 906-632-1930. Or, visit at 534 Ashmun Street downtown Sault Sainte Marie, MI. Or, like us on Facebook at Soo Theatre Project, Inc.
