Next year will be the 150th anniversary of our nation, and Saskatchewan Express wants to kick off the celebration. The musical revue has put together Oh! Canada, a tribute to Canada’s rich history in the arts.
Carol Gay Bell, artistic director for Saskatchewan Express, says they wanted to kick off the big birthday year with a show. It’s a departure for the group, since it’s focused squarely on our nation, with a mix of patriotic music, pop music and a bit about Canada’s history.
“You get something of everything.”
The challenge of writing a tribute to Canada is winnowing down the material you want to use, Bell says. The end result was a little bit of everything.
“There’s so much music that has been written by Canadians and performed by Canadians, we had a list that was pages long... We cover artists from the ‘50s to today.”
While this is the first all-Canadian show for the group, Bell says that they’ve always liked to make Canada a focus of their performances.
“We like to promote our Canadian performers and Saskatchewan performers.”
The cast is a mix of six “wonderful young people” from Saskatoon, Regina and Moose Jaw. Bell says it’s always a learning experience for kids, and this year especially, since it’s drawing from sources that the performers weren’t familiar with.
“Of course, a lot of this music these young people have never heard, they’re not familiar with the artists. So yes indeed, they’re learning about Canadian music, Canadian artists and about Canada!”
Saskatchewan Express’ own history has been a big part of the province’s performing arts, and Bell says Yorkton has often been a big part of the show. Ashley Arnett, Tianda Kniaz, Hayley Lepowick, Charles Lubiniecki - professionally known as Charlie David, Jaclynn and Krista Minken, Vanessa Ortynsky, Stacey Serby, Morgan Thorley, Samara Yung and Ricky Zayshley all were part of the company.
“We’ve had about 600 [performers] since we started in 1980, a lot of them have gone on and done really well.”
The group has always been about promoting performing arts in the province, and part of that has been doing tours of schools. This show is no exception, and will tour the province’s schools.
“I think it’s important that young people across the province have the opportunity to see a group like Saskatchewan Express, and to know what we do in this province. So many young people come to auditions and say “I first saw Saskatchewan Express in my school and that’s why I wanted to do this.” So that’s important for Saskatchewan Express, that we get out there and interest young people, not only in Saskatchewan Express, but in the performing arts. That they know there’s something for them to aspire to in this province.”
Saskatchewan Express will be at the Anne Portnuff Theatre on December 9. Tickets are available at Farrell Agencies Ltd. and Welcome Home Crafts). Tickets are $25/adults, $20/Seniors and Students, $10/Children 12 & under.
