Footlights: Exceptional entertainment in Spiegeltent

It was a welcome surprise for Shaw patrons when they learned the Spiegeltent would be back this year for a second season.

It’s an unknown so far whether it will remain on the grounds for a third year, although fingers crossed it will.  As each production in the tent of mirrors opens, the venue becomes more beloved, both to those who are discovering its magic for the first time, or, as artistic director Tim Carroll says in the Spiegeltent playbill, to those who are "in on the secret."

As popular as it was last year, the Spiegeltent, with its stunning interior of stained glass, mirrors, relaxed but elegant seating, and the intimacy it offers performers and patrons alike, is being put to even better use this season with its choice of shows, including some created exclusively for the Shaw Festival.

Footlights is one of these, presenting a musical revue that takes the audience back to the Golden Age of Broadway. It features an incredibly talented group of Shaw ensemble members singing not only our favourites from 42nd Street and The Great American Playbook, but their favourites as well.

There are 30-minute two sets presented, with a brief intermission in between, and each of the performers was able to choose the songs they wanted to sing. That turned out to be a surefire recipe for success, as evidenced by the passion with which the artists present their songs to those who quickly become enthusiastic participants along with them on their musical journey.

The performers include Tat Austrie, Alana Bridgewater, Shane Carty, Kristi Frank, JJ Gerber, Elodie Gillett, Georgia Holland, Graeme Kitagawa, Myra Malley, Ruthie Nkut, Jeremiah Sparks and Taurian Teelucksingh, although the sets were revised for the July performance to indicate JJ Gerber was not available.

Footlights is directed by Carroll, with Paul Sportelli, musical director and a writer and pianist for the Shaw, providing the keyboard accompaniment —  he has also conducted on Broadway.

Jeremiah Sparks received a strong reaction and huge applause, charming the audience with his two stirring renditions, first of The Quest, better known as “to dream the impossible dream” from Man of La Mancha, and for his second choice, You’ll Never Walk Alone, from Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Carousel.

Although those were two audience favourites, each performance offered something special, maybe a story to go with it about its meaning to the performer, or a fun connection made to an audience member, such as a female performer cozying up to a male patron.

Every song was a highlight, and much appreciated were the most familiar: Alana Bridgewater singing Fly Me to the Moon; Tat Austrie with I Get Misty; Kristi Frank with both her light-hearted selections, I’m in Love with a Wonderful Guy and the Trolley Song. Not one artist or song disappointed — each and every one of them had a reason for being included.

As the small group of patrons headed out of the Spiegeltent following a truly memorable evening, one woman was overheard to say, “the hall should have been full, and the show should have been longer.”

Everyone in the Spiegeltent on that beautiful summer evening would likely have agreed. As word gets around, the five remaining performances should be sold out, and those in attendance will also wish the show had been longer — an hour of such exceptional entertainment was simply not enough.

Floodlights is also on the Shaw schedule Aug. 3, and 24; Sept. 21 and 27, and wrapping up Oct. 5.

For more information or to order tickets visit shawfest.com/event/footlights/