I never write a review. Because this column only appears every two weeks, it always feels like it’s too long ago. Or maybe no one would be interested, because they all saw the show and have made up their minds about it.
But this time, I’m going to do it, because this time was different.
On Sunday, May 29, the communities of Flin Flon, Creighton and Denare Beach had a really special experience. The occasion was the 20th anniversary celebration concert of the Flin Flon Community Choir, and it was amazing!
In the first act, we were treated to a series of solos, duets and trios from 20 years of musical theatre with Mark and Crystal Kolt.
Robbin Fontaine kicked things off with a splendid piece from Joseph and the Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat. Robbin was backed up by a beautiful children’s chorus and looked fabulous in the dreamcoat created by Lori Lawrence.
Following that, we were wowed by Belle (Susan Thompson in her other life) singing from Beauty and the Beast, Evita (Katrina Windjack) nailing “Don’t Cry For Me Argentina”, Lacey Eagle, who sounded lovely and reminded us how incredible the music of Three Brides for Kasos was, and not one but two Tevyas, Murray MacDonald and Tim Spencer, singing from Fiddler on the Roof. They were tremendously entertaining and it was so lovely to hark back a little to the Flin Flon Glee Club.
Natalie Milligan, Anna Jardine and Kim Jones did a dynamite trio from Titanic: The Musical. Tom Heine reprised “Buddy’s Blues” from Follies. He did all the parts himself, which was even better than the original!
Samantha Moore and Miranda Bowman sang an awesome version of “All That Jazz” from Chicago. We were treated to a fabulous version of “Aquarius” (from Hair, a musical we have NOT done) sung by Lisa Highmoor, who came home from Winnipeg to participate.
Kevin Imrie, Katrina Windjack and Johnny Bettger killed Les Misérables all over again, first in a trio and with Johnny wrapping it up by singing “Bring Him Home.” He is getting better each time out.
I started to cry when Lane Laderoute sang his piece from Bombertown, the first full-length musical written by Mark Kolt. I finally pulled myself together at the end of the act. The stars were magical and it was an incredible experience.
We were, most assuredly, not done. In the second act the choir, which had done some very pretty back-up singing in the first act, pulled up their big-girl underwear (can you say that about a mixed chorus?) and faced maestro Jonathan Griffith at the podium for “Lux Aeterna.”
Jonathan was magnificent and masterful, and seemed to pull sound out of the choristers at will. They sounded small and sweet, then huge and happy. They were by turns mournful and glorious. “Lux Aeterna” is a lovely, dynamic piece of music and the Flin Flon Community Choir (and friends from Snow Lake, Cranberry Portage and The Pas) absolutely did it justice.
The maestro worked hard with the choir over the weekend, and it so showed. I really believe they have never sounded better. It was a privilege to be there and to hear our family, friends and neighbours knock it out of the park. Mark Kolt on the Steinway accompanied the whole concert and demonstrated just how incredible his skill is. There was never a moment when soloist or chorister was not supported by Mark’s musicianship.
The dedication and leadership of Crystal Kolt cannot be overlooked, either. It is entirely due to her that the Flin Flon Community Choir has the opportunity and wherewithal to perform modern masterworks like “Lux Aeterna” under the baton of a maestro such as Dr. Griffith. She has poured her passion into the Flin Flon Arts community for 20 years and we are richer by far because of it.
