David Rodenburg, (left) Cheryl Lescom and Matt Segriff sang lead vocals during a rehearsal for the May 26, 2016 Hudson Village Theatre’s summer season opener, “60’s Spotlight” a nostalgia based musical review running until June 5. (Photo by: Kristina Edson.)
Village Theatre summer opener great start
The Hudson Village Theatre hit just the right note Thursday night with its summer season opener, a nostalgia-based musical review paying tribute to the music of the 1960s.
And anyone ready to be awed by a powerhouse vocalist embodying much of what made Janis Joplin so great should waste no time buying a ticket to the show: “60’s Spotlight.”
Running at the Hudson theatre until June 5, the two hour professional show (not including an intermission) features a seven person ensemble and features two other lead vocalists who do a fine job when it’s their turn to front.
But when singer Cheryl Lescom, the only female in the ensemble, take the mic, all bets are off.
Lescom is the real deal: a bluesy Canadian veteran vocalist with a powerful, raw and uninhibited performance style.
Called one of the “best and biggest voices in Canada” by Long John Baldry, Lescom’s time in Hudson is an opportunity not to be missed.
Her rendition of the Bee Gees 1967 song, To Love Somebody, which Lescom told the audience Barry and Robin Gibb had written with Otis Redding in mind (Redding died before he could record it) was just one of many displays of her talent and the gritty power of her voice.
Taking turns leading songs were David Rodenburg, who in addition to his impressive vocals, also played the saxophone and guitar, and Matt Segriff, the personality of the ensemble. The onstage dynamic and chemistry between the three was clear, fun and added a lot to the show.
Rounding out the ensemble were the show’s musical director and keyboard player, Peter de Sousa, drummer/percussionist Adam Bowman, Brandon Sanders on bass guitar and Tim Louis, who fronted a few songs, played piano and sang backup.
“60’s Spotlight” is a tight, professional and thoroughly enjoyable trip down memory lane.
It’s filled with songs – 34 to be exact – and is also a bit of a history lesson with the performers throwing in fun facts and background info on classics that are so much a part of many people’s personal “wonder years.”
The show featured hits from bands such as The Who, The Beatles, Diana Ross, The Dave Clarke Five, The Monkees, The Rolling Stones, Santana, and more.
When he opened the show Thursday night, the first in the Hudson theatre’s four show summer lineup, HVT Artistic Director Matthew Tiffin said he chose the production that was created by Jim and Brenda Eagle because there’d been a demand from audiences for more music.
In fact, the hardest thing about sitting through a show like “60’s Spotlight”, is sitting still the entire time and not jumping up to dance and sing along.
Summer season
Up next in the HVT summer lineup is the Norm Foster play “The Ladies Foursome”, which will run from June 22-July 10.
For tickets, showtimes or more, call the HVT box office at 450-458-5361, or go to www.villagetheatre.ca/events.
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