the stage is set
Imagine...
winding roads lined with lush gardens and eucalyptus trees leading to Mama Cass’s living room, where the sounds of The Mamas & The Papas helped spark a musical revolution. Nestled in the hills above Hollywood, Laurel Canyon became one of the most influential musical communities of the 1960s and ’70s. Around every corner, artists such as Joni Mitchell, The Byrds, Jim Morrison, Crosby, Stills & Nash, Neil Young, and Jackson Browne were creating timeless songs and unforgettable collaborations. Relive this remarkable era with Nova Scotian a-list artists John Chiasson, Doris Mason, Stuart MacLean, Blane Touesnard, James Jackson, Charlie Cooley, Sean Andrews, and Gary Vermeir performing the hits of Laurel Canyon.
The Event will start in
magic
THE CAST
Edmund Mac Lean
Director
Artistic Director for The Stephenville Theatre Festival and Theatre Newfoundland and Labrador.
Some of his directing credits for Boardwalk Productions include - The Soundtrack Of Our Lives,Canadian Legends,Woodstock-a time of love and peace, Roy Orbison's In Dreams, Hello My Name Is Johnny Cash, Elton John's Songbook, A Walk Down Memory Lane With Patsy Cline and most recently Hello Again-a personal story told through the music of Neil Diamond.
Doris Mason
Musical Director
A natural Musician, Doris has thrilled audiences worldwide. An honorary member of the Mamas and Papas, she’s toured with Denny Doherty in "Dream A Little Dream”.
James Jackson
Musical Director
James is most well known as an Elementary Music Educator, Orff Specialist and Teacher Educator but has always maintained an active performing career in bands around Halifax.
Stuart MacLean
Guitar and Vocals
Stuart shared the stage with local blues legends Dutch Mason and Rick Jeffery, fronted his band the Roadrunners, and for many years has has been playing with the popular funk and raggae dance band Rasta Gumbo which features some of Halifax’s top musicians.
Blane Touesnard
Singer
Blane is the lead singer for Clam Chowder and has been one of Halifax’s favourites since the 1980’s.
John Chiasson
Producer
Described as a musician in a class of his own, John Chiasson has been a celebrated musician throughout Nova Scotia for over 40 years.
Charlie Cooley
Drums
Charlie Cooley is one of Canada’s most in-demand drummers.
He has performed and/or recorded with such artists as: Leonard Cohen, K.D. Lang, The Guess Who, Heillig Manoeuvre, Amanda Marshall, Anne Murray, Randy Brecker, Kellylee Evans, Sass Jordan, Long John Baldry, Matt Dusk, and The Blues Brothers (musical director - Paul Shaffer)
Charlie is also a member of the Juno Award winning world beat jazz ensemble Manteca. Manteca has performed in many territories around the world including The North Sea Jazz Festival in the Netherlands (Holland), The Canadian Pavilion at Expo in Seville, Spain, The Aspen Jazz Festival, The Playboy Jazz Festival at The Hollywood Bowl and The Pori Jazz Festival in Finland.
Charlie has been the in-house drummer for many of Canada’s prime time television award shows such as The Juno Awards, The Canadian Songwriters Hall Of Fame Awards, The East Coast Music Awards, The Gemini Awards, The Canadian Country Music Awards, and the Canada Day Celebrations from Parliament Hill (CBC)
Sean Andrews
Actor and Vocalist
Sean Andrews hails from Cole Harbour, Nova Scotia. Having just finished his one man show called Hello Again with the music of Neil Diamond, he is very excited to be joining this stellar cast. He’s been a professional actor/singer for over 25 years. Favourite roles include Harry Houdini (Houdini the musical, UK tour), Swing in Mamma Mia (Mirvish productions Toronto), Glen Gulia (Stage-west Canadian premier), and The Pirate King in the Pirates of Penzance (Port Dover). Sean spent ten years travelling the world as a lead vocalist on Carnival, Celebrity, and Norwegian Cruise lines. He is a graduate of the music theatre performance program at Sheridan College in Oakville, Ontario. He’s been a professional actor/singer for over 25 years. Sean recently produced and starred in “Hello Again”, the music of Neil Diamond.
Gary Vermeir
Actor
Gary Vermeir has performed with such companies as Mermaid Theatre of Nova Scotia, Neptune Theatre, Theatre Newfoundland and Labrador and Mulgrave Road Theatre - where he also served as Artistic Director. His writing includes shows for Mulgrave Road, CBC Radio and the Historic Feast Company. With his wife Angela, he co-wrote numerous episodes of children’s television. For 13 years, Gary served as the Branch Representative of the Maritimes Branch of the ACTRA Performers’ Guild and later the Business Agent for IATSE Motion Picture Technicians Local 849. Gary is thrilled to join the amazing company of Echoes from the Canyon!