The Beach Street Players were in fine voice as they practised their harmonies at Comox United Church, in preparation for this year’s Have a Heart Theatre.
The 2019 production is titled Mad About Music, and director Gloria Herauf said there’s something for everyone this year.
“It’s a wide spectrum of music that is popular to people,” she said. “So it’s pop hits, it’s country, it’s gospel, there’s a little bit of jazz, a little bit of rock ‘n roll, pop standards and Broadway. It’s a mixture of all music.”
Herauf selected all the music for the show, relying upon a lifetime of experience to guide her.
“My wh0le entire life has been around music,” she said. “I taught in the school system for 30 years, and I’ve directed musical theatre, so I know a lot of music, have a lot of music on hand. I’ve selected what I think will be really entertaining - there’s good music, great harmonies and … the type of music that will support the storyline.”
Herauf said the theme for this year’s Have a Heart Theatre is “about how music affects our lives.”
She credits the late Philip Round with giving her the subtitle for the show: The soundtrack of our lives.
“I just love that [description],” said Herauf. “The music affects everyone. And Philip was a great supporter of the show. He loved it.”
The set list includes a portion relating to weather in the Comox Valley (i.e. Singin’ in the Rain); a section expressing how music can lift one’s spirits; and a section about music and love.
“There are songs about young love, mature love, great love songs, and even a section called ‘Blind Date Scene’ featuring a guy in a nerdy suit searching for dates on E-Harmony,” said Herauf. “So you’ll hear Love Potion No. 9, and Ring of Fire, and then we have a really inspirational ending, with some wonderful gospel songs.”
While the show is predominantly a chorus-style production, featuring 17 singers, there are a few non-singing parts.
“For instance, we have a balcony, with the two old guys from the Muppets - Waldorf and Statler,” said Herauf. “So they don’t sing, but they comment on the show in a very rude way, throughout the show.”
The Have-a-Heart Show has a few new twists. Most notably, for the first time since partnering with Rotary nine years ago, it will not be presented as a dinner theatre.
“It was my idea,” said Herauf, of the format change. “I wanted to make the ticket price a little more affordable. So the tickets are $25, as opposed to $65 a plate.”
The show also has a new venue this year. It will happen at Comox United Church.
“The church is a wonderful little concert hall,” said Herauf. “The whole front has been redone.”
Herauf said that although the church has a seating capacity of more than 200, they will only be selling between 150 and 175 tickets per show.
“I want people to be comfortable. So we are not over-selling it.”
The show runs Jan. 31, Feb. 1, 2 and Feb. 8 at 7:30. There is also a Feb. 9 matinee at 2 p.m.
“The matinee show is pretty well sold out.”
Herauf said the partnership with Rotary has been great.
“Rotary have been wonderful partners with us. They do all the publicity … and all the background work. That helps us with being able to concentrate on making great music.”
Tickets for Have a Heart Theatre are available at Blue Heron Books (1775 Comox Ave., Comox) and Benjamin Moore House of Color (249 Fifth St., Courtenay). For more information, call 250-702-7057.
