SYDNEY, N.S. — Wesley J. Colford knew something special was in the air Dec. 22 when the Highland Arts Theatre quickly filled with people eager to attend its first “Sound of Music” movie singalong event.
“Originally I was thinking if we get 50 to 100 people, that would be great and we had over 350 people which was incredible,” said Colford during an interview on New Year’s Eve. “Everyone was very enthusiastic — we had a costume contest which had some really great entries and as soon as the movie started everyone was singing along and having a ball.”
The unexpected enthusiasm inspired Colford to put together a new program geared towards those who enjoy singing along with the soundtrack of popular flicks.
“It was really a great thing, especially right before Christmas,” said Colford. “It just made us realize that there is an obvious need and it’s something that people wanted. There are so many great movie musicals so we’ve put put together a package that has launched and we’re going to do six more for 2020, so it’s our 2020 movie musical singalong series.”
The series of six singalong events will be held once every two months, opening with “Mamma Mia!” on Feb. 15, followed by “Jesus Christ Superstar” on April 11, “Oklahoma” on June 13, Hairspray” on Aug. 8, “Little Shop of Horrors” on Oct. 24 and finishing with “White Christmas” on Dec. 19. Each event will feature a warmup and a costume contest. Each musical costs $15 to attend or you can save 40 per cent when you buy all six shows at $65.82. And the show tickets are already selling.
“We have already had more than 100 seats sold to White Christmas which is obviously a year away, which is pretty cool,” said Colford, who attributes its early success to continuing popularity of the annual Christmas Eve singalongs.
The Christmas Eve singalongs have been happening for the past three years but this was the first year for two events on the same night.
“We had one at 7 o’clock and one at 9 o’clock and I think both sessions had as many people as we had for the one last year so it was a huge success as well,” said Colford. “People are so musical in Cape Breton and I think it really points to a lack of opportunities to be able to come together and sing.
“Because there is no commitment, no preparation, clearly this is something people are interested in.”
For those who may be shy about their vocal abilities, the HAT Academy will launch its second semester in January and vocal classes are expected to be a big draw, especially with the addition of acclaimed vocal coach Deborah Jeans. Jeans was a vocal instructor in Toronto for many years and has recently returned to Cape Breton where she has resumed teaching.
“We have her teaching a vocal technique class for adults as well as private lessons for anyone ages 10 and up who might be interested,” said Colford.
A new production class for ages 10 to high school students has also been added and their first show, “Frozen Junior The Musical” has already sold-out its March show.
Younger children will be able to take courses at the academy now that a triple threat program has been launched for those ages seven to nine. Most of the classes will begin during the week of Jan. 13 but you must register by Jan. 10. Most courses are 10 weeks and if this isn’t a good time for you, another session of courses is expected to start in April. Whenever you decide to go, Colford says although half the courses are aimed at adults, it can sometimes be tough to convince them to try something new.
“Kids have such a fearlessness that sometimes we grow out of as we grow older,” said Colford. "It’s nerve-racking on some capacity to take risks and chances on things that you may not be experienced in but it is so important for the soul — it’s such an intrinsic part of being alive, to challenge yourself and follow your dreams so I think it’s really important that we’re doing it.”
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