Musical revue promises theatre’s great songs
Curtain Call Performing Arts Company’s newest Passion Project is its upcoming Musical Concert at Gasworks featuring seven performers.
For one weekend only, Curtain Call Performing Arts Company will bring together seven performers to celebrate “beloved musical theatre classics and contemporary showstoppers,” from Wicked, Dear Evan Hansen, Beetlejuice, Jesus Christ Superstar and beyond. From March 13 to 15 at Gasworks theatre in Hamilton’s downtown core, audiences are promised “the passion, artistry, and storytelling that defines the magic of musical theatre.”
As March is Women’s History Month, it feels particularly timely to feature Curtain Call PAC, one of Hamilton’s independent theatre companies that was founded by two local women, Danielle Viola and Kat Baranowski. The company has itself been a passion project for Viola and Baranowski over the last several years with the aim of offering a supportive environment and a range of musical theatre programming for participants from five years old to adulthood.
Viola says their central aim was to “build a community,” offering learning and real theatre experience in an inclusive and equitable setting without cattiness or drama. The mission is for young performers to believe in themselves and be able to trust in their teachers while developing solid performance skills. Programs include novice, ensemble, intermediate, advanced, and intensive musical theatre classes for children and youth. Programming is carried out at the Binbrook Agricultural Hall while Curtain Call has been enjoying a positive relationship with the Gasworks venue for its tech rehearsals and performances. The ultimate goal is for Curtain Call to have its own facility.
Viola says that they have received much support and positive feedback from their students, parents, and patrons as Curtain Call weathered the pandemic and evolved over time. There’s still a feeling of “building back” momentum in the pandemic’s wake, although Curtain Call has grown by adding a board of directors and is still buoyed by the success of its Passion Project production of 2024, Jesus Christ Superstar. As the company describes them, the Passion Projects are “full scale musicals with casts built out of elite performers. Performers (who) have trained in post secondary arts facilities or have experience performing in various shows around the GTA.” Other past productions have been The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee and Next to Normal.
Patrons had indicated to Curtain Call that they wanted to see a musical theatre concert, and so this weekend is really some fan service. The concert will include 30 songs and 30 costume changes with the program divided into a variety of group numbers, duets, and solos. Viola says the songs have been “curated for the performers and to bring engagement (by the audience) in the joy of music.” Some of the performers also have dance chops, so that will add an exciting component to the performances, which Viola promises will be “fast-paced” and entertaining.
The featured performers include Emma Begin, Stephanie Hope Lawlor, Lucy Rooney, Jacob Rushton, Heather Twaites, and both Curtain Call founders, and Baranowski and Viola.
Rushton, Baranowski, and Viola were all involved in CCPAC’s Jesus Christ Superstar. Rushton has been in a number of past Curtain Call productions and is also vocal director for the musical concert. Baranowski brings her skills as a choreographer to this show, and Viola is director/producer. Zachary Viola is the concert’s technical director/designer.
Rounding out the cast are Rooney and Bergin, who holds a master’s in opera performance and was also in CCPAC’s productions of Jesus Christ Superstar and The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee. Lawlor was most recently seen as Hamlet in Hamlet (Rook’s Theatre x Same Boat Theatre), and is head of the HCA Theatre School at the Hamilton Conservatory for the Arts. And BC’s Thwaites is currently studying music theatre performance at Sheridan College, and her credits include Miss Honey in Matilda as well as Ariel in Footloose.
Curtain Call’s promotional material promises there’s something for everyone at this weekend’s show, from the casual entertainment seeker to the diehard theatre fan. “We're bringing you a full musical theatre concert experience; with soul-crushing vocals, expert lighting design and choreography that tells such a captivating story that you won't be able to stop tapping your feet and singing along.”
The show runs approximately two hours 15 minutes with an intermission; snacks and drinks will be available for purchase. CCPAC calls this production “suitable for all ages.”
Looking ahead, Viola says that Curtain Call has productions coming up “almost monthly,” culminating in another Passion Project, Newsies, opening in August 2025. Between now and then, there’s The Knight at Dawn Kids show (April 26) from its novice program; Finding Nemo Jr. (May 9-11) from the intermediate program; and Rock of Ages (July 3-5) from the intensive program.
NEED TO KNOW
Passion Project: Musical Concert
March 13 & 14, 7 p.m.
March 15, 2 p.m.
Gasworks
141 Park St. N., Hamilton
Tickets are here
