There are so many epic female singers in Canadian music history, it’s hard to pick just one. I suppose we could choose Molly Wilson, because she has packaged many of the best into one stage show. It will be on the stage of Chuck Mobley Theatre at Correlieu Secondary School on Saturday night (Nov. 18).
Just which superstars of our nation’s dazzling music scene will be a surprise to the audience. In fact, it’s a surprise to the whole world. This, Quesnel, is not just a musical theatre performance, it is an intergalactic premiere. No one has ever seen The Great Canadian Diva Show because Molly Wilson chose here to perform it first. She’s been here before, been to Wells before, and Colleen Brines at Quesnel Live Arts won her musical heart, in the matter.
“It’s not a tribute show,” Wilson told The Observer, explaining the gist of the event. “It’s more of a celebration of these amazing female Canadian singers. I’m not becoming them, but I am channelling them. It’s really about the music. We are paying homage to these incredible singers and their incredible musical talent.”
But, being a veteran comedic actor and show creator, Wilson knows how to build in plenty of theatrical features. Local audiences may remember her performance in Molly’s Comedy Cabaret from previous visits. She is also the mastermind behind Search For The Christmas Penguin and Choose Your Own Adventure-The Musical.
She promised this new revue will have costume changes, sight-gags, some screen imagery, and lots of those button-pushes that only music seems able to do in our minds. There will be songs by Alanis Morissette, kd lang, Shania Twain, Celine Dion, Anne Murray, Terri Clark, Joni Mitchel, and more. Wilson said we should imagine an experience that combines a glitzy concert with a Carol Burnett show.
The Great Canadian Diva Show was designed out of love. Wilson said she didn’t select an array of songs she knew she could wow an audience with, she picked artists and tunes that inspired her to the core.
“I put together a list of the singers I wanted to hit, and I made my voice fit the song,” she said. “These great singers span so many genres, so there really is something there for everyone. There is such an eclectic range, you’ll want to sing along, at some point, because this is a party, this is a celebration.”
The event begins at 7:30 p.m. on Nov. 18. Tickets are available at the Quesnel Live Arts website (click the Ticket Info button and follow the links from there). You can also purchase them at Homesteader Health and Save-On-Foods, or at the door while supplies last.
“We take the music very seriously, the songs are en pointe, but you’ll be laughing a lot,” said Wilson.
READ MORE: Molly’s Comedy Cabaret kicks off busy long weekend at Sunset Theatre in Wells
READ MORE: Wells’ Sunset Theatre unveils summer season lineup