"Newfoundland Vinyl" Revolution at GMTF - July 12 - August 30

The hit stage show that's inspired Allison Crowe's newest album, (and vice-versa), opens tonight at the Gros Morne Theatre Festival in lovely Cow Head, NL. Written and Directed by Theatre Newfoundland and Labrador's Artistic Director Jeffrey Pitcher - with Musical Direction from Allison Crowe - 'Newfoundland Vinyl: The Flip Side" plays from July 12 through August 30, 2013.

For insight into this creative revolution, CBC Radio's Weekend Arts Magazine, with Host and Producer, Angela Antle, announces that Allison Crowe's coming up this weekend on "Liner Notes" - which you can catch on air, and online @ http://www.cbc.ca/wam/liner-notes/2013/07/12/wam-july-13-14-liner-notes---allison-crowe

Here on the west coast of the country, we've barely had opportunity to chat with the amazing artist since she returned to Corner Brook, Canada from New York City and the red carpet premiere of "Man of Steel" - the Zack Snyder-directed Superman epic in which she appears performing "Ring of Fire", a song made famous by another iconoclast, Johnny Cash. In between the intensive rehearsals, she has tweeted a little - so we know for certain: "The NL Vinyl band is awesome" - and Allison is "So proud of everyone involved! :)"

Mussel boil beach fire - Cow Head, NL - Canada's Gros Morne National Park

The theatrical and musical cast that, starting tonight, is bound to delight music-and-fun-loving audiences all Summer comprises: Jennifer Furlong, Elena Claire Hewlett, Brad LeRiche, Amelia Manuel, Marquita Walsh - and, as the two Eds, Adam Brake and Stuart Simpson.

On the production side, making it all happen, are: Stage Manager, Courtney Harris; Set Designer, Derek Butt; Costume Designer, Lindsay Code; Original Sound Designer, Dirk Ave; Sound Coordinator, Ryan Borshuk; Lighting Designer, Johnny Cann; Tech Director/Crew Chief, Lisa Lahue; Head Scenic Painter/Asst. Carpenter; Natalie Tsang; Asst. Stage Manager, Stefanie Power; plus Production Assistants Dustin Payne and Jerry Combdon.

Direct from GMTF's 2013 Program, here's what's in the grooves:

DIRECTOR'S NOTES

How could we resist? While putting together last year's show of hits of the 1960's, 70's and 80's by Newfoundland's biggest recording stars we quickly realized there were enough hits for two shows, or three or four! An added fascination for me is what drove our singer/songwriters from Newfoundland to Toronto in the 60's in the first place? Was it fame and fortune? Was it about finding an audience in Toronto? Or was it something inherent as an artist being born and raised on an island that inspires him/her to test the waters in foreign lands? I believe those questions are answered in the song writing. So sit back, relax and listen to the songs that Allison chose tonight - I believe they reveal a whole lot about who and what were in the 60's. It's also particularly rewarding to have Allison Crowe, one of the most compelling and talented singer/songwriters in Canada working and living here on the west coast of Newfoundland. This is very much her show - her sound! Let's spin a few! ~ Jeff (Pitcher)

MUSICAL DIRECTOR'S NOTES

I am SO excited to be able to work again in beautiful Cow Head, NL this summer at the GMTF with TNL - I love it here, and I can't wait to get started! (I'm also admittedly pretty pumped for Lobster Festival.) My task this year was to find another great batch of songs, from or made popular in Newfoundland and Labrador, for this, newest incarnation of Newfoundland Vinyl - The Flip Side. And find those songs I did! There is an overwhelming abundance of beautiful music and wildly-talented musicians in Newfoundland and Labrador, and we are lucky to be able to hear them together. Interpreted tonight by some incredible and talented musicians and actors, each song has its own story to tell, heart to break, laugh to incite, thought to spur, and memory to recall - so please, enjoy the music and feel free to sing along! ~ Allison (Crowe)


And, of course, what happens on stage is possible thanks to the efforts of the stellar TNL/GMTF Front of House staff: incl. Kristi Caines, Tiffany Payne; FOH Manager, Ruth Payne; Box Office Manager, Dawn Payne; Head Usher, Deanna Hutchings; Box Office Attendants, Jodi Payne and Savannah Smith; and Ushers, Shellden Biggin and Vanessa Brown - together with volunteers incl.: Claudine Brown; Nancy Brown; Rachel Hutchings; Bill Payne; Freeman Payne; Loretta Payne; Marjorie Payne; Norma Payne; and Peggy Wheeler.

Overseeing the hugely successful annual festival be: TNL's General Manager, Gaylene Buckle; Production/Company Manager, Denise Dolliver; Artistic Associate, Sara...h McDonald; Assistant Administrator, Natasha Butt; and Financial Admin., Cynthia Harris.

For ticket info and other details on "Newfoundland Vinyl: The Flip Side" and all the great shows happening this Summer at Gros Morne Theatre Festival - visit TNL's official website @ theatrenewfoundland.com/gmtf.html  +  telephone (709) 243-2899 or toll-free 1-877-243-2899.

Slainte mhaith!!