Newfoundland Vinyl: The Greatest Hits

In Newfoundland’s Gros Morne National Park, one of the most naturally beautiful places on Earth, this Summer there’s near 33 1/3 revolutions of “Newfoundland Vinyl’ – the stage hit that keeps spinning joyfully.

Canadian playwright+ Jeff Pitcher, Artistic Director of Theatre Newfoundland and Labrador since 2000, previews things in this clip from film-maker Peter Buckle: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yS-dxh1Pd00

After catching Vinyl’s “The Greatest Hits” edition live, he says “what an amazing cast. So much truth, honesty and affiliation with the artists that wrote our famous songs. Moments like this I'm so proud to be the AD of this company.”

Since 2012, when ‘Vinyl’ was conceived by Pitcher, Allison Crowe has served as Musical Director for the production at TNL’s annual Gros Morne Theatre Festival. In the GMTF 2016 program, Crowe notes: “Going over ideas for this year's ‘Vinyl’, I couldn't help but be a little jealous of the song selection that makes up the 'best of...' theme. So much so, in fact, that I wanted to be in the show! As MD, I’ve had a lot of fun choosing songs and hearing them performed night after night – and, over the years, I was always in the audience singing along. Now, I join the cast with a mix of great music from years previous and a bunch of songs we've never done before - so excited to share it all with you!”

Renewing popular and traditional NL songs of the vinyl (record) era, sounding brilliant and looking sharp in period dress, the show’s cast/band features: Dave Baird; Adam Christopher Brake (as Ed); Allison Crowe; Craig Patrick Haley; Robyn Huxter; Marquita Walsh; and Colin Furlong in a guest appearance singing Ron Hynes.

On board Vinyl’s production team: Director & Musical Director – Allison Crowe; Stage Manager – Stefanie Power; Set Design – Derek Butt; Set Coordination – Howard Beye; Costume Coordination – Lindsay Code; Sound Design –Max Simms; and Lighting Coordination – Jeff Pybus.

Now playing three to four nights a week through to September 2, 2016 in The Ethie Room of the Shallow Bay Motel Cabins & Conference Centre, Cow Head, NL. More info on tickets+ for this rollicking musical experience @ http://www.theatrenewfoundland.com/shows/newfoundland-vinyl-the-greatest-hits-2016

Labels: 2016, Adam Brake, Allison Crowe, Canada, Colin Furlong, Cow Head, Craig Haley, Dave Baird, festival, GMTF, Gros Morne, Jeff Pitcher, Marquita Walsh, music, Newfoundland Vinyl, Peter Buckle, Robyn Huxter, theatre, TNL

"Newfoundland Vinyl" Opens!

The curtain rises tonight for the opening of “Newfoundland Vinyl”. The show’s sold-out and there’s a waiting list for folks to enjoy this pressing of a perennial favourite at Newfoundland’s fabulous Gros Morne Theatre Festival!

The GMTF’s 20^th anniversary season is underway – and it’s real celebration of the creative family that is Theatre Newfoundland and Labrador (the Atlantic Canadian professional theatre company founded in 1979).

Conceived by TNL’s Artistic Director, Jeff Pitcher, the hit-stage show “Newfoundland Vinyl” is under the Musical Direction of Allison Crowe who’s been with the production from its launch in 2012.

TNL describes the show opening tonight: “Hits of the 1960’s, 70’s and 80’s by Newfoundland’s biggest recording stars come to life! For your toe-tapping, tear-jerking enjoyment the music and songs of Ryan’s Fancy, Harry Hibbs, Gary O’Driscoll, Dick Nolan, Joan Morrissey, Bob Porter and more! A magical evening of music and madness with the hilarious Ed and Edna (Ed’s long-lost 3rd cousin twice removed) as show hosts!”

The wonderfully-talented cast bringing music and vitality to stage for Summer 2015 are:

Adam Brake, Craig Haley, Claire Hewlett, Stephanie Payne, Keelan Purchase, and Marquita Walsh. The production team is: Musical Director, Allison Crowe; Stage Manager, Stefanie Power; Sound Design, Max Simms; Set Design, Derek Butt; Set Coordination, Lisa Lahue; Costume Coordination, Lindsay Code; Original Lighting Design, Johnny Cann; and Lighting Coordination, Andrew Scriver.

“I have had such a wonderful time learning this year's crop of songs for Newfoundland Vinyl - from waltzes and parlour songs, to torch songs, to songs with the same spirit as 1960s protest anthems and beyond - simply great music from throughout the decades,” notes Allison. “The silly, the sentimental, the sad, and serene all converge in this GMTF show. I'm so happy that you're here to experience our talented cast performing for you with their hearts and souls. And what a gorgeous location for it! So, please, enjoy and do sing along!”

“Newfoundland Vinyl” runs June 13 - August 28, 2015 – with performances each Tuesday and Friday in the Ethie Room, Shallow Bay Motel and Cabins. For complete schedule and show-times visit http://www.theatrenewfoundland.com/shows/newfoundland-vinyl-2015 and take in the full program of shows GMTF presents in Cow Head, NL – set in gorgeous Gros Morne National Park. Ticket details are @ http://www.theatrenewfoundland.com/tickets/?p=newfoundland-vinyl-2015 and by phone (709) 639-7238 or toll-free 1-877-243-2899

“Newfoundland Vinyl” logo design by Ed Hollet.

Labels: Adam Brake, Allison Crowe, Claire Hewlett, Cow Head, Craig Haley, Gary O'Driscoll, Gros Morne Theatre Festival, Jeff Pitcher, Keelan Purchase, Marquita Walsh, music, Newfoundland Vinyl, Stephanie Payne, TNL

"Newfoundland VinyI: The 'C' Side" Opens

Allison Crowe (@Allison_Crowe), tweets: “Tech week for NL Vinyl this week – we open on Friday – and we are already SOLD OUT for opening night!”

Now it's opening night! The Western Star reports:

Crowe home again for ‘Newfoundland Vinyl’

Allison Crowe is back home again from international concert touring to serve as musical director of Theatre Newfoundland and Labrador’s hit show “Newfoundland Vinyl” at this year’s Gros Morne Theatre Festival.

“Newfoundland Vinyl’ is back!” the theatre company says in a prepared release. “Allison Crowe has made this show into a perennial festival favourite. The vinyl Newfoundland hits of the 60s, 70s and 80s by Newfoundland's biggest recording stars are never-ending.”

This year’s production promises hits from Harry Hibbs’ “The Wild Rover” and Eddy Coffey’s “Area Code 709” to Corey & Trina’s “Northern Lights of Labrador”

The show spins each Tuesday and Friday from Friday until Aug. 29. The cast features musicians/actors Colin Furlong, Craig Haley, Claire Hewlett, Amelia Manuel, Stephanie Payne, Keelan Purchase and Marquita Walsh, with Adam Christopher Brake as Ed.

The show is directed by Crowe and Jeff Pitcher.

Then on July 28, in a special solo performance, Crowe Sings "Newfoundland Vinyl" and more in the "Who's Darkening Our Door" Concert Series at the Warehouse Theatre in Cow Head.

For info on all Gros Morne Theatre Festival happenings between May 31-Sept. 13, call 639-7238 or toll-free 1-877-243-2899, or visit www.theatrenewfoundland.com