Fredericton Onstage event combines music with art and culture for an unforgettable evening.

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Matt Carter

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As part of the celebrations for Fredericton's Cultural Capital of Canada designation for 2009, the Playhouse will be hosting a unique production showcasing several members of the city's vibrant performing arts community. Titled simply Fredericton Onstage, this production commissioned by the City Of Fredericton will feature a who's who of talent brought together under one roof for what will surely be an unforgettable night of music, theatre, and dance.

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"This is a celebration of our performing artists here in Fredericton and we've created a show that showcases several of them," said Tim Yerxa, the theatre's executive director. "I think it will be a great night and we're trying hard to make it really special. We didn't really want it to be a variety show so there will be no MC, just a solidly produced evening of Fredericton's finest in music, theatre, and dance."

Bringing together several musicians from the city's music scene including members of the blues, folk, classical and world music communities, the evening's musical palette will showcase several of the area's top working musicians, many of whom travel and tour the country representing the city's art community on national and international stages.

Hot Toddy, Share, Brollachan, Ross Neilsen, and Keith Hallett are just a few of the well-traveled names that will take the stage for this one of a kind city showcase. But the show isn't just about music.

Fredericton has a long-running reputation for theatre arts, having produced several actors and dancers who have taken their abilities to stages all across the county.

Caleb Marshall has been acting and directing professionally since 1993 and has premiered roles for the National Arts Centre, the Canadian Stage Company, the Blythe Festival and the Stratford Festival of Canada. Although originally from the Miramichi, Marhsall has called Fredericton home for several years and has been involved in many of the city's top stage attractions including the long-running annual holiday celebration, Christmas at The Playhouse.

"Caleb Marshall and Tania Breen are two of our local theatre artists," said Yerxa. "Caleb is the artistic producer at Theatre New Brunswick and together with Tania they've created a couple of monologue pieces they'll perform. On the dance side of things we'll be featuring Lucy May. She's from Fredericton and now works as a professional dancer in Montreal. She'll be dancing a brand new piece created for the show and it will be done live to the music of Share."

Several performers will be paired up for the show, allowing not only a new experience for audience members but also for the musicians themselves. Share will perform with Lucy May, Brollachan will be joined by Latin American multi-instrumentalist Cesar Morales, and Hot Toddy will take the stage to perform three of their own numbers backed by the Fredericton Chamber Orchestra.

"We've found a few ways to collaborate," said Yerxa. "We commissioned Mike Doherty to write some orchestral arrangements for some Hot Toddy songs so they'll be performing those with the Fredericton Chamber Orchestra. We're looking forward to hearing that."

The entire show is being produced by Krista Touesnard, a Cape Breton born musician who came to be involved in the city's art community as a member of The Calathumpians nearly 20 years ago. Since then, she has written and produced a number of stage shows of her own and has collaborated with countless city entertainers in all areas of the performing arts.

While many of the performers taking part in Fredericton Onstage are undoubtedly excited to share in a performance with their peers, a few of the Frederictonians involved are also just as excited to be returning home. David Myles is one of many city musicians looking forward to taking the stage on this very special night not only to perform for a hometown audience but also to get caught up with friends and family during the visit. Currently working with fellow Frederictonians Allan Jefferies and Kyle Cunjak in Halifax alongside award-winning singer, song writer, and producer Joel Plaskett, Myles has been busy putting the finishing touches on his latest recording and sees this opportunity to perform at home as a great way to relax and take a break from his busy schedule.

"It's going to be great," said Myles. "By the time I get home the album will be tracked and everything recorded so it will be a nice time for me to see my parents and spend a night at home."

Myles has become known internationally for his song writing and performing, having won several awards for his unmistakable voice and his uncanny ability to capture an audience's attention with his poetic and prolific song writing.

"I don't often play totally solo in Fredericton," said Myles, "so I thought it would be interesting to just get up and play a couple of songs. Usually when I play at home I have other musicians joining me but this time I'll be on my own.

"One thing I love about the idea of this show is that it also engages some other performers as well as musicians. It's going to be really interesting to see," he said. "I'm really excited."

Fredericton Onstage is sure to be a sold out event and the team at Playhouse have all been working to make this event a success. According to Yerxa, this will be a memorable night for everyone involved.

"We wanted to do some new interesting things," said Yerxa. "It will be a night to be proud that's for sure. If you're in the audience, you'll surely feel a sense of pride in what our artists are doing here."

Fredericton Onstage takes place on November 27 and the show begins at 8 p.m. Tickets are available at the Playhouse box office or online at www.theplayhouse.ca