Derek Marshall:
Had the Broadest Vocal Range of the Cast
Photo from His Site

Victoria Playhouse:
Official Site

Derek Marshall:
Official Site

Memories of the Summer of Love: Created by Chris McHarge and Colin Stewart

by Brian Hay

"Memories of the Summer of Love", a creation by Director Chris McHarge and Musical Director Colin Stewart, offers an affectionate and often insightful overview of the effect that pop music had on counter-culture of the latter half of the 1960's. This production isn't a play or a concert. It's s series of musical numbers linked by narration. The narration provides the continuity. The music provides the moments that make the production into a grand show.

The singers involved in the production were all strong. Of the four Derek Marshall has the broadest range. His voice was particularly well suited to music of Simon and Garfunkel and the songs of the Mamas. He was a really good interpreter for the music of Bob Dylan. Natalie Howard has a soaring but extremely silky voice. She would be well suited to any style related to jazz. But she could belt it out as well. Her rendition of Cher's half from 'I Got You Babe' was one of the high points of the show. Paul Wilson is a natural for singing ballads. His work on the songs of the Association was stellar as was his work on the songs of the Byrds. Penny Skolski had the throatiest voice among the vocalists. Her rendition of 'Stop, Hey What's That Sound' marked another high point of the production. She also excelled during her segments as the Narrator.

The band, four-piece ensemble, was more than up to the challenges of the varied repertoire used in the production. Lead Guitarist John Kenny proved himself adept with all of the styles used. Keyboardist (and occasional rhythm guitar player) Don Paulton filled the spaces with a number of effects needed to emulate the sounds used in many of the original recordings. Drummer Ted Peacock was at ease with both the jazz oriented styles used in the ballads and the harder edged fills needed for the heavier pieces. Bass player (and Musical Director) Colin Stewart was clearly the leader as each player appeared to take their cues from him. Like the others he was clearly at ease with a myriad of styles of playing. Each was strong in their solo bits. As an ensemble, they were, literally, as tight as a drum.

The show wasn't without flaws. Some of the harmony work on the songs by (Paul) Simon and (Art) Garfunkel wasn't quite on the mark. Despite her reverence for Janis Joplin and her work Penny Skolski seemed a little off when she sang 'Mercedes Benz'. Natalie Howard seemed unwilling to really let her voice out of the box during the first part of the show. Her performances of 'These Boots are Made for Walkin' (Nancy Sinatra) and 'Downtown' (Petula Clark) left something to be desired.

But the high points vastly outnumbered the low ones. Once Natalie Howard let her voice out she never looked back. The finale of the first half of the show comprised of the aforementioned number by Buffalo Springfield and 'Get Together' by the Youngbloods was stunning. The ensemble work on pieces by the Byrds and Peter, Paul and Mary was excellent. The group nailed the harmonies of the Mamas and Papas beautifully. The staging captured the look of the '60's pop music TV shows in a way that was both affectionate and funny. The commentary was both witty and informative.

"Memories of the Summer of Love" is many things. Call it nostalgia, a history lesson or a trip down memory lane. It doesn't matter which. It's all of the above and more. How it's enjoyed is up to the viewer.

"Memories of the Summer of Love" runs from September 9, 2008 through to September 20, 2008 at the Victoria Playhouse in Petrolia, Ontario. This review refers to the performance that took place at the Victoria Playhouse on Saturday September 13, 2008.