Canada 151

Van Wilmott

Artistic Director/Director/Musical Director

Welcome to the Mayfield Dinner Theatre and this production of Canada 151. The holiday season is almost upon us and at the Mayfield that means it’s time for our hugely popular annual revue show. Part great music, part great nonsense, it is always the biggest party and most popular show of the season. This year, with the help of an amazing cast and production team, we celebrate all things Canadian – and what’s not to celebrate? All the things that make us uniquely Canadian are the same things that make us proudly Canadian. All we need to do is look around and see how unbelievably fortunate we are. Canada 151 is a celebration of the music and spirit of this great place we call home. Thank you for attending the show and thank you for supporting live theatre in Edmonton.

Kate Ryan

Staging

Kate is thrilled to be a part of this super cool Canadian company here at the Mayfield. Most recently she has directed Forever Plaid, All Shook Up, I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change, Jesus Christ Superstarand The Last Resorthere at the Mayfield. She has also directed Our Man in Havana(Bright Young Things) and Sirens(Atlas Theatre) at the Varscona Theatre. Kate is the Director of Plain Jane Theatre Company bringing offbeat musicals to Edmonton, and is an instructor at Citadel Theatre’s Young Company and Macewan University’s Musical Theatre Program. Enjoy the show, eh! 

Christine Bandelow

Choreographer

Christine was born and raised in Calgary. She has performed and choreographed throughout many parts of this great country she is so proud to call home. As a dancer on an armed forces tour she went to Goosebay, Labrador (where she got “Screeched In”) and Alert where she met Santa Claus and walked on icebergs. On the same tour the plane made an emergency stop in Iqaluit. As a performer and choreographer she has also worked in Victoria, Vancouver, Grand Prairie, High Level, Fort McMurray, Edmonton, Edson, Hinton, Red Deer, Calgary, Lethbridge, Saltcoats, Regina, Winnipeg, Drayton, Hamilton, Toronto, Ottawa, Montreal, Halifax and Charlottetown. I feel extremely grateful to have had the opportunities to work in all these amazing places and meet many fascinating people on the way. Enjoy!

Tyler Check

Ensemble/Guitar/Mandolin

Tyler is an actor, singer, musician, and writer originally from Kingston Ontario. Previous theatre credits include: All You Need is Love & Rock ‘n Roll (RuBarb Productions), Kings & Queens of Country (Drayton Entertainment), Doug Alward in Marathon of Hope: The Musical (Drayton Entertainment). Carl Perkins in Million Dollar Quartet (Stage West/Drayton Entertainment/Mirvish), Male Swing in Forever Plaid (Starvox), Smudge in Forever Plaid (Stirling Festival Theatre), Sir Bedevere in Spamalot (Stephenville Theatre Festival). Along with performing Tyler works as a writer and was most recently commissioned by Suitcase Theatre to write a TYA show discussing bullying and mental illness that will tour through schools in fall 2019. Tyler also runs a weekly podcast series interviewing prominent people in the theatre industry called Let’s Grab Coffee. Tyler would like to thank everyone at the Talent House as well as his family for their constant love and support. Instagram: @tylercheck Twitter: @TylerBCheck.

Kevin Dabbs

Ensemble

Good day eh! Like, Kevin is thrilled and grateful to be back at the Mayfield eh, where there is always, like, a beauty supply of beer, back bacon, and coffee sandwiches (snort snort). Previous appearances here: The Wedding Singer (Robbie Hart), Four Lads Who Shook the World (Paul McCartney), The Full Monty (Malcolm), Dirty Rotten Scoundrels (Andre), Buddy: The Buddy Holly Story (Jerry), Nashville Icons (Hank Williams) and Nashville Outlaws (Willie Nelson). Kevin sends hugs out to staff and students at Elmwood School and a special shoutout to his amazing Grade 4 class of 2018/19! Love love love to Christine, Madison and Jack! Enjoy the show eh! And if you don’t….. well, like….TAKE OFF.

Gerrad Everard

Ensemble

Gerrad is a proud Canadian and thrilled to be returning to the Mayfield! Selected Theatre: The Wedding Singer, History of Rock ‘n’ Roll, British Invasion, Super Groovy 70’s, The 80’s Adventures I and II (Mayfield), Million Dollar Quartet (Mirvish), Sister Act, Hairspray, Canadian Legends, Twist and Shout, Legends of Rock n Roll, Million Dollar Quartet (Drayton Entertainment), Hair, Rocky Horror Picture Show (CanStage), British Invasion I and II,  Super Groovy 70’s, Anne of Green Gables, Buddy Holly Story, Disco Cirque (Charlottetown Festival), Rocky Horror Picture Show (MTC), Smokey Joe’s Cafe, Million Dollar Quartet, Rocky Horror Picture Show (Stage West), Selected Film and Tv: Paranormal Witness, Close Encounters, Chocolate Confidential, Doodlebops. Gerrad lives in Stratford, ON but originally hails from a family farm near Wawanesa, MB. Please meet and pick up a copy of his album R0K 2G0 in the lobby after the show or for more info on Gerrad please visit www.gerradeverard.com. Enjoy the show and Happy Holidays to all!!! Ox

Pamela Gordon

Ensemble/Dance Captain

Mayfield Theatre: Back to the 80’s: Part 2, Jesus Christ Superstar, Only In Vegas, Back to the 80’s, Cabaret, Top of the Pops: A British Rock Invasion, History of Rock ‘n Roll: Stars & Stripes, Chicago, The British Invasion, Rockin’ Vegas, Country, Rock and a Whole Lotta Soul, 2000 – A Rock and Roll Odyssey, Poodle Skirts to Platform Shoes, Singin’ in the Rain, Guys and Dolls, Rock and Roll Reunion, and Hair. Other Theatre: Rainbow Stage: Les Miserables; Citadel Theatre; West Side Story, Oliver, Grease, Cabaret, Little Shop of Horrors; Theatre Aquarius; Legally Blonde, Top of the Pops; Neptune Theatre; CATS, The Rocky Horror Show, Cabaret; Theatre Calgary; West Side Story; Jubilations Dinner Theatre; Rock and Roll Heaven, Pirates of the North Saskatchewan III; Norwegian Cruise Lines. Film/T.V.: Halo (2005 release), voice work for the X-box video game Jade Empire. Et Cetera: Pamela is a Sterling award nominee and recipient. Pamela would like to dedicate these performances to her husband and co-worker Brad, and to her very supportive group of friends and family. Have a great time tonight and enjoy the show!!!

Kieran Martin Murphy

Ensemble

Fresh off of playing Tom Jones here for the past couple of months I am ready and rarin’ to dive into a world of Canadian music with this incredible cast of truly great talents. Get ready for flashback city people cuz they are going to be coming at you fast and furious! Come catch me in the lobby afterwards and check out the new Album L-O-Vee Eee on CD or USB. And don’t forget…Take Off eh! Selected Credits: Les Miserables, Buddy Holly, Rock of Ages (Arts Club); SPAMALOT, All Shook Up, J.C. Superstar (Stage West); Hamlet (U of A); CATS (Theatre Calgary); Oliver (Citadel); The Pavilion (Shadow Theatre); Songs My Mother Never Sung Me (Concrete Theatre); Two Good Knights, J.C. Superstar, The Wizard of Oz, Gypsy (Mayfield); Crescendo (John Cameron Productions); The Irrelevant Show (CBC). Film and TV: Damnation (Netflix/AMC); Necessary Evil (Group of Rogues); Mixed Blessings (APTN). www.kieranmartinmurphy.com; Instagram: kieran.m.murphy

Laura Mae Nason

Ensemble

Laura Mae is happy to be back at the Mayfield for another Holiday season. Select Theatre: Amber Von Tussle and Penny Lou Pingleton in Hairspray (Mayfield Theatre, Drayton Entertainment, Charlottetown Festival, and Rainbow Stage), Margot in Legally Blonde: The Musical (Theatre Aquarius), Sister Mary Robert in Sister Act (Drayton Entertainment), Holly in The Wedding Singer (Mayfield Theatre), and Josie Pye in Anne of Green Gables (Charlottetown Festival), Chicago (Mayfield Theatre and Neptune Theatre), Beauty & the Beast (Arts Club), Buddy: The Buddy Holly Story (Charlottetown Festival), Guys & Dolls, Cabaret (Stage West). Laura Mae would like to thank Van, Kate, and Christine for allowing her to share this great music from our incredible country and the Talent House, friends and family for their constant love and support! www.lauramaenason.com; Instagram: @lauramaenason. “Music brings people together. So my function in anything I do is to help bring people closer in.” – Gord Downie

Larissa Pohoreski

Ensemble/Fiddle

Larissa is excited to bring her fiddling to the Mayfield stage. An Edmonton-based performer, designer, musician and visual artist, she was recently named one of the Alberta Council for Ukrainian Arts Top 30 Under 30, and nominated for a Sterling Award for Best Original Score for Blood of Our Soil (Pyretic Productions). Favorite credits include Once (Citadel Theatre), Infinity (Theatre Network), 10 Out of 12 (Wildside Productions), and lighting design for An Homage to Billie Holiday (Ballet Edmonton), Les Neiges and La Raccourcie (L’Uni Theatre). She is currently developing her solo show Moonshine with her company Mavka Theatre. Love to the family.

Devra Straker

Ensemble

Devra is thrilled to be back at the Mayfield working with this great cast, band, crew and creative team! Previous select credits include Only in Vegas; Dark Star: The Life and Times of Roy Orbison; Hairspray, A Closer Walk With Patsy Cline, The Full Monty, Peace Love & Rock ’n’ Roll Part 1 & 2, Evita; Gypsy, The Golden Age of Rock Pop & Doo Wop, Rockin’ Vegas, Singin’ In The Rain, Oklahoma, The Sound Of Music (Mayfield Dinner Theatre). Other Theatre: A Closer Walk with Patsy Cline (Globe Theatre); Ring of Fire: The Music of Johnny Cash (Globe Theatre, Persephone Theatre); Top of the Pops, The Rocky Horror Show (Theatre Aquarius); A Closer Walk With Patsy Cline (Souris Valley Theatre); Move Over Mrs. Markham, A Closer Walk With Patsy Cline, Jesus Christ Superstar, The Buddy Holly Story, The Rocky Horror Show (Stage West Calgary); Oliver!, The Sound of Music (Citadel Theatre); 42nd Street, A Chorus Line (Rainbow Stage). Recently Devra also had the honour of doing a Command performance of A Closer Walk with Patsy Clinefor Prince Edward and Countess Sophie during their trip to Canada. Devra would like to thank James, Lillianna, and all her family and friends for their endless love and support – I love you all. Enjoy the show!

Brad Wiebe

Ensemble

How’s it goin’ eh? Canada is a pretty darn friendly place and I feel so lucky to be sharing the stage with so many wonderful friends, especially my amazing wife Pamela! I was last seen on this stage as “Bill” and a variety of other super stars in our Back to the 80’s Part 2 last year and as “Jesus” in Jesus Christ Superstar. I’m looking forward to performing some “Good Canadian kid!” music for you tonight. More recently you may’ve seen Brad in Rock ‘n Roll Heaven at Jubilations in the mall over the summer where he was Freddie Mercury, Roy Orbison, George Michael, David Bowie, John Lennon, Elvis, David Cassidy and Leonard Cohen. Other recent credits include Hair (Mayfield) and Directing Orange is the New Pink (Jubilations). Have a wonderful holiday season everyone! I’ll be in the lobby after the show selling some Christmas stocking stuffers, my debut cd’s “Letting Go” the unplugged and studio versions. Pop by, say hello and we can cheer or jeer at how the Oil are doing this year. Merry Christmas!

Steve Hoy

Drums

One of the most respected and in-demand drummers in Western Canada, Stephen performs and records with numerous national and international artists. Known for his versatility and keen musicianship, Stephen is looking forward to performing again with the Mayfield Dinner Theatre.

Paul Lamoureux

Reeds/Keys

Multi-instrumentalist Paul Lamoureux was born here in Edmonton. He holds both Bachelor’s and Master’s Degrees in music from North Texas State University, and a diploma in Performing Arts from Grant MacEwan College. Paul has performed with Cirque du Soleil in Las Vegas (“O” at the Bellagio), the Tommy Banks Band, and several cruise lines. He has backed up Robert Goulet, Flip Wilson, Mickey Rooney, Red Skelton, and toured with Grammy-nominated Christian rock act “Degarmo and Key”. Fluently bilingual, Paul was Musical Director of CBC French radio’s Gala Albertain de la Chanson for 8 years and has recorded 4 CDs of his own pop/jazz music on his own label. When not working in theatre, Paul loves to entertain Seniors under the stage name “Lam-Chops”.

Jennifer McMillan

Keys/Vocals

Jennifer is excited to be back at the Mayfield for her 17th show! Past favourites include: Two Good Knights, Jesus Christ Superstar, The Simon & Garfunkel Story, and Dark Star: The Life and Times of Roy Orbison. As a pianist, she has played for numerous choirs, soloists, cabarets, and musicals in Canada and abroad. As a vocalist, Jen has lent her talents to many vocal ensembles and has sung for various vocal jazz and choral publishing demos. She has performed as a backup singer for Ben Folds and has been a featured vocalist in many film, television and video game recordings. A few favourites include Universal Studios Tokyo, Warframe (video game), CBS’s Hawaii Five-0 and CBC’s The Nature of Things.

Derek Stremel

Bass

Derek grew up in a musical family and started playing at a young age. He moved to Alberta after high school, leaving his Manitoba farming roots behind, and began his professional musical career. During that time he also took a job for Otis Elevator Company; like every job, it had its ups and downs. For almost two decades now he has been employed at the Mayfield Dinner Theatre playing musical revues and Broadway musicals. Although, not the best bassist among the musicians before you, he is in the top five. Derek would neveruse gratuitous italics and is always delighted by the opportunity to write about himself in the third person. He’d love to go into more detail but only has 130 words and has unfortunately run out of…

Harley Symington

Guitar

Harley has contributed to somewhere around 75 productions at the Mayfield as musician, singer, audio technician, and even occasionally as a cast member. Recent favourites include Two Good Knights, Soul Sistas, J.C. Superstar, and Four Lads Who Shook The World: The Beatles Story Parts 1 and 2 (as George Harrison). He finished up the past season at the Mayfield doing the sound design and live mix for All Shook Up and Forever Plaid. He has toured extensively with many artists, performing at events such as Lilith Fair, other major festivals, and on the national tour of the musical Red Rock Diner. Other than theatre he keeps busy freelancing and performing with his own group in support of his debut CD, entitled “Don’t Talk”. He also holds a diploma with honours from the Computer Systems Technology program at NAIT.