A Short, Sweet Nostalgia Trip

By Mary Alderson

It is a night to remember the good old days – 1973 to be precise. Dominating the billboard charts that year were Elton John and Simon and Garfunkel, if this concert is any indication. Billboard in Concert 1973 is on stage briefly at Port Hope’s Capitol Theatre.

You will remember Michelle Bouey who played Patsy Cline at the Capitol two years ago.  In this show she gives a lovely rendition of “Killing Me Softly”, and even plays a cello solo in the middle of the song.  Her “Delta Dawn” proves very popular with the audience. You may also remember Nathan Carroll from the Sleeping Beauty Panto, Christmas 2022.  Nathan gives a lively version of Simon and Garfunkel’s “Kodachrome”. Kaylee Harwood has a showstopper with “Midnight Train to Georgia”, and sings “You’re so Vain” which appropriately mentions flying to Nova Scotia to see a total eclipse of the sun!  Rob Kempson sings a delightful “Yellow Brick Road” and Port Hope singer Jeff Biggar adds a lively “Crocodile Rock”.  The Colton Sisters from Bailieboro harmonize in a sweet delivery of “Desperado”.

These are just a sampling of the hits of ’73 that are covered in this concert. If you have fond memories of 1973 you’ll enjoy this show.  But if I tell these young singers I was in grade 13 in 1973, they might wonder what I was talking about.

It’s nice to see artistic director Rob Kempson step forward into the spotlight to sing a few songs, and it’s also good to see local talent given a stage.

Don’t go to this show if you expect a tribute band playing the hits of 1973 just like the original singers; that is not the case here. Each of these singers made the old songs their own and sang them to suit their own style.  It’s refreshing to hear a new take on the old favourites.

You just have two chances to see this show – Saturday, March 23 at 2:00 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.

Billboard in Concert 1973 continues at the Capitol Theatre in Port Hope until March 23, 2024. Tickets are available at the box office by calling 905-885-1071 or visiting https://capitoltheatre.com/

Photo: Jeff Biggar in Billboard in Concert 1973

Billboard in Concert 1973
Conceived by Jeff Newberry and Rob Kempson
Directed by Rob Kempson
Musical Direction by Jeff Newberry
Performed by Michelle Bouey, Jeff Biggar, Nathan Carroll, The Colton Sisters, Kaylee Harwood.
Music by Jeff Newberry, Matt Ray, Alex St. Kitts, Angelica Zavala and Rob Kempson.
Capitol Theatre, Port Hope
March 22 – 23, 2024
Reviewed by Mary Alderson