Hey Folks.
Last week was CRAZEE with my musical direction gig on "The Ecstacy Of Rita Joe" opening in Ottawa at The National Arts Centre AND the kick off of our Spring Tour in Hamilton. BUT working with the cast and creative team on "Rita Joe" was very interesting and enjoyable.
The new score really recasts the whole tale as a spiritual journey that Rita is on so she's less of a victim and more of a seeker.
Given the unreported and unpunished rape and murder rates for native women I think thats an important change in this historical work which opened the National Arts Centre in the 70's. The current cast is strong indeed and the story is sadly still topical.
So, the very next night after opening I flew back to Toronto and Shannon and I kicked off the tour at The Corktown in Hamilton! A perfect night to start things rolling with a full house and a strong opening set by Janine Stoll and her group The Donefors! (Janine designed our excellent tour poster which really gives us class and swank).
Shannon and I tried the Beatles "The Two Of Us" (from the Let It Be album) as a duet and it worked like a dream...
The picture above is us at the stage door before loading up on greasy fries. Looking forward to London Ontario tomorrow!
