Shaela Miller will perform at ‘A Grasslands Manuscript.’
The stage is set for an old-time radio variety show featuring some of southern Alberta’s top talent at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 12 at the Empress Theatre.
A Grasslands Manuscript, which sold out well in advance, is a presentation of South Country Fair and the brainchild of Gillian Moranz.
Moranz, who has worked on similar events in East Vancouver, has dreamed for years of producing such a show in her home town of Fort Macleod, said the timing is finally right.
“I love the format and the charm of the old radio variety shows, and they create the perfect opportunity to bring music, comedy, spoken word, and other forms of creative expression together in one package,” Moranz explained.
The desire to stage a live show at the Empress Theatre is also born out of the fact the past two South Country Fairs have been cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
“It has been too long since the South Country Fair has been able to do anything in-person and the timing was finally on our side so we decided to pull the threads together and make it happen.”
A Grasslands Manuscript will feature Barney Bentall, Richard Inman, Shaela Miller and John Wort Hannam, The Kiit Blues Band, Red Hot Hayseeds, Lance Loree and Toby Malloy.
The evening will be hosted by Steven Foord of Lethbridge, with a house band composed of Ryland Moranz, Tyson Maiko, Kyle Harmon and Skinny Dyck.
“I am so proud of the integrity of this line-up, and it truly reflects the incredible talent that we have in this region of the province,” Moranz said. “Other than one or two exceptions, the entire roster is based in southern Alberta, and they all have a strong sense of comradery being artists in the same circuit.”
“This is something that truly adds to the chemistry on and off stage, and chemistry is something you can’t fake. It’s either there or it’s not, and I can assure you with conviction that we will have no shortage of chemistry inside the Empress Theatre on Saturday night.”
Moranz, who wrote the performance sequences and blocked out the lighting and stage cues, stayed away from scripting A Grasslands Manuscript too rigidly, relying instead on the chemistry between the people on stage.
“There is a great deal of trust you can lean on when you know the individuals can create this kind of magic together with very little effort,” Moranz said. “So, there is a great deal of structure and direction, but also a lot of space for the performers to improvise, play off of each other, and really enjoy the elements of the live experience where there is an excitement attached to knowing that everything is planned but also taking shape right before your eyes and ears.”
The family-friendly show will appeal to people of all ages who love live music, comedy and performance.
“We are all really looking forward to finally bringing some folks together for a beautiful night of live music and community,” Moranz said.
A Grasslands Manuscript is sold out and no walk-up tickets will be available.
