DRAYTON – The final show of the season at the Drayton Festival Theatre is Good Ol’ Country Gospel, which takes you back to the days of country church sing-a-longs.
The repertoire includes many classics, such as “Amazing Grace,” “How Great Thou Art,” “I Love To Tell The Story,” and “Peace Like a River.” Whether singing powerful ballads or energetic favourites, the cast of performers had the audience clapping and singing along, or quietly reflecting.
And it’s a talented cast, not only singing in pitch-perfect harmonies, but also accompanying with a variety of instruments. And they dance too! Several were part of the popular Drayton production Fiddler on the Loose, which wowed audiences earlier in the season with the musical stylings of fiddle and violin.
Brother and sister Jesse and Leah Grandmont, Matt Ballagh, Erik Larson and Dave Robillard are all Fiddler on the Loose alums, and the cast is rounded out by Paul Jerry Schwarz, Alex Baerg, and Kate Suhr. A standout is Leah Grandmont, whose glorious voice belted out ballads that would make the church rafters sing.
Between the songs, audiences were treated to historical tidbits about some of the songs, who wrote them and who was known for singing them. Bits of humour were added with church bulletin bloopers.
The set was a beautiful wooden church backdrop with ever-changing stained-glass windows. The production was conceived, directed and choreographed by David Rogers.
If you’ve been a church-goer for many years and remember all these old-time classics, then this is the show for you. But even if you’re not, you will still appreciate and enjoy these beautiful standards and the way these incredible musicians deliver them.
Good Ol’ Country Gospel has various afternoon and evening shows at the Drayton Festival Theatre until Aug. 28. Call the box office at 519-747-7788 or toll-free at 1-855-drayton (372-9866) or online at draytonentertainment.com.
