Heritage Festival Variety Show changes things up this year

Craig Bakay | Feb 05, 2020

The 14th annual Frontenac Heritage Festival kicks off Friday night, Feb. 14, with its usual variety show, but this year things will be a little different, says producer Rob Moore.

“This year, it’s called ‘Variety Show — The Musical,’” Moore said. “After two years of Frontenac’s Got Talent, rather than rehashing what we’ve done in the past, I wanted to work with some kids I know, including my own kids.”

He said those familiar with the Glee TV show will recognize the show style, complete with a number of cameos and performances.

“Some of the songs will be backed up by a live band — Dennis Larocque, Brett Hilder and Nate Paul,” he said. “Others will use pre-recorded backing tracks.

“It will be a mixture of pop songs, ’80s rock and such — everything from The Beatles to Twisted Sister to Justin Timberlake.”

He said he and co-writer Cathy Bateman wrote scenes around the songs. The overall story arc is them blending two families together.

“They’re short skits, that culminate in songs,” he said.

He said one of the goals this year was to include a lot of people but not manipulate months of their time for a one-off show.

He said part of their inspiration was the very first Variety Night, which was kind of a takeoff on Hee Haw.

“We may return to the Frontenac’s Got Talent format next year,” he said.

The cast includes Mason and Miles Moore, Audry and Anderson Bateman, Braidey Merrigan, Sidney Potts and Nevaeh Mapleston.

There will be a half-time canteen with Cardinal Cafe hosting.

The show gets underway at 7 p.m., following the opening ceremonies in the Granite Ridge Education Centre foyer, with charcuterie and punch from Seed to Sausage and Mike Dean’s.

Entry to the show is by monetary or non-perishable food donation to the Food Bank.