Caisse fundraiser tour de force with Met band

The Metropolitan Silver Band, of Toronto, under the baton of conductor Fran Harvey performed a two-hour performance of Breezin’ Down Broadway Sunday, Sept. 22 at the Rene Caisse Theatre in Bracebridge.
Breezin’ Down Broadway was a fundraiser for the Met Band and the Bracebridge Arts Council, operators of the Rene Caisse Theatre.

BRACEBRIDGE — Breezin’ Down Broadway was musical tour de force at the Rene Caisse Theatre.

The Metropolitan Silver Band from Toronto and the theatre presented an afternoon of musical theatre that saw the audience experience the best sights and sounds of the Big Apple and its show tunes.

Not only did the music lovers hear the brashness of a big brass band, but they were treated to a musical montage of images that filled a screen behind the bluecoats, dwarfing them as the bandsmen and women tried to polish the image of NYC.

And they did. Their lively and uplifting musical interpretations of America’s  songbook, under the direction of conductor Fran Harvey, of Bracebridge, left the musical theatre goers spellbound.

From the Overture from Calamity of Jane, to Ain’t Misbehavin, Portrait of a City, to My Fair Lady, Phantom of the Opera, a Suite from Porgy and Best, to a Wicked medley and finally to the Lion King, Breezin’ Down Broadway was a full and rich and rewarding ear worms.

The band — which is making good Nov. 25 in Gravenhurst on a rain date from last spring at the Muskoka Concert  Association series — combined forces with the Caisse to present a stimulating visible and audible experience.

An added bonus was the singing duo of Sherisse Stevens and theatre manager Tracy Hoehner in the Wicked Medley.

Trombonist Richard Raum and flugelhorn player also performed solos.

The show was a combined fundraiser for the band and the Bracebridge Arts Council that runs the Caisse.

Conductor Fran Harvey provided an interesting oral historical context to the music.
Sherisse Stevens and Tracy Hoehner combined voices on the Wicked Medley.
Tracy Hoehner added another solo work in the Wicked Medley.
Michelle McCall played a beautiful rendition of Cole Porter’s I’ve Got You Under My Skin.
Richard Raum took a solo on Fats Waller’s Ain’t Misbehavin.