Natural connection
Kindred spirits on stage and off, Rebecca Parent and Becca Griffin team up for ‘Light, a Solstice Celebration’ at the Watermark Theatre
Playing across from each other in “Anne & Gilbert - The Musical”, Rebecca Parent and Becca Griffin made a discovery this past season.
From the early rehearsals to opening night and all the performances that followed, the actresses who played Anne Shirley and Diana Barry respectively realized they had a natural connection.
“Even at the table read, the first day, things felt really good. People came up to me afterwards saying, ‘oh, you’re so lucky that you’re able to work with one of your closest friends’. But, we had just met each other,” says Griffin. So, when the show was over, these kindred spirits looked for ways to collaborate. “There’s something wonderful about clicking in (with someone) right away. It was something that blossomed naturally, and it grew into other amazing discoveries that that sort of happened over the summer - like we’re really funny together,” says Parent. So, when someone from the Watermark Theatre in North Rustico asked them to create a holiday show, they agreed. “We’re excited to perform together. The show is about exploring the themes of light in the different holidays that happen at this time of year, especially the solstice happening on Dec. 21,” says Griffin, co-creator of “Light, a Solstice Celebration”, which opened Friday and continues tonight at the Watermark Theatre in North Rustico.
The show is an evening of stories woven together with songs, backed up by music director Aaron Crane, keyboards, Ryan Doucette, guitar, and Luka Hall, fiddle.
“I’m very excited about a song, a comedic number, which I won’t name, that involves hats. We’ll also have an Elton John medley and a jazz medley,” says Parent.
The duo is also bringing a dramatic element into it - through light, sound and costumes. “Basically, we needed a wardrobe change,” says Parent with a laugh.
With so many other Christmas-themed events taking place in December, the musical duo wanted to change things up a bit by bringing something different to the stage.
“We’re excited about giving something back to the community,” says Griffin.
“Our goal is to have people come to North Rustico for a tour of the holiday lights during the evening and perhaps make a reservation for dinner and then come to see our show afterwards.”
Their other goal is to inspire laughter.
“We’re really funny together. So, hopefully that will spread to the audience as well,” says Parent.
“Also, the Watermark (Theatre) is an amazing place. I find it particularly wonderful in the wintertime. There’s something really cozy and romantic about that theatre.”