‘READY TO SHINE’
Performers in Guild Gone Wild excited to be part of 2018 edition of the show
There’s nothing like hearing someone sing their favourite song.
It’s one of the reasons I’m looking forward to this year’s edition of Guild Gone Wild Cabaret.
It’s worth the price of the ticket just to hear the party pieces that people who perform at The Guild have been working on.
That’s because after playing assigned roles in “Anne & Gilbert – the Musical”, “Disney’s Lion King” and “Aladdin”, company members will get to break out of their characters and perform songs and skits of their own choosing.
“For a number of people, getting to do a number that’s dear to their heart is an opportunity for them to shine,” says co-ordinator Graham Putnam, of the event set for Monday, Sept. 3, 7:30 p.m., at The Guild in Charlottetown.
This year 40 acts auditioned, including performers from “Atlantic Blue”, “Charlottetown Burlesque”, “Popalopalots” and Guild staff members.
“We have more submissions than we’ve ever had before. Hopefully we’ll be able to accommodate everyone,” Putnam tells me.
For example, Krysten Cameron,
14, will be singing a song by ABBA with her best buds.
“I’m really excited. This is my third time participating, and it’s always so much fun,” says the 14-year-old who performs in the summer musicals.
Jack Warren is performing a pop song.
“I feel a little nervous, but I love getting on stage and performing. I can’t tell you the name, it’s a surprise,” says the 14-year-old actor.
In fact, much of the program is top secret, and for good reason, executive director Alanna Jankov tells me.
“These are some of the showstoppers that no one wants to give away because they make Guild Gone Wild so incredible. Even I
don’t know what to expect.”
Take Aaron Crane, for instance. The P.E.I. fiddler plays Moody Spurgeon MacPherson, the musician-turned-minister in “Anne & Gilbert – the Musical”.
“But in Guild Gone Wild we’ll see many different sides of him. He’s multi-talented,” says Jankov.
Crane, who is co-ordinating talent for the show is expected to make an appearance or two.
“Last year I dressed up as a woman. That’s not happening this year,” he laughs.
Like Crane, Putnam has been with the show since the very beginning.
In 2014, the theatre had been booked for a performance, “Tall Hat Chronicles”, but the show was cancelled.
“We had paid the rent, so we wanted to do something with it.”
So, he came up with the idea for the cabaret.
“It was a really great night. We called on people from the various shows to contribute something. And every year we’ve run it since we’ve received a such a positive response,” says Putnam.