EXPRESS SET FOR PREMIERE PERFORMANCE.

Big moment for dedicated, young cast

Carol Gay Bell, founder and longtime artistic director of Saskatchewan Express, says the group’s premiere performance fundraising gala this year will have a Saskatchewan Roughriders theme in celebration of the Grey Cup festival coming to Regina this year.

“You can come in CFL football gear or you can come dressed to the nines. Either way, we’ll take you any way you come,” Gay Bell said with a laugh.

There will be a football theme for the event and a set of all the fight songs of the CFL teams, she said. The Rider pep band and Rider cheerleaders will also be present to greet attendees.

“It’s going to be a great evening,” Gay Bell said, noting Alan Ford — former Roughriders player and general manager — will be master of ceremonies for the show along with her.

She noted that both she and Ford were at the game in Vancouver in 1966 when the Riders won their first Grey Cup — Ford as a player, Gay Bell as a cheerleader. And Ford’s grandson Zach is now in the Sask. Express cast.

The cast includes a total of 14 young people from around the province. The organization’s junior performing groups from both Saskatoon and Regina will be involved with the premiere performance, as well, Gay Bell said.

She noted the cast begins rehearsing at the end of March, practising every weekend from Friday through Sunday. The premiere performance is their first big show of the year, she said.

“They look so forward to it. To them, it means a great deal and it means a great deal to me to have people come and support these young people. We’re so lucky in Saskatchewan to have a group like this,” Gay Bell remarked.

The parents of one young girl in the cast this year drive her every week from Meadow Lake to Regina in order to participate in the group, she said, noting the drive is about six hours.

“But they feel that they want their daughter to have this opportunity and she wanted so badly to do Saskatchewan Express,” Gay Bell said, noting many of the group’s cast members “just can’t get this in their own hometown.”

“That’s why I do this, because we can give them these opportunities and help them make their dreams come true,” she continued, noting many former cast members go on to professional careers in the performing arts, some even working at theatres in Saskatchewan.

The program for Tuesday’s show — which has been an annual event for Sask. Express and its only fundraising one — has much more than football music on it, Gay Bell said, noting, “We always try to do something for everybody.”

This year, that includes a pop set with a “mash up” of Carly Rae Jepsen and Justin Bieber music, some material from the show Glee and a country music set.

There is also a set about heroes that Sask. Express has prepared for an upcoming performance for military service people. And, there’s a “muppet medley” plus “best of Bond” movie music and a 15-minute medley from the musical Les Miserables.

And, as usual for Sask. Express, there is Canadian and Saskatchewan music on the program.

“We do love Saskatchewan and we love the fact we can do what we do here in this province,” Gay Bell said.

The premiere performance is on Tuesday at the Delta Regina Hotel and Convention Centre.

Doors open at 5:30 p.m. and the entertainment begins at 6 p.m. A dinner of turkey, cabbage rolls and perogies will be served, and there will be a silent auction, as well.

“It’s a great evening and it’s only $75,” Gay Bell said. “Where can you get all this entertainment, good food and a wonderful evening for $75?”

For tickets, phone 306-5223407. Sask. Express’s auditions for its winter cast are on June 29, Gay Bell added, noting those interested in that could email michele@ saskatchewanexpress.com.