Alberta Theatre Project’s second show of the season is an interesting choice. Joni Mitchell: River isn’t so much a play as it is a "theatrical concert." There are no scenes or elaborate sets, there isn’t even dialogue. Instead the piece uses the music of the Canadian singer/songwriter to take its audience back to when Mitchell and other performers spread their message with music.

Directed by Calgary theatre veteran Denise Clarke and created by Allen MacInnis, the show stars the sweet voiced Onalea Gilbertson and Sharon Stearns, who are joined by the uniquely charismatic Jeff Gladstone in singing. Musicians John Hyde, Brent Van Dusen, Tim Williams and Ron Casat provide back up.

According to MacInnis’ notes in the program, he attended the World Leaders Festival tribute to Joni Mitchell a few months before rehearsals began for the Winnipeg production.

"Mitchell remarked during the event that she writes her songs from movies in her head. She suggested that her songs might best be performed by actors, since each song is like a little movie told in music," MacInnis writes, adding "I felt like I had all the instruction for my show that I needed."

It’s excellent timing as well, as Mitchell was inducted to the Order of Canada, the highest honor a Canadian can achieve, on October 30th.

The Grammy Award winner’s work speaks for itself but its presentation is excellent. Songs like "Big Yellow Taxi", "Coyote", "Sex Kills" and "Dog Eat Dog" are broken up into eight categories and presented with twists and a great deal of emotion and character. The classic "Both Sides Now" is simply breathtaking and will cause goose bumps when the voices of the three combine and seemingly soar to the heavens.

"I’ve looked at life from both sides now

From up and down, and still somehow

It’s life’s illusions I recall

I really don’t know life at all"

The show will appeal mostly to the 40+ crowd who will enjoy revisiting memories associated with the classics. However the younger patrons can appreciate Mitchell’s words and vision both in the song and in the shows presentation. Times have changed a great deal since the 1960’s and 1970’s, but sadly her messages regarding War, Big Business, and Wrong and Right remain. Fortunately, so do her words of wisdom and about falling in love.

Joni Mitchell: River runs at the Martha Cohen Theatre at the EPCOR Centre for Performing Arts until November 13th.

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Contributor Jason Clevett |

Locale Calgary |

Topic Alberta Theatre Projects | Theatre |