Stage West’s Musical Revues are always a highlight for patrons of the company. There’s been many fun and unique themes from One Hit Wonders to shows focusing on specific decades and genres. When the current production New Sound in Town was announced, stating it was crossovers from pop to rock to country, my curiosity was peaked. There aren’t many artists that have done that crossover. I somehow doubted that Dallas Green (from alt rock Alexis on Fire to Indi/Folk as City and Colour) or Dallas Smith (Rock band Default to a solo country career) would make the list. Would Bon Jovi’s foray into a country-tinged album be there? Gwen Stefani’s switch from No Doubt to Dance Diva? Beyonce taking on Country music?

Well... one of those. Beyonce, Taylor Swift, and Hootie and the Blowfish front man Darius Rucker all make the cut and fit in the theme. While the promotional material mentioned Carried Underwood and Miranda Lambert, they aren’t included. But Jann Arden is. For... reasons. When the setlist was released, I just stared at it confused, because... what is this?

So I went in with an open mind and decided to stop overthinking it. There are some great songs in the show, so I decided to just digest from the buffet and enjoy.

What the show could have been called is Songs we are awesome at singing. Because the final production is stellar. 2 of the creative ways that the theme is utilized is the transition of song from one artist’s style to another. When CCR’s Proud Mary switched to Tina Turner for the end of set 1, it brought the house down. Similarly, the transition from the sweet country Dolly Parton to Whitney Houston belting out I Will Always Love You was a showstopper. All 6 guys harmonizing on Mumford & Son’s I Will Wait was a thing of beauty. And even numbers that fell under "I don’t understand why this is here" like a Madonna segment (I guess Don’t Tell Me is country?) were so fun.

There’s a lot of Stage West revue vets in the show. Lee Sigel who is a national treasure and could sing the worst song ever written and I would still ask for more. Gaelan Beatty, whose versatility has had him be everything from a Backstreet Boy to Garth Brooks continues that with songs from Elvis and The Eagles. Amanda De Freitas returns after her incredible Janet Jackson and Whitney segments last year in Legends of the 80s for more jaw dropping notes and dance moves. This is just a few recognizable names, but the entire ensemble has moments to shine.

Highlights of the buffet this go round include a delicious lemon pepper mahi mahi, pork loin stuffed with apples, the always delicious roast beef carving station, and escargot in a burgundy sauce with garlic toast. If you have never tried to chocolate dipped Florentine cookies, you need to. They are addictive and I suspect if they were removed from the menu there would be a riot of angry dinner theatre patrons.

New Sound in Town has a bit of everything for everyone, from Linda Ronstadt and Willie Nelson to Little Nas X and Taylor Swift. Grab your tickets and enjoy the experience and take a few hours to shake (it) off your daily life.

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Contributor Jason Clevett |

Locale Calgary |

Topic Stagewest | Theatre |