Keeping Us at the Edges of Our Seats
To live through life, to fall in love, and to experience change, we build ourselves up hoping for the best as we navigate our growing relationship with the world around us.
But for better or worse, nothing truly works out the way we intended, and we are forced to learn as a result. Our emotions can get the better of us and we are left feeling speechless with the cruelty of ill-defined phrases, but this is where I mention my gratitude for songs that guide me through it all.
Blue Canoe Productions continues to wow the Kingston community with their summer programming in their newest production Edges, a song cycle written by Benj Pasek and Justin Paul. Much like most of Pasek and Paul’s collective work (Dear Evan Hansen, La La Land), these songs are written in a contemporary style with pop lyrics. And to save any potential embarrassment of Googling what a song cycle is like I had to, it is a collection of songs with a common theme that’s intended to be performed together. In this case, all the songs point to a theme of coming-of-age and relationships. From “Ready to Be Loved” and “I Hmm You”, get ready to watch as these four characters (two male, two female) sing their way through the emotions that we try to hide.
Performed right outside of The Spire on Sydenham Street, audiences are welcomed to an alley stage with spray-painted box seating for your choosing. There is always something so magical and idealistic to see indoor objects (a full bed and dining set) outside, as if we are part of someone’s thoughts or memories. Director Chanel Sheridan notes the intention behind this design is to “reflect upon our ongoing internal dialogue, invisible to others”, curating an emotional foundation for the choreography as the performers weave throughout the space.
Just seeing nature play into the set (and not even with artificial elements), we are refreshed to an elevated imagination, allowing us to immerse ourselves into their world and their emotions. I was lucky to have seen this performance on a sunny day, and to watch nature provide the stage lighting further added to this dream-like state I was in. However, with every rose comes thorns and with an outdoor performance comes unexpected noises. The cacophony of passing cars and the occasional strong wind unfortunately disrupted my hearing and distracted me from the show.
Despite these issues, this talented and wonderful cast (Lily Lachapelle, Kevin Shaw, Sydney Harwood-Jones, and Brennan Michener) pushed through any disruptions and continued their performance. Lachapelle has an undeniable stage presence, Harwood-Jones vocal talent enchants listeners, Michener excels at character interpretations, and Shaw has a natural sympathetic clarity to his performance; all of which commands the audience’s attention.
All in all, their authentic and honest delivery of the lyrics reinforce each song and its intention, reminding the audience of their own experiences of life. But it is Sheridan, in my opinion, who is an upcoming tour-de-force in the Kingston and Queen’s community for her understanding of the songs and the strengths of each performer, and how best to utilize them.
As we move back towards in-person performances again, we should all take some time and reflect on the dedication from all theatre cast and crew for continuing their art in a safe manner whilst dealing with a pandemic that threatens the meaning of community. With that said, a huge shoutout and thank you to Leah Jadd (Stage Manager), Anna Doyle (Production Manager), and Sophia Battel (Music Director).
We are all very complex with each existence living through their own circumstances, trying our best every single day. If this production has taught me anything, it is that our shared emotional experiences are nothing to be fearful of. Perhaps it’s our individual emotional baggage that we bring with us into the theatre, but this musical celebration of our lives will hit you to your core, and with the excellent performance from the cast, you will surely reflect on your life a bit differently.
Blue Canoe Production’s in-person performances of Edges ran from August 11th-15th and is available on demand through the platform ShowTix4U. Click here for the official trailer!