Gavin Hope reveals, "It's ABBA of course there will be dancing" at Uncovered: The Music of ABBA

5 Nov 2022 - photos courtesy of publicist

The Uncovered series has covered artists from pop to country to R&B, always digging into the repertoire to 'uncover' the depths within the songs. For 2022, after a digital Uncovered: The Music of Dolly Parton, a stellar cast has been assembled to plumb the depths of undoubtedly the most successful and well-known songwriter/performers in the world: ABBA. Among the artists tackling the Swedish sensation's oeuvre is Gavin Hope, who has a longstanding connection to the supergroup. "I was actually to be cast in the original Mamma Mia musical when it came to Toronto the first time," says Hope, "so I had to learn a lot of their music to sing for the auditions.. A completely different vibe than Uncovered. I had to pass on Mamma Mia, because the day after I got asked to do the run, I was offered The Lion King. So now I’m back to ABBA and so glad I can have fun with this music in this way. I'm definitely more connected to the music this time around." 

Hope graciously agreed to answer a handful of questions about ABBA, Uncovered: The Music of ABBA, Uncovered, and fabulous wardrobes.

Drew Rowsome: What is your favourite ABBA song and why?

Gavin Hope: Hmmm. A toss up between "Fernando," "Take A Chance On Me," "Waterloo," and "Dancing Queen." Why? Because, ABBA. Jokes aside, these tunes have melodies that always stuck in my mind the most  and that’s saying a lot. Very catchy and instantly recognizable. It’s hard for me to pick favourites to be honest. Music transports me into daydreams or evokes memories of where I was when I first heard the tunes. ABBA has been such an iconic group over the decades, I can’t possibly just pick one. 
 
When do you first remember hearing ABBA and what was your reaction? 

Gavin Hope: I think I first remember hearing ABBA when I was but a fetus in the '70s, And of course it instantly turned me gay with a penchant for disco balls, fabulous hair and bell bottom pant suits. Kidding . . . mostly . . . I did hear ABBA as a young kid though, and it was very likely the late '70s and early '80s and my reaction was likely to dance with joy. 

Are you allowed to tell us what songs you are performing in Uncovered?

Gavin Hope: Some of the songs I’ll be singing in Uncovered are "Take A Chance On Me," a cool duet version of "S.O.S.," and a few others. I can’t give it all away, you’ll just have to come down and hear all the amazing versions of the songs that are being cooked up by Reza Jacobs and the wonderfully talented cast. I’m so excited to be a part of this! 

How do you approach songs that are so familiar, with arrangements that are ingrained in our memories, to make them fresh and personalized? 

Gavin Hope: With instantly recognizable and iconic songs such as the catalogue of ABBA, it’s going to be a huge challenge to really finesse a different version while staying true to the integrity and familiarity of each song. Being different enough to be palatable and interesting and fabulous. However the process of putting it all together with Reza and Kevin Wong and the cast, is thorough and collaborative, and is really eye opening to a lot of creative possibilities, telling the stories within the lyrics from perhaps a place one wouldn’t necessarily think of.. And it’s working brilliantly so far. It really helps to have such an open and collaborative space to get those ideas flowing. The rehearsal process has been really great. Audience members will still instantly recognize the music, and hopefully enjoy the new takes that we come up with. 

Was there a battle over who got to sing “Dancing Queen?” 

Gavin Hope: "A Battle For Dancing Queen.'" That could possibly be an entirely new musical. Thankfully, we all partake in this tune so there will be no bloodshed or drama. 

How intimidating is it to have your ABBA covering skills compared to Meryl Streep? Pierce Brosnan? Cher? 

Gavin Hope: How intimidating is it to have my ABBA covering skills compared to Meryl, Pierce, and goddess Cher? Bless your heart.. There is none. While they are lovely and the movie was, um, cute, we plan on bringing our own magic to the music live and it’ll be a whole other vibe.

How intimidating (or inspiring) is it to work with such major talents as the rest of the Uncovered cast? 

Gavin Hope: Working with the rest of the Uncovered cast is nothing short of an inspiration. I absolutely love this group of souls who’ve been put together. I’ve worked with one individual before and she’s magic, and I’m so so happy to be finally working with the rest of these people. Such a great energy in the room every time I show up to rehearsal. And the singing and acting chops: ridiculous. Very happy indeed. This is going to be stellar.

You’ve harmonized with Michael Bolton and The Nylons. How did those prepare you for the tight harmonies of ABBA and the group numbers of Uncovered? 

Gavin Hope: Being someone with a lot of music and harmony background, of course that helps when stepping into this environment, making new versions and new harmonies of huge songs, working with others and finding the right spots musically.. Definitely helps to know where to go and what to sing. 

I last saw you in Dixon Road and many other times previously with The Nylons and/or solo as a vocalist. How does theatre compare to a vocal gig and where does Uncovered fit into that spectrum? 

Gavin Hope: Both theatre and singing as a vocalist in concerts are great story telling mediums. Theatre has all the sets, and actors and a structured story to interpret onstage. Singing in a concert is more than stand and sing, it’s still telling stories, but maybe without all the wardrobe. Unless you’re Cher . . . I’m kidding of course. Theatre can be grand or intimate, layered or minimalist—it tells stories with sets and wardrobe and entrances and exits and quick changes and make up and a cast that comes together to tell a single story or even several stories within a play or musical. My experience with theatre has been incredible and varied. It’s a different beast than singing as a vocalist in concert. But singing in concerts has also been quite varied, from small gigs, to fronting full symphony orchestras, to jamming with other musicians on stage, it’s all been telling stories within each song I sing as well. There is no fourth wall in concerts: the goal is to directly connect with the audience and look into their eyes and evoke emotion and joy and sometimes tears. Theatre of course does much of that as well. What it comes down to is that music and theatre tell a story or stories, evoke emotion, grab attention, provide escape . . . provide connection.. As for Uncovered, it’s a coming together of musicians, actors, and vocalists to create a really amazing blend of it all. There won’t be a giant set, or wardrobe or a structured story, but there will be interpretations of iconic music as presented by some wonderfully strong actors and singers. Uncovered ABBA will bring new ways to sing and hear their stories through the music. There will be connection, there will be joy, and of course, it’s ABBA so there will be dancing.  

This is ostensibly musical director Reza Jacobs last Uncovered. How has the working process been and what did you two uncover about the inner workings of your material and your relationship to ABBA? 

Gavin Hope: So far, the working process with Reza has been nothing short of eye-opening, enjoyable creation. There is patience, give and take of some great ideas, and applying what we come up with. It’s been constantly evolving and I’m loving it. Working this way for Uncovered ABBA has allowed me to see these tunes as much more than something to throw my hands up in the air and dance to. I’m paying a lot more attention to the lyrics, telling stories I never really would have thought of had it not been for the approach in rehearsals. After this run, I’ll definitely have memories of a different way of thinking of some of the tunes we've done when I hear the music on the radio or at a wedding. But I’ll always still want to dance and sing along. 

ABBA was notorious for their questionable but fabulous wardrobe choices. What are you going to wear? 

Gavin Hope: Now that is a billion dollar question. I have no idea. Lol. Open to suggestion. I’ll likely keep my harness in the closet for now though. Perhaps that’s a different show entirely. Well, definitely. I’m looking forward to finding something ABBA-esque or adjacent. I’m a big guy so looking for outfits should be interesting.