Cocktails and Candy Canes: shaken - not stirred

11 Dec 2024.

by Drew Rowsome -Photos courtesy of Toronto Musical Concerts

"Cocktails and Candy Canes has grown to be Toronto Musical Concerts’ version of a family Christmas party," says Christopher Wilson, Toronto Musical Concerts' artistic producer. "Most of our company members have been dear close friends and professional musical theatre colleagues for nearly twenty years. As this is our first seasonal on-stage reunion since BC (Before Covid) in 2019, we are particularly excited to join together in musical community to give our patrons a dynamite show. Even just one 'smart cocktail' will certainly suffice to get our audience primed for an evening of festive frivolity. Our musical offerings turn classic carols and seasonal melodies upside down being performed as jazzy, gospel, and contemporary interpretations that will deck the halls with seasonal song." 

Wilson has assembled a cast of musical theatre stars: Cara Adams, Louise Camilleri (An Incomplete List of All the Things I'm Going to Miss When the World is Over, Rock of Ages), Lana Carillo (Cannibal the Musical, The Little Mermaid), Gabi Epstein, Tristan Hernandez, Kelly Holiff, Sarah Horsman, Ryan Kelly (Gash!, The Normal Heart, Dancing Queen, Assassins, Into the Woods, The Trouble with Henry), Lizzie Kurtz, Jeremy Lapalme, Joseph Levesque, Melissa MacKenzie (Flashing Lights), Anwyn Musico, Chris Tsujiuchi (Porchside Songs, A Very Cristical Christmas Cabaret, The Rocky Horror Show, Unravelled, Parade, Box 4901, Onegin), Sarah Strange, Christopher Wilson himself (Parade, Company, Clitoria!, Andy Warhol Musical: In Rehearsal, Two Kittens & A Kid, Merrily We Roll Along, Assassins, Into the Woods), Kristi Woods, and accompanist Mark Camilleri. "Musical theatre performers are specifically trained to tell stories through song," says Wilson. "Though we will be sharing both pop and classical repertoire as part of our evening, our company excels at connecting with our audiences by lifting the words off the page to create engaging and poignant performances."

Wilson has a few specifics, "We are performing a stunning classical piece entitled, 'Awake, My Soul' by American composer, Elaine Hagenberg. The choral texture is absolutely sumptuous, and our company really gelled on this tune immediately. The rendition of 'Mary, Did You Know' arranged by the Pentatonix, has proven to be a trickier tune to pull together musically. However, we are confident that our diligent ensemble work will have a huge payoff for our audience members. There is also a particularly amusing rendition of the '12 Days of Christmas' that should have our audience members thoroughly titillated and entertained." He also enthuses about the venue, "We're thrilled to collaborate with Hugh’s Room at their new Broadview location. As a repurposed church, the seasonal music that we are offering is certainly perfect for this location. We are working with the bartender to create our own signature cocktail and mocktail specific for this exciting musical theatre event."

The cocktails might even come with candy canes, Wilson has recommendations. "Two fabulously festive drinks to definitely get you in the spirit include a Rum Rum Rudolph, a Christmas version of a rum and coke, inspired by Rudolph the Reindeer’s bright red nose. To get the vibrant hue, use tart cherry juice; And a Partridge In A Pear Tree is a seasonal cocktail taking a its cue from the carol. It's created with warming bourbon and whisky, a bit of bubbles, a punch of pear brandy, and spiced syrup." The Cocktails and Candy Canes motto is "One part simplicity, one part stylishly chic. Shaken - not stirred!" The bartender will be busy. 

Beyond Christmas, Wilson has a New Year resolution, "I am hopeful that Toronto Musical Concerts will have the opportunity to revisit the epic musical, The House of Martin Guerre by Canadian composer, Leslie Arden. BC in March 2020 prior to our initial lockdown, we were only two and half weeks away from our performances after several months of concentrated preparation. This particular musical is an outstanding example of the Canadian musical theatre canon, and we want to get it to the stage to resolve our unfinished theatrical business." But first there is "Mary, Did You Know " to perfect, Rum Rum Rudolphs to down, and a lot of festive cheer to be conjured vocally. Shaken - not stirred.