IF I HAD A MILLION TRIBUTES (2023)

Performed by The Gordons

Celebrate the 30th anniversary of the Barenaked Ladies best album with this exciting, local Tribute show!

Ask anyone to list their favourite Canadian records of all time, and you’d hear "Gordon" by The Barenaked Ladies appear more often than not. Mixing acoustic pop music, five part harmony vocals and a long list of jazz subgenres, Gordon is difficult to pin down, but remains one of the most beloved Canadian records ever. So, on the 30th anniversary of Gordon, a group of Cape Breton BNL-obsessed musicians (Aaron Corbett, Adam Young, Donnie Calabrese, Shannon Ezzat and Thomas Allen) have come together to bring it–in its front to back pop-brilliance–to the HAT.

Fans of the record will know that a dense and diverse performance background is required to do the record justice, and this group brings it! From pop groups like Tom Fun and AIRPORT!, to celtic groups like Coig and Sprag Session, the members of the show have been honing their musical and theatrical chops to make a memorable show out of an unforgettable record.

After a one-night-performance last summer, we knew we had to bring this show back for a Mainstage run. Even Steven Page from the original Barenaked Ladies loved the show, tweeting the following in response to a video: "Wow! Grade 9 sounds exactly like us. That's the best imitation of me I've heard. So good!!"

HERE’S WHAT PATRONS ARE SAYING:

“Close your eyes and you will hear the album "Gordon" played as it was intended. Open your eyes and you will be grateful that we're blessed with great local talented musicians!” -IM

“The energy this group brought to their tribute to the Barenaked Ladies was infectious! Must see performance!” -CC

“as good as, if not better thAn, you would see anywhere. I can't imagine that The Barenaked ladies themselves could have done as well.” -R&C

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TRAILER

CAST & CREW

  • Aaron Corbett (He/Him) – Lead Vocals/Guitar

    Favourite HAT Credits:
    Cabaret (Shultz), Little Shop of Horrors (Mushnik), Matilda (Harry Wormwood), Vigil (Kemp)

    Favourite Credits Elsewhere:
    Beauty and the Beast (Cogsworth, Savoy Theatre) The Pillowman (Michal, Boardmore Theatre)

    Other:
    Barenaked Ladies were my favorite band growing up. I remember seeing them live at C200 when they were touring the Gordon album and being amazed by their music and their stage show. I am so excited to be able to share my love for BNL with my other bandmates and the audience!

  • Shannon Ezzat (He/Him) – Guitar/Vocals

    Favourite HAT Credits:
    HAT Debut!

    Favourite Credits Elsewhere:
    Guitar - Ladyslippers, Guitar (tracks 3 and 15) - Fun for the Whole Family by Colin Grant

    Other:
    Looking forward to sharing my love for this album with you.

  • Donald Calabrese (He/Him) – Bass

    Favourite HAT Credits:
    HAT Debut!

  • Adam Young (He/Him) - Keyboard/Backup Vocals

    Favourite Previous HAT Credits:
    The Sea Shanty Show, A Very Merry HAT Christmas Eve Sing- Along Service, Cape Breton According to: Kenzie and Colin

    Favourite Credits Elsewhere:
    Cape Breton Lyrics & Laughter (Louisbourg Playhouse)

    Other:
    East Coast Music Award winner for Roots/Traditional Recording of the Year (Yearbook - also nominated for Canadian Folk Music Award and Music Nova Scotia Award). Two other albums with fiddler Dara Smith-MacDonald (The Lake Sessions, Island). Member of the Cape Breton Chorale and the Cape Breton Fiddlers Association

  • Thomas Allen (He/Him) – Drums

    Favourite HAT Credits:
    HAT Debut!

    Other:
    Do you remember searching for LooKee in the backgrounds of the 1980's classic animated hit adventure show She-Ra? Well, I'm all grown up now and playdrums for many prominent Cape Breton music groups!

  • Ken Heaton (he/him) – LIGHTING DESIGNER

    Favourite HAT Credits:
    My recent lighting designs include almost everything produced at the HAT since 2014.

    Favourite Credits Elsewhere:
    Both Grease and Matilda (Savoy Theatre, Glace Bay)

    Other:
    It is great to be back at the HAT!

  • Wesley J. Colford (they/them) - PRODUCER

    Favourite HAT Credits:
    The Wakowski Brothers, A Christmas Carol, Heart of Steel, Dream, Disco Nights, She Loves Me, The Drowsy Chaperone, Jack & The Beanstalk: A Musical Comedy Pantomime (Director)

    Favourite Credits Elsewhere:
    Anie, Matilda the Musical (The Savoy Theatre)

    Training:
    Sheridan College Musical Theatre Performance, George Brown Theatre School