SINATRA: A CELEBRATION (2023)

Dinner and a Show! Co-produced between the Highland Arts Theatre and Sacred Heart Downtown, the producers of "The Best of Broadway" bring a brand new sensation to downtown Sydney.

Come celebrate what would have been the 107th birthday of international sensation Frank Sinatra in this music extravaganza, live at Sacred Heart Downtown!

Paul Gatchell (Phantom of the Opera, Dream) hosts an evening of song and memories as we re-visit some of Frank Sinatra's greatest hits through the decades.

Featuring a live band, dance, and splashy production numbers, this is one celebration you won't want to miss!

Starring Featured Soloists:

Paul Gatchell, Wesley J. Colford & Kevin Colford Plus a variety of special guests and a full swing band led by Barbara Stetter!

Join us for the best music of a generation with full-band arrangements by the wonderful Christopher Mounteer ('Swonderful, Kitchen Party, The Sea Shanty Show)

Three course gourmet meal provided by Mise en Place Catering. (Vegetarian and Gluten-Free options available - please indicate with ticket purchase).

HERE’S WHAT PATRONS ARE SAYING:

"There was not a sour note in the entire evening. The music and arrangements were outstanding and to have a live band was such a thrill for both the performers and the audience. The food was served beautifully and at our table, each plate was wiped clean. A sure sign the food was delectable. The venue alone is worth going to just see this magnificent site. What a place! It’s breathtaking. I can't rave enough about this show." -BAM

"Beautiful evening had a great time. Lots of sparkle in the room tonight. Can not wait to see what will be next!" -MM

"Such a fun night! excellent performances by all and delicious meal." -HS

CAST & CREW

Paul Gatchell (he/him) - FEATURED SOLOIST

Favourite HAT Credits:
Dream (Oberon), Sinatra! A Celebration, Holiday on Christmas Island (Oberon)
Favourite Credits Elsewhere:
The Mikado (Broadway Revival), The Phantom of the Opera (North American Tour)
Wesley J. Colford (they/them) – FEATURED SOLOIST

Favourite HAT Credits:
Spelling Bee (William), Punch Up (Duncan), The Sea Shanty Show, Here Comes the Sun, She Loves Me (George); The Wakowski Brothers, A Christmas Carol, Heart of Steel, Dream, Disco Nights, She Loves Me, The Drowsy Chaperone, As You Like It (Director)
Favourite Credits Elsewhere:
Jersey Boys, Annie, Matilda the Musical, Into the Woods, Nutcracker (The Savoy Theatre), Hamlet (The Boardmore Playhouse, CBU)
Training:
Sheridan College Musical Theatre Performance, George Brown Theatre School
Kevin Colford (he/him) - FEATURED SOLOIST

Favourite HAT Credits:
Sinatra: A Celebration (2016), as well as Bass Player in the band for numerous musicals.
Other:
I’m incredibly proud of the work the HAT has done and continues to do in Cape Breton and Downtown Sydney. Thank you for supporting local talent and local organizations.
Katherine Woodford - ANDREW SISTER

Favourite HAT Credits:
She Loves Me (Amalia Balash), 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee (Rona Lisa Peretti), The Little Prince (Narrator)
Jennifer MacNeil (she/her) – ANDREW SISTER

Favourite HAT Credits:
HAT Debut!
Other:
Jennifer is a recording artist from Sydney, Nova Scotia. She has been performing for over 10 yrs at concerts, special services & events, community fundraisers&telethons and serves as a pianist/choir director at several local churches.
In 2015, she released four gospel recordings as her first solo project at Coda Recording Studio with Kim Lantz. She followed several years later with a version of In the Bleak Midwinter-arranged and produced by Bob Quinn. Her most recent recording, I'm Home (A Cape Breton Love Song) is being released on September 19, 2022. This marks her first original single and it was recorded at LJL Studios with Lawrence J Lelievre and David Burke.
When not writing or recording, Jennifer can be found performing live. Most recently she has been playing for the summer/fall season at The North Star Hotel in Louisbourg. She also continues to play locally throughout the CBRM and maintains her business offering musical services of special services and events.
Ashley Buckingham (she/her) – ANDREW SISTER

Favourite HAT Credits:
As You Like It (Audrey/Vocal Captain), Best of Broadway (Featured Soloist), Little Shop of Horrors (Ronette), All Together Now (Music Director/Featured Performer), Shrek the Musical JR (Music Director)
Christopher Mounteer (he/him)- ARRANGEMENTS

Favourite HAT Credits:
‘Swonderfull, Kitchen Party, 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, The Sea Shanty Show, The Happy Prince, I Love You You’re Perfect Now Change, Sitting School, Jamie Freel, Sinatra! A Celebration
Other:
A Jessie Award winning musical director, Chris has worked all across the country from St. John’s to Campbell River and into Yukon, Alaska and Washington state. For the HAT: Sinatra, I Love You You’re Perfect Now Change, two Kitchen Parties, two Spelling Bees, The Happy Prince, ’S Wonderful, Sitting School, Jamie Freel… After 25 years of living out of suitcases, Chris unpacked and has been an instructor in the music theatre department at Sheridan College since 2002. He has done master classes with Victoria Clark, Jason Robert Brown, Gavin Creel, Ben Vereen, Stephen Schwartz, Pasek & Paul. A non-swimmer who is afraid of water, he is happy to be on dry land while working on The Sea Shanty Show.
Barbara Stetter (she/her) – BAND LEADER

Favourite HAT Credits:
Dream, Next To Normal, Cabaret, A Christmas Carol, She Loves Me
Favourite Credits Elsewhere:
Les Miserables, Beauty and The Beast, Matilda (Savoy Theatre) My Fair Lady (CBU) Music Man (Festival On The Bay)
Training:
B.Mus (Susquehanna University), M.ED (St. Francis Xavier University)
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!