My Shining Hour with Vivien Kershaw is set to hit the stage at the Port Elgin Legion July 17.
Jane Glenn | 3 July 2026
An Emmy Award-winning performer with ties to Saugeen Shores will bring a deeply personal war-time story to the stage when Stevie Vallance presents 'My Shining Hour with Vivien Kershaw' at the Port Elgin Legion on July 17.
“The story will be told from the perspective of my aunt as a young woman who has just married her soldier-love on a weekend leave,” Vallance says. “We will follow Viv through the war…through the loving and the leaving, the letters and the worrying, the waiting and the wondering.”
The performance is part of celebrations marking the 100th anniversary of Canada’s Legions and will feature popular love songs from the WWII era, alongside projected images of local veterans and historical scenes from Saugeen Shores.
Now based in Southampton, Vallance has strong connections across Bruce and Grey counties and continues to perform locally. Some may recognize her from her original musical The Night Guy Came to Town, which told the story of Guy Lombardo’s historic performance in Southampton during the Great Depression and featured local residents acting out their own family histories.
Audience members are encouraged to bring family war memorabilia and stay after the show to share stories, adding a community storytelling element to the evening.
Vallance brings a prolific career to the stage. She is an Emmy award-winning voice director and a three-time nominee, widely known for her extensive work in animation. Often referred to as a “cartoon queen,” her voice credits include ReBoot (Mouse), Care Bears (Share Bear), Donkey Kong Country (Dixie), Totally Spies! (G.L.A.D.I.S.), Madeline (Miss Clavel and Genevieve), Sonic the Hedgehog (Sonia) and Bakugan (Tigrerra).
Her on-screen career began at a young age with roles in productions such as King of Kensington, A Bird in the House and The Wonder of It All. In addition to acting and voice work, she has directed dialogue and vocals on animated productions, earning an Emmy early in her directing career.
A seasoned singer as well, Vallance has performed jazz across Ontario and continues to write and produce original theatrical works in the region.
She says she is especially excited to perform on a meaningful date tied to the Legion’s 100th milestone. “I’m super-jazzed to be performing as my ‘Aunt Viv’ on this special day,” she says, noting her performance falls on the July 17th anniversary of Canada’s Legions.
Vallance is scheduled to continue performing in Grey-Bruce, including a Remembrance Day performance at the Tara Legion later this year.
My Shining Hour with Vivien Kershaw takes place July 17 at 6pm at the Port Elgin Legion. Tickets are $20 and available at the Legion and online.
