Talent takes centre stage at Southampton Sunday Showcase

A few young voices from the Southampton Sunday Showcase, presented by the Bruce County Playhouse at the Southampton Town Hall January 29.

Hub Staff

Talent from all ages took centre stage at the Southampton Town Hall, as the first of three Southampton Sunday Showcases for 2017 was presented by Bruce County Playhouse January 29. Now in its second season of inviting local performers to present their craft, the Southampton Showcase can draw a crowd, with approximately 45 people attending Sunday evening.

Bruce County Playhouse Promotional Director Leslie McNamara told the audience that the idea of the showcase is to provide an audience for anyone who has a talent and wants to show it off a bit. “The other reason is Bruce County Playhouse is always looking for talent so it gives us a chance to see what’s out there; and thirdly we don’t want anyone in the house or around town to forget the name of Bruce County Playhouse,” said McNamara.

She then went on to announce that the theatre group who put on 'The Love List' and 'Shirley Valentine' during their 2016 summer season, will be presenting three productions over their 2017 summer season.

A tribute to Southampton will take place in June, just in time for Canada’s 150th celebration. Titled 'Southampton to Remember', the town’s historical events and players will be showcased in the play.

From July 14 to 29 the comedy 'Ladies Foursome' will be featured. With August production of 'Hockey Mom and Hockey Dad', playing from August 11 to 19, which McNamara called appropriate for the Saugeen Shores community.

Celebrated conductor and music teacher Jeanette Steeves “who needed no introduction,” then brought many of her students to perform during the showcase. Steeves noted that the current climate of fear and anxiety within our world has been a burden on herself and many but said her students had been a bright spot.

Steeves, along with Christina Edwards of Blackboard Sound in Port Elgin, accompanied many musicians during the first half of the showcase.

The next two dates for the Southampton Sunday Showcase are February 26 and April 30. Admission is $5.

Cydney Morris, accompanied by music teacher Jeanette Steeves, sang a few tunes at the Southampton Sunday Showcase January 29.

Crooner Ethan Salmon, accompanied by Christina Edwards of Blackboard Sound, sang folk songs, jazz and even a song from 'Les Misérables' during the Southampton Sunday Showcase January 29.

On the left, Chelby Morris gracefully performed songs, including In My Own Little Corner from 'Cinderella', during the Southampton Sunday Showcase January 29. On the right, coming off her winning performance at Saugeen District Secondary School’s Royal Idol, singer Gracienne Swarbrick wowed the crowd with a few songs including Somewhere Over the Rainbow.