Cast of If You Could Read My Mind: The Songs of Gordon Lightfoot. Photo credit: David Cooper. Cast: (Left to Right) Kelt Eccleston, Melissa MacPherson, Pedro M. Siqueira, David Lennon, Evangelia Kambites

I caught the opening weekend performance of this musical co-created by Michael Shamata and Tobin Stokes. Of course, any red-blooded Canadian is familiar with Lightfoot’s music, and I remember hearing his songs not long after moving to Canada from England in 1969. The show packs a lot of songs into its one hour and 45 minute length (with a 20 minute intermission). The performers are all strong and appealing, and to their credit, they play multiple instruments throughout the show. I had seen Pedro M. Siqueira in Wonderheads Christmas Carol, of course masked but still impressive. I’ve seen Kelt Eccleston in a number of show around town over the years. Melissa MacPherson is making her Belfry debut and is an appealing singer and performer, as is Evangelia Kambites, who has a background at Stratford and also has some TV credits. David Lennon is based in Vancouver and is an actor and musician. Overall, I very much enjoyed this show. Lightfoot’s familiarity to Canadians means the show is steeped in the memories of his songs. Where were you when you first heard “If You Could Read My Mind”? Or others of the many songs the cast shares along the way? The run at the Belfry has already been extended to May 25th, with many performances sold out or close to. Don’t miss this one! Recommended. Tickets available here: https://www.belfry.bc.ca/event/if-you-could-read-my-mind-the-songs-of-gordon-lightfoot/

I should add that the excellent set design is by Belfry regular Carole Klemm, Emily Friesen designed the costumes, Kevin Fraser was the lighting designer, Paul Tedeschini is sound designer and audio engineer, and Caryn Fehr stages manages.