Theatre Collingwood fave returns with new original show

Theatre Collingwood is bringing back fan-favourite Leisa Way, who lives her life on and off the stage With a Song in Her Heart, which happens to be the name of her upcoming show. 

Leisa Way and Friends will perform songs from the Great "North" American Songbook at the John Saunders Centre from May 7 to May 10. 

With a Song in My Heart is the latest in more than 10 concerts she has performed for Theatre Collingwood over the past decade. Past shows included a Gordon Lightfoot concert, Rock n’ Roll is Here to Stay, The British Invasion, Opry Gold, Patsy Cline, and her classic “Oh, Canada” concert.

The new concert is one of many ways Theatre Collingwood is celebrating its 40th anniversary season. 

With a Song in My Heart features Doug Balfour, virtuoso pianist (Michael Buble, Sunset Blvd), Bob Hewus, bass (Stratford Festival; Forever Plaid); Jack Gaughan, (23-year-old Hunstville guitar protégé and rising star) and Nathan Smith on swinging violin, winner of a recent Canadian Folk Music Award for composer of the year. 

This concert shares a treasure trove of influential and popular songs from Harold Arlen to Johnny Mercer, from Joni Mitchell to Leonard Cohen and Willie Nelson, to Antonio Carlos Jobim, Johnny Mercer, Irving Berlin, and even Paul McCartney.

Leisa Way and Friends grew up listening to songs of The Great American Songbook, songs that were designed to cheer people up during the Great Depression, and through two world wars. From early Jazz and Blues, to Western Swing, to the Broadway and movie musicals of the 40’s and 50’s.

"These songs are the songs that live in our hearts," states a news release for the event. 

There will be five performances between May 7 and May 10 at the John Saunders Centre (80 Sanford Fleming Drive). 

For tickets call Theatre Collingwood at 1-866-382-2200, or go to www.theatrecollingwood.ca.