‘It has definitely been a long haul'

Community production ‘Nelson dormait' hitting the stage two years behind schedule

Yvette d'Entremont and the cast of a comedy/musical she's written and directed have certainly taken the adage ‘the show must go on' to heart. Because of the COVID pandemic, the show ‘Nelson dormait' is finally hitting the stage more than two years after the first rehearsals were held – with lockdowns, cast changes and canceled show dates in between.

“I can't begin to tell you how relieved and excited we are to finally be able to stage this show,” says d'Entremont.

“It has definitely been a long haul, especially for the original actors, ensemble and crew, who have been there from the very start,” the Yarmouth County resident says. “They have stood by me and persevered, all for the love of theatre and the joy of giving something back to the community in the form of entertainment through these hard times.”

The public got a teaser of what's to come with the recent release of a music video. The show will be performed June 2-5 at the Salle PèreMaurice-LeBlanc in Tusket.

THE SHOW'S INSPIRATION

D'Entremont wrote the script in the fall of 2018 and winter of 2019 and started recruiting her cast in spring 2019. Writing a funny show, and using parodied lyrics with classical music, was always on her to-do list.

“The idea started off with the famous opera song: Nessun Dorma (None shall sleep). I toyed with it for a while and thought it sounded very much like ‘Nelson dormait' (Nelson was sleeping).”

She played around with the idea of ‘someone' sleeping. But who? And why?

She decided on a church organist, developing a story around an older couple getting married. Their organist, Nelson, is a no-show because he's off sleeping somewhere. At one point she wrote Nelson in as a character but then thought it would be funnier if no one ever sees him.

She listened to a lot of classical music that would not only suit the show but would lend itself to a parody of funny lyrics.

“Most of us grew up watching Bugs Bunny and have all had somewhat of an introduction to classical music. I'm guessing that most people will recognize the melodies when they hear the music and associate it with either Bugs Bunny or certain TV ads,” she says.

She also found inspiration from variety shows, like The Carol Burnett Show and The Ed Sullivan Show, as well as TV comedies.

“I'd just think up funny situations, laugh to myself as I'm writing and picturing the situation, and hope a great actor can deliver the lines and make people laugh,” she says. Additional inspiration came from a former music professor at Acadia University, Maestro Robert Raines, who was once a violinist for the Bolshoi Ballet Orchestra and from whom she took a music appreciation class.

“I channeled my inner Robert Raines when writing lyrics or choosing the music for my show,” she says.

One thing not funny, however, was the COVID pandemic.

PANDEMIC IMPACTS

The original dates of the show were March 2629,

2020. On March 13, d'Entremont received word the theatre it was being performed in was shutting down. The show had to be postponed.

“It was like a dagger to the heart. The cast and I were devastated. We had been rehearsing non-stop since September 2019 and we were two weeks away from opening night,” she says. “The arts and culture industry suffered major blows during all the lockdowns as shows require a live audience for them to be effective. There are no take-outs and it's hard to do online.”

They aimed for other dates but eventually the show had to be put on the back burner.

“Then in 2021 things started to open up again and

I thought, ‘Do we dare try again? Are we emotionally up for this? What if there is another lockdown?'” she says.

She contacted the cast. Some chose not to return due to the time commitment, so some people got shifted from chorus members to lead actors. Some crew had to be replaced too. Although the cast is a bit smaller, it still involves two dozen people.

Two years after they first began, rehearsals got underway again. New show dates were selected.

But then, another roadblock.

The Omicron wave hit. Their last in-person rehearsal was Dec. 20, 2021. This time they did some online rehearsals while going back to the drawing board for new dates.

And as if writing, rescheduling, recasting, and rehearsing hasn't been challenging enough, d'Entremont threw in another twist.

“I am in the show, as well as directing,” she says. “I sometimes have to stop, run to the seats and see how it looks.”

The is a French production, with d'Entremont saying they speak in the show “like we do around here,” meaning it comes complete with slang words, idioms, expressions and some English thrown in.

“It's definitely a physical comedy, so an anglophone speaker can understand the gist of what's going on,” she says.

'A BIG FAMILY'

Aside from acting rehearsals, there have also been grueling – but fun – music rehearsals, with vocal arrangements done by d'Entremont's father, Paul Saulnier. There are 18 songs in the musical, 11 of which are full ensemble.

“I love all of the music, but I know people will be blown away by Nesun dorma, sung by Léo LeBlanc, who has an incredible voice and is backed up by the rich ensemble voices,” d'Entremont says.

Asked what he enjoys most about being in the show, LeBlanc says it's definitely the people involved with it.

“Having had the opportunity to work so closely with such a great group of people of all ages is an experience that I'll never forget,” he says.

Having been in some of d'Entremont's other shows in the past, he couldn't pass up the chance to be involved again.

“I decided to get involved because theatre is a passion of mine. I enjoy entertaining and making people laugh, which is exactly what this show is going to be all about,” LeBlanc says.

“I think the music that's included in the show is what makes the show so different and unique,” he adds. “It really shows you that classical and operatic music can be perfect for a musical comedy when it's put to good use.”

He notes there is never a dull moment in the show – whether it's semi-serious, or downright hilarious.

“It will definitely keep a crowd of all ages interested,” he says. “We could all use a good laugh after these last couple years of lockdowns and restrictions.

Tim Schrader is also part of the cast.

“It's nice to do a play in Acadian French and each member has something unique and special to bring to the stage. They are all willing to do what it takes to make this production a success,” he says. “We've become a big family. Working with Yvette has been a great experience. She is a very talented person.”

Schrader says it was disheartening when the pandemic brought things to a halt, and he says it continued to be challenging in the two years since. But the final product makes it worth it.

“The audience will be treated to some laughs, as well as some serious situations,” he says. “There are also some really amazing musical numbers performed by some really talented people. Basically a little something for everyone. I'm just excited to be a part of this production.”

D'Entremont says everyone is grateful for the support of their families and the community, who have rallied behind the cast and crew and encouraged them to push through.

“I am so thankful to be able to work with such a talented cast and crew. They are incredible. So witty and quick to deliver jokes,” she says. “We are definitely looking forward to hearing a live audience laugh at our jokes that we still think are so funny.”