Renowned Canadian actor, Gordon Pinsent, joined the Sault

Symphony Orchestra for a spectacular presentation of Mendelssohn's 

"A Midsummer Night's Dream," featuring live narration from

Shakespeare's beloved text! 

 You know him from acclaimed films like, The Shipping News (2001) and Away From Her(2006).  You've seen him on CBC shows, like Red Green, Republic of Doyle, and Due South.  You might even have read his latest book, Next, an autobiography.  But you've never experienced him performing Shakespeare live, on-stage with a full symphony orchestra until now!

Canadian actor, Gordon Pinsent, joined the Sault Symphony Orchestra on-stage for a special presentation of Felix Mendelssohn's A Midsummer Night's Dream.  He provided LIVE, IN-PERSON narration of select passages of William Shakespeare's beloved text, while the Orchestra performed Mendelssohn's masterpiece. 

The Sault Symphony was also joined on-stage by the Chamber Singers of Algoma, featuring  special guest soloists, Karen Hughes-Beacom and Maureen Delaney-Lehman, as well as several local dancers and pantomime performers.  

Gordon Pinsent, John Wilkinson, & The Sault Symphony Orchestra 

About Gordon Pinsent

       Gordon grew up in Newfoundland and Labrador.  At 16, he dropped out of school and joined the Royal Canadian Regiment, which eventually landed him in Winnipeg.  With no acting experience, he bluffed his way in to a small part with the Winnipeg  Repertory Theatre - that simple act changed his life.

       A multitude of roles followed in both Canada and Hollywood, and to date, the actor has more than 100 credits to his name.  He was featured in guest spots on Hogan's Heroes, Marcus Welby M. D., The Beachcombers, and Road to Avonlea, among many others.  Children recognize him as the voice of King Babar from the animated CBC television series, Babar, that ran from 1989 to 1991. 

       More recently, Gordon received rave reviews for his work in indie films, The Shipping News (2001), and Away From Her (2006), his performance in which left co-star Daniel Day Lewis "in awe."  Other notable Canadian appearances include the Archbishop of Canterbury in the tv mini-series, Pillars of the Earth; Fraser Sr. in Due South; Hap Shaughnessy in The Red Green Show; and Harold Vickers in Street Legal.   

       In April of 2012, Gordon collaborated with two of Canada's best-known musicians - Blue Rodeo's Greg Keelor and Sadies' guitarist, Travis Good - to create an album that sets his poetry to music, a project 60 years in the making.  Down and Out in Upalong (Upalong is a euphemism for Newfoundland) was released as a two-disc set: the first puts Gordon's poems to music, as sung by Good and Keelor, while the second disc is the same lyrics performed as spoken word by Gordon himself, with musical accompaniment. 

       As the CBC's George Strombolopolous wrote, "If you had to pick one person to symbolize acting in this country, Gordon Pinsent might be it.  The guy's done it all: movies, theatre, television, and radio."  And in November, he will be able to add "symphony orchestra" to his list of credits as he performs live with the Sault Symphony!

Did you know?  In 1826, Felix Mendelssohn read Shakespeare's play, and enjoyed it so much that he was inspired to compose music to accompany the text. The result is an incredible symphonic piece that includes the well-known "Wedding March" that is still frequently performed at marriage ceremonies today.

Saturday, November 10, 2012 ~ 8:00 PM

Kiwanis Community Theatre Centre

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