Collingwood is set to host one of Canada’s leading music theatre performers in a brand new show of her own creation.
Louise Pitre has been on stage as Edith Piaf, Donna Sheridan (Mamma Mia!), Fantine (Les Misérables) and Mama Rose (Gypsy), and she’s bringing pieces of each of those roles to the Theatre Collingwood stage.
Pitre has created a show that features performances from several roles from her career and exclusive stories from behind the curtain.
“I have so many stories (funny for the most part) I have never told on stage,” said Pitre in an email to CollingwoodToday. “I thought it would be fun to let people get an idea of some of the stuff that goes on during the run of a show. There will be a couple of touching stories, many very funny ones, and songs that run the gamut.”
The stories will be about the people Pitre has worked with over the years, and it’s those people who have inspired her love for musical theatre.
“It takes a whole lot of people to put on a show,” said Pitre. “A lot of those people are not seen on stage, but everybody who works on a show is working toward making the same final product as good as it can be. I love that!”
Pitre has played many varied roles on the stage and said her three favourites have been the title role in Edith Piaf, Mama Rose in Gypsy, and Toad in A Year with Frog and Toad.
“Nothing is ever the same,” said Pitre. “That is what I love about what I do … acting is acting and singing is singing, but the way you colour it changes depending on who you are portraying. I love the variety of it. It is a challenge when the character is nothing like you, but it is a challenge I cherish.”
Pitre’s many roles have earned her a Tony nomination and performances on Broadway, in Toronto, in Montreal, and in Paris.
Through all her performances, she said the roles that have stood out as great for her are the ones with authenticity.
“You hope for a multi-faceted human being - a true person,” said Pitre. “Not a one-note caricature.”
Theatre Collingwood has billed Pitre’s upcoming performance as Louise Pitre: From Piaf to Mamma Mia. The performances take place starting tomorrow (June 19) through June 22 with shows at 8 p.m. each night and a 2 p.m. matinee on Thursday, June 20. The show will be on the stage at First Presbyterian Church in Collingwood. Tickets are available by phone at 705-445-2200 or online at theatrecollingwood.ca.
