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musical numbers
People Get Ready.............................................................................................................Composed by Curtis Mayfield
Written by Curtis Mayfield
Sweet Soul Music...............................................................................................................Composed by Arthur Conley
Written by Arthur Conley, Otis Redding, Sam Cooke
Sir Duke.............................................................................................................................Composed by Stevie Wonder
Written by Stevie Wonder
Cry to Me.......................................................................................................................... Composed by Solomon Burke
Written by Bert Berns
Tired of Being Alone...................................................................................................................Composed by Al Green
Lonely Teardrops
Written by Al Green
Composed by Jackie Wilson
Written by Berry Gordy Jr., Gwen Gordy Fuqua, Roquel Davis
Oh What a Night........................................................................................................................Composed by The Dells
Written by Marvin Junior, Johnny Funches
To Be Loved.........................................................................................................................Composed by Jackie Wilson
Written by Berry Gordy Jr.,Tyran Carlo, Gwen Gordy Fuqua
Hold Me, Thrill Me, Kiss Me....................................................................................................Composed by Mel Carter
Written by Harry Noble
When Something is Wrong with My Baby............................................................................Composed by Sam & Dave
Written by Isaac Hayes, David Porter
Respect Composed by Otis Redding
Written by Otis Redding
Damn Your Eyes.......................................................................................................................Composed by Etta James
Written by Barbara Wyrick and Steve Bogard
Think Composed by Aretha Franklin
Written by Aretha Franklin and Ted White
At Last...................................................................................................................................... Composed by Etta James
Written by Mack Gordon and Harry Warren
(Sittin’ On) the Dock of the Bay Composed by Otis Redding
Written by Otis Redding, Steve Cropper
Let’s Get It On.......................................................................................................................Composed by Marvin Gaye
Written by Marvin Gaye, Ed Townsend
Let’s Stay Together......................................................................................................................Composed by Al Green
Written by Al Green, Willie Mitchell, Al Jackson Jr.
You’ll Never Find Another Love Like Mine Composed by Lou Rawls
Written by Kenny Gamble, Leon Huff
Me & Mrs. Jones........................................................................................................................Composed by Billy Paul
Written by Kenny Gamble, Leon Huff, Cary Gilbert
Can’t Get Enough of Your Love, Babe...................................................................................Composed by Barry White
Written by Barry White
Ain’t No Sunshine...................................................................................................................Composed by Bill Withers
Written by Bill Withers
Mustang Sally..................................................................................................................... Composed by Wilson Pickett
Written by Mack Rice
What’d I Say?.........................................................................................................................Composed by Ray Charles
Written by Ray Charles
Hit the Road Jack Composed by Ray Charles
Written by Percy Mayfield
(Your Love Keeps Lifting Me) Higher And Higher................................................................Composed by Gary Jackson
Written by Raynard Miner, Carl Smith Jackie Wilson
Everybody Needs Somebody to Love....................................................Composed by Solomon Burke, Solomon Burke
Written by Bert Berns, Jerry Wexler
You’re All I Need........................................................................................Composed by Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell
Written by Nickolas Ashford and Valerie Simpson
Ain’t No Mountain.....................................................................................Composed by Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell
Written by Nickolas Ashford and Valerie Simpson
It Takes Two
Composed by Marvin Gaye and Kim Weston
Written by Mickey Stevenson and Sylvia Moy
You Send Me...........................................................................................................................Composed by Sam Cooke
Cupid
(What A) Wonderful World
Written by Sam Cooke
Composed by Sam Cooke
Written by Sam Cooke
Composed by Sam Cooke, Sam Cooke
Written by Lou Adler, Herb Alpert
Another Saturday Night..........................................................................................................Composed by Sam Cooke
Written by Sam Cooke
A Change Is Gonna Come........................................................................................................Composed by Sam Cooke
Written by Sam Cooke
People Get Ready...........................................................................................................Composed by The Impressions
Written by Curtis Mayfield
Wake Up Everybody..............................................................................Composed by Harold Melvin & The Blue Notes
Written by Victor Carstarphen, Gene McFadden, John Whitehead
What’s Going On..................................................................................................................Composed by Marvin Gaye
Written by Renaldo Benson, Al Cleveland, Marvin Gaye
Mercy Mercy Me.................................................................................................................Composed by Marvin Gaye
Written by Marvin Gaye
War Composed by Edwin Starr
Written by Norman Whitfield, Barrett Strong
Love Train................................................................................................................................. Composed by The O’Jays
Written by Kenny Gamble, Leon Huff
River Deep, Mountain High ..............................Composed by Ike and Tina Turner
Written by Phil Spector, Jeff Barry, Ellie Greenwich
I Heard It Through the Grapevine Composed by Gladys Knight & The Pips
Written by Norman Whitfield, Barrett Strong
I’m Every Woman...................................................................................................................Composed by Chaka Khan
Written by Nickolas Ashford, Valerie Simpson
Signed, Sealed, Delivered I’m Yours.................................................................................Composed by Stevie Wonder
Written by Stevie Wonder, Lee Garrett, Syreeta Wright, Lula Mae Hardaway
Uptight (Everything’s Alright)...........................................................................................Composed by Stevie Wonder
Written by Stevie Wonder, Sylvia Moy, Henry Cosby
Lately................................................................................................................................. Composed by Stevie Wonder
Written by Stevie Wonder
As Composed by Stevie Wonder
Written by Stevie Wonder
I Wish................................................................................................................................. Composed by Stevie Wonder
Written by Stevie Wonder
Superstition.....................................................................................................................Composed by Stevie Wonder
Written by Stevie Wonder
I Got You (I Feel Good)........................................................................................................Composed by James Brown
Written by James Brown
In the Midnight Hour......................................................................................................... Composed by Wilson Pickett
Written by Wilson Pickett, Steve Cropper
Knock on Wood...................................................................................................Written by Eddie Floyd, Steve Cropper
Devil with the Blue Dress On.........................................................Composed by Mitch Ryder and The Detroit Wheels
Written by Frederick Long, William Stevenson, Robert Blackwell, John Marascalco
Good Golly Miss Molly Composed by Little Richard
Written by John Marascalo, Robert Blackwell
Dance to the Music Composed by Sly & The Family Stone
Written by Sylvester Stewart (Sly Stone)
Soul Man...............................................................................................................................Composed by Sam & Dave
Written by Isaac Hayes, David Porter
the cast
Lee Siegel
Drayton Entertainment (selected): Priscilla, Queen of the Desert, Old Deuteronomy in Cats, Javert in Les Misérables, Audrey II in Little Shop Of Horrors, John, Miss Saigon, and many a music revue. Other theatre: Simon Zealots in Jesus Christ Superstar (Broadway); Albert in Paradise Square (Broadway); Tom Collins in RENT (2023), Tommy, Jesus Christ Superstar, Fiddler on the Roof, Camelot (Stratford Festival). Lee also appeared on the 66th Tony Awards (CBS). He is grateful to return to Drayton celebrating this music and bringing his show to life. Special thanks to Mom, Dad, Mike, Alex (Thank you for taking a chance on me!), Konrad (you’re the best!), Talent House, God and you, our audience, for supporting the arts. May this music be the fuel we need for a positive change. Lee’s albums: Where’s the Orchestra, & newly released: Soul Man! will be available in the lobby following the show. Follow Lee on Socials: @Lee_Siegel & @SoulManTheShow.
starring With (In alphabetical order)
Vanessa Cobham
Drayton Entertainment: Evita, Irving Berlin’s White Christmas, Rock of Ages, Beautiful: The Carole King Musical, Tanya in Mamma Mia!, Tiara in Elf: The Musical, Linda McKenna in Rocky the Musical, Dynamite in Hairspray, Crystal in Little Shop of Horrors, Michelle in Sister Act, South Pacific. Other theatre: Apollo singer in Buddy - The Buddy Holly Story (Theatre Aquarius); Dreamgirls (MTC Theatre); June in Chicago (Neptune Theatre); Disney’s The Lion King (Mirvish). Film/TV: A Novel Christmas (Uptv); Sandra/B-line dancer in The Porter (BET/CBC); The Boys (Amazon Prime); Zoey’s Extraordinary Playlist (NBC); Grand Army (Netflix); Madame C.J. Walker (Netflix); Man Seeking Woman (FXX); Gretl in The Pacifier (Disney Pictures); Heroes Reborn (NBC). I would like to thank my family and Drayton Entertainment. Instagram: @vanessacobham.
Tiffany Deriveau
Drayton Entertainment: Beehive, Hairspray, Priscilla Queen of the Desert the Musical. Other theatre: Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (YPT); The Guide To Being Fabulous (Soulpepper)*Dora Nomination; Rock of Ages (More Entertainment); ‘Da Kink In My Hair (Soulpepper/TOLive); Chicago (Stratford Festival); Mamma Mia! (Mirvish); Cookin’ At The Cookery (Canadian Stage); Hairspray (Charlottetown Festival); Little Shop of Horrors (Grand Theatre); Buddy: The Buddy Holly Story, Jesus Christ Superstar, Hairspray, Hair, Soul Sistas (Mayfield). Thank you to my loving parents, and to my awesome kids, Daniya and Adam. I couldn’t do this without you. XO Follow me @tderiveau.
Matthew Joseph
Drayton Entertainment: Debut. Hello Reader, thanks for checking out my bio! If you’re here that means you love Soul and want to celebrate this gorgeous art. For that I thank you. As this is my Drayton Debut, I’d like to thank my family, chosen and blood for their support, as well as my agents for this opportunity. Enjoy the show! I wish you presence, laughter, and sturdiness. If you’re looking to keep up with me and what I’m up to, check me out at @_matthew_joseph on all socials.
the creative team
Jordan Laffrenier (Director)
Drayton Entertainment: The Marvelous Wonderettes, American Son. Other theatre: Jordan has held many theatre development roles in New York City, Los Angeles and Toronto, including Amélie on Broadway, Paradise Square, Sousatska, and as co-dramaturg of Cahoots Theatre Company’s flagship HotHouse Program. Jordan is an award winning director, dramaturg, producer and educator. Jordan is currently the Associate Artistic Director of Canadian Stage and Prime Mover Theatre Company and the former Artistic Producer of Theatre Sheridan.
Konrad Pluta (Music Director)
Drayton Entertainment: Crazy For You, Jersey Boys, Rock of Ages, Fiddler On The Roof, Million Dollar Quartet. Other theatre: Man of La Mancha (Stage West Calgary); A Gentleman’s Guide To Love and Murder, Mamma Mia!, Avenue Q, Priscilla Queen of the Desert, The Wedding Singer, Young Frankenstein (TIFT); Napoleon, Moving Day (Charlottetown Festival); A Matter of Heart (Lunchbox); Gutenburg! The Musical! (Neptune); Death, The Musical! (Festival Antigonish); The Fantasticks (Smile Theatre); Extraordinary. Music Producer for: Ian Sherwood, Lee Siegel, J. Sean Elliott, Tina Hartt, Grant Tilly. MD: Carnival Cruises, Princess Cruises, Diamond Tooth Gerties, The Gaslight Follies, CCPA, Neptune School. Thanks to my love, Tina, my favourite chanteuse.
Hollywood Jade (Choreographer)
Drayton Entertainment: Beautiful: The Carole King Musical. Other theatre: Rapunzel: A Merry (Hairy) Holiday Panto (Capitol Theatre); The Inheritance (Canadian Stage); JACK: A Beanstalk Panto (Capitol Theatre); Of The Sea (Canadian Stage); Fall On Your Knees (Canadian Stage, Neptune, NAC & The Grand); Sleeping Beauty: A Panto Awakening, The Soul Of Motown (Stage West). TV/Film: Assistant Choreographer - The United States vs Billie Holiday (Hulu); Choreographer - Queen Tut (Fae); Choreographer - Accused (Fox); Choreographer - Cross (Prime Video). Hollywood Jade is a Dora Award-winning (Floor’d) first generation Canadian entertainer who is widely known as a professional dancer/choreographer. He has since become an accredited TV personality, One Queen Five Queers (Crave), is the host of From Our Point of View (BGMN) and is best known for his regular appearances as the resident choreographer and guest judge on Canada’s Drag Race (Crave/WOW).
@Hollywoodjade.
Doug Paraschuck (Set Designer)*
Drayton Entertainment (selected): Grease, Jesus Christ Superstar, Crazy For You, The Full Monty, An Inspector Calls, Kiss Me, Kate, Jersey Boys, Fiddler on the Roof, American Son, The Music Man, South Pacific, Dial M for Murder. Over 30 productions for the Stratford Festival. Director of Design and Associate Director for the UAE Golden Jubilee Celebration (2021) Expo, Dubai. Designer for Stephen Fry’s Mythos (Shaw Festival, Edinburgh Festival, English National Tour). Director of Design for the Calgary Stampede Grandstand show (2014-23). Director of Design for the 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympics opening, medals, and closing ceremonies. Director of Design for the opening and closing ceremonies for the Asian Games in Doha, Qatar. For over 35 years, Doug has designed for television, theatre, film, opera, ballet, and touring productions and has created hundreds of productions in Canada, the United States, Asia, and Europe.
Jennifer Wonnacott (Costume Designer)
Drayton Entertainment: Sixth season as a costumer designer. She has over two decades in theatre costume production at the Stratford Festival and other theatres, with recent switch into arts administration and producing with Here For Now Theatre. Jennie is the recipient of the 2016 Pauline McGibbon award, and just received her MFA in Arts Leadership from Queen’s University. Special thanks to her supportive family and coworkers at Drayton.
Raha Javanfar (Lighting Designer)*
Drayton Entertainment: American Son. Other theatre: Flex (Crows/ Obsidian) Dora award winner; A Terrible Fate (VideoCab) Dora award winner; Is God Is (Canadian Stage) Dora award nomination; Sizwe Banzi is Dead (Soulpepper) Dora award nomination. Raha is a performer (actor/musician), music director, designer, director, and theatre creator. She is a Slaight Associate Artist at Soulpepper where she frequently performs in the concert series, teaches lighting at TMU, and is a proud member of the Siminovitch community. Her daughters are 4 years old and 9 months old and they are both super cute. www.rahajavanfar.com.
Allan McMillan (Sound Designer)
Laurel Oneil (Stage Manager)
Drayton Entertainment: Jesus Christ Superstar, Priscilla, Queen of the Desert, Fiddler on the Roof, A Few Good Men, Buying the Farm, Annie, Fiddler on the Loose. Other theatre: BOOM (Theatre Calgary, Thousand Island Playhouse and Off-Broadway); BOOMX (Theatre Calgary and Royal Manitoba Theatre Centre); BOOMYZ, The Importance of Being Earnest, Escape to Margaritaville (Theatre Calgary); Jesus Christ Superstar, Wizard of Oz, Sound of Music (Western Canada Theatre); The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, The Extractionist, Murder in the Studio (Vertigo); 60+ productions at Stage West, including: Jersey Boys, Legally Blonde, Rock of Ages, Avenue Q. Laurel would like to dedicate her work to the loving memory of her mom, who helped her find her love of theatre at a young age. She would also like to thank her family, friends & RP for their love & support.
Ashley Rees (Assistant Stage Manager)
Drayton Entertainment: The Full Monty, Kiss Me Kate, Fiddler on the Roof, Fiddler on the Loose. Other theatre: Beauty and the Beast (Western Canada Theatre); The Ballad of Georges Boivin, Countries Shaped Like Stars (Lunchbox Theatre); Deadly Murder, The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, Murder on the Orient Express, The Extractionist (Vertigo Theatre); The House of Bernarda Alba (Sage Theatre); In Wonderland, Alberta Kitchen Party (Alberta Theatre Projects); Noises Off, A Christmas Carol (Theatre Calgary); Mamma Mia!, A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder (Stage West). Special thanks to my family for their unending love and support.
Drayton Entertainment (selected): The Crooner, Evita, Grease, Jesus Christ Superstar, Cinderella: The Panto, Full Monty, Crazy For You, Irving Berlin’s White Christmas, Fiddler on the Roof, Evita, Jersey Boys, Kinky Boots, Man of La Mancha, A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder, Rock of Ages. Allan is a graduate of the Technical Production Program at Sheridan College, and over his 35+ years of experience, has held many positions in production, from Technical Direction, Lighting Design, Carpentry and Production Management. *Indicated designers on
the band
Konrad Pluta (Music Director/Piano)
Drayton Entertainment: Crazy For You, Jersey Boys, Rock of Ages, Fiddler On The Roof, Million Dollar Quartet. Other theatre: Man of La Mancha (Stage West Calgary); A Gentleman’s Guide To Love and Murder, Mamma Mia!, Avenue Q, Priscilla Queen of the Desert, The Wedding Singer, Young Frankenstein (TIFT); Napoleon, Moving Day (Charlottetown Festival); A Matter of Heart (Lunchbox); Gutenburg! The Musical! (Neptune); Death, The Musical! (Festival Antigonish); The Fantasticks (Smile Theatre); Extraordinary. Music Producer for: Ian Sherwood, Lee Siegel, J. Sean Elliott, Tina Hartt, Grant Tilly. MD: Carnival Cruises, Princess Cruises, Diamond Tooth Gerties, The Gaslight Follies, CCPA, Neptune School. Thanks to my love, Tina, my favourite chanteuse.
Mike Allen (Guitar)
Drayton Entertainment: Evita, Jasper Station, Chicago, Mamma Mia!, All Shook Up, Cinderella, Priscilla Queen of The Desert, Man of La Mancha, Kinky Boots, Marathon Of Hope, Annie. Other theatre: Legally Blonde, Full Monty, Jesus Christ Superstar, Joseph (Theatre Aquarius); Charles Cozens` Burlington New Millennium orchestra (Nylons, Mark Masri); West Side Story, Music of James Bond (Windsor Symphony orchestra); Considering Matthew Shepard (Kitchener Waterloo Symphony, Patti Page, John McDermott, Elora Singers); David Warrack`s play Rob Roy (Edinburgh Fringe Festival). Recordings with CBC, John McDermott, Bluma, Charles Cozens` Swingstep orchestra, Swing Shift big band. Mike has had extensive performing experience in the GTA. Work with casual jobbing gigs, dixieland bands, subbing in shows such as Lion King, Lord of the Rings, Sunset Boulevard, Cats etc. Mike is looking forward to working for Drayton again!
John MacMurchy (Tenor Sax)
Drayton Entertainment: Debut. John MacMurchy is a Canadian performer, composer and recording artist. He has released six albums to critical acclaim and international airplay. John has worked with international artists as varied as Warren Vache, Howard Alden, Guido Basso, Henry Mancini, Cleo Laine, Linda Ronstadt, Keith Emerson, and John Dankworth. John’s large band, Art Of Breath, has three albums out featuring his original compositions performed by seven of the finest instrumentalists in Canada as well as some superb vocalists. Reviews have highlighted the combination of sophistication and accessibility in the music. He has also written for string quartet and orchestra. A versatile musician, John is busy as a session player, sideman, and arranger on the Toronto scene. His latest release is a live recording with 8-string guitar virtuoso Dan Ionescu, recorded before a small studio audience.
Worrell McFarlane (Drums)
Drayton Entertainment: Debut. Other theatre: The Revolutionary Women of Jazz: Billie, Sarah and Ella (Soulpepper Theatre); She’s Not Special (Tarragon Theatre); Rent (The Rose Theatre). Worrell McFarlane has been playing drums for 20 years, has studied at Humber College and has played for artists like: Divine Brown, Molly Johnson, Leila Dey and Quincy Morales. You can find some clips of his work on Instagram @drummerboy0010.
Paul Mitchell (Trumpet)
Drayton Entertainment: Evita, Crazy For You, Irving Berlin’s White Christmas, Jersey Boys, Fiddler on the Roof, Evita, Holiday Inn, Elf: The Musical, Drowsy Chaperone, Little Mermaid, Anything Goes. Other theatre: Many venues across the northern U.S. and Ontario including tribute shows, such as The Rat Pack, Elton John Meets Billy Joel, Blues Brothers, Steely Dan. He has played with pop R&B groups Kool and the Gang, The O’Jays, Frankie Valli, Glass Tiger and Dean Brody. Film/TV: Hemingway vs. Callaghan (CBC/Shaftsbury). Paul is featured regularly at The Jazz Room in Uptown Waterloo, and performs with many of the top R&B and wedding bands in the GTA. He considers himself to be fortunate to be surrounded by many of Canada’s most talented musicians.
Junior Riggan (Bass)
Drayton Entertainment: Jesus Christ Superstar, A Christmas Carol: The Panto, Jersey Boys, Rock of Ages, Footloose, Peter Pan: The Panto, Wizard of Oz: The Panto, The Crooner (2022), Jack and the Beanstalk: The Panto, Rocky: The Musical, Hairspray, Rocky of Ages, Thoroughly Modern Millie, Cinderella, Footloose, Little Shop of Horrors, Aladdin, Anne of Green Gables, A Closer Walk with Patsy Cline. Drayton Entertainment Youth Academy: Legally Blonde - The Musical. Other theatre: Jesus Christ Superstar (Theatre Sheridan); Mamma Mia!, Find Black Joy (The Grand Theatre London); Yorkville: The Musical (Blyth); Now and Forever, a diva spectacular..., 9 to 5: The Musical (St. Lawrence College); The River Calls (New Hamburg);...Patsy Cline (Leisa Way Productions). Junior thanks the Drayton family for this opportunity.
Yoel Becquer (Trombone)
Drayton Entertainment: Debut. Winner of the musical Cuban TV show The Big Band. At a young age he worked as a musician on the most popular entertainment programs in Cuba. Since arriving to Canada in 2023, he has become one of the most prominent musicians in the Latin world as part of Hilario Duran’s Latin Jazz Band. A graduate of University of Music in Havana, he has been playing trombone for over 15 years. Yoel Becquer thanks the Drayton family for this opportunity. He says “this musical will be the first of many in my musical career”. Instagram @yoelbecquer.
The Musicians and Music Director engaged for this production are members of the American Federation of Musicians of the United States and Canada, and are performing in the jurisdiction of the Central Ontario Association, Local 226.
Book by Colin Escott and Floyd Mutrux
Original Concept and Direction by Floyd Mutrux
Inspired by Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis, and Carl Perkins