XV YEARS – A HISTORY OF ROCK AND ROLL, 1954-1969, a new musical extravaganza will premiere on Saturday, October 1,2022, at Huntsville’s Algonquin Theatre.
The “Rockumentary” traces the impact that Radio Deejay’s had on the formation of one of the greatest periods of rock and roll music. Combining comedy, theatrics, graphic historical backdrops and live music, the play follows a group of teenagers listening to and interacting with songs, presented by two radio DJs, and played by a live band.
Based on an idea conceived by Billy MacPherson, the script was co-written by Huntsville playwright Dyanna “Dee” Jacklin along with MacPherson. “ It’s a reflection of my life back into the things that moved me or that I found significant, “ says MacPherson of the story.
MacPherson, known by his stage name “Billy Mac”, had been and continues to be a lifelong musical performer. He taught himself piano and voice, by practicing, learning by ear and intuition, exploring the keyboard, and finding the notes that matched the tones he heard on records.
From his earliest experience, MacPherson poured himself into live music performances, either as a single act or in bands. Through lounges and Legions, wedding halls, and a prolonged Howard Johnson Hotel lounge residency, MacPherson plied the trade, learning more and ever more about the songs that make folks happy.
Along the way, he has collected numerous songs and arrangements. He mastered the craft of pacing his shows in anticipation of an audience’s reaction, mood, and temperament. MacPherson knows exactly when the Eagles need to be heard or if it’s Elton John that everyone wants to sing along to.
In 1988, MacPherson started Blue Heron Productions, a “one man” production company. It developed and executed many different types of projects throughout its 34-year history: a talent development centre for young performers called, “The Performance School” for 13 years, the entire musical score for a play with playwright Robert Newby which ran for 3 years, operated many festivals in the Barrie and Georgian Bay area, and multiple radio and television appearances.
After moving to Huntsville, MacPherson quickly established himself as a strong musical force, playing a weekly array of shows throughout Muskoka. The pandemic curtailed most of his professional activities, but he used that time to progress on his other artistic passion: Landscape painting.
The idea of developing and presenting a musical has been in his thoughts for some time. After seeing a play written by Dyanna Jacklin, he approached her about helping him with his ideas.
Jacklin, a piano teacher, writer, and a director of the Huntsville Theatre Company explained that MacPherson brought her hundred of pages of research and a high level of enthusiastic knowledge for the period and particularly the era in which DJs were “kings of the radio”. Legendary radio personalities reputedly could make or break an artist or song.
The transistor radio, introduced in the 1950s, changed the way people heard and received music, allowing folks to take the music with them. And channel surf for stations beyond local radio, bringing an intoxicating brew of unheard music through the static.
The revolutionary device made interaction with on-air personas even more appealing. A generation of teenagers grew to love music in a very intimate way. Call-in request shows and chart-topping countdowns were critical listenings. Cruising downtown in your car, or a borrowed family car, cemented strong memories of time, place, and song in those young adults. They carried the precious treasures with them throughout their life.
MacPherson wanted to use this memorable time and place to anchor the songs and music, as the most important aspect of the show XV Years.
MacPherson solicited master local musician Sean Cotton to direct the music and arrangements. Cotton, with his extensive experience working on shows of this magnitude, brought together a seasoned band, including MacPherson, to bring the songs alive. Covering songs from Bill Haley and the Comets, to the Beach Boys, the Beatles, the Monkees, and beyond, demands an orchestra of extraordinary talent.
Noted Huntsville actors Grant Nickalls and Scott Edgecombe will play the central roles of Deejay characters. Nickalls is an impressive actor with a long resume in film, stage, and television. He is also a morning radio host on local station CKAR 88.7FM. Edgecombe is a veteran actor, teacher, and acting coach.
While the Deejays may have had the power to spin the music, without the fans, and the audience, the songs would have withered and died. Mallary Davenport and Lauren Rodrigues play the girlfriends who hear the music first. It is their friend, a visitor, the mysterious “Minstrel”, who shares the unspoken secrets of these tunes with them and the audience. He understands how to play them and why they are so magical. Matt Allen, local Rockabilly-Blues singer and guitarist, brings that character to the stage.
The years 1954-1969 were notable for historic changes in both societal views and attitudes. More importantly, major events shaped the geopolitical and social landscape of the modern world. As exciting and inspiring as the singers and songwriting might have been, unprecedented world events shook humanity to its core. John A. MacDonald will provide the backdrop and significance of this epoch with photos and graphics.
Produced by Blue Heron Productions, co-directed by MacPherson and Jacklin, Stage Managed by Jacklin, with Master of Ceremonies Jamie Oppenheimer; XV YEARS – A History Of Rock And Roll, 1954-1969, promises to be an exhilarating night of musical theatre.
It must be noted that all of the proceeds from ticket sales will be donated to Algonquin Grace Residential Hospice in Huntsville. MacPherson, who is living with cancer, found that throughout his diagnosis and treatment, art, music, family, and friendship sustained and encouraged him. His highest aspiration is to share his gratitude with others and donate most of the financial benefits from these endeavours to worthy charities.
You can find more information about the team and production company (pdf), here.
Don’t miss out on Doppler!
Sign up here to receive our email digest with links to our most recent stories.
Local news in your inbox so you don’t miss anything!
Click here to support local news
Join the discussion: