April 2025 | Volume 73
THE HAT GAZETTE
THIS ISSUE: Under the HAT with MICHELLE LANGILLE | CAN YOU KEEP A SECRET? | THE 2025 SUMMER LINE UP
UNDER THE HAT: MICHELLE LANGILLE
Tom: Hi Michelle! For those who may not be familiar with your work, can you start us off with a brief rundown of your relationship to the arts?
Michelle: Hi Tom! I grew up all around the East Coast (born in Antigonish) and really fell in love with theatre while living in Charlottetown. Seeing shows at the Confederation Centre got me excited and when I moved back to Nova Scotia I started studying at the Neptune Theatre School and I was hooked. I studied at the Canadian College of Performing Arts in BC and came back and worked at Neptune Theatre for a few seasons then did the cliche move to Toronto where I eventually went to school to study Classical Acting at George Brown Theatre School. I moved back here in 2018 because I missed the ocean and my family and have been very lucky ever since. I was last on the Neptune Stage in A Midsummer Night's Dream and The Rocky Horror Show. In 2022 my husband got transferred up here to gorgeous Cape Breton and I was lucky to reconnect with Wesley who I had known in Toronto as well as Pam at the Savoy Theatre. They let me
direct Jersey Boys last year which was an incredibly special show and introduced me to the vast and incredible talent on the island…I was and continue to be blown away. I was also very fortunate to slip into the role of Tanya last summer in Mamma Mia! Wesley and I have been looking for a show to work on and The Producers seemed like the perfect fit!
TOM: This month we have kicked off rehearsals for our Winter/Spring MainStage finale The Producers, but I know your work on the project began long before the rehearsal room was populated. Could you explain to our readers what the pre-production process looks like for a show this big, and a window into how it unfolded for this production?
Michelle: IIt really all starts with casting for me. Once I know the humans on the stage I can really start to envision it. I have an amazing set designer on this show, Holly Meyer-Dymney who I worked with on my first large show as a director at Hart House Theatre, The Penelopiad. They are a wealth of innovation and I sometimes think they read my mind. The crew at the HAT are incredible as well and we lucked into some costume pieces from a recent production that gave us a great base and now Kayla Cormier will work her magic and flush it out ! It’s an interesting show because it was written and revived at times when the idea of “real Nazis” felt very far away and absurd, distance can provide safety. But in this political climate we know that is not the case and as we dive in we are continually examining the impact of this show and how we approach it.
TOM: Speaking of casts, I can’t believe what a dream cast you have. When casting, do you have a particular piece of guidance you try to stick to? A north star of any kind?
“The world feels like a floating dumpster fire right now. I don’t know about you but I need a laugh.”
Michelle: Casting is both my favourite and least favourite part of the process. Least favourite because not being able to include everyone is just a reality and it so often involves saying no to fabulous artists. There are always about fifteen versions of any cast that are possible. It’s my favourite because I get to create the room. My north star, if you will, is always who do I want to spend time in a rehearsal room with and who do I believe will bring the most joy and commitment to the work? I also always try to go in without a preconceived notion of what a character has traditionally been portrayed as. How can we mine the script and challenge people’s idea of the role? Who is the exact right fit for the role? In Jersey Boys, Ian Furlong is 6’2, not what we imagine as Frankie Valli, but when he opens his mouth he is exactly Frankie Valli and in my mind Frankie Valli is his voice not his height, so there was no question in my mind that he was the person to play that role.
Tom: I know you’ve got a great resume in the scenes as a performer, and behind the scenes as a theatre maker, is this your first production of The Producers you’ve been involved in? Do you remember how you were first exposed to the show?
Michelle: This is my first foray into Mel Brook’s zany world! I remember the revival came out around when I was in school in 2001 and everyone was singing Ven You Got It, Flaunt It (myself included LOL!). But I grew up on Mel Brooks movies, I can pretty much recite Robin Hood Men in Tights verbatim. Some of it doesn’t stand the test of time, but using humour as a political weapon has always been something society needs and I think this show has much more to say.
Tom: I’m always curious about the outside eye when someone brings their talents to our community from elsewhere (though let’s be clear 7 years on the island means you’re now a Caper, far as I’m concerned).
Michelle: Ok that is the biggest compliment I could get!!
Tom: Happy to hear it! Over the past year and a bit, you’ve gotten to direct some massive productions at both the HAT and the Savoy. From these experiences, where do you feel the next stop is for Cape Breton’s theatre community to grow and prosper?
Michelle: I think I’m very lucky to have been welcomed into the community and I’m constantly in awe of the talent here. In Annie, which just closed at the Savoy, I got to meet some of the youth and it was amazing! Friane Gouthro who played Annie is only just 13 years old and holy - the pipes on that kid! I think the community is already growing and I think that investing in our local talent is key to that continued growth. Seeking out new talent to work alongside our community pillars and finding ways to develop our own skills as performers is so important. I’d love to see more opportunities to develop skills in a cost effective and accessible way. I know my life is nuts and finding time and money to hone my own skills can be a challenge. Most of the people who are shining on our stage have day jobs etc (myself included) and making our productions accessible for those performers to participate in shows, in a balanced and stress free way is imperative. One thing I’ve learned since moving here is that Cape Breton is proud to lift up and celebrate their own. And I think a continued commitment to the talent here is vital.
Tom: Couldn’t agree more. For anyone on the fence or in the dark about The Producers, what’s your hard pitch to bring them on board?
Michelle: The world feels like a floating dumpster fire right now. I don’t know about you but I need a laugh. And you’ll get multiple laughs at the show. I promise.
Tom: LASTLY, what’s on the horizon for you? Any project you’ve got lined up? (Alternatively, any dream project you would love to see produced on the island?)
Michelle: I’m actually directing my first mainstage production at Neptune Theatre, The Wizard of Oz. That starts in October but we’re getting ready for auditions and pre-production. I’m also the board chair for the Atlantic Burlesque Festival which happens two weeks after The Producers so we are in full swing for that.I have a laundry list of dream shows! I love Guys and Dolls and Adelaide is a dream role. I’d love to direct Gypsy (obviously) and The Sound of Music is a show that is near and dear to my heart. I grew up on the movie, it was my first professional show, I understudied Liesel and got to go on twice, and I would love to direct it. It would feel like coming full circle.
Mostly I just want to enjoy another beautiful Cape Breton summer with my two dogs, Bo Jackson and Hans Gruber and my husband.
Tom: Well I hope you have a wonderful time and I can’t wait for everyone to see the incredible work that’s happening in these rehearsals. Thank you so much for doing this Michelle!
Michelle: My absolute pleasure! I hope we make you all laugh and maybe cringe a little bit with this show!
The Producers runs May 14th to 18th and complimentary tickets are available for all RA Donors of $25+/monthly or $300+/annually
Limited FREE tickets are available THANKS TO our incredible Radical Access Donors!
To learn more about Radical Access and unlock your perks today, call or email us at 565-3637 / info@highlandartstheatre.com
What PATRONS Are Saying about:
“As a woman, a mom, and a teacher, I loved the message! I hope many more young people see the show over the next few days. Bravo!“
VM
“This was definitely the most fun I’ve had watching a Romeo & Juliet adaptation! It so beautifully blends the original story with modern aspects and the universal experience of being a teenaged girl. Loved it!”
LT
“A bright and beautiful spectacle of a show! Funny, tender, personal, and so entertaining!”
ER
THE APRIL RADICAL ACCESS
TICKET LOTTERY
Each month we hold a draw exclusive to RA donors, to remind them how amazing we know they are. The draws are completely random and all donation levels are included.
This month’s prize?
2 tickets to BABES, BABES, BABES: BURLESQUE & DRAG SHOW
WINNERS
ADRIENNE COLLINS
Natalie Marsh
BETTY DOWE
Mel brooks’ THE PRODUCERS
Book, Music, & Lyrics by Mel Brooks
Directed by Michelle Langille
Music Directed by Ciarán MacGillivray
Choreography by Kiersten Penny
Based on the hit 1967 film by Mel Brooks, The Producers is harkened as “the funniest show on Broadway”. When a down and out producer discovers he could make more money with a flop than with a hit, the search for the worst-play-ever-written is on and chaos ensues.
Winner of a record-breaking 12 Tony Awards
“A rip-roaring, gut-busting, rib-tickling, knee-slapping, aisle-rolling good time.”
-Variety
ANNOUNCING The Summer 2025 Line up
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BACK TO BROADWAY: DINNER & A SHOW
June 5, 6, 7, & 8
Doors open: 5:30 PM
Dinner: 6:30 PMBe transported to the beautiful world of Broadway, all abuzz and brimming with your favourite showstoppers! With incredible talent and incomparable cuisine, an evening sure to leave you thoroughly razzled and dazzled!
Food provided by Mise en Place Catering
If you loved Best of Broadway, you'll fall head over heels again for BACK to Broadway! Featuring an incredible cast of local talent and the glitz and glam of Sacred Heart Downtown.
PLUS: Enjoy an enhanced experience with Sacred Heart Downtown's new camera and video screen display! Bigger and brighter for your viewing pleasure. -
HAIRSPRAY
July 30 to August 2nd / 7:30 PM
August 3rd / 2:00 PM & 7:30 PM
A Cape Breton Premiere of the Beloved Musical
Welcome to the ’60’s! It's 1962 in Baltimore, and the lovable teen, Tracy Turnblad, has only one desire – to dance on the popular "Corny Collins Show." When her dream comes true, Tracy is transformed from social outcast to sudden star. She must use her newfound power to win the affections of heartthrob and integrate a TV network... all without denting her 'do!
Winner of 8 Tony Awards including Best New MusicalRadical Access Donors get an exclusive discount on tickets!
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DISNEY'S DARE TO DREAM JR
August 12th to 15th / 7:00 PM
August 16th / 3:00 PMFeaturing performers ages 10-18 from the HAT Summer JR Production Company
Disney’s Dare to Dream JR is a 60-minute musical revue that follows an eager group of trainees on their first day at a fictional Walt Disney Imagineering Studio. As the group sets out to help each other discover their dreams, they work together to explore the power of dreams to unite, inspire, and make anything possible.
Drawing from a century of beloved Disney films, Dare to Dream JR. features songs appearing for the first time ever in a Disney stage musical, including fan-favorites from The Princess and the Frog, Coco, Encanto, and Frozen II. This musical revue is a thrilling mix of contemporary songs, timeless classics, and brand-new medleys that are sure to surprise and delight Disney lovers of all ages.
As April winds down, we are gearing up for a memorable May on the mainstage! We’ve got The Producers just around the corner, but before that we’ve got the latest edition of THE CONFIDENTIAL MUSICAL THEATRE PROJECT! Many musicals that premiered as a confidential went on to become a mainstage show including Funny Girl and The Producers! So you just may be getting a front row seat to the next big thing at the HAT.
We’ve also opened registration for our Annual Summer HATCH Camps at the HAT Academy. If you know any kids looking to level up their creativity, confidence, or community this may be just the thing.
Not to mention our entire 2025 Summer Line Up has been announced and is on sale. There’s so much coming down the pipeline (especially for our musical theatre lovers), so do yourself a favour and book the best seats today!
REMINDER TO OUR DONORS!
Don’t forget to transfer your donations into the new system and start getting your perks!
Already in action for those of you in the new system, 2 COMPLIMENTARY TICKETS TO ALL of our remaining Winter/Spring Mainstage Productions, discounted tickets for Hairspray, and more coming this Fall!
Not sure if you’re switched into the new system? Email us at info@highlandartstheatre.com and we can let you know!
** EFT DONORS ARE ALREADY TRANSFERRED **
SHOWING IN MAY
