Niagara-on-the-Lake, ON (Top40 Charts/ Shaw Festival) The Shaw Festival has announced that the original cast recording of the new musical
Maria Severa is now available at Bernard's, the Shaw Festival's gift shop, and online at https://www.shawfest.com.
Maria Severa will have its world premiere on August 5 at the Shaw Festival.
The original cast recording of Maria Severa - A Musical features Julie Martell as Maria Severa and Mark Uhre as Armando, with Neil Barclay, Saccha Dennis, Sharry Flett, Jonathan Gould, Jeff Irving, Jacqueline Thair, Jenny L. Wright, Paul Sportelli (keyboards), Andy Beston (drums, percussion), Larry Lewis (guitar) and Louis Simao (Portuguese guitar).
Infused with passionate and sensual melodies, the Maria Severa score brings to life the working-class streets of Lisbon's Mouraria district and its smoky taverns and brothels. It tells the tempestuous story of Maria Severa, known as the Mother of fado, and of a new musical style that caused a sensation with its soulful expression of love and longing, music and a singer the people of Portugal took to their hearts immediately. The CD's release coincides with the annual Canada-Portugal day celebrations on June 10, which recognizes not only the friendship between Portugal and Canada, but the history of the Luso-Canadian community and its contribution to Canadian society.
Produced by Freddy Gabrsek and being performed at the Court House Theatre, Maria Severa - A Musical was recorded live off the floor in October 2010 with actors and musicians in the same room recreating the immediacy of live theatre. The 18-track album retails for $22.54 (tax included) and contains a twelve page booklet of lyrics. The CD can also be purchased by phone 1-800-657-1106, extension 2276.
Written by Jay Turvey and Paul Sportelli, Maria Severa is part of the Shaw Festival's 50th season playbill and is directed by Artistic Director Jackie Maxwell, with set design by Judith Bowden, costume design by Sue LePage, lighting design by Kevin Lamotte and choreography by Eda Holmes.
Maria Severa begins previews July 19, opens August 5 and runs until September 23 at the Court House Theatre. For tickets and information, visit https://www.shawfest.com or call 1-800-511-7429 or 905-468-2172 (local).
