Spirit of Newfoundland is serving up a dinner and groovy Simon and Garfunkel tribute not to be missed by fans of the 1960s singing/songwriting duo.
Spirit of Newfoundland has performed musical dinner theatre pieces for dignitaries from prime ministers to queens, but, as popular as it may be, its members have no issue playing for a packed house in the cosy Masonic Temple night after night.
My date and I attended the Aug. 23 showing of “Feelin’ Groovy — A Musical Tribute to Simon and Garfunkel.” The evening began with a delicious three-course meal prepared in-house, with the menu offering a selection of either oven-roasted chicken with a rosemary, garlic and thyme sherry reduction, or baked Newfoundland salt cod with bechamel sauce.
The mixed green salad appetizer was topped with a tangy Iceberg Vodka vinegarette, but both my date and I found there was too much dill garnish.
I chose the cod for the main course and found it to be a generous serving, served alongside dutchess potatoes and ginger-spiced carrots. My date had the chicken, which she described as “simple and delicious.” The meal overall was a delight, and was enjoyed by people at surrounding tables, judging by their empty plates.
The opening scene of the show began shortly after the meal ended, as actor Sheila Williams emerged onto a balcony to the right of the stage. Her character in the show is working on a PhD about Simon and Garfunkel. I thought her narrative was cheeky, upbeat and a good opening to the show.
Along with singer/actor Dana Parsons, Williams introduced each song in the show’s opening set with tidbits of information and the story of how the song came to be.
Paul Simon, played by Chris LeDrew, and Art Garfunkel, played by Darrin Martin, provided a packed set of some of the duo’s very best hits over the years.
The tunes “Scarborough Fair” and “Mrs. Robinson” were highlights of the night, with both performers in perfect harmony. At times the songs sounded close to the original versions, and Martin’s blond, curly wig added to this authenticity.
The crowd roared with laughter at the end of the first set when Williams and Parsons emerged from backstage as Sonny and Cher and performed a number together.
During the intermission, Newfoundland Screech cake with chocolate ganache was served with coffee and tea. I found the service throughout the entire evening outstanding, and servers were never too far away if we needed something.
My only criticism is that the show’s plot became lost and often confusing in the second set. All four actors emerged as themselves and, one by one, sang their favourite Simon and Garfunkel songs (I did, however, enjoy the atmosphere of this part, which was much more relaxed than a theatre show).
Williams then returned to the stage dressed in a convocation gown, said to have finished her dissertation, before returning later on as herself. I saw it as a small distraction from the overall impact of the performance.
Overall, the music and laughs were not lost on all of us who came to be entertained. As the night drew to a close, we were all on our feet and dancing between the tables. The talent and spirit of this theatre company should not be missed.
