The woman who helped define the role of Cosette in worldwide hit musical Les Miserables will play Hay River and Yellowknife this week.
Canadian opera singer and actress Rebecca Caine was the first woman to play the prominent role – depicting an orphan rescued by leading man Jean Valjean – in the English-language version of Les Miserables when it launched in London’s West End, 30 years ago.
After a previous visit to the NWT in 2013, Caine (pictured) is returning alongside concert pianist Robert Kortgaard.
“She will perform a mix of Broadway music and classical music,” said Marie Coderre, executive director of the Northern Arts and Cultural Centre (NACC), which has arranged Caine’s tour.
“It’s going to be musical theatre oriented and it’s a very intimate performance.”
On NACC’s website: Rebecca Caine dates and info
Rebecca Caine: Full biography
Caine, 55, will be in Hay River on the evening of Monday, March 23, and in Yellowknife on Saturday, March 28.
While Caine also has Phantom of the Opera and My Fair Lady to her name, alongside many operatic and cabaret performances, Coderre says the singer is best known as the inspiration behind the stage version of Cosette.
“When the Hollywood movie came out (in 2012), they consulted her quite a bit about that specific role,” said Coderre.
“She has been a model for many generations who came after her.”
Coderre also told Moose FM NACC has been pleased with attendances at recent events in the NWT’s communities.
Reports in November last year suggested NACC had been concerned at a lack of people showing up for the centre’s touring events in smaller communities.
But Coderre says acts like jazz-funk musician Alex Cuba have enjoyed packed houses in recent weeks.
“Alex Cuba loved it so much,” she said.
“Those guys are playing on big, big stages – Alex Cuba will open for Sheryl Crow in Los Angeles – but he loved his performance in Norman Wells so much.
“In Yellowknife it was a sold-out show. The warmth of the audience in each community makes the experience so special.”
