Ever wonder why Stompin’ Tom Connors is so popular?
Maybe it’s that eastern lilt and lyrics that sound like he makes them up as he goes along? How about “Oh the good old hockey game, is the best game you can name”? Yes, so it rhymes.
The Ballad of Stompin’ Tom, now playing at the Drayton Festival Theatre, explains the popularity of the Canadian icon and more. The audience gets it, big time.
The man who loves his country and regales it in song does so because he knows it so well. Moreso than any politician or vacationer. Who could know it better than he who grew up in the dirt, and traversed every mile of that dirt with only his thumb, his guitar, and his imagination?
The audience learns through the well chosen points along the way what shaped Tom Connors into the musical spokesman for Everyman Canada.
In concert format, with reflections and reactions of the adult “Tom,” the story unfolds smoothly and movingly. Tom’s impoverished youth, during which he was constantly on the move with his destitute mother and younger sister, carved music into his soul as his only reprieve.
J.D. Nicholsen in the title role has the audience in his command, riveted to his dramatic performance and rockin’ to the songs. He interacts with the audience with charisma and performs the songs imparting great spirit and joy.
Whether it is Bud the Spud, Tillsonburg or Big Joe Mufferaw, the audience is happy to be along for the rousing musical documentation of Tom’s life.
However, though Nicholsen may be a little better looking than the real thing, the stomping doesn’t come quite as naturally, perhaps because he doesn’t have that sheet of plywood used by the real article at every live performance.
Logan Bennett, of Fergus, plays the boy Tom with his mother and at the New Brunswick orphanage, and Sam Sholdice plays the teenage Tom at Skinner’s Pond and travelling alone.
Both deliver perceptively poignant performances in their roles.
Rebecca Auerbach, as Tom’s mother, effectively portrays the helpless attitude of a parent unable to provide for her child, while igniting the spark within him with her love of music and wanderlust.
Darren Keay is very funny as the bartender whose demand for the remaining nickel for Tom’s beer leads him to sing for his supper and onward.
A total of only eight cast members for all of the roles also includes the multi talents of Robert B. Kennedy, Catherine O’Brien, and little Kaylee Rice, of Drayton.
Musical backup is provided onstage by talented bass player, Jeffrey Laughton and spirited banjo, guitar, and mandolin player David Archibald.
With story and songs by Stompin’ Tom Connors and script by David Scott, the performance was expertly directed by Eric Coates in his Drayton debut.
Drawing a resounding standing ovation on opening night, this show is “the best game you can name.”
The Ballad of Stompin’ Tom plays eight shows a week. Tickets can be ordered by calling the box office at 519-638-5555 or 1-888-449-4463 draytonfestivaltheatre.com.
