The Londoner July 22, 2009
By
Richard Young
When real life brothers Geoff and Chris Dahl hit the stage in character as the fictitious Blues Brothers in I’m a Soulman, the hit musical comedy playing at the London City Music Theatre from July 24 to August 9, it will mark an artistic homecoming for the two London musicians.
The Dahl brothers played in area blues and R&B bands for years before donning the iconic black suits, hats and sun glasses of Jake and Elwood Blues to form their tribute act, Da BLOOZE Bros in the mid-1990s.
After touring the world to rave reviews, producer Bernhard Kurz of the Berlin-based Stars In Concert series invited them to headline his new show, I’m a Soulman.
The two-hour production which captures the spirit of the two Blues Brothers movies opened in Germany in 2004 and has played to international acclaim and standing ovations throughout Europe and the U.S. In bringing I’m a Soulman to London for its Canadian premiere – like the movie characters created by the late John Belushi and Canadian comic Dan Aykroyd – the Dahl brothers are on a mission of sorts.
“We’re a couple of EOA (East-of-Adelaide) kids returning to our old stomping grounds to put on a blues and R&B show for our family, friends and fellow Londoners,” says Geoff Dahl, who plays Elwood Blues.
“We thought it was about time to share this great show with the good folks in our hometown – and the new London City Music Theatre is the perfect venue for the production.”
Featuring classic blues, R&B and Motown tunes by Ray Charles, Aretha Franklin, The Drifters, James Brown, Elvis, and of course, the Blues Brothers, I’m a Soulman blends music, dance, action, humour and a screen show in a fast-paced family-friendly show.
A stellar cast includes American Ray Charles tribute singer Frank Rondell and European dancers Carla Oya, Laura Fernandez and Gwenny Ludwig who bring comedy, athleticism and groove to the show.
Canadian R&B legends Prakash and Jordan John on bass and drums respectively anchor a killer band that includes Londoners Duncan Grant on keyboards, guitarist Doug Varty and the Dr. Bombay Horns featuring Scott Edwards, Ron Walker and Mike Polci. Rounding out the strong local contingent is well-known London vocalist, Denise Pelley.
Pelley seized the opportunity to participate in the show when the Dahl brothers contacted her a few months ago about casting her as Aretha Franklin, the Queen of Soul. She is thrilled to be playing Franklin, whom she considers one of her musical heroes.
“I didn’t hesitate when they asked me,” says Pelley. “Opening for Aretha and getting to talk to her at the John Labatt Centre in 2003 was one of the highlights of my musical career. In I’m a Soulman, I sing her famous tunes, including a duet with the Ray Charles tribute artist. Portraying someone else on stage is always a challenge and I like to challenge myself.”
Pelley is excited about the show’s spontaneity and improvisation and how the cast encourages audience involvement – something Geoff Dahl says is built into the show.
“While we operate from a set structure, every night’s performance is different from the last,” says Dahl.
“Nobody knows how long the songs will be or how much improvised dialogue will occur or what kind of audience involvement we will get, so to a large degree we call the show on the fly each night. Fortunately, the high calibre of our cast, dancers and musicians enables us to do this.”
Special incentives, including half-price admission for kids under 13, group rates and prizes for audience members who show up in costumes are being offered.
“Young kids aren’t familiar with the Blues Brothers. They think we’re the guys from the Men in Black movies, but it doesn’t matter, parents and kids alike love our show,” says Dahl.
The Dahl brothers have invested a lot of their own time, energy and money promoting the show and they are convinced Londoners will reward their efforts.
They say the London Music Theatre is very similar to the venues they play in Europe and the U.S. and they hope that it will become a destination of choice for other high calibre international shows like I’m a Soulman. Who knows – maybe their homecoming will become an annual event.
