If the love of your life was about to ship off to war, would you be able to wait all those agonizing months or years until, hopefully, they return?
That scenario will be explored through music on Thursday at the Living Arts Centre when Tony Award-nominated entertainer Louise Pitre is joined by Joe Matheson for the concert version of Could You Wait?
The show, which takes place in Hammerson Hall, follows the sailor Matt (Matheson) as he prepares to ship overseas to help battle the Axis offensive during World War II. Just before he leaves, however, he meets the girl of his dreams, Mary (Pitre).
During his time abroad, Matt realizes Mary is the one woman he wants to marry and remain with for the rest of his life. So, when he returns home for a brief spell while on leave, he takes her out for an enchanting evening at the Imperial Room at the Royal York Hotel in Toronto.
The show, written in collaboration between Matheson and the show's musical director, Diane Leah, was inspired by Matheson's parents' war-time experiences. Adding to the on-stage chemistry between the two leads is the fact the actors are husband and wife in real life.
The show starts with the married couple thinking back to their first meeting. The audience is then taken on a musical trip through time, heading back to the World War II era.
Could You Wait? features original tunes written by the leads and the musical director. There will also be hits from the period, including I'll Be Seeing You, We'll Meet Again and White Cliffs of Dover.
At the show, Leah accompanies the performers on piano.
Pitre, a recording artist when not performing, had a lead role in the Toronto production of the hit musical, Mamma Mia!, and has also appeared in Les Miserables.
Show time is 7:30 p.m.
Tickets start at $25. Call 905-306-6000.
For more information, visit www.livingartscentre.ca.
cclay@mississauga.net
