Editor's note: an earlier version of this story failed to note the time of the event, which runs from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. this Saturday, Nov.1 at Chief Sepass Theatre in Fort Langley.
It has been 75 years since the onset of the Second World War, and even though it was a terrible chapter in history, some memories of those years are less somber.
“Although war was raging in Europe and most thoughts were focused there, some of the best music, comedy, and entertainment came out of that 1940s period,” said Peter Tulumello, cultural services manager with the Township of Langley.
“Many actors, musicians, comedians and singers came to the forefront to help boost morale among troops and keep those on the home front hopeful of victory and of the safe return of family members and friends.”
To celebrate that time, the Langley Centennial Museum and Trinity Western University’s School of the Arts, Media + Culture (SAMC) will present Until Everyone Comes Home, a variety show with historical vignettes from the Second World War period.
The show will be held at the Chief Sepass Theatre in Fort Langley at 2 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 1.
Created to commemorate an era of entertainment and the people who created the moments that made everyone smile, a cast of gifted performers has been lined up by the museum, SAMC, and local talent agent Sandy Dunkley.
“I am so proud of the local singers who have agreed to perform at this event,” Dunkley said.
“Ahnika Barber is a young girl with an amazing voice who will sing Judy Garland songs. She even resembles Garland from the A Star is Born movie poster.”
The show will also feature performances by emcee/musician Douglas Fraser, soprano Eva Tavares, Langley Has Talent/KPU scholarship award winner Hayley Bouey, and singer and actress Elizabeth MacPherson.
Participating Trinity Western University students, professors, and alumni include crooner Alex McCune, comedy duo Nash & Gage, singer and actress Charlotte Elgersma, and the TWU Jazz Quintet.
Headlining the show is the Lady Larks, a knock-your-socks-off group of girls portraying the popular Andrews Sisters, a chart-topping swing and jazz singing trio and favourite of American soldiers at USO Shows.
Until Everyone Comes Home is named for the original motto of the USO canteen shows. However, the Nov. 1 performance is not focused on USO performers, nor will it imitate the format of a USO show.
"In putting the show together, the event planning team looked at British, Canadian, and American entertainers who were popular on stage, in movie theatres, on records, and on radio programs of the era,” said Allan Thorpe, chair of TWU’s music department and the show’s music director.
“We will be highlighting the work of Canadian and British artists before the intermission, and completing the afternoon with works associated with American entertainers of the 1940s”
The Canadian/British component will include music by British song bird Vera Lynn and Canadian-born Hollywood actress Deanna Durbin, comedic and musical skits from CBC Radio’s The Army Show, and the Royal Canadian Navy’s Meet the Navy touring stage production.
Some interesting cross-connections were discovered while researching material for the show, said Tulumello.
“Did you know that the song that launched Frank Sinatra’s career in 1940, “I’ll Never Smile Again,” was written by Canadian songwriter Ruth Lowe? And that in 1942 she wrote a second song for Sinatra, “Put Your Dreams Away,” that immediately became his signature closing song for many years?”
He added that the museum and TWU “are grateful to the families of the late Wayne and Shuster who granted us permission to use a routine from The Army Show, which was co-written and performed by those two giants of Comedy.
“I am excited to see what performers Chris Nash and Tom Gage can do with the scripts and how they will transition from Wayne and Shuster in the first half of our show into Abbott and Costello during the second half,” said Tulumello.
“We are pleased to be part of this collaboration with the Museum and Township of Langley that connects us to the community and integrates our students, alumni, and faculty with local musicians, singers and actors,” said Thorpe.
“Music from this era resonates with many and has stood the test of time. Even today young and popular entertainers are revisiting these songs and making them their own.”
Those who want to experience the performance are encouraged to buy tickets in advance — and soon. Tulumello noted that the last performing arts show that the museum organized, 2013’s Vaudeville Variety Show, sold out days in advance.
Tickets for Until Everyone Comes Home can also be purchased from TWU’s website at twu.ca or by phone at 604-532-3536
The upcoming performance coincides with the Museum’s current exhibition, Mementos and Memories – Langley and the Second World War, which runs up to and including Remembrance Day, Tuesday, Nov. 11, at 9135 King St. in Fort Langley.
Tickets for Until Everyone Comes Home can be purchased for $25 here.