Dear Sarah:
Jennifer has come home from yet another wonderful lesson with you. She so enjoys each session with you. She goes each time, not because she is forced to or she is obliged to. Jennifer sings and goes to her lessons with you because she WANTS to and because she finds it so satisfying, challenging and rewarding spending that hour with you. With your encouragement, support and tutelage, Jennifer has grown and developed in so many ways along her musical journey and we shall always be forever indebted to you, as her vocal teacher.
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Hi Sarah,
I saw the Charlie Brown show on the weekend. All I can say is WOW! I have been a professional choreographer for the past fifteen years in Montreal. For me to see great choreography in a community theatre is rare. Further more for me to find lead actors, teenage and youth ensembles participating in tight choreography is very rare. Your cast was together and in a great performance zone.
I thoroughly enjoyed the performance. The commitment to excel was obvious. In particular I was impressed with Erin Brewster playing Lucy. What a difficult role that was and she nailed it. Also of great note were both Charlie and his little sister, Sally. Please compliment Joe Adams on his understanding of the emotional disparity of Charlie, played really well. Sally ( Rhiannon Kyle) was hysterical. What a superb actress. Funny, comedic timing that excels and clearly a top singing instrument. She was probably your most polished actor up there. As I reflect upon the rest of the cast I have to say they are all of note. Linus comedic faces in My Blanket, Schroeder’s voice in Beethoven day and Snoopy in particular Red Baron, fantastic.
We all benefited from the laughter this production brought.
Thanks again
Cathy Spectre
What a stupendous production. I was moved, touched and inspired. Your set was spectacular and captured the feeling of Misselthwaite Manor.The lighting made the magic dance and the voices ? wow! I go to all the productions in York Region and this tops all. The 2nd act quartet was powerful and the voices were a superb match. Joseph Likuski was a powerhouse of vocal beauty and sensitivity. Together with Lily, Sarah Kyle the voices sounded as one voice. A perfect singing duo able to create the passion and magic needed to move audiences. There was not a flicker, not a stir in the audience with the breath taking How Could I Ever Know performed by Sarah and by the duets finish there was not a dry eye. Joseph Likuski’s Bit of Earth was better than any Bring Him Home I have ever heard. Other performances to note were Jackie Barkowski as Mrs Medlock and Stephanie Birell as Martha. Both women had strong characters and the Hold On solo was heart warming. I cannot stop there though. A well directed cast lead by a young actress Gabrielle da Silva. She has performance instincts and a sweet voice that made us all fall in love with her from the moment she stepped on stage. This was a really professional show. I look forward to more quality entertainment by this company in the future. Please let me know what roles Mr Likuski and Mr Kramer will be performing next season and please let me know as well so I can rush to the box office especially if Mrs Kyle is on stage again.
Sincere thanks for giving us good entertainment.
Jim Martelli
Toronto Star
Legal Department
Dear Sarah,
Congratulations on another fantastic weekend of performances. We loved both Charlie Brown and Secret Garden. Two very different plays equal a weekend of great entertainment.
We laughed out loud so many times during You’re a Good Man Charlie Brown. Often, when we see a play and discuss it afterwards, there is one scene, one character that really is a favourite, but with Charlie Brown it was one favourite moment followed by the next. Charlie Brown, Lucy, Linus, Sally, Schroeder, and Snoopy…we thought that everyone did such a good job at bringing their Peanuts character to life. Of course, we loved the teens and the Dalmatians too and the wonderful choreography. Everyone on stage looked like they were totally into their characters, it was a joy to watch! Over the weekend our family has had fun trying to determine which “new philosophy” is our favourite!
Our feelings on Secret Garden can’t be put into words. So much to take in and absorb, so many beautiful voices, not knowing what voice to focus on, an abundance for the ear. It was the fastest 3 hours of our lives, wanting it to go on and seeming to be over too soon. I heard someone crying, come spirit come charm and the finale gave us goose bumps. We are already wishing that we could see it again.
We would like to thank you as well for the extra opportunity that Jessica was given to be part of the Secret Garden cast. She really appreciated and valued her time with “the grown ups” and feels very proud to have been a part of such a powerful performance and to stand on the stage with such a talented group of people.
We appreciate the way that all the cast treats the children, full of praise and kind words and always taking the time to notice the effort that they put in. The fact that everyone takes the time to make them feel a valuable part of the performance makes them burst with pride.
Thank you so much for the another entertaining weekend.
The Richers
Aurora’s Jessica Muirhead did not go out into the world intending to take the opera world by storm. But when she entered McGill University 10 years ago to study voice, opera, she said, found her.
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Hey Sarah,
I just want to congratulate the lighting designer for Little Women (I think it was Chris Roberts?). Every time I look at the slideshow of Little Women on the website, I am struck by the lighting and how evocative and lyrical it was.
(I was very impressed by Little Women – it was a very polished production, very engaging. Along with the usual things, brilliant acting by Caileigh & Rhiannon, all kinds of excellent singing, another thing I remember being impressed by was your speaking voice – your tone and accent was very convincing of the character and the period.)
I feel like upcoming Secret Garden is a great focused cast – I really believe this will be the best Secret Garden yet.
–
Michael
Sarah, the ‘Little Woman’ was an unforgettable production with professional singers. Your daughters have real acting skills and beautiful voices.
Gabriella
Hi,
I am writing this note to thank-you for the wonderful production of Little Women last weekend. I was amazed at the talent pool you have in your company. Many strong male actors and singers are hard to find in one show. But you had at least five. As well, your female leads were professional. Jo March, was incredible. Beth March was outstanding, both performers professional quality. Meg March was convincing and Amy March was terrific, not to mention Marmee who brought incredible energy to the stage and sang with the most beautiful voice.
I have spent a bit of time going to see local productions and they always have nice costumes and sets, but they didn’t seem to care about the staging so much and the characters were never believable. Your production was downtown. What I mean by that, is that it should have been on a Mirvish stage. Excellent direction and excellent talent. I think what I have discovered about your production in comparison to other companies is that they can’t buy your eye, and your direction. You can’t dress up a present with a pretty set if the gift isn’t top quality, and other companies are suffering in their final product. Aurora Performing Arts Group has a fine quality gift to share.
I have contacted Newmarket Theatre and purchased tickets to the next two productions.
Thank-you
James Gomes
It is with true sincerity and tears of healing that I want to thank you for all that you contribute into our children’s lives. Your dedication to APAG, the children and the Art of performing shows every time we prepare for a show, as it goes forward and it finishes.
My tears were many with Little Women. It touched a core with me personally with the recent loss of my Grandfather and then my Father six weeks after.
The love, passion and dedication invoked by the Kyle family and the Kyle family women and the Marsh family has catapulted me forwarded to open another chapter of my life.
I thank you for the healing journey you, your family, the girls and APAG have set me on!
I am truly blessed to be a part of the APAG family!
Jackie vO
