Where We’ve Been . . .
Dear Friends,
Happy Holidays! It’s hard to believe that 2016 is almost at an end. We’ve been woefully out of touch, and much has happened since our last post.
We got married! September 5th, 2015. It was a weekend full of love, gumbo, and music. We took a honeymoon trip to Scotland where – on our very first night in the country – we managed to join in on some traditional music with a couple of old-timers in a small town pub. It was a wonderful evening that set the tone for the whole trip.
When we returned to the states we went straight to work in the theatre, Sylvie heading to Seattle to reprise the title role in Book-It Repertory Theatre’s production of Jane Austen’s Emma, while Trevor spread Christmas cheer in A Christmas Carol at the Rubicon Theatre in Ventura, CA. From there, we set off together to the Wild West of the 1880’s in the U.S. Premiere of the play The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance at the Rubicon.
Sylvie lived her childhood pioneer dreams as Hallie, a saloon owner, and Trevor composed and performed an original score. The play was very well reviewed, the LA Times stating that the “original music scored and performed live by Trevor Wheetman furthers the impeccable period feel in Jenny Sullivan’s staging, which succeeds as both a nostalgic homage to the rugged individualism of the Wild West and a self-aware reflection on the double-edged civilizing tide that laid its spirit to rest on Boot Hill.”
In the Spring we returned to Nashville, where we spent a few months writing and performing. We were lucky enough to get the chance to accompany our dear friend and fellow songwriter, Jared Hard, to Gatlinburg, TN to play a few shows. We camped in the Smokies and enjoyed the hospitality of several live-music venues, all of which – we are happy to hear – have survived the recent devastating fires. Gatlinburg hosts a songwriter’s festival every year and keeps up a strong relationship with many Nashville-based writers. The songwriting community in Nashville recently hosted a benefit concert for the people and businesses affected by the fires.
Summer found us back in the Pacific Northwest working on a production of Romeo and Juliet with Island Stage Left. We lived in a loft above a woodshop on San Juan Island, spent our days enjoying the beauty of the island via bike and foot and our evenings performing a classic story with a group of talented and delightful folks. At 33, Sylvie feels she just squeaked in the opportunity to play the iconic and star-crossed teenager, and she enjoyed every minute of it! Trevor arranged music for the show and took on several characters as well. Summer also afforded us many musical opportunities, with shows around the Northwest on our days away from Shakespeare.
As the fall rolled around we continued our theatrical travels, Sylvie remaining in Seattle for a production of Pump Boys and Dinettes at the Village Theatre and Trevor heading back to California to music direct and perform in Return to the Forbidden Planet at the Rubicon Theatre. Both shows are music heavy, Pump Boys featuring original country-ish tunes and Forbidden Planet packed with hits from the 1960’s, all performed live by actor/musicians. It’s a niche we’ve found ourselves filling more and more often since our Lonesome Traveler days, as the popularity of music driven and concert-like plays continues to rise. We’re always delighted to get to practice both our crafts at once.
Which brings us to . . .
. . .where we’re going!
Sylvie is gearing up to head to Atlanta for a production of a new musical, Troubadour, at the Tony Award-Winning Alliance Theatre. Written by Janece Shaffer, with music by Kristian Bush of Sugarland, the play is set in 1950’s Nashville and will feature a cast of singer/songwriters and actor/musicians. Sylvie plays Inez, a budding singer/songwriter who catches a bus to Nashville to chase her dreams. Check it out, and get your tickets here!
In the Spring, Trevor will head to Laguna, CA where he’ll join yet another cast of actor/musicians in the premiere of King of the Road: The Roger Miller Story at the Laguna Playhouse. More info and tickets here!
Sylvie will spend the Spring and early Summer in Seattle with Book-It Repertory Theatre working on a production of T. Geronimo Johnson’s unsettling and timely novel Welcome to Braggsville. More info and tickets here!
And, with any luck, come August we will finally get down to the business of recording an album! So many of you have asked us when it’s coming, and we’re excited to finally have recording dates on our calendar. Stay tuned to the website for more news!
Whew!
That was a whirlwind of an update. We feel very lucky to be staying so busy in the arts, and we’re grateful to all of you who have offered your support and encouragement and patronage. We love what we do, and we love to share it with you! We promise more regular updates in the coming year.
In the meantime we wish you much joy as 2016 draws to a close.
With Much Love,
Sylvie and Trevor