The Grand Theatre’s newest production Rubaboo opened to audiences earlier this month.
Rubaboo directed by Alanis King and co-written by Andrea Menard and Robert Walsh is a Métis Cabaret.
The word Rubaboo, itself is derived from the Michif word for “leftovers stew” or “big pot,” featuring a variety of different songs from long-time collaborators Menard and Walsh.
King, the director of Rubaboo, described her experience working with Andrea on the show together.
“I was reached by Andrea, who is the writer and she’s the co-writer of all the music, there are about 19 songs in the piece she co-wrote with Robert Walsh,” King said.
She continued saying that “It’s been awesome, it’s a reunion actually for us, I directed her cabaret called Velvet Devil I think that was around 2008 and it was great to be able to reconnect with her.”
Menard, a veteran in the industry is also a singer/songwriter, actor, speaker, and the founder of the Sacred Feminine Learning Lodge.
She went on to talk about the creation of the show, with the idea of the collaboration coming from Dennis Garnham, the Artistic Director of the Grand Theatre.
From left to right; Robert Walsh, Andrea Menard, Karen Shepard, and Nathan Aswsell.
“Dennis Garnham called me, and said that they were renovating the downstairs theatre, and they were looking for a new show so they ended up coming to me,” Menard said.
Menard talked more in-depth about some of the significance of the indigenous and Metit messages throughout the show.
“It’s a Metis celebration to help the world understand what amazing people we are, and further reconciliation,” Menard said continuing.
“I grew up singing with my dad, who’s the king of the kitchen party, me my mom and dad would always be singing” Menard added.
Going on to say “I grew up with beautiful music, always. One indigenous audience member talked about some of the themes on display during the show, and how she was able to relate.”
Walsh went on to describe his artistic relationship with Menard, having worked on multiple albums and solos together in the past.
“My association with Andrea Menard goes way back like 20-plus years, but I’m an artist in my own right, and an educator, musician, and a career musician,” said Walsh.
The music and imagery were so amazing, It was like a show and more like I was connecting with one of my aunties,” she said.
Even non-indigenous audience members could relate in some ways, like one woman who even found some connections to her Irish heritage.
“It didn’t realize it was such a Celtic theme and origin to the music and that and the risk, the persecution and the persecution,” she continued.
She continued saying “I felt that same desire for freedom that the Irish People have also fought for, it was quite emotional for me.”
The show will be playing at the Grand till March 25, with it being the second to last show of this year’s season.
Menard is also starring in the CTV original, Sullivan’s Crossing, premiering later this month, and Walsh is releasing a number of singles later this month.
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