On Dec. 11 the Christian Life Assembly in Gibsons was transformed into a snowy winter scene as the vocal performance ensemble Ispira took over to perform Castles in the Snow, a musical celebration of the winter season and the Christmas story. Although the set, with its cozy fireplace scene on one side, and its winter-scape including icy castle on the other is truly impressive, Castles in the Snow is all about the music. Kenneth Norman Johnson is responsible for the concept, music and libretto, as well as the stage direction. Ken also accompanies the group on piano, along with Tim Enns on drums and Michelle Satanove on cello.
The first act was structured around a bedtime story, read by Papa to Chrissie, (seven-year-old Daphne Kubicek), fireside. It included a short skating scene, performed by 11-year-old Grace Donnahee. The second act explored Christmases past and present, and told the Christmas story, with the cast becoming old-fashioned carollers.
Kenneth’s home audience, in Pender Harbour, knows to expect gorgeous music, complex harmonies and a colourful set; Castles was performed there last year, along with The Quest, another choral musical production. This year’s Gibsons audience was delighted.
As one of the performers with Ispira, my review here is unabashedly gleeful. It was just so fun. Kenneth’s mission with Ispira is “to inspire and be inspired” (from the Facebook page) and that is just the experience of those lucky enough to work with him. Ken’s most extraordinary skill (and the list is long) is his ability to bring out the best in his performers. And there’s always the usual dollop of adversity to overcome when putting on a performance this time of year: illnesses, storms and conflicts of schedule. This makes for a real feeling of pulling together for the cast. And in the end it becomes about communication. Communicating a beautiful message, beautifully. Certainly we can all use a little more of that.
