Pete Seeger was an American folk singer, political activist, environmentalist, and key figure in the mid-20th century American folk music revival. He sang in defence of the poor, the oppressed, and the exploited; and always to enliven and encourage, to delight, and to tell tales.
Mark Hellman ("...a charmingly dynamic actor." - Colin Thomas, Georgia Straight) brings this extraordinary artist to life in this unique full-length solo performance based on his 1972 autobiography, combining theatre, story telling, music and audience participation in the form of a huge sing along, for which Seeger was perhaps most famous.
In his own words, and the music of many, Seeger takes the audience on a journey spanning 35 years and featuring all or part of 29 songs, reflecting on his involvement in the formative events of the 20th Century, his travels around the world, and his encounters with some of his greatest inspirations, including Woody Guthrie, Lee Hays, Leadbelly, Martin Luther King, and the love of his life, Toshi Ohta.
Endlessly engaging and entertaining, "Pete Seeger's The Incompleat Folksinger" aims to put Seeger's principle idea into action: "Participation. That's what's gonna save the human race."
Affordable, adaptable, simply staged and purely theatrical, this show is ideally suited to touring.
REVIEWS
"….it’s so real. It became this huge sing along…I’ve never been to a piece of theatre like that." – David Lennam, CBC Victoria
"...beautiful tunes, accomplished storytelling and an immense heart." – Janis La Couvée (blogger, Victoria, BC)
" …a beacon on the horizon that calls out to our better selves to respond, to act….this show, an old-style hootenanny, will get you humming and singing and clapping...you’ll thank yourself for taking it in." – Baird Blackstone, BrokenLegReviews, Vancouver
