Here, The People Sing

An intimate and electrifying concert journey through the music and the story of one of the world’s most popular musicals.

Set against the backdrop of 19th century France, we tell an enthralling story of broken dreams and unrequited love, passion, sacrifice and redemption – a timeless testament to the survival of the human spirit.

This epic and uplifting story, based on the novel by Victor Hugo, has become one of the most celebrated musicals in theatrical history.

Experience the beloved songs sung and played by an international cast and woven together with riveting narration, all in the outdoor splendor of the Okanagan Villa Courtyard at the Vibrant Vine Winery.

An intimate and electrifying journey through the music and the story of one of the world’s most popular musicals.

Cast

Melina Schein,
Soprano, Producer, Director

Argentine-born soprano Melina Schein grew up in New York City and trained in opera, musical theatre, acting and piano at The Juilliard School, the Manhattan School of Music, Mannes College of Music and the Teatro Colon in Buenos Aires, Argentina. She has performed in operas and musicals worldwide, and is a frequent soloist with the Prince George Symphony, Burnaby Symphony, Kelowna Canada Day Symphony Orchestra, Symphony of the Kootenays, Kamloops Symphony, Okanagan Symphony Orchestra and the Victoria Summer Symphony as well as a featured artist on CBC Radio Two. For a decade, Schein toured with musical theatre legend Peter Karrie (London’s famed Phantom of the Opera), in The Phantom Returns. She has been the cantorial soloist for Temple Beth Shalom in Manhattan and The Okanagan Jewish Community Centre in Kelowna. Schein was the producer and co-star of Opera with a Twist, an original production bringing opera to the masses across Western Canada. She is the former artist-in-residence at Swarovski’s Sparkling Hill Wellness Resort and the creator of The Soprano on the Loose, featuring the beloved standards of the Golden Era of Hollywood. Current and ongoing projects include performing as the soprano soloist in the national touring production of Music of the Night – A Tribute to Andrew Lloyd Webber with Vancouver’s Sound the Alarm Music/Theatre (beginning in 2019), and presiding as founder and artistic director of her Okanagan-based companies: Big Apple Productions and Valley Vocal Arts. Schein is passionate about training the next generation of theatre artists and bringing Broadway-quality musical productions to BC’s Interior audiences.

Nathan Keoghan,
Tenor

Baritone Nathan Keoughan is a rising star to watch. Praised for his “booming, rich voice”, this fine singing actor has been lauded for his “charismatic, frightening and empathetic” performances (Broadway World). Nathan’s 2022-2023 season began with his first Verdi role, covering Conte di Luna in Opéra de Montréal’s Il trovatore and later in the season he will sing triple roles (Adler/Rabe/Zeus) in Pacific Opera Victoria’s production of Braunfel’s Die Vögel. He also joins Sound the Alarm’s tour of Music of the Night in celebration of the music of Andrew Lloyd Webber in the spring of 2023.
Nathan got his operatic start as an emerging artist in Calgary Opera’s young artist program followed by two seasons at l’Opéra de Montréal’s professional training program l’Atelier lyrique. While there, Nathan was given the opportunity to cover the role of Pink in Opéra de Montréal’s new creation Another Brick in the Wall based on the iconic Pink Floyd album, The Wall. The next year Nathan took over the starring role, making his American debut with Cincinnati Opera as the jaded rockstar. In those performances, Mr. Keoughan was praised for his “commanding presence in this marathon leading role, singing for nearly the opera’s duration” (Bachtrack). In 2019 he reprised the role in Toronto at the Meridian Hall and was scheduled to sing further performances at Vancouver Opera, Michigan Opera Theatre, and Brott Opera, all of which were regretfully cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Other opera performance highlights include: Leo Stein in Twenty-Seven with l’Atelier lyrique, Paris in Roméo et Juliette and Sciarrone in Tosca with l’Opéra de Montréal, Silvio in Pagliacci with Semaine Italienne Festival, and Escamillo in Carmen with Orchestre symphonique de Longueuil. Born into a musical family on Prince Edward Island, the young baritone studied voice at University of Prince Edward Island before joining the New England Conservatory in Boston.

Nathan Keoughan

Carol Colpitts,
Pianist, Director, Arranger, Producer

Upon completion of her classical studies with Edward Parker, Ms. Colpitts began an active career in Vancouver as rehearsal/performance pianist and/or Musical Director for over 50 musicals at the community (MUSSOC, Metro, York) and professional (ARTS CLUB, VANCOUVER PLAYHOUSE, THEATRE UNDER THE STARS) level. She was rehearsal pianist under the direction of Bev Fyfe for the Vancouver Opera Association, as well as many variety shows produced by the CBC, BCTV and the PNE. Carol enjoyed the privilege of collaborating with esteemed directors, Otto Lowy and James Johnston, choreographers Grace McDonald and Valerie Easton and has worked with many of Canada’s best Actors including Tony-award winner Brent Carver. Carol and her family moved to Kelowna in 1990, and following a short respite, resumed her career as Musical Director for MASK, ENCORE, and Celebrative Arts Pastor at Trinity Baptist Church. For 10 seasons, Ms. Colpitts performed throughout Western Canada with the late Michael Burgess, and is currently pianist for the highly acclaimed national tour of Music of the Night, The Concert Tour with Sound the Alarm Music Theatre Company, based in Vancouver. Other recent tours/performance opportunities include TENORE, Phantom of the Villa with Peter Karrie and Melina Schein (Courtyard Concert Series), guest accompanist for the BC Choral Federation, numerous recordings, and classical concerts. She is principal keyboardist and Chorus Administrator for the Okanagan Symphony Orchestra. Her unique blend of classical, pop, light jazz and contemporary piano stylings make her a much sought-after collaborator and clinician. She is also a prolific choral and orchestral arranger.
From 2021-2023 Carol was Director/Treasurer of the Kelowna Citizens for a New Performing Arts Society, and remains an advisor and consultant. Their mission is to accelerate the building of a world class Performing Arts Centre in Kelowna. Carol and her (very musical) husband, Dennis, have two daughters: Sarah (Physician) and her husband Tim (Architect) live in Calgary; Alison (Lawyer) in Vancouver. But her most favourite role is that of grandma to 3 year old Hannah and her soon to arrive sibling.

Alan Corbishley,
Baritone, Producer, Director

Baritone Alan Corbishley has sung throughout North America and Europe. In the UK, he sang Marcello in Puccini’s La Bohème, Mozart’s Mass in C minor, and Bach’s St. Mathew’s and St. Johns Passion’, Dr. Falke in Die Fledermaus in London, and Papageno in The Magic Flute in Belfast. He sang with Vancouver Opera (La Boheme) and with Opera Theátre Besançon in France. He returned to sing in Peter Eötvös’ contemporary opera Le Balcon and then once again to sing Parmenione in Rossini’s opera L’occassione fa il Ladro. Alan performed many times with the KSO including Mahlers’ Das Lied von der Erde and Polar Express as well as with the Kamloops Symphony and then the Mozart Requiem with the Okanagan Symphony. With Western Canada Theatre, Alan had lead roles in their productions of Fiddler on the Roof, My Fair Lady, Beauty and the Beast, Seussical and Les Miserables. Other concert credits include singing with the Boston Symphony, Verdi’s Requiem, Beethoven’s 9th, and Rachmanioff’s The Bells.
Alan received his B. Music from the University of British Columbia and his Masters of Music from the New England Conservatory of Music in Boston in Voice and Opera. Alan also studied at the prestigious Tanglewood Music Center and at The Music Academy of the West in California which is headed by famed mezzo-soprano Marilyn Horne. Later, Alan lived in France for a one-year apprenticeship program in Marseille. Alan is the Artistic Director of Sound the Alarm: Music/Theatre) and is working more as an acclaimed director with many credits to his name, and is currently on faculty at the Vancouver Academy of Music.
www.soundthealarm.ca www.alancorbishley.com

Delphine Litke,
Mezzo-Soprano

Delphine has been a part of the Okanagan’s theatre scene for over 20 years. Originally from Vernon, Del has spent some time with Powerhouse Theatre, as well as 3 years of training with StudioMoore (now Valley Vocal Arts) before moving to Kelowna.
Over the last 14 years, Delphine has become a fan favourite with Kelow Actors Studio, having been involved in over 40 productions. Memorable roles include Mätron Mama Morton (Chicago), Billy’s Mother (Billy Elliot), Rosie (Mamma Mial), and Judy Bernly (9 to 5 – The Musical).
Delphine has also taken part in productions with MadFox Theatre (Musical Mayhem – Legally
Blonde), and the Virago Collective (her one-woman show The Tingle Part 1 & 2). In her
“downtime”, Del also sings with local band Sista B & the Boyz, and can be found belting out 80’s power ballads at karaoke nights.

Brian Martin,
Radio Announcer, Narrator

Brian Martin has been entertaining radio audiences in the Okanagan since moving from Saskatchewan 25 years ago. He can currently be heard on 107.5 Beach Mornings in Vernon, BC. A local celebrity with tons of heart, Brian is known for his community spirit as a champion for countless local charities and causes. Brian is also a familiar and beloved face in local theatre with Big Apple Productions, and has come to be known for his recurrent leading roles in such shows as “The Rocky Horror Show,” “Spamalot,” “Chicago,” “Fiddler on the Roof,” “Pirates of Penzance” and more. He will play the infamous Emcee in Kander & Ebb’s “Cabaret” in 2023.

Here, The People Sing