"Caribou Song" brought to the stage

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On Feb. 23, 2002, a new production company called Red Sky is presenting the Canadian premiere of the stage adaptation of Tomson Highway's new children's book "Caribou Song," with music supplied by the Toronto Symphony Orchestra.

"This type of multi-disciplinary body of work has never happened before. Never before have Native people been involved in a production that intertwines storytelling, dance, song, theatre, orchestral and traditional music all in one experience," said Sandra Laronde, Red Sky artistic director.

"Caribou Song" is about one northern Cree family's relationship with the caribou. This production will bring the book to life combining the creative talents of Sandra Laronde, Carlos Rivera amd 80 classical musicians.

"This production previewed in Switzerland on Sept. 2 and 3, 2001. Following this [Toronto] performance we are planning on a North American tour. For that tour we have scaled the production down somewhat in order to accommodate the musical presence, whether that happens to be a symphony, philharmonic or chamber ensemble available to us in the communities that we go to. This means that we will be able to take the production to small, rural Native communities or to large, urban city centres," explained Laronde.

"Tomson has written a round dance into the performance. Hearing a full symphony performing a traditional round dance is really something," she said.

"Caribou Song will be performed at 1:30 p.m. and 3:30 p.m. on Feb. 23rd 2002 at Roy Thomson Hall in Toronto. This is a family-oriented production and is especially geared to children five to 10 years of age. For more information contact the Toronto Symphony Orchestra box office.