Alumna rides challenging ‘River’ in production

By Adela Talbot

On paper, it was not her style. But that is exactly why Louise Pitre accepted the gig.

“Joni Mitchell is the last thing I though I would be singing on stage. I know her famous songs, but I never owned any of her albums. I thought, ‘Oh my god. It’s just not my thing.’ So, it was a very cool challenge,” said Pitre, BMus’79, DMus’06, known as Canada’s first lady of musical theatre.

Opening this week at The Grand Theatre, Joni Mitchell: River celebrates the music of one of Canada’s iconic artists. Pitre will take the stage with Emm Gryner and Brendan Wall, performing with a four-piece band and collectively singing 29 songs, including Help Me, Big Yellow Taxi and Both Sides Now. Created and directed by Allen MacInnis, the theatrical concert is a tribute to Mitchell, though not one that aims to mimic her style, Pitre said.