On a whim, Beeton’s Nancy Chapple Smokler responded to a call for entries to the Mirvish Productions Show Tune Idol. She saw the notice in the Mirvish weekly e-newsletter June 16. On Tuesday, she was “thrilled and tickled” to see the video of her singing ‘Send in the Clowns’ among the 24 chosen from thousands of entries.
The song, written by Stephen Sondheim, is from the 1973 musical A Little Night Music. In 1981, as the character Desirée Armfeldt, Chapple Smokler sang ‘Send in the Clowns’ in the production by New Vic Theatre Company, University of Toronto.
Her recent rendition is among the first of two groups of 12 songs that is now open to voting by the public.
The casting directors at Mirvish Productions, Canada's largest commercial theatre production company, narrowed down “thousands” of entries to 24. They ask the public to watch this week’s 12, including ‘Send in the Clowns’ by Chapple Smokler, and vote for a favourite.
Next week, a second group of 12 will be announced with the same procedure. Once the results are tabulated, three judges —casting director Stephanie Gorin and chat show hosts, Steffi D and Lisa H — decide who will win #1, #2 and #3 spots. The website says, “Trust us, you’ll love these show tune videos. They are great entertainment and they introduce us to some great undiscovered talent.”
The entries had to be in June 19, only giving a couple days to prepare from when the e-newsletter was released. Speaking about preparation and the nervousness live auditions create, Chapple Smokler said, “One thing Covid gave us is the ability to self-record and a chance to do it again. There is more of a sense of calm.”
As it happened, she had been asked to participate in a friend’s online show, Covid Cabaret, and was intending to record ‘Send in the Clowns’. She recorded the song for the Covid Cabaret on Saturday, and in the moment decided to record it again for the Mirvish competition. Chapple Smokler said, “In for a penny, in for a pound.”
For no particular reason, she recorded it first with her glasses on, and then with her glasses off for Mirvish. She sent it off being hopeful, but without expectation.
On Tuesday, she received this week’s edition of the Mirvish e-newsletter and scrolled nonchalantly through the listing. She said to herself “that’s me”, as she saw her recording had been chosen to move on in the competition. Then she listened to the rest of the recordings, appreciating the “fantastic lineup”. Chapple Smokler said, “I'm thrilled to be in the top 24 of thousands of submissions.” She added, “I am honoured as the senior member on the roster.”
Chapple Smokler started her acting career at the age of 10 in 1971-72 as the original Margaret Carmody in CBC’s The Beachcombers. She has acting in her blood. Her mother was a performer and her father was in broadcasting.
As life would have it, she did take an extended hiatus from acting. She said, “I've become active again in theatre since 2011 and am pursuing my love of theatre and performing in earnest, in this, my "second" career.”
Chapple Smokler sang the national anthem in 2018 at a Toronto Blue Jays game, and has had various roles in local theatre productions. She said, “It is awesome to unlock an emotion for someone, or put a little smile on someone’s face."
To watch the video and vote click here. Voting closes at 11:59 p.m. Saturday.
Rosaleen Egan is a freelance journalist, storyteller and playwright. She blogs on her website rosiewrites.com
