Andrew Johns has been rebuilding Elton John’s catalog from the piano bench for 25 years — long enough that the production around him has grown to match the material’s demands rather than just approximate them. Classic Elton, the tribute show Johns leads as singer and keyboardist, arrives at the Brockville Arts Centre on Saturday, October 17, as part of a fall Ontario and Nova Scotia run. This is not a three-piece band working through “Crocodile Rock” in a hotel ballroom; the show travels with a 10-piece ensemble built for range, and the horn player has gone on record noting that “Funeral For A Friend” is a big song to duplicate — which tells you something about the level of ambition at work here.
About the Show
The full production features a horn section and soulful female backup singers, reproducing the textural architecture of Elton John’s classic-era recordings as faithfully as a tribute format allows. Featured vocalist Amy Wang joins Johns throughout the evening, bringing what the production describes as mesmerizing vocals and stage charisma that complement his lead. The set covers Elton’s catalog broadly: “Your Song,” “Rocket Man,” “Bennie and the Jets,” “Saturday Night,” and “Funeral For A Friend” are among the confirmed songs, all performed in the original keys. Costume changes and visual effects round out the staging.
The October 17 date falls in the middle of a regional swing running October 15–20 through Ontario and Nova Scotia. Prior to this run, the production has appeared at the Bilheimer Capitol Theatre in Florida and the Kingston Grand Theatre in Ontario, with a touring footprint that extends to California and British Columbia. The show’s self-billing — “the absolute best Elton John tribute show in North America” — carries the usual weight such claims carry when the promoter writes them, but the multi-venue touring history makes the case for taking the production seriously. Johns brings his own stage presence and wit to the performance; people close to the show describe his approach as closer to channeling than impersonation, Johns inhabiting the material while making the stage framing his own. Show runs 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. Presented by BenefitShow.net. All ages.
Venue & Logistics
The Brockville Arts Centre sits at 235 King Street West in Brockville, Ontario, within the publication’s north-country coverage area. Doors open at 7:00 p.m.
Tickets
Tickets are $66.00 CAD. Buy tickets