 |
| Ryan: Jeff has always been a huge influence in my life. Subsequently he's responsible, along with Gene Kelly, for my acting career as he's been a constant inspiration. I actually was told by his daughter a story about Gene and Jeff. It seems as if Jeff was doing a pre-recorded tap in LA for some woman who could fake the motions of tapping but couldn't actually do it. While Jeff was in the sound studio, who should walk by the window and look in? Gene Kelly. He stood and waited for an hour and a half until they were done. Gene then asked the director "to talk to that young man". Jeff and Gene had a good long talk by themselves for about 2 hours. Gene told Jeff that he was the most amazingly talented performer he'd seen in a long time. Gene Kelly gave Jeff his tap shoes right after. Jeff wore them for one performance and the put them in a showbox and sealed it up tight. Alleine: The concert was in Cranbrook, BC. I first saw Jeff before the cocnert but didn't thave enough guts to talk to him. During his show I was in the front row and I was in heaven. His show was fantastic. I was seated right next to Brent Carvers Mom. And to my left was Jeff Hyslop's sister, who was really nice! After the show Jeff came out and gave me a hug, talked with me and let me take a picture with him. He said my name was beautiful and I almost melted! His sister could not believe how big the fans were in Cranbrook. So thats my story and it was the greatest night! I got to meet one of the greatest Canadian actors of all time. Lesley-Anne: My favourite moment in Jeff's career was when he played the apostle in the movie version of Andrew Lloyd Webber's Jesus Christ Superstar. Being English, I haven't seen Jeff in much else, but I have been a fan of his for over 12 or so years. He's fantastic! And I love that hair! LONG LIVE JEFF! Laurie: I have to admit I was somewhat nervous about seeing Jeff perform. After all, the last performance of his I had seen was from 1987 -- 13 years ago! Maybe he would have changed so much it would be like watching a stranger. Those fears evaporated as soon as Jeff came out on the stage. Despite his white hair, he was instantly, reassuringly recognizable. The show was something of a career retrospective, loosely tied together by a part serious, part comical, not really chronological narrative that Jeff gave between songs. And the songs! From "Chorus Line," "Dancin' Man," "Anne of Green Gables," "Today's Special," "Phantom of the Opera," "Kiss of the Spider Woman," "Carousel," the list goes on. What amazed me throughout the show was that Jeff has so many "voices" when he sings. There's the clear strong tenor that we heard for so many years on Today's Special. Then there was a deeper voice, in the lower baritone range, his "Phantom" voice. He *never* sang that low on Today's Special, and it was amazing to hear this deep earthy sound, especially when he was singing "Music of the Night" and "September Song." Then there was his falsetto (heard on Today's Special in "Memories") which he used to beautiful effect in "If I Loved You" and "I Don't Care Much." Sometimes he would use a mix of different voices in one song. I was floored by the variety of moods he was able to call up with a simple change of voice. His sense of humor, the comedic timing, which was so apparent on Today's Special, was in good shape too. He had us all laughing in no time. His extraordinary acting ability came through on each and every song, as he performed them as if in the context of the shows they were taken from. A special highlight was his tribute to "Today's Special." When I watch this immensely talented man and see the depth of his abilities, I find it amazing that he spent so much time and put so much of himself into a children's show. It warmed my heart when Jeff said that because of the fact that families watched the show together, and because he and Nina Keogh and Bob Dermer and Nerene Virgin had become like a family themselves as they did the show, it was one of the most rewarding experiences of his career. As he said this, he had his hands over his heart. Another highlight of the first act was when he sang "Music of the Night." I've heard the song sung by many before, but Jeff makes it his own, singing it more slowly than anyone else dares to, drawing out the meaning of the words. It made me wish I had seen him as the Phantom myself! Throughout the evening Jeff danced, during songs and between songs. He delighted us with little steps here and there, some soft shoe tapping, and spectacularly high kicks which had the audience cheering! No one dances quite like he does, he's got the lightness and grace that make him almost seem to float over the surface of the stage combined with impressive athleticism, a perfect cross between Fred Astaire and Gene Kelly. Even when he wasn't actually dancing, he had command of his body and the stage with which he created whatever mood he chose. David Warrack played an easy light-fingered piano that matched Jeff's style beautifully. Warrack also joined Jeff in a duet, "Two of a Kind." It was great the way their voices blended and created one lovely sound. The end of this lovely evening was meeting a very approachable Jeff Hyslop afterwards for the first time. He was just as kind as Kim and Kelly told me he would be, and seemed to really appreciate how far we had come to see him perform. Heather: Just wanted to let you know I received Jeff's CD on Friday and I just love it. Not only for Jeff's superior phrasing, dynamic, and overall emotion he puts into each song, but also for the wonderful addition of David Warrack who is a very accomplished pianist. They compliment each other perfectly. I like the dialogue some of the pieces have; it makes you feel like you are watching the actual show (which I did not have the privilege of seeing in person). I'd have to say my favorite right now is the medley starting with "I Don't Care Much." It is very bold and serious, and David Warrack takes you spinning into it as Jeff floats in. Michelle: I saw Jeff for the first time on stage as the Phantom of the Opera in 1991 or 1992. However, it wasn�t until last year that I got to meet him in person! It was a show this time last year in Sherwood Park (a suburb of Edmonton) Alberta. I was really looking forward to this and was thinking about this moment for a decade. The show was really great -- songs from a lot of my favourite musicals (�Anne of Green Gables�, �Phantom of the Opera�, �Cabaret�, �Kiss of the Spider Woman�, among others) and even some songs from �Today�s Special�, which was a special treat for me. (TS was how I first became a Jeff Hyslop fan. I�ve been one for as long as I can remember.) I remember that I bought his �Feet First� album about a year before and brought it to the concert, wondering if I�d be able to have him sign it. I was so pleased to be brought backstage and he signed both my CD and my programme at intermission time! I also got my picture taken with him after the show. All in all, the night was a big thrill for me, and I�m hoping to see another one of the great concerts he puts on! Return Home |
| Fan Stories Here you'll find fan stories on Jeff's various performances on the stage and screen. If you would like to write a paragraph or two, please e-mail the webmaster. Also, if you'd like to incude a picture, please attach that in the message. Enjoy! |