A Great Song
I've always believed that a great song can do a lot of heavy lifting. It can make you laugh, break your heart, transport you somewhere else, or get stuck in your head for three days. I've spent more than 30 years singing them, from musical theatre and jazz to cabaret, choral music and everything in between.
Skimbleshanks
There are many great roles in musical theatre. Then there’s Skimbleshanks, the railway cat. Yes, really.
I spent months in orange fur, stripes and an alarming amount of stage makeup playing CATS’ resident feline efficiency expert. And then came his big Act II number, Skimbleshanks: The Railway Cat.
It’s a glorious, ridiculously energetic song about a cat who apparently has more authority over the night train than most railway executives. It requires singing, dancing, acting, feline dignity and enough stamina to make you question why you ever thought this was a good idea.
I loved every minute of it.
The Railway Cat
Playing the title role in Living With Henry was one of those jobs that took me much further than I expected, all the way from New York Musical Theatre Festival to an Off-Broadway run.
It was a terrific role, a wonderful cast, and a chance to work on a show that demanded plenty of heart, humour, physicality, and some screaming vocals.
It also happened to be the fittest I have ever been in my life. Which was fortunate, because a significant portion of the show required significantly less clothing than I would normally consider appropriate for theatre.
(featuring Ryan Kelly)
HenryLiving With Henry
up all night
For 25 years, I was the lead singer of “up all night”, a Celtic folk-rock band that proudly called itself “anarcoustic.”
There were late nights. Very late nights. Green beer. Loud guitars. Celtic tunes. Questionable fashion. The occasional trumpet. And an alarming number of people who apparently thought St. Patrick’s Day was a perfectly good excuse to sing along at full volume.
It was sweaty, silly, occasionally chaotic and a whole lot of fun. And somehow, after 25 years, they still hadn't figured out what genre they were.
Celtic. Folk. Rock. Anarcoustic
For the past few years, I’ve had the ridiculous good fortune of sharing the stage with Heather Bambrick at the Ontario Sports Hall of Fame, and she has become one of my Broadsway besties along the way.
We've sung together at Roy Thomson Hall, the Metropolitan Community Church of Toronto, crossed the Rhine on a river cruise, and found plenty of other places to make music and get ourselves into trouble.
Heather is one of those rare people who can make you laugh until your face hurts and then turn around and absolutely slay a vocal.
A laugh and a half, a whole lot of music, and some seriously killer vocals. I couldn't ask for a better singing partner or friend.
(featuring Heather Bambrick)
She's just a Broadsway, babyA Laugh & A Half
Some childhood dreams actually come true.
I grew up a huge fan of the Rankin Family, so getting to perform with Heather Rankin is still a little surreal. What makes it even better is that somewhere along the way, the childhood idol became a very good friend.
We've shared the stage in Jesus Christ Superstar in Halifax, performed a Christmas show at our alma mater, Acadia University, and even found ourselves singing together on a European river cruise.
From a childhood dream to years of music, friendship and laughter, the joy never seems to end.
(featuring Heather Rankin)
Kindred SpiritsFrom Fan to Friend
Every great performer needs an alter ego. Mine has spectacular legs.
Sydni Rivers is a gorgeous model, enchanting vocalist, award-winning artist and proud recipient of the Golden Diva 2023. She is glamour, drama and camp wrapped up in an evening gown, with just enough vocal ability to convince you she belongs onstage.
Think cabaret at its finest, turned up several notches and served with a healthy dose of rhinestones, attitude and absolutely no shame.
Sydni may be an alter ego, but the joy is very, very real.
Sydni Rivers | The Golden Diva