Lies and Legends – The Musical Stories of Harry Chapin is not a traditional play, but rather a concert-style tribute to the music and storytelling of singer-songwriter Harry Chapin, best known for the enduring classic Cat's in the Cradle.
Performed on the Magnus Theatre’s Outdoor Stage in Thunder Bay, the production features five actor-musicians who rotate between instruments and voices, performing Chapin’s songs while occasionally stepping into the roles of the characters his lyrics describe.
Instead of a central storyline or dialogue-driven scenes, the show relies on Chapin’s songs to carry the emotion and narrative. The idea is to let the music tell the stories and ask the audience to visualize the characters and situations themselves. In theory, this works well for Chapin’s work. However, the outdoor setting and slightly muddy sound mix made it difficult at times to catch all the lyrics.
Despite the sound challenges, the musical performances themselves were strong. Each cast member brought energy and skill to the stage, shifting between instruments and vocal parts with ease. A particular highlight was watching Katherine Nemec smoothly switch between playing guitar and keyboard on single song without missing a beat. These kinds of moments underscored the professionalism and talent of the performers, who clearly put a lot of care into their interpretations.
The stage put full focus on the music, and the format of the show is consistent. One song flows into the next, with brief transitions in between. There’s little to no dialogue or commentary. Everything is filtered through Chapin’s lyrics. This structure may not appeal to audiences looking for a traditional theatre experience, but it serves its purpose for those who come to hear the music.
The opening night audience really enjoyed the show, especially those attendees who had a personal connection to Chapin’s music.
A few audience members, including RFDA Executive Director Volker Kromm, had actually attended Chapin’s only Thunder Bay concert 50 years ago.
“Not only was the music perfect, but for me, the journey brought back many, many memories,” Kromm said. “And it was such a celebration of local talent. It was amazing. And I really encourage people to come to the remaining concerts because it speaks to you. Harry still has a life lesson to teach.”
While it may not be fair to compare Lies and Legends directly to scripted stage plays with sets, costumes, and dialogue, it still succeeds on its own terms as a musical performance.
For fans of Harry Chapin, it’s a rare chance to hear his songs live, performed by skilled local artists. For others, it’s a beautiful introduction to an artist whose songs combine melody with story in a way few others do.
The show runs until August 2nd at the Magnus Theatre Outdoor Stage. If you’re a fan of Chapin or interested in a different kind of live performance that focuses on musical storytelling, it’s worth checking out... just be prepared for more concert than play.
