Friday, September 4, 2027
By Don Kearney-Bourque, Marketing and Communications Manager
Lighthouse Festival
For Leisa Way, the music of the 1970s is more than a collection of unforgettable hits. It is the sound of childhood, family and discovery—a link to an older sister who helped shape her musical tastes and a joyful reminder of the extraordinary artists who changed popular music forever.
This fall, Way and her acclaimed Wayward Wind Band bring that music to Lighthouse Festival in Get Down Tonight! (The Ultimate 70’s Soundtrack), a high-energy celebration spanning classic rock, disco, funk, folk, pop and the deeply personal work of some of the decade’s greatest singer-songwriters.
The production hits the stage at Lighthouse Theatre in Port Dover from September 15 to 26, followed by performances at Roselawn Theatre in Port Colborne from September 29 to October 4.
The idea for the concert began at Lighthouse. Former Artistic Director Jane Spence asked Way to create a show featuring some of the most popular artists whose music had appeared in sold-out tribute concerts at the theatre over the years. When Way looked at the list, something immediately stood out.
“I realized that almost every concert that audiences loved was an artist from the ’70s,” Way says. She reached out to several other theatres she loves and asked whether they would be interested in sharing such a show with their audiences. The answer was a resounding yes—and Get Down Tonight! was born.
A Decade of Musical Discovery
Way’s connection to the decade is intensely personal. Her sister, Gloria, was 12 years older: a teenager of the 1960s, while Way grew up surrounded by the sounds of the ’70s. Some of Way’s fondest musical memories come from sitting on the living-room floor as a young teen, wearing an enormous pair of headphones and exploring her sister’s eclectic record collection.
One album captivated her above all others: Elton John’s Goodbye Yellow Brick Road. “The lyrics all over the liner notes blew me away,” she recalls. “It was the first time I’d seen that. I sat for hours on the floor following along with the lyrics. I know every word to every song on that album.”
That memory, and Gloria’s wide-ranging taste, became part of the heart of Get Down Tonight! Way listened to hundreds of songs while creating the production, paying close attention not only to each artist’s place in music history but also to the feelings each song stirred in her.
Choosing the final set list was no easy feat. “It was incredibly difficult to choose the songs because I didn’t want the concert to be six hours long!” she says. “But that’s one of the benefits of being the creator; I can choose my favourites.”
Way wanted every selection to contribute to a concert that felt joyful, encouraged audiences to sing along and, wherever the space allowed, inspired them to get up and dance. Many of Gloria’s favourite songs found their way into the show as well.
“My sister is no longer with us, so singing music she loved makes my heart happy,” Way says. “Get Down Tonight! really is dedicated to my sister, Gloria.”
The Soundtrack of Countless Memories
Some songs carry especially vivid stories. Way hints at one number made famous by Cher, though she is determined not to spoil the surprise. Gloria adored the Beatles and was devastated when the group broke up in 1970. Four years later, Way experienced the same heartbreak when Sonny and Cher parted ways. When Gloria left for university, her younger sister made a bold trade: Gloria’s Beatles 45s for Cher records. “She was beside herself,” Way laughs. “It’s a wonder I lived to tell you that story.”
Another highlight is “Sundown,” the timeless hit by Canadian songwriting legend Gordon Lightfoot. Way and the Wayward Wind Band also perform it in their concert Early Morning Rain: The Legend of Gordon Lightfoot, but the song took on new life after a last-minute change several years ago. When a band member was injured and had to miss a performance, the group quickly redistributed his songs, harmonies, dialogue and instrumental parts. Pianist and arranger Bruce Ley, who also plays guitar, stepped into the spotlight to perform “Sundown.” The audience went wild.
“Watching him play at centre stage is truly a lesson in how to stir up an audience,” Way says. “Plus, his guitar solo was brilliant.”
When it came time to build the set list for Get Down Tonight!, there was never any doubt: Ley had to step downstage and perform the song again. Way now calls it one of the concert’s highlights.
Music That Refuses to Fade
The enduring appeal of 1970s music lies partly in its astonishing variety. The decade opened with the breakup of the Beatles and closed as rap began to emerge. In between, audiences heard epic guitar solos, towering rock anthems, irresistible dance-floor grooves and honest, intimate songwriting.
Bands such as Fleetwood Mac, Led Zeppelin and Queen created music that still fills radio playlists and attracts new fans. Earth, Wind & Fire and ABBA made dance music that remains almost impossible to sit still through. Joni Mitchell, Gordon Lightfoot, Carole King, Elton John, James Taylor, Stevie Wonder and Marvin Gaye wrote personal, emotionally direct songs that continue to resonate across generations.
“The music of the ’70s attracts audiences of all ages because, thrillingly, most of these artists’ songs are still very present today,” Way says. “Their music has endured to thrill and excite future generations.” The fashion has returned, too, and young listeners continue to seek out the decade’s artists. Way believes there is a simple reason for that lasting fascination: the 1970s were fun—and people could use more unbridled fun in their lives.
Honouring the Originals Without Imitation
Audiences may know every chorus, riff and lyric, but Way and the Wayward Wind Band are not interested in impersonation. Instead, each musician brings a distinctive voice, personality and performance style to the material while respecting what made the original songs extraordinary. “We never imitate the original artists, but we do try to honour them and their music with a superb interpretation,” Way explains.
After 16 years of creating and performing concerts, she describes this particular lineup as the finest band she has ever assembled.
Jerome Ransome brings what Way calls a glorious voice to the stage, delivering vocals that may have audience members closing their eyes and imagining Stevie Wonder in the room. New lead singer and lead guitarist Jeremy Fox combines an opera education from Western University with the power of a remarkable rock vocalist. His exhilarating performances frequently earn standing ovations in the middle of a show.
Also new to Lighthouse audiences are Mark Dunn, whose musicianship and versatile voice move beautifully between Creedence Clearwater Revival and James Taylor, and John Collin, one of Toronto’s finest drummers.
At the heart of the band is Ley, Way’s collaborator of more than 20 years. His long and varied career has included serving as pianist on The Tommy Hunter Show, composing music for Sesame Street and Polka Dot Door, and creating the score for an Academy Award-nominated film. He has also worked extensively with CBC and operates a recording studio on his 80-acre property. His creativity continues well beyond the concert stage. In recent years, Ley completed a symphony for a 60-piece orchestra and became an accomplished painter after accompanying his teenage daughter to a workshop. His work has since appeared in galleries and exhibitions.
For Way, however, his influence is as personal as it is professional.
“Our collaborations are career highlights for me, not only because of his extraordinary talent as an arranger, but because Bruce is one of my favourite people in the world,” she says. “He continues to inspire me with his endless creativity and the generosity of his mentorship with other artists.” Standing onstage surrounded by these musicians, Way says, makes her feel like the luckiest person in the world.
Building the Show
The finished production may feel effortless, but it required eight months of research, writing, arranging, design and rehearsal—a compressed timeline compared with many of Way’s previous concerts. Her process begins with the world surrounding the music. She researches not only artists and songs but also historical events, fashion, cultural shifts, television and film. That wider context helps turn the production into more than a sequence of hits; it gives the evening a narrative through-line and places the songs within the decade that produced them.
After identifying the artists and events that most influenced music, Way shares her ideas with the band. A musician’s personal connection to a particular artist or song can help determine how it fits into the production. Way then searches for fascinating stories to accompany the music and writes the dialogue that weaves the concert together. Once the structure is established, she and Ley brainstorm how to interpret each number. Way sketches costume ideas, and for this production she collaborated with video designer Joe Recchia, the first time she has incorporated a full videoscape into one of her concerts.
The music develops collaboratively. About two months before opening, the band spends two days playing through the charts to make sure the arrangements and keys work. Six weeks before the first performance, the musicians begin meeting at least once a week to learn the material and make adjustments. A concentrated rehearsal period follows during the final week. Sound designer Steve Morris and Lighthouse Festival Technical Director Hailey Parker then add the finishing touches. Yet after months of preparation, Way says one essential ingredient can only arrive when the curtain rises. “The magic doesn’t truly happen until we have an audience!”
The concert received its world premiere at Globus Theatre in Bobcaygeon before travelling to Port Stanley Festival Theatre and the Gibson Centre in Alliston. Following its Lighthouse Festival engagement, the show will continue to Theatre Collingwood and Upper Canada Playhouse.
Artists Who Showed the Way
The performers who shaped the 1970s also influenced Way’s identity as an artist. As a teenager, she marvelled at the way Queen, Aerosmith and Led Zeppelin transformed classical musical ideas into rock songs. Elton John and Freddie Mercury demonstrated that standing apart from the crowd could be something worth celebrating.
Cher’s strength, independence, talent and fabulous wardrobe left a lasting impression. Dolly Parton, who crossed from country music into pop and encouraged generations of women to be unapologetically themselves, was another powerful influence. Stevie Wonder’s artistic achievements and humanitarian work inspired Way, while Canadian icons Gordon Lightfoot and Joni Mitchell helped her believe that building a life in the arts in Canada was possible.
There is even an early ABBA chapter in Way’s own creative history. Long before Mamma Mia! reached the stage, her Grade 9 drama project was a play accompanied by ABBA songs—the first “musical” she ever wrote.
Two Hours of Sheer Fun
Above all, Way hopes Get Down Tonight! allows audience members to leave the cares of the day behind. For those who lived through the decade, the concert offers a chance to revisit treasured memories. For younger theatregoers, it is an invitation to discover extraordinary artists and songs that continue to shape music today. “I hope that audiences feel uplifted for the two hours they share with us in the theatre,” she says. “Our main goal is for every single person to have a great time in the theatre that brings joy to their hearts. And I hope they sing… and dance!”
That joyful spirit makes the production an ideal finale to Lighthouse Festival’s 2026 summer season. The entire show is a celebration: of the music, of gathering together and of the shared experience that only live performance can create. “Music makes our hearts happier,” Way says. “We all need to dance, to sing and to share these magical moments together. Music is the one thing that has the ability to bring us all together. No matter what our age, race, religion or politics, music has the power to bring the world together as one. And isn’t that a beautiful thing?”
Get Down Tonight! (The Ultimate 70’s Soundtrack) is on stage at Lighthouse Theatre in Port Dover from September 15 to 26 and at Roselawn Theatre in Port Colborne from September 29 to October 4. Tickets are available at lighthousetheatre.com or by calling the box office at 888-779-7703.