Photo Flash: Anne Murray Musical Debuts To Sold-Out Crowd In Star's Home Province

Could I Have This Dance?, a new musical featuring the hits of Grammy-award-winning Canadian songstress Anne Murray, took the stage for the first time this past Friday in Halifax.

The musical, which weaves music from the international music icon's songbook into an original story, was performed in front of a sold-out audience at the Rebecca Cohn auditorium, Nova Scotia's largest soft-seat performance venue.

Billed as a special concert performance, the show was a part of the weekend-long 30th anniversary celebrations of the Anne Murray Centre.

On Saturday, the show's writers, Belinda Hart and Geordie Brown, attended further celebrations in Murray's hometown of Springhill, NS, where they announced an ongoing relationship between the centre and the show, through which the centre will receive a percentage of the musical's future box office sales. The celebration also presented star-studded video messages from Céline Dion, Carole King, Dolly Parton, Olivia Newton-John, Michael Buble, Reba McEntire, and other colleagues and friends from Anne's enduring 40-year career.

Could I Have This Dance? recently announced a partnership with SquarePeg International, who have been producing partners of Broadway and West End musicals, including the 2010 Tony-Award-winning revival of La Cage Aux Folles and this year's Olivier-Award-winning West End production of Come From Away.

"Productions that will significantly touch people in heartfelt ways with words, movements, and music are what we all need right now." says Doug Ross, SquarePeg's managing director and chairman of SquarePeg Venture Capital.

"I believe that Could I Have This Dance? has the opportunity to stand out from the crowd with its engaging timeless narrative, original relevant story, proven music, and an ensemble cast that truly reflects the power of an engaged artistic community".

Michelle Bohn, Designer. 
Ryan O’Gara, Lighting Designer. 
Naftali Wayne, Associate Lighting Designer. 
Mary Lou Martin, Choreographer / Associate Director. 
Book by Belinda Hart & Geordie Brown. 
Directed by Geordie Brown.
Photos by Timothy Richard.
Presented by Theriault Financial Inc. with support from SquarePeg International.

Laura Larson, David Michael Moote, Andrew MacNaughton, Ellen Denny
Company of COULD I HAVE THIS DANCE?
David Michael Moote and Company
Andrew MacNaughton, Ellen Denny
David Michael Moote and Company
Laura Larson, Judy Marshak, Charlotte Moore
Andrew MacNaughton, Ellen Denny
Judy Marshak, Charlotte Moore
Judy Marshak
Company of COULD I HAVE THIS DANCE?
Ellen Denny
Andrew MacNaughton
Rebecca McCauley, Phoebe Rex
Andrew MacNaughton, Laura Larson, Phoebe Rex, Charlotte Moore
Judy Marshak, Charlotte Moore, Ellen Denny, Laura Larson
Company of COULD I HAVE THIS DANCE? - A new musical featuring the hits of Anne Murray.
Company of COULD I HAVE THIS DANCE?
Laura Larson, Charlotte Moore, Jennette White
Laura Larson, Ellen Denny, Charlotte Moore
Ellen Denny
Laura Larson, Ellen Denny
David Michael Moote, Willa Morvan
Willa Morvan
Ellen Denny
Ellen Denny, Judy Marshak
Ellen Denny, Judy Marshak
Judy Marshak, Charlotte Moore
Laura Larson, David Michael Moote
Laura Larson, David Michael Moote
Lucas Popowich, Judy Marshak, Ellen Denny
Laura Larson, Charlotte Moore
Ellen Denny
Laura Larson, Ellen Denny, Charlotte Moote
Judy Marshak, Ellen Denny
Charlotte Moote, Ellen Denny, Laura Larson
Jennette White, Laura Larson, Charlotte Moore, Ellen Denny
Laura Larson
Ellen Denny, Andrew MacNaughton
Ellen Denny, Laura Larson, Andrew MacNaughton, Judy Marshak, Phoebe Rex
Rebecca McCauley, Andrew MacNaughton
Laura Larson, Ellen Denny, Charlotte Moore