Inside American Pie is nothing short of a masterclass in musicianship and storytelling – a spellbinding celebration of some of the most beloved songs of the 20th century, performed by an ensemble of astonishingly talented artists.
From the moment the show begins, it’s clear this is no ordinary tribute performance. Each performer plays multiple instruments, moving seamlessly between them while delivering note-perfect renditions of classics such as Dylan’s The Times They Are A-Changin’, and Everyday by Buddy Holly. I found myself mesmerised, watching in genuine wonder at the apparent effortlessness with which they performed. Every song was infused with captivating emotion, and rather than merely replicating the originals, they made them their own – in some cases, I dare say, even surpassing them.
Picture credit: Mirvish
One standout moment was Helter Skelter, originally by The Beatles. Performed here by Alicia Toner and Mike Ross, their voices blended in perfect harmony, delivering a version that felt raw, electric and thrillingly fresh. I’ll admit I wasn’t especially familiar with the original before seeing the show, but after listening to both, I found myself preferring this rendition. “Better than The Beatles” may sound almost blasphemous – but I said what I said!
Alicia Toner proved herself a dynamic powerhouse once again with her rendition of Piece of My Heart by Janis Joplin. She rocked the stage, hitting soaring high notes with surprising ease and undeniable confidence. It was the kind of performance that makes your heart beat a little faster and your adrenaline kick in a little more than it should.
Picture credit: Mirvish
Brielle Ansems may have impressed me most of all however, with her tender, breathtaking version of Imagine (John Lennon). Her voice was pitch perfect, floating effortlessly between notes and reaching heights that genuinely blew my mind. It was a quietly profound moment in an evening that balanced high energy with deep emotional resonance.
Greg Gale also delivered soulful, commanding performances when it was his turn to shine – holding impossibly long notes and injecting depth into every lyric, all while impressing on guitar.
At the centre of it all is Mike Ross, the show’s creator and narrator. From behind the piano, he anchors the production, guiding the audience through the story with warmth, humour and passion. His performance of Sympathy for the Devil (Rolling Stones) was a spectacle in itself – pounding the keys with ferocious energy and delivering raw, rock-and-roll vocals that electrified the room.
Picture credit: Mirvish
All of the performers hail from Prince Edward Island in Canada, where they perform at Harmony House. It is the first time they have brought their incredible show to the UK.
I’ll admit, I didn’t go into the show as a huge fan of American Pie. My partner, who received tickets as a Christmas gift, was far more enthusiastic. To me, it had always felt like a slightly jolly campfire tune – the one Madonna covered years ago. But I left with an entirely new respect for the song.
Created and narrated by Canada’s Mike Ross, the show invites the audience to take a deeper look at the song written by Don McLean in 1971. Verse by verse, it dissects the lyrics, exploring the 1959 plane crash that claimed the lives of Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens and The Big Bopper, as well as the seismic cultural shifts of the 1960s.
What emerges is an intimate, illuminating piece of theatre – part concert, part history lesson, part love letter to an era. Inside American Pie transforms a song many of us think we know into something layered, complex and profoundly moving.
One thing’s for sure: I will never listen to American Pie in quite the same way again.
Catch Inside American Pie at Leicester’s Curve theatre until March 14.
By Louise Steel
