Broadway actors, Amazing Race stars hit Winnipeg stage for tell-all, one-night-only theatre show

Winnipeg’s own Catherine Wreford is bringing her life – all the love, joy, grief and loss – to the stage at the Gas Station Theatre for the very first time this fall.

The motivational speaker, cancer survivor and reality star is calling it a full-circle moment for herself as an artist – and as a Winnipegger.

“We are bringing all of our Broadway experience on Broadway back to Winnipeg where it all began,” Wreford said, speaking to CityNews on her 45th birthday.

“Everybody will, like, hold their person next to them tighter. Everybody will embrace each other a bit more. And I think that that’s the meaningfulness of our show. Friendships matter.

“I think people that don’t know me will leave with joy and be crying and laughing and it’s just, all of it’s in there.”

Many will know Wreford as an artist – with performances in West Side Story, 42nd Street, and Oklahoma! – and an inspirational cancer survivor. But she’s perhaps best known as one half of Team Broadway – with fellow performer Craig Ramsay – winners of The Amazing Race Canada.

Wreford called the reality show a life-changing experience for her in many ways.

“I realized when I won The Amazing Race Canada that my husband was not a good guy. And I came home, and he wouldn’t talk to me for a couple days,” she said.

“It was such a shock that he wouldn’t be happy for me. And then I finally got up the courage to leave.”

Wreford is teaming up with Ramsay to bring their most personal show yet to Winnipeg: “Behind the Curtain.”

“Us being onstage together is the most glorious stage experience,” said Ramsay, who is also an actor and keynote presenter. Some of his Broadway credits include Mamma Mia!, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, Rocky Horror Picture Show and Cats.

“We do feel like at this point in our lives we know some of the secrets to happiness. And to longevity. Certainly Catherine does. And it’s showcased in our show and what people will take away from that, we certainly hope that they apply it in their own lives and they walk out feeling connected with themselves and with each other.”

The friends met at the Royal Winnipeg Ballet more than three decades ago.

“He was in the professional division and I was in the (recreational) division,” Wreford recalled. “And I think he watched part of our musical theatre classes and he’s like, ‘I wanna do that.’ I’m like, ‘you can’t! Sorry.’

“We started singing at my house and we just became like, best friends, immediately.”

The pair says “Behind The Curtain” will not only take audiences into behind-the-scenes moments of their careers, but of their personal journeys, too.

That includes Wreford’s battle with cancer, with the artist calling herself a “kind of a living miracle.”

“I’m supposed to be dead right now,” she said. “I’m way past my expiration date.

“We sort of worked on my dancing as a way to get my movement back and my speaking back and acting and stuff.

“I think it’s important to share our ups and downs. Our in-betweens. Our friendship and I think that’s… everybody needs a Craig in their life.”

Added Ramsay, speaking to CityNews from his home in Windsor, Ont.: “A lot of people know our careers but they don’t know, how did I get in the original cast of Mamma Mia. How did we get on The Amazing Race? And we answer all of those burning questions in this one-night-only show.”

One of those burning questions may have to do with a certain rumour that dates back to Ramsay’s time in Cats about a possible bathroom accident in costume.

“It’s true,” Ramsay admitted. “However, I get to share it in ‘Behind The Curtain’ in my own words and my own experience.”

“Behind The Curtain” will hit the Gas Station Arts Centre stage Sept. 12.

“It’s a special experience. That’s why it’s one night only,” Wreford said.