From the producers of the 1999 Theatrical production of the year “Welcome to my world” and “In Dreams – The story of Roy Orbison” presenting…
By arrangement with Harold Thau, theatrical producer, manager and business partner of the late John Denver, in association with Aruba Productions, New York Whisper the Wind made its world premiere in Dunedin, New Zealand on 20th of September 2008.The production then toured nation wide and will play throughout the world in 2011.
Whisper the Wind is a stage production that combines a live concert concept featuring Bevan Gardiner and international musicians performing the John Denver songs together with exclusive and rare footage that explores the music, highlights and insights of one of the worlds most captivating and celebrated men.
John Denver was one of the world’s best-known and best-loved performers, who earned international acclaim as a songwriter, environmentalist and humanitarian. His music spanned three decades, outlasting countless musical trends, and garnering numerous world music awards and honors, including the 1996 induction into the Songwriter’s Hall of Fame, and in 1993, the prestigious Albert Schweitzer Music award.
By 1975 John Denver was probably the biggest entertainment star in show business. That year bill board magazine rated him the number one artist in pop, easy listening, pop singles and LP sales. Leaving on a jet plane, Take me home country roads, Annie’s song, Rocky mountain high, Sunshine on my shoulders, Back home again, Thank God I’m a country boy and Calypso were world wide hits.
His concert tours and television appearances reached millions globally and gave him a world wide platform to speak out on a number of charitable causes for the environment, the homeless, the poor & hungry. He stated “I know we have the where with all to end hunger on this planet. I know we have the potential to live in peace with one another without the threat of nuclear weapons. I give my life and my music to that world of peace.”
His auto-biographical folk rock ballad Let Us Begin (What are we making weapons for) was a blunt jab at the results and futility of war.
John Denver died on October 12th 1997, when the light aircraft he was piloting along the California Coast experienced engine failure. He was 53.
Whisper the Wind is the story of a gifted entertainer who struggled to find a balance between his personal life and his love of music.
Whisper the Wind is the music and life of John Denver. 25 songs performed live:
Take me Home, Country Roads
Matthew
Back home again
Leaving on a Jet Plane
What are we making weapons for
It’s about time
Wind Song
Sunshine on my Shoulders
Rocky Mountain High
Calypso
Sweet Surrender
Whispering Jesse
Some days are diamond, some days are stone
Flying for me
Perhaps Love
Annie’s Song
Falling out of Love
For You
Thank god I’m a country boy
The boy from the Country
Foxfire suite
Grandma’s Feather Bed
Musical director David Walker recently cast Ron Rich and Bevan Gardiner both in the lead roles to play John Denver in Whisper the Wind.
International musicians including musical director David Walker from Vancouver Canada, fiddle, banjo & mandolin extraordinaire Robert O’ Donovan from Florida USA and award winning guitarist Glen Bain, accompany Bevan in performing 25 of John Denver’s best known songs.
Bevan Gardiner
Bevan is 21 years old and has lived all his life in Dunedin, New Zealand. Being partially sighted has not stopped Bevan from achieving his dreams and goals. He has travelled half way around the world (twice), sung in awards throughout New Zealand, Australia and America, and is currently studying at Otago University for a Bachelor of Music, with the aid of his guide dogs Tammy & Denim.
He started playing guitar at age 6 when he came across an old guitar down in his Dads garage. He enrolled in guitar lessons and continued these for 10 years, eventually branching off to singing and drumming. He joined a local country music club and has won many awards at various Country Music Awards, some of the more recent awards being Gold Guitar Overall Runner-up 2007 singing “My Sweet Lady”, Male Vocal Award CCMA 2006 Tamworth Awards, and Gold Guitar Overall Intermediate Winner 2005 singing “Whispering Jesse”.
Bevan has been a fan of John Denver since aged 7, and his earliest memory was listening to a cassette of him in the car during a family holiday. He was immediately attracted to his unique style and vision, and found the tones in his voice enabled him to perform and sing his music with an uncanny similarity.
In 2007 Bevan travelled with Duo partner Jayne Evans to the 10th Annual John Denver Tribute Week, held in Aspen, Colorado. This was the second time appearing at the Tribute week, and Bevan was well received among the other artists and supports who came together to celebrate John Denver’s life and accomplishments. During his visits to Aspen, Colorado Bevan met John’s mother Irma Deutschendorf and John’s brother Ron.
“I’m really looking forward to participating in ‘Whisper in the Wind – the music of John Denver’ and sharing with everyone my love for his music and all he stood for”
Reviews
Otago Daily Times Review
Taranaki Daily News Review
Mary Ledford says:
I wish I could make a trip to New Zealand to see this! Bevan is amazing and he’s been a part of the Aspen Celebrations for the past two years. He not only took New Zealand by storm, but Aspen too! He also wrote a beautiful song for John called “Sprit” … it brought tears to my eyes when I heard it!
May 19, 2010, 12:54 amCaroline says:
When can we hope to see this magnificent show in the US ?? I want to be there.
May 19, 2010, 6:14 pmjennifer says:
bevan is one of the best singers i have ever heard,i think this show will be a massive hit in new zealand!!!and hope he can take it over seas!!good luck
May 19, 2010, 8:46 pmChristine Moon says:
I have heard nothing but good about this show, and I know Bevan is great from his performances at the Aspen in October tributes the past two years. We would love to see this show here in the UK! John’s concerts always sold out here, and I’m sure this show would also be successful. Christine – UK Friends of John Denver.
May 19, 2010, 1:19 amKathy says:
They couldn’t have picked two better singers for this show! Ron and Bevan are great guys and are dedicated to keeping John Denver’s music alive!
May 19, 2010, 5:36 amI hope the show will make it to the U.S. so we here can also enjoy it!
This production would be perfect for the Crown Uptown Dinner Theatre in Wichita, Kansas. This is the kind of show that their audience would love!
Carol Demetrio says:
Would love to see this show come to Boston, Massachusetts in the U.S. We haven’t seen much of anything to do with John since he last appeared here. He is greatly missed.
May 19, 2010, 6:58 amRosemary Gallagher says:
Bless you all for putting on this show, I am sure it will be a great success. I do so wish I could see it, I live in the UK, Please Please bring this show over here.
May 19, 2010, 10:18 amLove & Peace
Rosemary (York UK)
jen says:
i went to the show on saturday the 20th in dunedin,it was amazing,Bevan and Ron done so well!!!i had tears in my eyes though some of the video of john!!i think this show was amazing and everyone done so well!!congrads guys!!and girls!! all the best for the rest of the shows
May 19, 2010, 10:45 amLinda W says:
How great this latest production sounds that is showcasing and reflecting on the career of John Denver! Hopefully, the ‘rest of the world’ will be able to enjoy these memories of John Denver with his fantastic music and the tireless work that he did throughout his life to fight world hunger and to preserve the environment. This show couldn’t come at a better time, so let’s keep promoting the talents of these two fine singers as they share the music, the work, and the man… John Denver! Linda W-USA
May 19, 2010, 10:46 amPeter & Lynley Welsh says:
We really enjoyed Whisper the Wind in Wellington and wish everyone could see it. Ron and Bevan are wonderful performers and when it was announced that Bevan was from Dunedin we were blown away. His voice is so wonderfully melodious. It was pure pleasure listening to him sing. Best wishes for the rest of your NZ tour.
May 19, 2010, 12:07 pmRob Mitchell says:
This show is a MUST for any John Denver fans. A great tribute to a great artist. Bevan Gardiner is brilliant as are the rest of the musicians. Where can we get a DVD of the show?
May 19, 2010, 7:25 pmElaine Kay says:
Please please bring the show to the UK.. I listened to Bevan last year at Aspen he was fantastic .. As a life long fan of Johns I know there are many who would welcome the show here in the UK. Best wishes to all performing in the show and long may it continue.
May 19, 2010, 10:52 pmJanet young says:
I went to the New Plymouth show Thurs. night & it was absolutely wonderful. It portrayed John’s life & loves so honestly through each decade & the music was outstanding. Bevan sounds so much like John & Ron was a true professional getting the audience to join in & sing.Congratulations to you both & the band who were excellent. I shed tears listening to Irma & come away feeling so happy when they finished with Sweet Surrender one of my favorites I hope you will be able to take this show overseas because it is truly well worth seeing.
May 19, 2010, 6:49 pmJanet Young New Plymouth NZ
Danny Shaw says:
WOW!!!!
May 19, 2010, 6:55 amLast night I had the privilage to see the show in Auckland, it was absolutely fantastic.
It is a shame that the show was only on for one night, since I would certainly have purchased tickets to see the show again.
I hope that the tour goes well and look forward to being able to see another performance sometime in the future.
Barbara says:
Please come to Southern California!!!
May 19, 2010, 7:09 amCheryl Hostick says:
FAR OUT Concert last night in ChCh was unbelievable, I had the chance to see John live in Denver 1980. It all brought back such great memeries. Bevan you are just awesome your voice is so much like John Denvers. All the very best in the future hope the world tour is very sucessful
May 19, 2010, 2:57 pmjen says:
i went to see the show for the second time in dunedin on sunday nite and wow FAR OUT!! what an awsome show!! Bevan has got so much more confidence than in the first show, still loved the first show but really really felt proud and happy leaving the show. I dont think there was a person there that didnt have tears in there eyes!! well done everyone, CANT WAIT FOR THE DVD!! so proud to know Bevan!!
May 19, 2010, 5:29 pmHarry McDavid says:
There is a mass of Denver fans in this large metropolitan area. We’d love to hear a John Denver concert!
May 19, 2010, 10:52 amHarry
Kathy from Sacramento says:
Is there any chance of this production making it to the US? Sounds like a great tribute to a fantastic man. I have been to the October Aspen concert and the memorial grove. Both were very helpful to this lifetime fan in dealing with the loss of his beautiful talent. Looking forward to seeing it hereabouts. Thank you!
May 19, 2010, 4:53 pmDave Mockensturm says:
Is the possibility of a U.S. tour in the future?
May 19, 2010, 9:46 amI am amazed at the vocal quality of Bevan,
and would love to see the show live.
Dave Mockensturm
Toledo, Ohio
U.S.A.
Shirley from New Zealand says:
I had the pleasure to see this show here in Christchurch in New Zealand. It was so good I went again the next night to see it with my daughter. The show was made all the more magical by the actual clips of John Denver on the big screen in the background. Bevan is so talented and made John Denver come alive once again. I can definitely recommend this show to any fan of John. Thanks Bevan for your wonderful performance.
May 19, 2010, 8:35 pm