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Go Home – Winnipeg Free Press

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To prepare for the role of Paul Simon, Elliott Lazarus had to work with a mausoleum.

“It's the first time I've played that much guitar in a show,” says the Winnipeg-born actor, singer and Traveler co-star. The story of Simon and Garfunkel.

“Music has been with me for a while, but it was a lot of guitar drilling and (learning) Paul's special finger style called Travis Picking.”

The The story of Simon and Garfunkel A concert-style tribute show from the folk-rock duo's humble beginnings in New York to global stardom and dramatic 1970s disintegration.

The show originated in the UK and has been performed in 50 countries over the past decade.

Lazarus, 29, has been on a North American tour since January and is excited to perform in front of a hometown crowd at Centennial Concert Hall on Tuesday. He is especially happy that his father is in the audience.

“My dad went to law school in New York and was there when they did their famous concert in Central Park,” he says, referring to the band's 1981 free benefit concert for the park that drew half a million people.

“We pay tribute to him on the show, so it's a really nice connection.”

Lazar — a graduate of the University of Manitoba and the Boston Conservatory of Music — grew up in Garden City and has graced many local stages, including last summer's production of Rainbow. Renting.

She moved stateside to pursue a musical theater career and now lives in Boston with her husband and dog — when she's not on the road, that is.

In the last two years, Lazar has been on tour with the producer Fiddler on the Roof. He wouldn't be home for weeks at a time, months at a time.

His current lineup includes two Art Garfunkels and two Paul Simons, making the schedule much more manageable. Music couples trade monthly.

Elliott Lazarus (third from left) had to learn to play Paul Simon's guitar style to play the singer-songwriter. (supplied)
Elliott Lazarus (third from left) had to learn to play guitar in the style of Paul Simon to play the singer-songwriter. (supplied)

“That's good; I can maintain some balance in my life,” she says

However, during a holiday over the past month, Lazar was sent to Glasgow to fill in for one night on a UK tour.

“Their Pavel became very ill and lost his voice, so I flew out less than 24 hours later. It really felt like a once-in-a-lifetime thing,” she says of her first trip across the pond.

The The story of Simon and Garfunkel Has been the longest running in the UK and attracts many repeat customers. Although the level of audience participation varied from place to place, Lazar prepared for a raucous evening before the curtain.

“I was told in advance by the band members that Scottish audiences are really fun and rowdy, but I wouldn't understand a word,” he says with a laugh. “And it just happened.”

The show features nearly 30 songs, including hits, from the multi-Grammy Award-winning band Mrs. Robinson, Cecilia and A bridge over troubled water. Lazarus and his Garfunkel co-star Max Pinson play with a live band and provide biographical details alongside archival footage between songs.

“It's a nice nostalgia trip, or if you're from my generation, you really get a window into that world and the heyday of folk-rock singer-songwriters,” says Lazar.

Although local fans weren't expecting a cameo from any of the original musicians, Art Garfunkel made a surprise appearance at a recent show in Staten Island, New York.

Lazar didn't perform on that leg, but the 82-year-old musician joined the cast on stage and met the crew after the show.

Winnipeg-born actor Elliot Lazar co-stars in The Simon and Garfunkel Story. (supplied)
Winnipeg-born actor Elliot Lazar co-stars in The Simon and Garfunkel Story. (supplied)

“Before it happened, we would have said there was no chance in a million years that we would both meet. But Art came, so maybe one day Paul will do it,” says Lazar.