Answering the call was Adam Young, at the time a student at the University College of Cape Breton (now Cape Breton University), who would be graduating with a Bachelor of Arts in English and Celtic Studies. He was becoming well-known for his abilities on the piano, having taken part in several local theatre productions, including shows for the Boardmore Playhouse in Sydney and the Festival on the Bay in Glace Bay. He submitted a proposal outlining his ideas for the show, and had chosen a cast of seven (including himself). All of the cast members were students at UCCB, except for one, who would begin attending the university after the show wrapped in September.

Included in the original cast were Egan Baird, Colin Grant, Meaghan Grant, Caelin MacAulay, Dee MacKinnon, Jason Murdock, and Adam Young. Egan provided background vocals, and played various whistles and percussion instruments, and also sang a highly enjoyable rendition of "Farewell to Nova Scotia". Colin, fresh from graduating from Sydney Academy, joined as the group’s fiddler, and also stepdanced, played the guitar, and added a little bit of comedy. Meaghan’s talent shone as she sang and stepdanced, and played the piano, fiddle, and bodhrán (a circular drum common in Irish music). Caelin provided vocals, and also co-wrote and performed in one of the production’s most amusing skits. The talented Dee MacKinnon was the comedic lead, and showed off her versatility in several roles, also providing background vocals and co-writing some of the comedy sketches. Jason Murdock of Baddeck was featured on guitar, sang a few well-known Cape Breton songs, and played frustrated radio announcer Big Chatty Mac in the show’s opening comedy sketch. Adam, busy directing the production, also provided accompaniment on the piano and had a hand in the writing and performing of the show’s comedy.

The show won over audiences at the Louisbourg Playhouse, and, after wrapping the season in mid-September 2002, they were asked to return the next summer.

The second season of Lyrics and Laughter saw some major cast changes. Returning from the premiere year were Colin, Meaghan, and Adam, and after a lengthy audition process, the talents of Jason MacDonald, Michelle Mills, and Andrew Tyne were added. The new group gelled instantly, and the chemistry provided a greater mix of music, drawing on sources far and near, and also adding some original songs of Jason’s. The comedy was written by Richmond County comedian and songwriter Adam Cooke and internationally renowned fiddler Howie MacDonald, while Andrew and Colin expanded on their ideas. In addition to performing in the comedy sketches, Andrew, a student at St. Francis Xavier University in Antigonish, also sang and played the guitar and bass. Michelle added to the mix her angelic voice, and also learned to play the accordion for her first summer with Lyrics and Laughter. Jason, who had just released his first CD, Leave My Mark, lent his talents on vocals and guitar, and also played a role in the skits. In the last two weeks of the show’s second season, several special guests were bought in to fill the void left by Colin and Andrew, who were going away to university, and also to fill in for Michelle, who had developed a bad case of pneumonia. These special guests included Marilyn MacDonald on vocals, Beverly MacLean on fiddle, and Mark MacIntyre on guitar and vocals. These three musicians stepped in and filled their roles beautifully, while Jason increased his responsibilities by expertly taking on the skits Colin had performed.

Rave reviews from audience members ensured that Lyrics and Laughter would again return, and in June 2004, the production began its much-anticipated third season. The cast remained the same as the year previous, but, like every year, the music and comedy were all changed. More original songs were added, and all members of the cast showed off talents they hadn’t yet gotten the chance to show off. Andrew added the mandolin, Meaghan played the guitar, Colin played bass, Jason expanded on his comedic role, and Michelle and Adam stepdanced, while Michelle also added percussion to the mix.

Season four of Cape Breton Lyrics and Laughter began in June 2005, with some slight changes made to the cast. To accommodate his multiple roles as featured performer with Island Mania, Cape Breton Lyrics and Laughter, and the Acadian band Blou, Colin was on stage for half of the performances of Lyrics and Laughter that year. The other half featured well-known fiddler Jennifer Roland from Alder Point, who recently released her third CD, For Each New Day. Jason MacDonald had decided to focus on his own new album and perform at festivals and other venues, and joining the cast in Jason’s place was East Coast Music Award nominee Eric Angus Whyte, a talented singer/songwriter from Boularderie. Eric’s original songs convey a great respect for the land he calls home, and his music shows a maturity well beyond his years.

The fourth season of Lyrics & Laughter was another resounding success, and ensured the group's return for the current season. This year's cast features the production's veteran performers, Colin Grant, Meaghan Grant, Michelle Mills, Andrew Tyne, Eric Angus Whyte, and Adam Young. In preparation for the fifth season, the cast spent the spring recording their debut album, a self-titled disc containing thirteen tracks representing the "best of" Cape Breton Lyrics & Laughter from the first five years. The disc is available at the Louisbourg Playhouse, and also online at www.castlebaymusic.com. In December 2006, Cape Breton Lyrics & Laughter was honoured with their first ECMA nomination in the category of Roots/Traditional Group Recording of the Year.

Cape Breton Lyrics and Laughter was performed at the Louisbourg Playhouse every weeknight from June 26 to September 1, 2006, at 8:00 PM. For more information about Lyrics and Laughter, other performances at the Louisbourg Playhouse, or ticket sales and ordering, please contact the Louisbourg Playhouse at 902.733.2996 or e-mail lsbg.playhouse@ns.sympatico.ca.