Tomatoes Tried to Kill Me but Banjos Saved My Life

January 9th: Playing in the ArtStage Studio Theatre January 15th: Playing in the Bunch Performance Hall Everyone has a story. Your stories matter. Keith Alessi was neither a performer nor a musician before taking to the stage. He was an accountant and corporate CEO! He now shares his unconventional true story of overcoming great obstacles including cancer and how the healing power of music brought him back home to himself. The grass roots sound of the banjo lures you in and brings you back to a simpler time in life, as Keith takes you on the journey of his story. This show has been highly awarded and reviewed while touring internationally and has profoundly affected audiences everywhere. Themes of forgiveness and the importance of pursuing your passions resonate throughout. The variety of banjos that join him on stage are all characters and played important roles in his journey. This is more than a show, it’s a cause. Keith has never accepted any form of remuneration for his performances, instead choosing to donate it to local charities and to Theatres in support of Artist development. As of October 2026, we have raised over $1.5 Million Dollars (CAD) for these causes. ★★★★★ “Storytelling at its best!” ~PLAYBILL ★★★★★ “Be ready to laugh and weep in equal measure.” ~NORTH WEST END UK Share