Montreal’s The Musical Box has built its reputation on meticulous recreations of Peter Gabriel-fronted Genesis concerts. 

Now, the acclaimed tribute act is taking a different approach, shining a spotlight on the years Phil Collins stepped out from behind the drum kit and sang lead.  

“The Musical Box Presents … and Then There was Phil…” is coming to the Celebrity Theatre at 7:30 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 8. Fans can expect songs from “A Trick of the Tail, Wind & Wuthering,” “…And Then There Were Three…” and “Duke,” along with fan favorites and a “few surprises.”

“It’s the craziest show we’ve ever put on,” said Denis Gagné, who usually performs as Gabriel. 

“We wanted to step away from what we usually do and do something different for the fans and for us. It’s fun to play some new stuff.”

He said the production is a long-overdue tribute to Collins, whose contributions helped transform Genesis from a progressive-rock cult band into one of the world’s most successful bands.

The Musical Box is the only Genesis tribute band with permission from the legendary act. In 2002, Steve Hackett performed “Firth of Fifth” with the band at Royal Albert Hall in London. He joined The Musical Box again in 2005 in Switzerland during “The Lamb Lies Down on Broadway” tour.

Gabriel attended The Musical Box’s debut show in the United Kingdom and brought his kids, reportedly so they could see what their father used to do.

The Musical Box blends music and visuals from several Collins-era productions. For a group known for authenticity, that also means reviving some remarkable stage technology.

One of the show’s most eye-catching features is a recreation of the moving mirror lighting effects designed by Dutch lighting innovator Theo Botschuijver, who worked with Genesis decades ago. Long before moving lights existed, Botschuijver developed motorized mirrors that allowed beams of light to dance across arenas.

“At the time, lights didn’t move,” Gagné explained. “He came up with this idea, ‘What if the lights could move?’ So, he put mirrors in the ceiling and projectors on them.”

Recreating those effects proved challenging. Gagné said many production companies were reluctant to meet the technical demands, but the result is worth it.

“The first time I saw the entire ceiling moving, I was quite amazed,” he said. “It’s a crazy idea, but it’s great.”

While the visual spectacle impresses audiences, the music has generated the strongest reactions. Gagné said The Musical Box has long been associated with Genesis’ Peter Gabriel years, during which the band released albums like “Selling England by the Pound” and “The Lamb Lies Down on Broadway.” 

Focusing entirely on the Collins-fronted era represented a creative risk. Gagné called the concerts “emotional.”

“The reaction to that show is unbelievable,” Gagné said. “It’s a very emotional show, a very powerful show. Even us, we never expected it to be so strong.”

Part of that power comes from recreating one of Genesis’ signature live elements: the twin-drummer setup that emerged after Collins became the lead singer. Unwilling to stop playing drums, Collins shared percussion duties with touring drummers, including Chester Thompson.

The Musical Box brings that experience back.

“It’s a very powerful thing when we are two drummers playing at the same time,” Gagné said. 

Concert-goers get emotional as well. Gagné has watched audience members laugh, cry and give ovations.

“I see people crying in the audience,” he said. “It’s fantastic. It’s great to see that it touches so many people and that we do it in a way that we can have that kind of reaction.”

At a recent performance, Gagné finished singing the final line of the closing song before returning to his drum kit. He didn’t immediately notice what was unfolding in front of him. His bandmate did.

“The bass player told me after the show, ‘Did you see that all the people got up the moment you finished singing that last line?’” Gagné recalled. “I didn’t notice because I turned around and sat at the drum kit. But everybody was standing up.”

Gagné’s connection to Genesis runs deep; he has been a fan since he was 10. “Everybody was into disco and pop, and I was into progressive rock and Genesis,” he recalled.

“We grew up wanting to be these guys. And we are now, a couple hours a night. You cannot complain when you get what you want.”