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Canada’s PerSIStence Theatre presents Broadway’s Petrina Bromley (Come From Away) in her new one-woman show, part of this renowned feminist company’s broadcast series IT’S WOMEN’S PLAY.
Filmed before a live audience on the island of Newfoundland, Bromley performs multiple characters with versatility, weaving a chilling tale in the tradition of her homeland’s finest storytellers. |
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Premiering worldwide:
February 17 at 7 PM EST / 4 PM PST / 8:30 PM NST
plus on demand February 18-24
Tickets are $15 USD - available starting February 1 from Events.BroadwayWorld.com.
February 17 at 7 PM EST / 4 PM PST / 8:30 PM NST
plus on demand February 18-24
Tickets are $15 USD - available starting February 1 from Events.BroadwayWorld.com.
It would be hard to overstate Bromley’s versatility and absolutely-go-for-it attitude. The only reason she’s not on Broadway is, you know, the global pandemic. Their loss is our gain if this is what she does with her spare time.”
– The Telegram (St. John’s)
Part of this feminist theatre company’s one-woman play series IT’S WOMEN’S PLAY, WHAT HANGS IN THE BALANCE is a ghost story steeped in the Irish-influenced culture and history of colonial Newfoundland, Canada.
Actor Bromley, back in her island home, has crafted a tale of Catherine Snow, the last woman hanged in Newfoundland in 1834 – a woman condemned for plotting the murder of her husband.
On the restless night before a busy and important day, Bromley plays criminal defense attorney Nell waking up in a void she can’t escape. Is she caught in a stress dream or is something more sinister and supernatural taking place? Catherine Snow holds the key.
Actor Bromley, back in her island home, has crafted a tale of Catherine Snow, the last woman hanged in Newfoundland in 1834 – a woman condemned for plotting the murder of her husband.
On the restless night before a busy and important day, Bromley plays criminal defense attorney Nell waking up in a void she can’t escape. Is she caught in a stress dream or is something more sinister and supernatural taking place? Catherine Snow holds the key.
Of special note
Please be aware that this production contains descriptions and depictions of violence, including violence against children and women, as well as some sudden and loud changed in sound and light. We encourage viewers to take care for their own safety and well-being.
The running time of the performance is 60 minutes with no intermission.
Original music recorded by: Josh Ward
Curtain Call music by: Spring Var
Please be aware that this production contains descriptions and depictions of violence, including violence against children and women, as well as some sudden and loud changed in sound and light. We encourage viewers to take care for their own safety and well-being.
The running time of the performance is 60 minutes with no intermission.
Original music recorded by: Josh Ward
Curtain Call music by: Spring Var
Production Community
Written and performed by Petrina Bromley*
Directed by Christine Brubaker*
Stage managed by Amanda Klein
Lighting design & production management by Mara Bredovskis
Sound design by Michelle LaCour
Assistant direction by Erika Squires
Produced by Jenn Deon
Outreach coordination by Tiffany Martin
Videography and editing by Brian Kenny
*The participation of these Artists are arranged by permission of Canadian Actors’ Equity Association under the provisions of the Dance Opera Theatre Policy (DOT).
Written and performed by Petrina Bromley*
Directed by Christine Brubaker*
Stage managed by Amanda Klein
Lighting design & production management by Mara Bredovskis
Sound design by Michelle LaCour
Assistant direction by Erika Squires
Produced by Jenn Deon
Outreach coordination by Tiffany Martin
Videography and editing by Brian Kenny
*The participation of these Artists are arranged by permission of Canadian Actors’ Equity Association under the provisions of the Dance Opera Theatre Policy (DOT).
Playwright's Notes
Catherine Snow has been on my mind for years. Ever since I heard her complicated story. I don’t remember how I came to learn about the 2012 retrial that was held by the Newfoundland Historical Society, but as soon as I did it sort of punched me. In 1834, Catherine Snow couldn’t have foreseen that one day women would be lawyers. Women were add-ons in her lifetime. Property belonging to men. The thought that in the future, almost 200 years in the future, a woman would represent her in court couldn’t have existed in her wildest dreams. Try imagining the year 2198.
I’m also a sucker for a good ghost story and a believer that the past is not as romantic as we like to imagine, so I went down the road of Edgar Allen Poe, Henry James and the million BBC shows I’ve watched since lockdown and just tried to have fun.
Creating the strange world of in-between where Catherine and her modern lawyer, Nell, could meet has felt oddly appropriate during the pandemic. Isolating people in boxes and never letting them speak at the same time just feels normal now, doesn’t it? It is a bit like a haunting to only ever see people in online realm.
I’ve had the Zoom presence of my dear friend, Christine Brubaker carrying me through the process. And I am so grateful. Christine is in Alberta. The time difference is 3.5 hours. She got up really early to work with me and her observations and insights have sculpted the story invaluably.
My thanks to PerSIStence Theatre for believing in the project; to Meg Braem, Writer-In-Residence, Calgary Distinguished Writers Program, University of Calgary for dramaturgy brilliance; and Rosellen Sullivan who, by being Catherine Snow’s 2012 legal representative, unknowingly sparked this play.
- Petrina Bromley
I’m also a sucker for a good ghost story and a believer that the past is not as romantic as we like to imagine, so I went down the road of Edgar Allen Poe, Henry James and the million BBC shows I’ve watched since lockdown and just tried to have fun.
Creating the strange world of in-between where Catherine and her modern lawyer, Nell, could meet has felt oddly appropriate during the pandemic. Isolating people in boxes and never letting them speak at the same time just feels normal now, doesn’t it? It is a bit like a haunting to only ever see people in online realm.
I’ve had the Zoom presence of my dear friend, Christine Brubaker carrying me through the process. And I am so grateful. Christine is in Alberta. The time difference is 3.5 hours. She got up really early to work with me and her observations and insights have sculpted the story invaluably.
My thanks to PerSIStence Theatre for believing in the project; to Meg Braem, Writer-In-Residence, Calgary Distinguished Writers Program, University of Calgary for dramaturgy brilliance; and Rosellen Sullivan who, by being Catherine Snow’s 2012 legal representative, unknowingly sparked this play.
- Petrina Bromley
Director's Notes
This is a first....in a year full of firsts for all of us. But directing a show in Newfoundland from my basement in Calgary is something I could never have imagined. Yet despite the distance, thanks to Zoom, somehow we've been in the same room, in the same world for many weeks. It's a haunted world - a ghost story - and the very best kind/ one that will hopefully send a shiver up your spine and follow with a wave of laughter Perhaps that's an apt wish for these strange times. The darkness really does help us appreciate the light.
So many thanks to Petrina, Amanda, Jenn, Mara, Michelle, Erika and Brian.
I look forward to a day when I can see this show with you all in person. What a light day that will be.
- Christine Brubaker
So many thanks to Petrina, Amanda, Jenn, Mara, Michelle, Erika and Brian.
I look forward to a day when I can see this show with you all in person. What a light day that will be.
- Christine Brubaker
Bios
Mara Bredovskis - Lighting Design & Production Management
Mara can often be found hiding in booths and backstages around town. She has worked as a production manager and stage manager (thankfully rarely at the same time) for companies such as Artistic Fraud of Newfoundland, PerSIStence Theatre Company, Opera on the Avalon, Perchance Theatre, Resource Centre for the Arts Theatre, White Rooster Theatre, Wonderbolt Circus, Theatre St. John's, and many others.
Mara can often be found hiding in booths and backstages around town. She has worked as a production manager and stage manager (thankfully rarely at the same time) for companies such as Artistic Fraud of Newfoundland, PerSIStence Theatre Company, Opera on the Avalon, Perchance Theatre, Resource Centre for the Arts Theatre, White Rooster Theatre, Wonderbolt Circus, Theatre St. John's, and many others.
Petrina Bromley - Playwright and Performer
Petrina Bromley is an actor, singer, director, writer and composer from St. John’s, NL. She originated the role of ‘Bonnie Harris’ in the Tony nominated musical Come From Away, and continues with the show on Broadway. She made her Stratford Festival debut in 2016 as ‘Rosalind’ in As You Like It, and was a member of The National Arts Centre, English Theatre Ensemble, 2013-2014.
Petrina’s own musical A Call to Arms, with music by Ged Blackmore, made its debut to sold out houses in St. John’s in 2017. Produced by Atlantic Light Theatre, the musical tells the heart-wrenching, true story of the Norris family from Three Arms Island, Norte Dame Bay, and the enduring sacrifice the country of Newfoundland made in WWI. It has subsequently been filmed for distribution within the NL school system as an educational aid.
Petrina has worked extensively with Artistic Fraud of Newfoundland since it's inception, having participated in the creation of ten of the company's original works. Her performance as ‘Violet Pike’ in OIL & WATER, garnered strong reviews on the national scene, including recognition in Robert Cushion's “Theatre reviews in review: The year's best performances” (The National Post, Dec. 29, 2012.)
She is a familiar face in her home province from her work with Spirit of Newfoundland, Rising Tide Theatre’s annual Revue, and most notably for her portrayal of the iconic Newfoundland entertainer, Joan Morrissey, in So Let's Bring On Our Favourite: The Joan Morrissey Story, by Jody Richardson and Sue Kent.
Petrina Bromley is an actor, singer, director, writer and composer from St. John’s, NL. She originated the role of ‘Bonnie Harris’ in the Tony nominated musical Come From Away, and continues with the show on Broadway. She made her Stratford Festival debut in 2016 as ‘Rosalind’ in As You Like It, and was a member of The National Arts Centre, English Theatre Ensemble, 2013-2014.
Petrina’s own musical A Call to Arms, with music by Ged Blackmore, made its debut to sold out houses in St. John’s in 2017. Produced by Atlantic Light Theatre, the musical tells the heart-wrenching, true story of the Norris family from Three Arms Island, Norte Dame Bay, and the enduring sacrifice the country of Newfoundland made in WWI. It has subsequently been filmed for distribution within the NL school system as an educational aid.
Petrina has worked extensively with Artistic Fraud of Newfoundland since it's inception, having participated in the creation of ten of the company's original works. Her performance as ‘Violet Pike’ in OIL & WATER, garnered strong reviews on the national scene, including recognition in Robert Cushion's “Theatre reviews in review: The year's best performances” (The National Post, Dec. 29, 2012.)
She is a familiar face in her home province from her work with Spirit of Newfoundland, Rising Tide Theatre’s annual Revue, and most notably for her portrayal of the iconic Newfoundland entertainer, Joan Morrissey, in So Let's Bring On Our Favourite: The Joan Morrissey Story, by Jody Richardson and Sue Kent.
Christine Brubaker - Director
Christine Brubaker is a director, actor, dramaturg and educator. She has worked across Canada on the small and large stages and specializes in new work and adaptation. Recent credits include director/dramaturg of the world premiere of The Horse and His Boy at the Shaw Festival; world premieres of Smoke (Downstage Theatre), Wilde Tales, (Shaw Festival), and Elle (Theatre Passe Muraille); and the Canadian workshop premiere of Suzanna Fournier’s antigone lives* (SCPA Calgary). She is a co-creator and performer in 7th Cousins: An Automythography that chronicles a 700km walk tracing the immigration route of her Mennonite ancestors from Pennsylvania to Ontario. 7th Cousins was published this past year by book *hug press. Christine is the creative lead and writer of Henry G20, a large-scale outdoor performance and contemporary adaptation of Henry V that speaks to global capitalism and the protest movement. Henry G20 premieres in Toronto in June 2021 at the Luminato International Arts Festival. Christine is on faculty at University of Calgary’s School of Creative and Performing Arts and splits her time between Alberta and Toronto. She is the winner of two Toronto Dora Mavor Moore Awards for Performance, the 2014 Gina Wilkinson Prize for Direction, and the 2016 Ken MacDougall Prize for Emerging Director. She is an alumnae of the National Theatre School’s Acting program and Michael Langham Program for Classical Direction at the Stratford Festival.
Christine Brubaker is a director, actor, dramaturg and educator. She has worked across Canada on the small and large stages and specializes in new work and adaptation. Recent credits include director/dramaturg of the world premiere of The Horse and His Boy at the Shaw Festival; world premieres of Smoke (Downstage Theatre), Wilde Tales, (Shaw Festival), and Elle (Theatre Passe Muraille); and the Canadian workshop premiere of Suzanna Fournier’s antigone lives* (SCPA Calgary). She is a co-creator and performer in 7th Cousins: An Automythography that chronicles a 700km walk tracing the immigration route of her Mennonite ancestors from Pennsylvania to Ontario. 7th Cousins was published this past year by book *hug press. Christine is the creative lead and writer of Henry G20, a large-scale outdoor performance and contemporary adaptation of Henry V that speaks to global capitalism and the protest movement. Henry G20 premieres in Toronto in June 2021 at the Luminato International Arts Festival. Christine is on faculty at University of Calgary’s School of Creative and Performing Arts and splits her time between Alberta and Toronto. She is the winner of two Toronto Dora Mavor Moore Awards for Performance, the 2014 Gina Wilkinson Prize for Direction, and the 2016 Ken MacDougall Prize for Emerging Director. She is an alumnae of the National Theatre School’s Acting program and Michael Langham Program for Classical Direction at the Stratford Festival.
Jenn Deon - Producing Artistic Director
Jenn is a freelance theatre artist who has worked in St. John’s since the early 90’s. With PerSIStence, she has directed Robert Chafe's Isle of Demons (2017) and Berni Stapleton's The Haunting of Margaret Duley (2019). As artistic director with the Shakespeare by the Sea Festival from 1995-2015, she directed many of its productions over the years, including a female-driven production of The Taming of the Shrew (2014) and an all-female production of Much Ado About Nothing (2008). In 2013, Jenn was a recipient of a Queen's Diamond Jubilee Medal for her community involvement, and in 2018, the Woman of Distinction Award for Arts & Culture from the YWCA St. John's. She is a founder of and the producing artistic director with PerSIStence Theatre. Jenn is also a CHRC-trained facilitator of Respectful Workplace workshops for arts and non-profit organizations.
Jenn is a freelance theatre artist who has worked in St. John’s since the early 90’s. With PerSIStence, she has directed Robert Chafe's Isle of Demons (2017) and Berni Stapleton's The Haunting of Margaret Duley (2019). As artistic director with the Shakespeare by the Sea Festival from 1995-2015, she directed many of its productions over the years, including a female-driven production of The Taming of the Shrew (2014) and an all-female production of Much Ado About Nothing (2008). In 2013, Jenn was a recipient of a Queen's Diamond Jubilee Medal for her community involvement, and in 2018, the Woman of Distinction Award for Arts & Culture from the YWCA St. John's. She is a founder of and the producing artistic director with PerSIStence Theatre. Jenn is also a CHRC-trained facilitator of Respectful Workplace workshops for arts and non-profit organizations.
Amanda Klein - Stage Manager
Amanda is originally from Oshawa, Ontario – but she moved to St. John’s last fall to pursue theatre full time. She has worked with several companies on and off the island, including the Gros Morne Theatre Festival, Opera on the Avalon, and Theatre on the Ridge. Amanda has a love for music, stories, and empowering women in the arts. She looks forward to meeting new challenges head on and embarking on this new adventure with PerSIStence as theatre adapts to a new way of the world.
Amanda is originally from Oshawa, Ontario – but she moved to St. John’s last fall to pursue theatre full time. She has worked with several companies on and off the island, including the Gros Morne Theatre Festival, Opera on the Avalon, and Theatre on the Ridge. Amanda has a love for music, stories, and empowering women in the arts. She looks forward to meeting new challenges head on and embarking on this new adventure with PerSIStence as theatre adapts to a new way of the world.
Michelle LaCour - Sound Design
Michelle LaCour is a freelance audio engineer based in St. John’s. After completing a Bachelor of Music in piano/musicology at Memorial University, she went on to earn a Masters of Music in sound recording from McGill University, where she worked extensively as a live sound engineer, recording engineer, director, and research assistant. Since returning home in 2017, she has taken on a variety of roles, including that of festival manager and administrator; location recordist and post-production mixer for film and television; live sound engineer at various venues in the province; recording, mixing, and mastering engineer for local bands; and sound designer for theatre.
Michelle LaCour is a freelance audio engineer based in St. John’s. After completing a Bachelor of Music in piano/musicology at Memorial University, she went on to earn a Masters of Music in sound recording from McGill University, where she worked extensively as a live sound engineer, recording engineer, director, and research assistant. Since returning home in 2017, she has taken on a variety of roles, including that of festival manager and administrator; location recordist and post-production mixer for film and television; live sound engineer at various venues in the province; recording, mixing, and mastering engineer for local bands; and sound designer for theatre.
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Tiffany Martin - Outreach Coordinator
Tiffany Martin has over twenty years of experience in arts administration and a lifetime of love and commitment to the St. John's arts community. She has worked for RCA, NIFCO, Pope Productions, Artistic Fraud of Newfoundland, and the St. John's International Women's Film Festival just to name a few. Tiffany is one of the most loyal, caring, and supportive co-workers anyone could ask for. She is tickled pink to be able to combine her love for the arts with her beliefs in social justice with PerSIStence Theatre Company!
Tiffany Martin has over twenty years of experience in arts administration and a lifetime of love and commitment to the St. John's arts community. She has worked for RCA, NIFCO, Pope Productions, Artistic Fraud of Newfoundland, and the St. John's International Women's Film Festival just to name a few. Tiffany is one of the most loyal, caring, and supportive co-workers anyone could ask for. She is tickled pink to be able to combine her love for the arts with her beliefs in social justice with PerSIStence Theatre Company!
Erika Squires - Assistant Director
Erika Squires is a multi-faceted theatre artist from St. John’s, Newfoundland. She is a student at Memorial University of Newfoundland studying English with a specialization in Theatre and Drama and she is a teaching assistant and student for the diploma in Film and Stage Technique. Erika is an acting and piano teacher at Courtney Fowler Performance Academy and she is the co-Artistic Director of the new 2SLGBTQIA+ theatre group, GroupHug Productions. She is so excited to be a part of the PerSIStence community!
Erika Squires is a multi-faceted theatre artist from St. John’s, Newfoundland. She is a student at Memorial University of Newfoundland studying English with a specialization in Theatre and Drama and she is a teaching assistant and student for the diploma in Film and Stage Technique. Erika is an acting and piano teacher at Courtney Fowler Performance Academy and she is the co-Artistic Director of the new 2SLGBTQIA+ theatre group, GroupHug Productions. She is so excited to be a part of the PerSIStence community!
Thank yous
Our thanks to Karl Simmons and Marie Jones of the Arts & Culture Centre; Chris Collingwood Jr. of Baine Johnston Properties
To all of the folks at the LSPU Hall - admin office, box office, and tech team - thank you for welcoming us back into the Hall.
Thank you especially to our friends and family in supporting the development and "execution" of this production.
Our thanks to Karl Simmons and Marie Jones of the Arts & Culture Centre; Chris Collingwood Jr. of Baine Johnston Properties
To all of the folks at the LSPU Hall - admin office, box office, and tech team - thank you for welcoming us back into the Hall.
Thank you especially to our friends and family in supporting the development and "execution" of this production.
About Us
PerSIStence Theatre Company Inc. is a non-profit organization in Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada that responds to the persistent and universal need for promoting, understanding and embracing the core beliefs of feminism. Through professional theatre and related initiatives, we work to change hearts and minds. Click here to learn more.
Board members:
Vanessa Cardoso-Whelan
Margot Duley
Sylina Jones - chair
Gabrielle Martin - vice-chair
Trudy Morgan-Cole
Melanie Racette-Campbell
Lori Savory
Kim Todd - secretary
Cara Windsor-Hehir
Jocelyn Young
Office Staff:
Jenn Deon - producing artistic director
Tiffany Martin - outreach coordinator
Erika Squires - executive producing assistant
PerSIStence Theatre Company Inc. is a non-profit organization in Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada that responds to the persistent and universal need for promoting, understanding and embracing the core beliefs of feminism. Through professional theatre and related initiatives, we work to change hearts and minds. Click here to learn more.
Board members:
Vanessa Cardoso-Whelan
Margot Duley
Sylina Jones - chair
Gabrielle Martin - vice-chair
Trudy Morgan-Cole
Melanie Racette-Campbell
Lori Savory
Kim Todd - secretary
Cara Windsor-Hehir
Jocelyn Young
Office Staff:
Jenn Deon - producing artistic director
Tiffany Martin - outreach coordinator
Erika Squires - executive producing assistant
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Instagram: @PersistenceTheatre
Facebook: @PersistenceTheatre
Twitter: @PersistenceNL
Instagram: @PersistenceTheatre
Facebook: @PersistenceTheatre
Twitter: @PersistenceNL
