The Creative Team behind the show
https://annmortifee.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/persephone-and-the-pomegranate-1000x1024.jpg 1000 1024 Ann Mortifee Ann Mortifee https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/0c8e3e8717c6bb8fc2e94cb6f1d38ac7?s=96&d=mm&r=gTHE MYSTERIES (Now titled “ME TOO, PERSEPHONE”)
An Ancient Myth for Modern Times – Book by Ann Mortifee with David Feinstein, Music by Ann Mortifee with Edward Henderson, Libretto by Ann Mortifee.
The event is made possible by Touchstone Theatre’s event In Tune 2017, which develops and showcases new Canadian musicals, and the Arts Club Theatre Company.
Edward Henderson has worked extensively in Canada’s music community, composing theatrical scores for the Stratford Festival and Arts Club Theatre Company, and documentary scores for the CBC, CTV, Bravo, Knowledge and Vision networks. Commissions include compositions for the Vancouver Chamber Choir, Elektra Women’s Choir, The Dance Centre, Canadian Music Centre, Vancouver InterCultural Orchestra and musica intima. He has been nominated for numerous awards, and is the recipient of Juno, Jessie Richardson, Dora Mavor Moore, Leo and Cannes Awards. (edhendersonmusic.com)
Ann Mortifee, CM is a Canadian singer, composer and librettist, author, and keynote speaker. Her work draws on spiritual traditions from around the world, and her music blends folk, musical theatre, pop, sacred and world music. She is a member of the Order of Canada, and has received national and international distinctions and awards for her albums, concerts, musicals, scores for ballet, film, opera and TV as well as her book, In Love with the Mystery. She facilitates arts and consciousness workshops, and has co-founded two foundations – one for social innovation and one for forestry conservation. (annmortifee.com)
David Feinstein, Ph.D., is a clinical psychologist and the author of Personal Mythology, is a pioneer in developing innovative therapeutic approaches, leading to nine national awards for his books on consciousness and healing. He and his wife, Donna Eden, have built the world’s largest and most vibrant organization teaching energy medicine. Their latest award-winning book, The Energies of Love, achieved best-seller status on the NY Times Relationship List. David has served on the faculties of The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Antioch College, and the California School of Professional Psychology. (Learn more)
Vocalists
Laur Fugère – Persephone, goddess of spring, daughter of Demeter and Zeus
Susan Anderson – Demeter, goddess of the earth and fertility, sister of Zeus
Ann Mortifee – Hekate, goddess of magic/woman of age and wisdom
Stephen Aberle – Zeus, king of the gods, brother of Demeter
Warren Kimmel – Hades, god of the underworld, brother of Zeus
Scott Perrie – Hermes, god of transitions, messenger of the gods
CHORUS (as temple initiates, shades, background singers, Greek chorus, phantoms, Baptist choir and cabaret singers) NOTE: Special thanks are extended to Siri Olesen and musica intima vocal ensemble for their support.
Jenny Andersen
Caitlin Beaupré
Emily Cheung
Joanna Dundas
Erik Kallo
Paul Nash
Taka Shimojima
Shane Raman
Musicians
Guitars – Edward Henderson
Keyboards – Miles Black
Cello – Finn Manniche
Viola – Henry Lee
Bass – Laurence Mollerup
Cast
Laur Fugère: Persephone, goddess of spring, daughter of Demeter and Zeus. Laur brings extensive experience as a singer, vocal coach, music director and consultant to the show. She has worked with Le Cirque Du Soleil, Cats, and Les Misérables, and studied with leading vocal, dance, stage, acting, diction, drumming, movement, meditation, and shamanic instructors around the world.
Susan Anderson*: Demeter, goddess of the earth and fertility, sister of Zeus. Susan is a veteran musical theatre performer. She has appeared across Canada, and in Japan and Germany, and spent one year co-starring in Anne of Green Gables in London, England. Susan has taught musical theatre for years, was a regular on The Tommy Hunter Show and has adjudicated many dance festivals.
Ann Mortifee*: Hekate, goddess of magic/woman of age and wisdom. Ann Mortifee, CM, is an award-winning Canadian singer, composer and librettist, author and keynote speaker. She performs nationally and internationally and her music blends influences of folk, musical theatre, pop, sacred and world music into her own unique genre. She is a proud member of the Order of Canada.
Stephen Aberle*: Zeus, king of the gods, brother of Demeter. Stephen is an actor and singer, known for his film and TV work, including Hands of a Stranger, Supernatural, and The L Word. His strong voice can regularly be heard with the Vancouver Jewish Folk Choir and Solidarity Notes, a group of activists whose repertoire includes labour and social justice songs from past and present.
Warren Kimmel*: Hades, god of the underworld, brother of Zeus. Warren is a stage and film actor/singer. Born in South Africa and trained at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art in London, Warren’s many on-camera credits include Murdoch Mysteries and Stargate SG-1. His stage appearances include Beauty and the Beast, Cats, Evita, Grease, Legally Blonde and Les Miserables.
Scott Perrie*: Hermes, god of transitions, messenger of the gods. Scott Perrie is an actor, singer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist. In addition to performing across Canada, he appears in TV and film. Scott has been a lead vocalist with some of Vancouver’s premier cover bands, and he burst onto Vancouver’s indie-music scene as lead-singer and songwriter with Redgy Blackout.
*Engaged with the permission of Canadian Actors Equity Association
Chorus
(Temple initiates, shades, background singers, Greek chorus, phantoms, Baptist choir and cabaret singers)
Jenny Andersen – Jenny has a B.Mus in voice performance from the University of Calgary. She has toured extensively as a soloist, teaches music, is a member of the Vancouver Chamber Choir, and performs regularly in theatre, opera and musical theatre. (Learn More)
Caitlin Beaupré – Caitlin, a soprano, has sung with musica intima vocal ensemble since 2009. She has two degrees from the UBC School of Music, sang with the Vancouver Chamber Choir and Vancouver Cantata Singers, and sings with the swing group, Lady Larks. (Learn More)
Emily Cheung – Emily’s soprano voice can regularly be heard with the Vancouver Cantata Singers. Singing in the World Youth Choir led to her becoming a founding member of The Time Ensemble, an a cappella group whose members hail from 21 countries. (Learn More)
Joanna Dundas – Joanna, a soprano and past artistic director of musica intima, helped direct Womenspiration in celebration of Intl. Women’s Day, and now coordinating viewing events for the upcoming IMS Contemporary Music Festival in Vancouver. (Learn More)
Erik Kallo – Erik, a tenor, has a B.Mus in Voice Performance from UBC. He sings with Pacific Spirit Choir in West Vancouver and with musica intima. Erik is a versatile singer who also has extensive experience in vocal jazz and in fronting with big bands. (Learn More)
Paul Nash – Paul, a bass, is an Honours graduate from the University of Victoria, where he studied double bass and voice. A 16-year member of the Vancouver Chamber Choir, he has also performed as a soloist and ensemble singer with two major symphonies, choral ensembles and the Montreal Jazz Festival. (Learn More)
Shane Raman – Shane, a baritone with a B.Mus in Vocal Performance from UBC, sings with musica intima, and Cor Flammae. He also conducts and is a composer, arranger and song-writer. Shane teaches private voice at the Sarah McLachlan School of Music. (Learn More)
Taka Shimojima – Taka, a tenor and UBC School of Music student, aspires to ignite passion and hope through music. In addition to singing, he has studied piano, violin, guitar, and bassoon. Tak enjoys the creativity and accomplishment of ensemble singing. (Learn More)
Musicians
Guitars – Edward Henderson – Ed is a prolific and award-winning composer, producer, arranger, conductor, and musical director. Ever versatile, he works in theatre, film and TV, chamber choir, symphony and dance. He has recorded and performed with many of Canada’s top performers, including several collaborations with Ann Mortifee (When the Rains Come, Into the Heart of the Sangoma and THE MYSTERIES). (edhendersonmusic.com)
Keyboards – Miles Black – Miles brings a wealth of musical experience and expertise to almost every facet of the music industry. One of Canada’s most accomplished jazz pianists, Miles is also an in-demand arranger, producer, composer, session musician, guitarist, vocalist, bassist, saxophonist, songwriter, instructor, and musical theatre director.(milesblack.com)
Cello – Finn Manniche – Finn is a versatile and passionate musician with a Music degree from UBC and a penchant for playing anything and everything, whether on guitar or cello. Groups he plays with live and/or on CD include: the Armadillo String Quartet, Ensemble Symposium, the Jazzmanian Devils, Soul Crib, the Paperboys and 54/40. (Learn More)
Viola – Henry Lee – Henry has a M. Mus. from the Juilliard School and has appeared at Avery Fischer Hall, Alice Tully Hall and Carnegie Hall. He is a chamber musician and a soloist, and currently plays with the Vancouver Symphony. Henry has also been the Principle Viola for both the Royal Winnipeg Ballet and Ballet BC Orchestras. (Learn More)
Bass – Laurence Mollerup – Laurence is active in a wide variety of music, including classical, jazz, world, and Latin. In addition to playing with orchestras and choirs, he performs with jazz ensembles, big bands, CBC Radio, jazz and folk festivals and in musical theatre. He has performed on CDs and in film scores, he teaches, and he makes bass guitars. (Learn More)
Special Thanks
Thanks also to Dramaturge Peter Hay.
In Tune 2017, a biennial event dedicated to the creation of new Canadian musicals, taking place in the cultural hub of Granville Island in Vancouver BC. In Tune 2017 features events that directly serve the musical theatre creation process, including masterclasses, showcases of new musicals in development, panel discussions, and special events.
