News Release and Background

News Release

A one-night showcase of music from Ann Mortifee’s new musical, THE MYSTERIES, takes place Monday June 12 at the Stanley Industrial Alliance Stage in Vancouver.

VANCOUVER, BC (JUNE 1, 2017) An ensemble of 14 powerful voices and 5 top musicians will perform to a capacity crowd in a showcase of music from Ann Mortifee’s new show, The Mysteries. The event is made possible by the Touchstone Theatre ‘In Tune’ program, which develops and showcases new Canadian musicals, and the Arts Club Theatre Company. Presenting the music to a live audience is a key step in the show’s development process.

“Ann Mortifee’s The Mysteries is worthy of the gods. Its brilliant cadences of words and song, streaming from the mind and soul of Ann Mortifee’s genius, and its sheer gifts of originality and surprise grant us wildly creative breakthroughs into what musical theater can be. It is a revelation, an epiphany, and a grand good time.” – Jean Houston

This important new work created with Edward Henderson and David Feinstein explores the contemporary relevance of an ancient myth. When Persephone, daughter of the goddess Demeter, is abducted to the underworld by Hades, grieving Demeter withdraws her life-giving powers from the earth. ‘

“For me, this is more than a re-telling of an ancient Greek myth”, states Ann. “It is a warning from the past that if we do not bring the masculine and feminine perspective into harmony, the environmental catastrophe into which the world is falling will not be healed.”

The speed at which over 500 tickets were reserved, following a social media mention of the event, left many disappointed at missing the opportunity to attend. Fortunately, a waitlist is accessible through the-mysteries.eventbrite.ca.

Ann’s cultural legacy as a singer, composer, lyricist and librettist includes co-writing the music for The Ecstasy of Rita Joe, co-starring in the long-running Arts Club hit, Jacques Brel is Alive and Well and Living in Paris and creating and starring in Reflections on Crooked Walking.

While the subject matter is complex, bright moments abound as the story travels back and forth in time. The music also features many soul-stirring moments – Mortifee hallmarks.

Contact: Barbara Constantine, Communications Director, ESKOVA Enterprises

For live links see the pdf: NEWS RELEASE Showcase of New Ann Mortifee Musical