Discover the history behind the face on the $10 bill through a captivating blend of story and song in Hey Viola! Viola Desmond - The Soundtrack of a Life.
In tribute to Viola Desmond, the Canadian civil-rights activist, Musical TheatreWorks鈥� groundbreaking production takes centre stage in Courtenay on Wednesday, Nov. 1. Presented by the Sid Williams Theatre Society as part of its Blue Circle Series, the piece offers a musical exploration that goes beyond her iconic image.
Leading the cast is co-creator Krystle Dos Santos. She and co-creator and artistic director Tracey Power poured their hearts into bringing this vision to life.
It started in 2017, when the pair were working together on another project.
鈥淲e were hearing so much in the press about Viola Desmond being the face of the new $10 bill, but there wasn鈥檛 enough about who she was, and why her,鈥� said Power, a native of Comox Valley. 鈥淲e wanted to create a piece, myself and Krystle, that would help us get to know her, but [would also give] the audience a more personal relationship with somebody whose face they now see when they go into their wallet.鈥�
This curiosity propelled them into a year-long research journey, navigating the challenges posed by the scarcity of documented history from that era, particularly for women and people of colour. Relying heavily on a biography written by Desmond鈥檚 sibling, Wanda Robson, the narrative eventually took shape.
Dos Santos underscores the significance of sharing this story.
鈥淰iola Desmond was a groundbreaking, ahead-of-her-time entrepreneur who served her community to create better opportunities for Black women 鈥� that alone is so remarkable,鈥� she said. 鈥淲hat we 鈥榢now鈥� her for, the assault and arrest at [New Glasgow, Nova Scotia鈥檚] Roseland movie theatre, however, is an incredibly important lesson in our history and highlights a form of silent and systemic racism we are still facing today. Telling Viola鈥檚 story humanizes her story and her $10-bill fame to a person who was brave, giving and strong but was broken by a system that refused to see her humanity because of the colour of her skin.鈥�
While the story shares Desmond鈥檚 life before and after the 1946 incident at the theatre, the heartbeat of the play is the music. It echoes the era Viola lived in, featuring the soulful sounds of legendary artists like Nina Simone and Sam Cooke, who used their music to advocate against racial injustice.
Set in Harlem music club Small鈥檚 Paradise, the ambiance of a bygone era vividly comes to life through their artistry as Dos Santos and a supporting trio that includes musical director Steve Charles seamlessly move through gospel, jazz and freedom songs.
鈥淭he music of her lifetime is within this piece,鈥� said Power, noting it adds a potent layer to the narrative while forging an emotional connection with the audience.
Hey Viola! remains firmly grounded in factual accuracy.
鈥淲e have a creative conceit that helps us bring all the music into the show, but everything inside of that device is fact, and it鈥檚 her lifem鈥� said Power. 鈥淲e didn鈥檛 want anything false in there鈥e didn鈥檛 want to make up anything.鈥�
For Dos Santos, an award-winning blues and jazz singer who has ventured out of the recording studio and onto the theatrical stage in recent years, this show offered a distinctive approach that resonated deeply. She describes it as a conversational, historical musical approach, akin to being in Viola鈥檚 living room, chatting about her life and witnessing firsthand how her experiences shaped her.
Portraying Desmond has been a personal experience for her.
鈥淰iola鈥檚 shoulders are among those upon which I stand,鈥� Dos Santos said. 鈥淚 wish I had known her story growing up because it would鈥檝e totally changed my confidence and mindset. Being able to share that story with young people and give them that foundation at a young age is so powerful, as well as members of all ages, who are enlightened, educated and moved by her story. I couldn鈥檛 think of more valuable and fulfilling work for myself.鈥�
For the audience, Power notes the experience is nothing short of revelatory, transcending boundaries and demographics. 鈥淚 think it鈥檚 for everybody, and you can鈥檛 say that about every show.鈥�
Particularly, students have eagerly embraced the opportunity to learn about Viola Desmond, reflecting a growing awareness and appreciation for her pivotal role in Canadian history.
Dos Santos often engages with the audience post-performance and says the emotional impact of the play has been profound.
鈥淭here have been so many instances where people come out crying or can hardly speak to me because of how emotional they are. But the most incredible encounter I had was from Viola鈥檚 nephew, Wanda Robson鈥檚 son Gordon. He came up to me after the show at the Gateway Theatre in Richmond and said, 鈥榊ou got almost every single detail right, except for the fact that my grandfather never sang 鈥� he couldn鈥檛 sing a lick鈥欌�� That鈥檚 when I realized he was Wanda鈥檚 son, and I just started immediately tearing up. It was such a powerful moment.鈥�
Come be part of an experience that leaves an indelible mark on hearts and minds alike. Tickets are available now online, by phone or in person at the box office. For additional information about Hey Viola! Viola Desmond 鈥� The Soundtrack of a Life, visit www.sidwilliamstheatre.com.
