Backstory Sizzle Reel

One of the most fascinating parts of our theatre journey has actually been… the journey itself. If you’ve been following us for a while (or if you’ve been going through the website) you know the backstory already: Randall got leukemia, then wrote Who Is Esther over seven months while receiving treatment at the Princess Margaret Cancer Centre. The musical went … Read More

Five-month recipe: from script to performance.

We admit it: we are first-time producers who have never been involved in any production before, let alone a musical. So we are often asked how we were able to go from script to performance in five months and “pull it all off” so successfully? When we are at the theatre conference later this week, the session we are running … Read More

We’re going to a theater conference

We’re going to our very first conference for those involved in the world of theatre. It’s quite exciting, but what does it matter? What difference will it make? One thing we’ve realized is that the arts world is exceptionally collaborative: from the writing and composing, to the dramaturgy, to the workshops and musical feedback, to the producing of the performance, … Read More

Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving is an interesting holiday: for some, it’s about getting together with family. For others, it’s about having an extra day off work. And for a different group, it’s simply about being thankful. That’s what this post is about. We’re thankful for our health (and for Randall to have survived leukemia) We’re thankful for the gift of music from Who … Read More

Misogyny and Accountability

One of the more challenging aspects in the original Book of Esther is how misogyny is dealt with: in the end Haman (Ham) is hung, but the King gets off scot-free. There is no accountability. On one hand, it’s easy to say, “Well, he was the King,” or “We don’t know what happens AFTER the Book, that wasn’t written down,” … Read More

Toronto International Film Festival

Who Is Esther has a fascinating – and inspiring – backstory. Randall Craig wrote it in the hospital while receiving treatment for leukemia and a subsequent bone marrow transplant. The development process was also interesting: a first-time playwright trying (unsuccessfully) to elbow in to the established theatre scene. And then there’s the production itself: from a script and score, the … Read More

Thank You for your Service to Date

There’s a moment when enough is enough when you stop absorbing someone else’s abuse and claim the power to move forward. “Thank You for Your Service to Date” is that moment: the line drawn, the turning point where silence ends and strength begins. The Kingston Fringe run is behind us, but this scene is still just a listen away. Revisit … Read More

The Invitation

A single invitation changes everything. It is the moment the story turns for Esther, and there’s no going back. The Kingston Fringe run is behind us, but this scene, and this story, is still just an invitation away. Revisit the music anytime on Apple Music and Sportify. Let it pull you back in.

Turnabout

Real wisdom means being willing to turn around and look again. “Turn About,” from Who Is Esther, honors the humble, the gracious, the truly exceptional: the ones who choose to see differently. So turn around, and buy your ticket to Kingston Fringe. 🎭