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
Music in the Atrium
The Atrium at the Princess Margaret Hospital is about a half-dozen floors high, and is open to the hallways that lead to the busy hospital wards. So when there is a “Music in the Atrium” program, it’s not just folks sitting in the audience who see the performance, it’s also people who are watching and listening from above: patients, caregivers, … Read More
We can fix this
Two sounds, one turning point. Mr. Verious sings with solemn, ‘holy’ organ music: he’s thinking that all is well and is simply putting a ‘bow’ on the package: check, it’s done. Esther sings with an energetic, alive music—the sound of someone who believes change is necessary. She points out that the problem is actually not solved, and the repercussions from … Read More
Investigate! Interrogate!
Two worlds, one stage. Inside the Ham family home, an agitated Ham paces, demanding answers. Outside, Esther walks quiet and deliberate, already several steps ahead, thinking through what comes next. Tension builds not through confrontation, but through contrast. This scene is a great example of what often happens in the real world. Each person is living in their world, with … 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
Talent Stadium
Welcome to the gaudy spectacle of “Talent Stadium,” where three contestants elbow each other out of the spotlight, each one louder and more desperate than the last: “Look at my smile,” and then “I’ll tell you what to do” – all vying for the judges’ attention. Then Esther steps up to sing, with the heartfelt song Sometimes. No elbowing, no … 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