While many of us are aware of Viola Desmond, as the face on the Canadian $10 bill, or perhaps from the Canadian Heritage Minute, Hey Viola! shows there’s more to the civil rights icon than that one moment in time.
Like its namesake, Hey Viola! is dignified and quiet as it makes a statement about racial injustices in Canada. Set in Smalls Paradise, a Harlem cabaret where Desmond worked her way through beauty school, as a waitress. Here she shares her life with the audience as she brings voice to a songbook of timeless standards from the first half of the twentieth century, including; Dream a Little Dream (of Me), This Train, A Change Is Gonna Come, Don’t Let Me Be Misunderstood, Mississippi Goddam and many more.
Co-creator and star, Krystle Dos Santos’ skilled vocals do more than just perform the music, she fills them with meaning telling the stories of Viola Desmond’s life from one of 11 children growing up in a music-filled home in Halifax, to becoming a successful entrepreneur and later civil rights legend.
The cabaret style seating allows the audience to play a part in what is essentially a one-woman show, if not for the backing trio of Jen Lewin on Piano, Chris Davis on Drums & Trumpet and Musical Director Steve Charles on Guitar & Bass. Whether by direction of Co-creator/Director Tracey Power, small stumbles in the dialogue make the experience feel real, and less scripted, as we’re hearing Ms Viola recount these stories for the first time, up close and personal.
As the years role on, we also hear the song choices grow bolder and more politically charged, matching a steady and successful career with a life that suddenly took a sharp turn with a split second decision to stay seated downstairs in a Nova Scotia movie theatre, after being told “you people” are not allowed to sit there. Then embolden by the injustice, and support of some in her community she rose to the challenge to fight for her civil rights. Finally, reinventing herself back in New York and telling the audience about it all.
Viola Desmond’s fight never stopped, and while her story took place 76 years ago, the challenge never ends to make sure these stories and ones that continue to happen aren’t forgotten. Take the opportunity to learn more about the Canadian icon, and enjoy an evening of brilliant music as Vancouver’s Krystle Dos Santos embodies Halifax’s Viola Desmond to bring the soundtrack of her life and Hey Viola! to the Anvil Theatre until March 27th.
Tickets and show details are available at anvilcentre.com