Ann Mortifee’s Reflections on Crooked Walking takes audiences on a meandering journey of discovery through an alternate realm. At Firehall Arts Centre until December 22nd, this is not your typical holiday musical, but a quirky, fantasy, frolic reminiscent of the fairytales from our youth.
Directed by Donna Spencer with Musical Director Bill Costin working from the music and lyrics by Ann Mortifee Reflections on Crooked Walking follows four people who find themselves the only townsfolk awake when all others have been hit by a mysterious sleeping sickness. In their search for a cure, they step through a doorway to another world where they face obstacles from within themselves as well as those put in place by a nefarious overseer, however a helpful doorman nudges them along.
Meghan Gardiner imbues the villainous Opia with her powerful voice and a perfect blend of class and camp while the dapper Jesse Liscombe carries the doorman with regality. As the four townsfolk – Paige Fraser as the affable, effervescent Gabby, Anthony F. Ingram as book smart Reverend Blinker, Marija Danyluk as the spritely Feathertoes and Frankie Cottrell as the timid Sufferton – all have wonderful chemistry and carry their roles and interactions with great charisma. Other standouts are Jeffry Michael Follis as Wayless and Daune Campbell as Nimbleknees, Opia’s minions. Rounding out the talented company, Katie Schram, Jesse Alvarez, Nevada Banks, Ben Brown play the sleeping townspeople as well as a variety of otherworldly creatures.
In spite of being written 4 decades ago, Reflections on Crooked Walking still feels topical and fresh. With the current Wicked-hype bringing attention to the Wizard of Oz, it’s hard to not to see similarities, and like that nearly century-old film, personal and social struggles are at the fore with Mortifee’s Juno-nominated music offsetting the serious topics. While it’s a break from the sometimes saccharin seasonal offerings, Reflections on Crooked Walking offers a jolly jaunt through the festive period.
Reflections on Crooked Walking plays at the Firehall Arts Centre, 280 East Cordova Street, until December 22, 2024, visit firehallartscentre.ca for showtimes and tickets.