Description

ABOUT THE SHOW

CREATED BY KRYSTLE DOS SANTOS & TRACEY POWER

Hey Viola!, is a musical exploration of Canadian Civil Rights hero, Viola Desmond and could not be more relevant in this time of Civil Rights, Black Lives Matter, and Women’s Rights movements. In Hey Viola!, Vancouver songstress and actor Krystle Dos Santos, with the support of local musicians Chris Davis, Steven Charles and Jen Lewin brings the life of Viola Desmond to the stage using the dynamic and inspirational music that filled the home of this trailblazer of the civil rights movement. Using the musical format enriches the telling of her amazing and powerful story, ultimately an important Canadian story.

But who is Viola Desmond…? other than the newest face on Canada’s ten-dollar bill. She is best known for her courage in refusing to leave the whites-only section of Nova Scotia’s Roseland cinema in 1946, a decision that made history, but she was also a feminist and beauty product icon. What was the fire within this successful black Canadian businesswoman that gave her the courage and confidence to stand up to systemic racial injustices in Canada? Teaming up to create this work are two immense talents: Tracey Power, Co-creator and Director, who created Glory, Chelsea Hotel, The Songs of Leonard Cohen and the musical Miss Shakespeare and Krystle Dos Santos, an extraordinary actor, blues, jazz and soul singer and creator of “BLAK”, exploring Canada’s Black history.

“I feel so honoured to be able to continue to share Viola’s story, now more than ever as we continue to make our way through a time when perspective and togetherness is so important,” stated Krystle Dos Santos. “Viola was such an incredibly driven, intelligent and strong woman. Her story is an important message to share and relevant in today’s world. As Canadians, we have to recognize that this is not a unique story in our history, but one that reflects an imperfect culture, past and present, I have seen how audiences really open up to her experience and feel a connection to her as a person through this production.”

SONG LIST

I Don’t Want to Set the World on Fire – Dream A Little Dream – This Train – On the Sunny Side of the Street – Tomorrow is my Turn – A Kiss to Build a Dream On – A Change is Gonna Come – Sinnerman – Trouble In Mind – Don’t Let Me Be Misundersood – Ain’t Gonna Let Nobody Turn Me Around – Smile – Feeling Good – Mississippi Goddam – I Wish I Knew How It would Feel to be Free