by Patti Flather
Directed by Chris McGregor
The Soul Menders premiered at The Guild Hall in Whitehorse, Yukon on November 19, 2009, a co-production of Gwaandak Theatre and The Guild.
A world premiere from award-winning playwright Patti Flather. Since her divorce, Bea wants to date plenty of men, complain about her ex and cancel Christmas. Her witty teen son Stephen is determined to create a new Truth of Christmas with stolen street signs, Santa hat and lights. Gordon, a shy math teacher, chats nightly with his late wife but can't reach his alienated daughter. Erik the jilted forestry executive clings to New Age spiritualism while flirting with Bea. Her proudly single friend Neda aches for her son at university and mother far away in Iran. An intelligent comedy about love-weary people and fractured families struggling to become whole at Christmastime.
| Bea | Suzanne Ristic* |
| Gordon | Roy Ness |
| Eric | Doug Mayr |
| Neda | Sophia Marnik |
| Lizzie | Krystal Dawn |
| Stephen | Ben Barrett-Forrest |
*Actors appear with the permission of the Canadian Actors Equity Association
Patti Flather is a member of the Playwrights Guild of Canada.
| Director | Chris McGregor* |
| Set Design | Dean Eyre |
| Lighting Design | Elliot Hamilton |
| Costumre Design | Kaori Torigai |
| Costume Assistant | Teka Rae Sparks |
| Scenic Painting | Sophia Flather |
| Set Decoration | Linda Leon |
| Technical Assistant | Alain Jr. Boucher |
| Sound Design | Andrea McColeman |
| Chris McGregor | |
| Graphic Design | Catalyst Communications |
| Tanya Handley | |
| Archival Photography | Bruce Barrett |
| Movement Coach | Anton Solomon |
| Vocal Coach | Rachel Grantham |
| Stage Manager | Stephen Dunbar Edge |
| Assistant Stage Managers | Jason Westover |
| Ramona Toth | |
| Props Setter/Waiter | Nansen Murray |
| Head Carpenter | Jamie Campbell |
| Carpenter | Al Loewen |
| Properties | Cheryl Kawaja |
| Alain Jr. Boucher | |
| Chris McGregor | |
| Rigging | Elliot Hamilton |
| Alain Jr. Boucher | |
| Publicity | Katherine McCallum |
| Patti Flather |
Yukon Copper Companion
Pelly Construction Ltd.
Obsidian Investor
Yukon Energy Corporation
Red Ochre Benefactors
Riverstone Dental Clinic
EBA Engineering
Almost Home Bed and Breakfast
Minto Explorations
Dentalium Shell Sponsors
Air North
Outcrop Yukon
Medicine Chest Pharmacy
Elaine Schiman
Guild Society Season Sponsors
Northwestel, City of Whitehorse, YAFP, Catalyst Communications, Whitehorse Motors, Integraphics, Yukon News
Funders
Yukon Tourism and Culture - Yukon Arts Fund
Yukon Advanced Artist Award - Play Development
When I began The Soul Menders several years ago, I decided I didn't want to curl up in a fetal position in a dark corner as I wrote. I was going to write a romantic comedy, and have fun doing it. I happen to love Christmas. I always want it to be perfect. And of course it never is, but there are magical moments which come close.
Seperations of all sorts, divorces and the sudden deaths of loved ones have been a part of my adult reality. Somehow, I and my family have "muddled along" as Gordon says, and we still have the ability to laugh, and hope. With The Soul Menders, I home you will too.
I have been blessed with the most hilarious, talented and devoted cast crew and volunteers a playwright could wish for, led by director Chris McGregor. He has taken a running dive into this forty-scene play with zaniness, sensitivity, and never-ending energy.
I am grateful for the support of the following people and organizations in the development of this play: Nakai Theatre, Celia McBride, Maryam Zargar, Heidi Taylor and Playwrights Theatre Centre, Bob White and Banff Playwrights Colony, Yukon Advanced Artist Award, Well Read Books, Eric Epstein, Tina Woodland and The Guild, and as always, Leonard, Erin and Sophia. The Soul Menders is dedicated to my mother Jullia and father Osric.
Patti Flather
