May 26 - June 18, 2023

Berkeley Street Theatre - Marilyn and Charles Baillie Theatre
Pictured: Eva Foote, Jessica Sherman; Photos by Dahlia Katz & Elana Emer
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KELLY v. KELLY

Inspired by true events from 1915 in New York, KELLY v. KELLY tells the story of a mother and daughter divided by passion, money, and values. When 19-year-old heiress Eugenia Kelly becomes tangled in an affair with a seductive tango dancer, her distraught mother Helen has her arrested and charged with incorrigibility, but despite her life becoming a public scandal, Eugenia is prepared to put everything on the line for love. Inspired by the court case that scandalized a nation, KELLY v. KELLY is an engrossing battle between mother and daughter and an unraveling of what it means to be a woman in America on the cusp of enormous societal change.

Featuring an electrifying musical score and mesmeric choreography, the inaugural production of KELLY v. KELLY will take you inside the imaginations of two of Canada’s most celebrated musical theatre forces.

KELLY v. KELLY is the third production in The Crescendo Series, a three-year commitment by The Musical Stage Company to produce the work of Britta Johnson and her collaborators.

A Musical Stage Company Production in Association with Canadian Stage

Sponsors

Producing Patrons
The Don & Shirley Green Family Foundation
Developed With Support From
Developed With Support From
National Alliance for Musical Theatre’s Frank Young Fund for New Musicals
Crescendo Series Leading Light
Anne-Marie Canning
Additional Development Support Provided By
Lucy White

KELLY v. KELLY is part of the Crescendo Series, a three-year commitment by The Musical Stage Company to produce the work of Britta Johnson and her collaborators.

Commissioned by The Musical Stage Company, Mitchell Marcus, Artistic & Managing Director, Robert McQueen, Director of New Musical Development.

Commissioned with funding from the Aubrey & Marla Dan Fund for New Musicals, funded by The Aubrey & Marla Dan Foundation.

Developed with support from the National Arts Centre’s National Creation Fund.

Supported in part by the Frank Young Fund for New Musicals, a program of National Alliance for Musical Theatre – www.namt.org

KELLY v. KELLY was originally developed at the Canadian Musical Theatre Project at Sheridan College in Oakville, Ontario, Canada, Michael Rubinoff, Producing Artistic Director.

Credits

A World Premiere produced by The Musical Stage Company in association with Canadian Stage 

Cast

Ensemble
Dave Ball

Ensemble
Joel Cumber

Ensemble
Peter Fernandes

Eugenia Kelly
Eva Foote

Ensemble
Mike Jackson

Ensemble
Julia McLellan

Helen Kelly
Jessica Sherman

Ensemble
Margaret Thompson

Ensemble
Kelsey Verzotti

Al Davis
Jeremy Walmsley

Creative Team

Book
Sara Farb

Music & Lyrics
Britta Johnson

Director & Choreographer
Tracey Flye

Music Supervisor, Orchestrator, Arranger
Lynne Shankel

Music Director
Jonathan Corkal-Astorga

Design & Production Team

Set & Lighting Design
Lorenzo Savoini

Costume Design
Alex Amini

Sound Design
Brian Kenny

Production Manager
Andrei Mazuruc

Stage Manager
Lisa Humber

Assistant Stage Manager
Kat Chin

Associate Choreographer
Adam Sergison

Assistant to the Music Director
Benjamin Kersey

Copyist
Ryan Driscoll

Head of Props
Lisa Nighswander

Head Scenic Artist
Paul Boddum

Production Assistant
Luciano DeCicco

Band

Piano/Conductor
Jonathan Corkal-Astorga

Woodwinds
Sasha Boychouk

Violin/Mandolin
Jessica Deutsch

Viola/Accordion
Anna Atkinson

Bass
Erik Larson

Venue

Frequently Asked Questions

Show Calendar

CREATOR BIOS

SARA FARB

Sara is currently playing Delphi Diggory in the original Canadian company of Harry Potter and the Cursed Child after making her Broadway debut in the same role. Other performance credits: Six seasons at the Stratford Festival with roles in closing Juliet, Anne Frank, and Cordelia; Willow in LIGHT (Tarragon Theatre); Medium Alison in FUN HOME (Musical Stage/Mirvish, Dora nominee, TTCA winner); Brigid in THE HUMANS (Canadian premiere at Citadel/Canadian Stage); productions at Soulpepper, Theatre Calgary, Tarragon, Theatre Passe Muraille, Segal Centre, YPT, and others. Sara and Britta’s short musical, HE IS COMING (Musical Stage/AGO) received a Dora nomination for best new musical. Her play, LOVE US MOST, was recently presented as part of Studio 180’s In Development series. She is currently working on a new musical with Anton Lipovetsky for YES Theatre.

BRITTA JOHNSON

Britta Johnson is a composer, lyricist and writer based in Toronto. Her original musical, Life After had an extended, multiple Dora award-winning run with The Musical Stage Company and Canadian Stage before playing at the Old Globe Theatre in San Diego, and most recently Goodman Theatre in Chicago. Her other writing credits include: With her sister Anika: DR.SILVER, BRANTWOOD (Theatre Sheridan), JACOB TWO-TWO (Young People’s Theatre), and TRAP DOOR (Theatre Sheridan). With Sara Farb: KELLY V. KELLY, REFRAMED. With Katherine Cullen: STUPIDHEAD! (Theatre Passe Muraille). She was the inaugural Crescendo Artist with Musical Stage Company which included a commitment to produce three of her shows in three years and was named one of Fifty to Watch by the Broadway Women’s Fund of America.

AUDIO DESCRIBED PERFORMANCES

The Musical Stage Company is offering two live audio-described performances during the run of KELLY v. KELLY for theatre lovers who are blind, low-vision, or partially sighted. This audio description experience will provide real-time description of the visual elements of KELLY v. KELLY, voiced live by a trained describer.

Audio description will be available at the following two performances:

  • Sunday, June 4 at 2 PM
  • Saturday, June 17 at 2 PM

All tickets for patrons who would like to take advantage of the audio description are Pay What You Wish! All tickets for companions or support people are complimentary. To book your tickets, please contact Accessibility Manager Alethea Bakogeorge directly by email at aletheabakogeorge@musicalstagecompany.com, or by phone at (416) 927-7880 ext. 226.

Your audio description experience will include an audio pre-show introduction to the piece, and audio-described programme materials. New for 2023, we are also offering a pre-show touch tour. To reserve your place at our pre-show touch tour, please contact Accessibility Manager Alethea Bakogeorge directly by email at aletheabakogeorge@musicalstagecompany.com, or by phone at (416) 927-7880 ext. 226.

The audio description is provided through the Sennheiser Mobile Connect App, available for iOS and Android devices. We have a limited number of smart phones with the app that our staff can setup for your use. These devices are available on a first-come, first-served basis before the performance. You will be required to leave a piece of photo I.D. The devices require the use of headphones or earbuds – you can bring your own personal pair, or we can provide you with a set of earbuds. You can also download the app onto your own smartphone for use during the show. Click here for a PDF version of the instructions on how to download and use the app.

ACCESSIBLE SEATING

Accessible seating is available in the orchestra level. Please contact the Canadian Stage box office directly to book.

ASSISTIVE LISTENING SYSTEM

The Berkeley Street Theatre is equipped for assistive listening devices using the Sennheiser Mobile Connect app. Our partners at Canadian Stage have a limited number of smart phones with the app that our staff can setup for your use. These devices are available on a first-come, first-served basis before the performance. You will be required to leave a piece of photo I.D. The devices require the use of headphones or earbuds – you can bring your own personal pair, or the Canadian Stage box office can provide you with a set of earbuds. You can also download the app onto your own smartphone for use during the show. Click here for a PDF version of the instructions on how to download and use the app.

ACCESSIBLE WASHROOM

A barrier-free, gender-neutral washroom is available for use – it includes a motorized door, grab bars, and an emergency alarm for use if emergency assistance is required.

Please speak to any member of the Canadian Stage Front of House staff for more information when you are on-site.

ASSISTIVE DEVICES

You are welcome to bring your own assistive devices (canes, wheelchairs, walkers, etc.) to the Berkeley Street Theatre.

Please be aware that, due to fire regulations and space limitations, large assistive devices (i.e., walkers) must be stored outside of the theatre during performances. The Canadian Stage Front of House team will help with the storage and retrieval of your equipment. Canadian Stage and The Musical Stage Company are not responsible for any lost or damaged items that are stored during a performance.

SERVICE ANIMALS

Accredited service animals are always welcome at our performances. Guide dogs or other service animals, including service animals in training, can accompany patrons to your performance of KELLY v. KELLY. If you are planning to bring a service animal, please book by contacting Accessibility Manager Alethea Bakogeorge directly by email at aletheabakogeorge@musicalstagecompany.com, or by phone at (416) 927-7880 ext. 226.

Please be aware that if a service animal is causing a disturbance for other visitors, the patron and accompanying service animal may be asked to leave the performance. Please note that owners are responsible for picking up after their animals.

If you are a bringing a service animal, we recommend that you review any audience advisories about special effects that may affect your service animal during the production (i.e., loud noise, lighting effects, other animals, etc.). This information may not be known at the time of booking but can be confirmed by the Box Office staff and/or on-site Front of House staff closer to the date of your performance.

SUPPORT PERSONS/COMPANIONS

We welcome support persons and companions to accompany patrons with access needs. At no time will a person who is accompanied by a support person be prevented from having access to his or her support person while on our premises.

We consider a support person to be an individual hired or chosen by a person with access needs to provide services or assistance with communication, mobility, personal care, medical needs or access to goods or services.

Every patron and accompanying support person attending a performance or event must have a valid ticket to that performance or event. For KELLY v. KELLY, tickets for support people or companions are complimentary. Please contact Accessibility Manager Alethea Bakogeorge directly by email at aletheabakogeorge@musicalstagecompany.com, or by phone at (416) 927-7880 ext. 226 to book.

DIGITAL PROGRAMME

Learn more about our fantastic team of artists and supporters who made KELLY v. KELLY possible. Check out our digital programme below!

KELLY v. KELLY PROGRAMME