The University of Lethbridge is taking it’s audience on a journey with their main-stage production of Marcia Johnson’s “Courting Johanna” running Feb. 11-15 in the David Spinks Theatre.
The story is based on Alice Munro’s short story “Hateship, Friendship, Courtship, Loveship, Marriage.”
It follows the spiritual and cross country journey of housekeeper Johanna (played by Bryanna Berghs,) who, as a result of a trick played by her young charge and her friend, convinces Johanna that letters written by to the little girl by her layabout father are instead love letters written to Johanna.
Courting Johanna is based on Munro’s short story Hateship, Friendship, Courtship, Loveship, Marriage and adapted for the stage by Marcia Johnson. When Edith and Sabitha intercept a letter from Johanna, Sabitha’s nanny, they decide to play a prank that has consequences they could never have dreamed.
The set is an unusual format — an alley, with stories taking place in different part of the country, with the audience in close quarters to the actors. Stacks of antique furniture tower over the audience and stage.
“The play takes place in the mid-’50s. Everything wasn’t so disposable then. You didn’t just go out and buy new furniture. You had antiques and you took care of them and moved everything when you moved,” summarized set and costume designer David Barrus.
“I haven’t done an alley set before It’s not my preference, but for this play it is very effective as the story has the characters moving from east to west,” Barrus continued.
Because the audience is so close to the stage, Barrus raided the University of Lethbridge costume collection to ensure complete accuracy.
He said the alley seating is a challenge as at least half of the audience is almost always looking at an actor’s back.
Director Dr. Shelley Scott fell in love with the play as soon as she read it.
“It’s a great story. It’s based on an Alice Munro story and I love Alice Munro because she writes great stories. And this play brings alive one of her stories,” she enthused.
She chose the David Spinks Theatre instead of the larger University of Lethbridge Theatre for a couple of reason.
“This is a really small cast and I felt it would help the audience feel that they are involved with the action,” she said.
She also enjoyed the fact that the play takes Johanna on a journey, both spiritually and literally across the country.
The cast includes Emily Schoen as Edith; Becca McDonald as Sabitha; Jordan Payne as Mr. McCauley, Marshall Vielle as Herman and the Sergeant and Alexa Elser as Milady and Waitress.
“She’s a ’50s housekeeper (who is looking after a little girl and her grandfather). She goes on a journey. She begins it in Southern Ontario, moves to Saskatchewan and ends up in Salmon Arm,” summarized Bryanna Berghs a second year drama major who who plays Johanna.
She wasn’t familiar with the play or the story before she got cast in the role of Johanna.
“I find a lot of myself in her. It’s been a lot of fun. Johanna is not sitting back. She’s becoming a stronger person,” she said.
She is excited about opening night, Feb. 11.
“ I’m excited of course. I want to see everybody being part of it. I’m excited to see their reaction to the story, she continued.
First year drama major Justin Harwood is enjoying playing a character a little different from himself — Ken Boudeau.
“Ken Boudeau is kind of a deadbeat father. He’s gone off to look for work his only contact with his daughter is to occasionally send her letters,” he said.
“ I thought it would be very interesting experience to be part of this production. I’ve enjoyed getting to know the ins and outs of the characters,” he said.
“I was very excited to be cast. The most fun part of the production is interacting with all of the other people,” he said.
“I hope people come away with a warm, fuzzy feeling,” he said.
“I think people will enjoy this journey. I hope the audience will come and enjoy a really good story,” Scott said.
Playwright Marcia Johnson, the author of Courting Johanna, is going to be in Lethbridge during the play’s run next week (Tuesday through Thursday). She will visit classes and do a public talk, Feb. 12 at 3 p.m. in the David Spinks (on set).
Tickets for Courting Johanna are available at the University Box Office, Monday – Friday, 12:30 pm – 3:30 pm, or by calling (403) 329-2616. Tickets are $18 regular, $15 senior, $12 students and are also available for purchase online: www.uleth.ca/tickets. The show is at 8 p.m. each night with a 2 p.m. matinee on Feb. 15.
