Stir Cheat Sheet: 5 things to know about Ann Mortifee's fantasy musical Reflections on Crooked Walking
Endearing family-friendly production that premiered at the Arts Club Theatre in the ’80s makes a comeback just in time for the holidays
Reflections on Crooked Walking (1983). Photo by Glen Erikson
Firehall Arts Centre presents Ann Mortifee’s Reflections on Crooked Walking from December 2 to 24, with showtimes at 1 pm, 3 pm, and 7:30 pm. Opening night is December 6 at 7:30 pm, and post-show talkbacks take place on December 7, 14, and 21
OVER 40 YEARS since it first premiered at the Arts Club Theatre, Ann Mortifee’s whimsical family musical Reflections on Crooked Walking is returning to the stage at the Firehall Arts Centre.
The fantasy-filled plot follows the story of an entire town that falls into a mysterious slumber, with the exception of four people who must embark on a journey in search of a cure. Gabby, Reverend Blinkers, Feathertoes, and Sufferton travel through a series of magical doors to alternate worlds, where they must face the diabolical Madame Opia and her cronies, Wayless and Nimbleknees. The four newfound friends gain profound levels of self-awareness in their chaotic quest for a solution.
“Since announcing Reflections on Crooked Walking as part of the Firehall’s 2023-24 season, many people have shared memories of seeing it as children, or seeing it with their own children while singing snippets of songs and expressing their excitement for this new version,” says the Firehall Arts Centre’s artistic producer Donna Spencer in a release.
Mortifee’s unique life experiences undoubtedly influence the boundless creativity she’s displayed throughout her career. Born in Durban, South Africa, the singer immigrated to Vancouver with her family when she was 10 years old and has since travelled to over 70 countries. From performing on a floating stage at Ontario’s Elora Arts Festival, to dining with Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip as the date of former prime minister Pierre Trudeau, Mortifee has just about done it all.
Ahead of Reflections on Crooked Walking’s remount under the direction of Donna Spencer, here are five things to know about Mortifee and the production.
Ann Mortifee.
Reflections on Crooked Walking was the first musical theatre piece Mortifee created back in the ’80s. As a singer, she wields an impressive four-octave range, and has performed with the likes of John Denver, Chuck Berry, Leon Bibb, and Bruce Cockburn. She taught herself scriptwriting simply by reading other scripts at the library and trying her own hand at it. After the success of Reflections on Crooked Walking, Mortifee went on to author six more musicals, including 1994’s When the Rains Come, a love story set during the apartheid period in South Africa; 2006’s Into the Heart of the Sangoma, an African healer-inspired production; and 2016’s The Mysteries, which centres the ancient myth of Persephone.
Reflections on Crooked Walking (1982).
While Reflections on Crooked Walking is not explicitly about Christmas, it became somewhat of a holiday staple in Vancouver after it premiered. Originally staged in 1982 at Arts Club Theatre’s newly opened Granville Island Stage, Reflections on Crooked Walking was remounted again in the winters of 1983, 1987, and 1992. The Juno Award-nominated production is making its modern-day comeback during the Christmas season once again. Its undercurrents of magic lend the family-friendly show a heartwarming charm that fits right in with the likes of Elf: The Musical and Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Cinderella.
Meghan Gardiner. Photo by Brittany Willacy
Mortifee starred in the show’s premiere as the villainous Madame Opia, and her sister, Jane Mortifee, acted alongside her in the role of Gabby. Wicked and reclusive, Madame Opia’s mission is to prevent the four heroes from seeing more of the magical world they’ve stumbled upon. Vancouver-based actor-playwright Meghan Gardiner plays the antihero in the upcoming remount. Gardiner has starred in numerous Arts Club Theatre Company productions, including The Sound of Music and Beauty and the Beast, and her 2003 one-woman show Dissolve toured North America for years. She’s a mainstay on screen, too, with credits that span the CW Television Network’s The Flash and the Netflix drama series Firefly Lane. Reflections on Crooked Walking isn’t the first time Gardiner has been on stage at the Firehall Arts Centre, either—she also appeared in 2016’s Dead Metaphor and 2014’s Urinetown.
Ann Mortifee as Madame Opia.
The production’s costumes are incredibly whimsical and creative, accentuating the storyline’s fantastical elements. Costuming for the original production back in 1982 was by Marti Wright—think eccentric prints, kooky hairdos, and a head-to-toe black sequined gown for Mortifee as Madame Opia. Long-time local costume designer Barbara Clayden is in charge of the looks for the modern-day production, which are sure to serve similarly innovative vibes.
A multifaceted artist, Mortifee’s work spans opera pieces, ballet scores, film and television performances, and narration. She’s also a member of the Order of Canada, an author, and a keynote speaker. First and foremost though, Mortifee is a singer—her songs, libretto, and lyrics are the foundation of Reflections on Crooked Walking upon which the storyline is built. The full album of tunes from the musical is available for listening across platforms, so audiences can hear endearing favourites such as “Don’t Rock the Boat” and “Dance of the Leaves”, plus silly-but-memorable songs like “Wudjagonnadoo” and “Tentacles Tingle”.
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