SUBMITTED ARTICLE
Whether by fact, legend or self-appointment, Salt Spring is often referred to as the “Artistic Capital of Canada” (artist density per capita) and some now say the “New Age Capital of Canada.” It’s a place to heal, rediscover yourself, express and connect.
On Friday-Saturday, June 28 and 29, these two signature Salt Spring communities of creativity and spirituality are destined to collide at ArtSpring with the premiere of an original genre-defying musical comedy called Hereafter: A Cabaret of Divine Love. Boasting 24 local artists and musicians, from well-known professionals to emerging newcomers, the production boldly celebrates the island’s mystical creative spirit, the depth of its homegrown talent and its distinct sense of humour, including laughing at ourselves.
It is the brainchild of ArtSpring’s technical director Cimmeron Meyer, who after a long career behind the scenes creating new work with theatre companies including One Yellow Rabbit and The Old Trout Puppet Workshop in Calgary, finally decided to lead the creation of her own show.
“During Covid and a bit of a mid-life crisis, I moved to Salt Spring, the one place in which I have found solace from the world,” said Meyer. “It inspired me to tap into some big themes and create a project that helped me navigate changes in my life that should resonate with others — with heart, humour and involving the wonderful artistic misfits I have come to discover in our community.”
It was also an opportunity to work with her daughter Eve Marie, a budding musician who will be performing several original songs, and the provocative, award-winning Indigenous theatrical powerhouse Cliff Cardinal, who opened ArtSpring’s 2024/25 season. Having worked with Meyer previously, Cardinal enthusiastically came aboard as a co-director, contributor to the story, and provided mentorship and workshops. He will be in attendance at the performances.
In true cabaret variety show format, the show promises to be a “cosmic riot” of love stories, original music and familiar torch songs, spontaneous outbreaks of dance, loaded comedy, inside local jokes skewering the new age movement and a mythic story arc towards enlightenment. Come for the laughs, leave with the transformation.
At its core, Hereafter is about a young man named Joseph (played by Roy Val Clery) who flees a criminal past by escaping to Planet Chiron run by new age gurus. Those who are up on their Greek mythology, astrology or Jungian practice will know Chiron is often called the “wounded healer” and represents deep seated wounds, trauma and how we navigate healing and personal growth.
In this new age world, Joseph, in an attempt to save his soul, makes a deal with top guru Pa (Michael Bean) who demands chastity. The snag is Joseph falls in love, making that deal point a challenge. A bevy of other mystics, divas and even Earth Goddess Lilleth herself (played by an eight-month pregnant Moonie Garner) weighs in on the divine nature of love, lust and happiness while bickering about attracting new followers.
Superimpose that on 85-year-old local jazz diva Hannah Brown, who gives what might be her final performance, former ArtSpring executive director and musician Cicela Månsson, who appears as one of the divas, dance sensations Adina Eva and Sashah Sunshine, and singer-songwriter Blair Francis as one of the players, while he and Meyer tag-team running the tech booth.
Punk, jazz, folk, torch, comedy, revelation, mythology, mysticism, mischief, cosmic mayhem — whatever this maelstrom of creative madness is — Hereafter is an opportunity to be part of a wildly ambitious, slightly off-the-rails, almost dangerous, theatre experience.
How very Salt Spring.
Tickets ($35 for adults and $20 for seniors or students) are at artspring.ca.