Rosalia’s Piano

Station Road Arts returns with a new play by Conrad Beaubien

After a succesful debut last summer of Theatre Roulant—Canada’s only horse-drawn travelling theatre— Station Road Arts is back with a new launch entitled Rosalia’s Piano. The production fits perfectly with Station Road Arts’ philosophy of “Beyond the Stage”, as the play showcases local performers, artists and artisans through costume, props, and design.

Once again, playwright Conrad Beaubien is putting his passion to paper in an entirely original production, based on a true story. Rosalia’s Piano tells the story of a married couple Rosalia, a pianist, and Ivan, a second violinist in a symphony orchestra in Eastern Europe. When war displaced the pair from their homeland, Rosalia’s piano was lost while Ivan was able to save his precious violin. Seeking refuge in the small town of Calumet Falls, Ontario, the couple tries to build a new life for themselves and find their place in this small community. Can love, community, fellowship and the search for a new piano restore their inner sanctuary?

The new work directed by Beaubien’s right hand man, John Burns, who is quite excited to show the work to an audience. “This performance is much more than a play. It is also a multimedia piece of installation art that includes a large number of County artists, actors, musicians, designers and artisans,” said Burns.

The musical score is composed by Gregory Garret, and he is joined by the talented Quinte Symphony violinist Joel Bootsma. These elements, along with the integration of animation effects created by Ivan Simonetti and the vibrant costuming created by local artisans come together to create a truly one-of-akind theatrical experience.

Members of the cast of Shatterbox Theatre’s production of the musical Spring Awakening reunite to bring Rosalia’s Piano to life. Actress Megan Hutton, a large stage presence, says she was drawn to the project. “The story of Rosalia and her journey of physical and spiritual refuge drew me to the project. As well as the promise of being part of a production that included animation, music, and performance,” she says.

Audiences of Spring Awakening got to experience the undeniable on-stage chemistry between Hutton and Gabriel Guadagnin and their artistic chemistry continues to shine through their performance in Rosalia’s Piano. When asked to join the production in the role of Ivan, Guadagnin believed it was only appropriate that his and Hutton’s first role as a married couple is to play a married couple. “I couldn’t pass up the opportunity to act alongside my wife,” he said.

Shatterbox Theatre’s Creative Director, Georgia Papanicolaou, lends her magnificent storytelling skills to the production as narrator for the story. Show dates are set for March 2, 3, and 4 at Waring Hall in Picton. In partnership with the Waring House, audience members will be able to enjoy pre-show music, hors d’oeuvres, a cash bar and an interview period with the cast and crew after the show. Tickets for Rosalia’s Piano can be purchased at www.stationroadarts.com