This spring in Whitehorse, Haines Junction, Atlin and Dawson City, Larrikin Entertainment will present the world premier of Jenny Hamilton – Teenage Cult Leader—a one-woman (plus one more woman) comedy stage play with puppets, animation and live music
After working as a writer and stage manager on Larrikin Entertainment’s production of WYRD: a Musical Unfairytale, last year, Jenny Hamilton was approached by artistic executive director Katherine McCallum, who asked Hamilton if she would lead the company’s next production.
“I understood her process, her dedication and her love of new work,” said Hamilton. “I agreed to be the creator of the upcoming season’s show. This was an opportunity I just could not pass up.”
Hamilton got down to work, going with the ethos of “write what you know.”
“What I know best is me,” she said. “This piece is a memoir of my first eighteen years. It started as a storytelling piece, but after many drafts and consultation with my dramaturges/director Clinton Walker, the piece really wanted to go from narration to dialogue—literally changing the way it needed to be presented.”
As one could imagine, the process has been nothing but busy for Hamilton. While she’s grateful for the team she’s working with and has enjoyed the process, it hasn’t been without its challenges, and there’s been no shortage of work to do.
“There are so many incredible parts of this production process,” said Hamilton. “Having no restrictions in vision has been a gift. Kat said, ‘Write what you want and we will do our best to get you what you need—comedy, animation, live music and puppets! We have them all!’ I am so amazed at the support of Kat and Larrikin for my vision of this show.”
As far as the challenges go, Hamilton said that since she chose the elements of the show, the challenges are her own making.
“Comedy? I can do that! Live music? It’s been a few decades or more but, yeah, I can dust off that part of me. Puppetry? Alright, I will go learn this skill. Animation? Okay, time to bring in a professional,” she said with a laugh. “And we did. Andrew Sharp [animator] is incredible. We actually went to high school together here in Whitehorse, way back in the day, so he understood the feel of the time and place I am writing about, because he was there.
“What do I want the audience to take away after seeing this show? Merchandise! Ha!
I want the audience to be entertained! Maybe they will relate, maybe they will not. Either way, I want us to have fun! I am doing things in this show I haven’t done in years, or have never done before. That alone is worth coming to see.”
While Hamilton recognizes that the success of the show ultimately rides on her, as the writer, saying a show is only as good as its writing, she doesn’t shy away from shouting out the team she’s working with, consisting (in addition to herself, Walker and Sharp) of musical director and composer Ashley Robyn, lighting designer Patrick Matheson, set designer Dan Bushnell and costume designer Kaori Torigai.
“Having a team of incredibly talented people has been amazing,” Hamilton said. “They have added to this show in ways I just could not have, all by myself. Having them contribute has also set a higher bar for me to keep up with their abilities. I can’t be the weak link here! My name is the biggest on the poster! They have kept me humble and focused on the work.”
Most of the team is made up of people that Hamilton has worked with before or has known for years, and having a group of people who understand, respect and admire each other’s work has made the process of putting together this show a much smoother endeavour.
Hamilton met Robyn during the creation of WYRD and vowed to work with her any chance she got.
“She understands music—all music,” said Hamilton. “I have written lyrics for so many different kinds of songs; she was the person I knew could write the music to it all. She is also one of my favourite people in general.”
Sharp is an old-school style animator, and Hamilton said she could watch his work every day.
“I am a huge fan! I love his work,” she exclaimed. “I had to have his talent in the show. He creates into reality what my brain can only imagine, and then he makes my thoughts even better. His contribution to the show has allowed me to go places that dialogue alone just can’t.”
Hamilton hails Matheson as the best in the business. She’s worked with him many times in the past, as a tech director or stage manager.
“He is brilliant,” Hamilton said. “He literally designs the lights into a supporting character in all the work he does. He elevates shows! I am so happy he will be lighting my life onstage.”
Bushnell is a friend of Hamilton’s whom she calls a genius and an artist in his own right. “He has set this stage as only he could,” she said. “He knows me, and has since high school, so he understands exactly where this show takes place. His vision and artistry is unique and yet relatable. I am truly blessed he made time to create a space for me to play on.”
Another long-time friend of Hamilton’s is Torigai, whom she met at the Guild, years ago, and the two became fast friends.
“I watched Kaori create costumes and then dress actors for multiple shows over those years,” Hamilton said. “Her eye for colour and style is incredible. I have challenged her with this production by asking her to dress me. She said ‘No problem.’ [Costume design is] a feat I have struggled with my whole life. So then I also said, ‘I also need you to dress some puppets.’ She replied with so much excitement [that] I knew she was our designer.”
Walker is another friend of Hamilton’s that she worked with many times at the Guild Hall, when she was the general manager of the theatre.
“It was always as a crew member, though,” she said. “I watched him work with so many local actors, of all skill levels, and every time he helped them rise to new heights in their performances. He is incredibly intelligent and creative; he is everything I wanted in a director and dramaturges. I was over the moon when he was available and excited to be a part.”
As per the show’s synopsis, Jenny Hamilton – Teenage Cult Leader is a professionally staged production that mixes comedic, heartfelt and occasionally sad elements. Hamilton tells the story of her tumultuous early years, growing up “gay and different” in the 1980s in Whitehorse, detailing the courage and resilience she had to find to endure and survive years of bullying, abuse and prejudice—things that were prevalent in small-town northern Canada in that era—and the incredible power of finding the right mentor in those important, early years.
The show opens at the Old Fire Hall in Whitehorse March 14 to 23, with shows each night at 8 p.m., and a Saturday matinee at 2 p.m., plus a preview showing on March 13. The show will then move to the St. Elias Convention Centre in Haines Junction on March 27, before heading down to Atlin on March 30 (venue TBD), then back up to KIAC (in Dawson City) April 4 to 5. The community tour shows will all take place at 8 p.m. as well.
For more information and tickets, visit larrikinentertainment.ca
