March 2025 | Volume 72
THE HAT GAZETTE
THIS ISSUE: Under the HAT with Chichi egereonu | FLASH SALE! | the 2025 merritt nominations
UNDER THE HAT: chichi egereonu
Tom: Hi ChiChi! For those who may not be familiar with your work, which would be somewhat shocking, can you start us off with a brief rundown of your relationship to the arts?
ChiChi: Hi Tom! Growing up with an actress for a mom I was very interested in acting from an early age, however it wasn’t until fall 2021 when I finally worked up the courage to take an introduction to acting class at CBU. It was there that I was encouraged by Todd Hiscock to see more theatre and came to see the HAT’s production of Yaga. I enjoyed it so much that I came to see the show a 2nd time during its nine day run and probably would’ve seen it a 3rd time if I could’ve. It was through this acting class that I started participating in plays, my first one being a monologue titled The Other Other Woman at the 2022 Elizabeth Boardmore One Act Play Festival. Despite all the nervousness (I was literally shaking in my boots), I fell in love with performing and shortly after that played various roles in CBU’s 2023 production of Controlled Damage. In February 2024 after losing a
couple of our shows to snowmageddon I performed as part of the chorus in CBU’s production of Murder in the Cathedral. In the spring of 2024 I decided to send in an audition tape for an upcoming workshop of the play LayUp by Riel Reddick-Stevens and Aaron Jan, which is when I began collaborating with the HAT. From there, I participated as a member of the ensemble in the HAT/Savoy production of Mamma Mia!, and the Dream dinner theatre at Sacred Heart. It was during the HAT’s fall 2024 season that I performed on the actual HAT stage in TommorowLove ™ and A Christmas Carol. These shows were all so exciting and fun and I’m very grateful for all the friends I made along the way.
TOM: This month you’ll be stepping on stage in your 5th HAT production. What was it about A Mirror that appealed to you and made you want to join the team?
ChiChi: I think what drew me the most to this play was the tagline “This play is a lie”. I find that line so mysterious because there’re so many different contexts it could be taken in. It could be taken as an ominous warning, a joke, a plain matter of fact statement or even as a lie itself. And now, knowing the script, it’s even more interesting to realize that the line could be said by any one of the characters within the play and still have a range of interpretations and motivations.
TOM: That SO feels like a tease. My imagination is running wild. I know there’s only so much you can say with this particular show, but what do you feel makes this play different from, say, TomorrowLove ™?
ChiChi: Really the only thing I can say without giving away too much is that while the conflicts in TomorrowLove ™ were caused and or solved by futuristic/unrealistic methods that probably won’t exist for hundreds of years, the conflicts in A Mirror are much more realistic and achievable. Everything that happens in this play could happen next week or could’ve already happened last week, that’s what makes it so scary.
“Everything that happens in this play could happen next week or could’ve already happened last week, that’s what makes it so scary.”
Tom: I think we can both agree this script is a lot darker than anything we’ve had on stage in recent years. To help people gage, is there anything you’d compare it to? Any films or TV shows that feel tonally or thematically aligned?
ChiChi: Because of how unique this play is, there aren’t many films or TV shows that immediately come to mind in relation to being thematically aligned. The play heavily involves the importance and consequences of being truthful in a dishonest and mostly unwitting world
Tom: Looking to the future, is there a dream script you’d like to be in at the HAT?
ChiChi: I don’t have any specific scripts in mind, but I’ve always wanted to be part of a musical about time travel with songs that match the time period/era that each scene takes place in
Tom: I like it! Makes me think of a potential culmination of Disco Nights, Dream, and As You Like It with some sci-fi twists and turns. I know you have to get back to rehearsal, but before you go, how would you pitch A Mirror in 5 words or less?
ChiChi: This play isn’t a lie
Tom: I am genuinely so excited for this production to kcik off. Thank you so much for doing this ChiChi!
ChiChi: Thank you Tom!
A Mirror runs March 26th to 30th and complimentary tickets are available for all RA Donors of $25+/monthly or $300+/annually
Limited FREE tickets are available THANKS TO our incredible Radical Access Donors!
To learn more about Radical Access and unlock your perks today, call or email us at 565-3637 / info@highlandartstheatre.com
What PATRONS Are Saying about:
“This show was just what I needed to lift my spirits in March.”
KA
“Putting it Together is an impressive collection of Sondheim songs, well delivered by the singers and actors. It tells a story through songs, with no need for dialogue, and we feel we know these characters. The direction is clever and exciting. Don't miss this one!”
JF
“Just returned from witnessing this amazing cast shine in Putting It Together. Wow, what an incredible musical experience. I am in awe of the cast's ability to master so many intricate and wordy songs. If you have the opportunity, I highly recommend checking it out.”
KL
NEXT UP: A MIRROR
By Sam Holcroft
Directed by Wesley J. Colford
THIS PLAY IS A LIE…
Hot off a sold-out run on London’s West End, you’re invited to the wedding event of the year. Or are you? In this darkly funny political thriller, everything is not as it seems… A Mirror is an explosively entertaining story that sends you through the looking glass in search for love and truth in a society that values neither.
~A Canadian Premiere~
“Extraordinary and Mesmeric.”
-The Guardian
Select Seats available for Free every performance while supplies last thanks to Radical Access.
Pay-What-You-Choose tickets are available for the 26th.
A Post Show Discussion will take place on the 28th, following the performance.
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Mature Language and Situations
Discussion of Torture
War
The CAST of a mirror
-
Lindsay Thompson (she/her) – CELIK (JAN)
Favourite HAT Credits:
Playwright/Director: Herstory, Pride & Prejudice; Playwright: See Jane Run, Sweet Enough, OverdueFavourite Credits Elsewhere:
Helen Jones- "Machinal" (Boardmore Theatre), Marianne Dashwood- "Sense and Sensibility" (Her Voice Theatre Co.)Other:
25 years of experience in multiple aspects of theatre. -
ChiChi Egereonu (she/her) - ADEM (AUDEM)
Favourite HAT Credits:
A Christmas Carol (Gladys), TomorrowLove™ (Jordan), Mamma Mia!, Dream, Lay-Up Workshop (Ensemble)Favourite Credits Elsewhere:
Controlled Damage, Mixed Feelings for You, Murder in the Cathedral (Boardmore Theatre) -
Shashwat Trivedi (he/him) - MEI (MIKE)
Favourite HAT Credits:
Cabaret (Victor, Sailor), Christmas Carol, Tell Your StoryFavourite Credits Elsewhere:
6 Feet (Boardmore Playhouse) -
Nicholas Porteous (he/him) – BAX
Favourite Previous HAT Credits:
Punch Up (Pat Wallace), The Curious Case of the Watson Intelligence (Merrick), All in the Timing (Trotsky/Various)Favourite Credits Elsewhere:
The Tape Escape (Outside the March), The Perfect Bite (Netflix/Secret City Adventures), Romeo and Juliet Chainsaw Massacre (Bain and Bernard), Luna, Chip & Inkie (Epic Story), Company of Heroes 3 (SEGA)Other:
Thanks for thinking of me Wes. youtube.com/@ihaveadegreeinfilm -
Sandy Anthony (she/her) – SENIOR OFFICER
Favourite HAT Credits:
Favourite HAT Credits: Herstory (Jane Austen)Favourite Credits Elsewhere:
Katharine’s Island (written by Lindsay Thompson), Graceland (CBU Festival of Plays), Murder Mystery productions (Fortress of Louisbourg), The Waiting Room (Hubtown Theatre), Irene (New Waterford Players)Other:
I started performing in high school musicals at BEC, and over the years, have performed in various community theatre productions and Dinner Theatre in New Waterford, Truro, Sydney, Glace Bay, and at the Fortress of Louisbourg. This is my second production at the HAT, and I am honoured to be working with such a talented cast and director.
THE JANUARY RADICAL ACCESS
TICKET LOTTERY
Each month we hold a draw exclusive to RA donors to remind you how amazing we know you are. The draws are completely random and all donation levels are included.
This month’s prize?
2 tickets to WANNABE: A SPICE GIRLS TRIBUTE
WINNERS
Helen Kennedy
Gwen Harwood
Linda Courey
We are sending March out like a lion with
a FLASH SALE!!!!
From today until Monday, March 31st, get 2 TICKETS FOR THE PRICE OF 1! Simply purchase more than 2 tickets to The Producers via phone, email or website and both will be reduced by 50%.
All Radical Access donors of $25/Monthly already get 2 FREE TICKETS to the productions, but if you aren’t ready to upgrade your donations this is a great way to save, same goes if you’re looking to bring a bigger party to this party of a musical!
And of course, if you are ready to upgrade your monthly donation, you’ll unlock 2 FREE TICKETS as soon as we’ve made the change..
We could all use a laugh, and what better way than with some of Cape Breton's best in the musical harkened as “the funniest show on Broadway”?
Don't miss Mel Brook's HIT comedy - THE PRODUCERS! Running May 14th to 18th at the Highland Arts Theatre.
This March has seen the rare Double MainStage programming that we often try to avoid for the team’s sake, but love to enjoy from the audience side of things. These two productions could not be further apart, as you’ll soon find out at A MIRROR premiering tomorrow! If you haven’t booked your seats yet, be sure to act fast to you don’t miss this internationally renowned political thriller.
Looking to April, we’re changing the channel dynamically once more, as we shift gears into FAT JULIET! Truly the feel good, sleep over romp we all would benefit right now. Rounding out the month, we’ll be brining a brand new edition of the Confidential Musical Theatre Project on April 26th, and without saying too much, this is definitely not one to miss. Speaking of April, you might want to keep your eyes and ears keenly tuned on April 1st for some exciting updates, and that’s no joke…
REMINDER!
Don’t forget to transfer your donations into the new system and start getting your perks!
Already in action for those of you in the new system, 2 COMPLIMENTARY TICKETS TO ALL of our remaining Winter/Spring Mainstage Productions, discounted tickets for Hairspray, and FREE tickets to all of our film screenings. Plus more!
Not sure if you’re switched into the new system? Email us at info@highlandartstheatre.com and we can let you know!
** EFT DONORS ARE ALREADY TRANSFERRED **
ON GOOD MERRITT!
We are so excited to share we have been nominated for 6 Theatre Nova Scotia Robert Merritt Awards!!!
Mimikej, as well as its creators Sarah Prosper & Shawnee Paul, have been nominated for:
OUTSTANDING NEW NOVA SCOTIAN PLAY
OUTSTANDING CHOREOGRAPHY: SARAH PROSPER
OUTSTANDING MUSIC DIRECTION: SHAWNEE PAUL
OUTSTANDING ORIGINAL SCORE OR COMPOSITION: SHAWNEE PAUL
and OUTSTANDING INDEPENDENT PRODUCTION!
Our 2024 May Musical Funny Girl also picked up a nomination via choreographer Stephen Greig for
OUTSTANDING CHOREOGRAPHY!
Please join us in congratulating the stellar teams of these productions. We are so proud of every production brought to life on our stage, and its always a pleasure when our colleagues tip their hat our way.
SHOWING IN APRIL
