Children of God – a powerful production of truth telling and resilience

by Deborah Shatz

(ANNews) – The Citadel Theatre’s production of Children of God by playwright Corey Payette is a haunting reminder that terrible human rights violations occurred against Indigenous families in Canada right up until the 1990s.

 The musical production depicts a First Nation family being torn apart when the children are taken away to an Indian Residential School run by a pedophile priest who thinks he is doing god’s work by (among other things) hosing the children down to rid them of their language and culture. Even the unwitting nun who eventually recognizes the atrocities that are occurring at the school thinks the children should ask god for forgiveness for their part. That remark alone sent a chill up the collective audience’s spine. Those children and their families did not bring this upon themselves. They have nothing to apologize for – they are victims. They do not need to give reconciliation – they need to receive amends. But they also need to find the strength and the resilience to survive. This exceptional piece of theatre is a testament to that strength, resilience and spirituality.

If you’ve never gone to the Citadel Theatre or if you are a regular, you should go see this production. And as a special gift, the Citadel Theatre is offering Alberta Native News readers a discounted rate. All tickets in the house are just $20 for Alberta Native News readers on performances up to March 18. Just use the password PAYETTE when you order your tickets from the Citadel Theatre box office.

This is an intense and moving production by Indigenous playwright Corey Payette and the cast is predominantly made up of Indigenous performers. The story unfolds in two-time periods. Present day Tom is a volatile man, estranged from his wife and kids and bitter towards his mother who he is staying with while he looks for a job. He encounters an old school mate which sends him spiraling back in time to their residential school experience.

The dual character portrayal of Tom / Tommy was excellent by Dillon Chiblow as he shifted back from one-time period to the other with a change of a hat and a complete change facial expression, speech pattern and gait. He was so believable in both time zones – first soft and naïve and then hardened by a life of disappointment.

The musical numbers were played live by a cellist, a violist, a guitarist and a pianist (musical director Allen Cole) and were exceptional in telling the story and setting the atmosphere. The students sang and the clergy sang along, believing that they too were somehow victims of the schools. The mournful song of Tommy’s sister Julia played by Cheyanne Scott evoked a heartfelt stream of tears to the eyes.

The portrayal of Rita, Tom’s mother by Sandy Scofield was also exceptional. Her anguish at not being allowed to visit her kids for 10 years and her bitter, flat demeanor as a mother of an adult survivor touched the audience to its core. She was robbed too. Her music was haunting and sorrowful and then uplifting, but all the time deeply spiritual.  Her drum beats and her chanting were transformative and cast a magic spell of hope on the audience.

Children of God tackles a difficult subject and a terrible time in our nation’s recent history. It is an exceptional production which should be seen by all Canadians – both Indigenous and non-Indigenous. The Citadel offers quiet spaces in the lobby for audience members to retreat should the experience be too difficult and both elders and grief counsellors are available for discussion. Each show also includes a talk back presentation about the show and the importance of truth telling and reconciliation.

Children of God is at the Citadel Theatre until March 24. Tickets are available at citadeltheatre.com or by calling the Citadel Box Office – 780-425-1820. Be sure to use the password PAYETTE to get your discounted rate.