Whenever West Country Hearth needs funding for expansion, composer-lyricist Sandra Brenneis pulls out a sheaf of papers and jots down ideas.
Through two of her musicals, Mary’s Veil and Lost Apostle, Brenneis raised more than $300,000 for Villeneuve’s West Country Hearth, an aging-in-place residence for seniors.
Last year, the seniors’ residence built an additional dementia unit. Brenneis has resurrected a revamped Lost Apostle with hopes of raising $30,000 in supplementary funding.
In this remount, eight new songs were added and three narrators make connections in between songs with dialogue.
“I’d like to think I’ve grown as a composer over 10 years, so I’d like to think it has a different feel. It certainly has a wider variety of different types of music – rock, country, some with a jazz feel and ballads,” said Brenneis.
Never one to go small, the Sturgeon County resident has amassed nine musicians and a dedicated cast of 37 from seven to seventy years that sing four-part harmonies.
Lost Apostle, originally performed in 2005, explores themes in both the ancient and modern world. The musical’s first act takes place in Jesus’ time and narrates the hopes, passions and struggles of four followers: Peter, Judas, Mary Magdalene, and Mary of Bethany.
Motivated by individual desires, Jesus’ message of ‘love your neighbour’ encourages them to find a vocation.
“The four find purpose and a calling. Jesus ignites a passion in them to live a different way. Peter is a committed family man. But he is called to something beyond and that requires him to leave his family.”
“Judas is an activist. He wants freedom from Roman oppression. He sees the power of Jesus and how Jesus moves people. But Jesus’ power is not a power of mightier forces, but the power of love and acceptance. Judas is conflicted when he sees how possible change is.”
Brenneis’ Mary Magdalene is a wealthy woman who, upon hearing Jesus’ gospel is freed from the demon of depression and finds clarity in life. And Mary of Bethany, known simply as Beth, is a prostitute eking out an existence and living a life where she has few choices.
The second act is set in the modern era with three major players struggling to find meaning, acceptance and hope.
“Aaron is a businessman who bought a lot of properties on speculation. The deal falls through badly and he could lose his home and his livelihood. His struggle is who am I if I am not the provider.”
The second major character is Tevy, a single mom with a son who is vulnerable to negative influences from friends, and the third player is Rebecca, an up and coming businesswoman with a chance for a partnership in a firm.
“She has to choose between the things she believes and values and a corporate career.”
Brenneis also introduces the allegorical Power, Money and Judgment, a trio of characters who entice Aaron, Tevy and Rebecca into vulnerable positions.
When tragedy strikes as a result of gossip mongering and fear, the trio must choose between hatred and pain or the lasting message of hope, love and peace.
“We want to remind people to live well, slow down and take time to listen to each other and treat each other kindly.”
Lost Apostle runs at the Arden Theatre from March 3 to 5.
Review
Lost Apostle<br />March 3 to 5<br />Arden Theatre<br />5 St. Anne Street<br />Tickets: $25 <br />Call 780-458-0908
