ABOUT THE PLAY - Fortune Falls
CONTENTS
PLAY SYNOPSIS ............................................................................................................................................... 3
SETTING ............................................................................................................................................................ 4
WHO IS CATALYST THEATRE? ................................................................................................................. 5
CHARACTERS .................................................................................................................................................. 6
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ABOUT THE PLAY - Fortune Falls
SYNOPSIS
In the town of Fortune Falls, the sweet smells of caramel crèmes, jellybeans, and chocolate fills
the hearts of all who work at the Mercey Candy Factory. But when Mercey shuts its doors,
only a young security guard, Everett Liddelman, is left to walk the halls alone. A new Canadian
electro pop musical from award-winning Catalyst Theatre, creators of the hit productions
Frankenstein and Nevermore – The Imaginary Life & Mysterious Death of Edgar Allan Poe. Fortune
Falls is an inventive and darkly whimsical story about a time and place in between what was, and
what is yet to be.
A note from our Artistic Director about the play:
“Catalyst Theatre is simply mind-blowing. Based in Edmonton, they tell enthralling stories using
an utterly unique mix of music, movement and stunning design. They’ve toured North America
and Europe with their astounding theatrical productions, and played off-Broadway in New York
last season. Join us as we launch this world premiere production here at ATP.”
-Vanessa Porteous, Artistic Director
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ABOUT THE PLAY - Fortune Falls
SETTING
The play takes place in various locations within the town of Fortune Falls, primarily the Mercey
Chocolate Factory.
REAL LIFE INSPIRATION FOR THE IMAGINATIVE WORLD OF FORTUNE
FALLS
“Hershey’s [the chocolate factory] actually hired a guy- a security guard- to watch over
a factory after they abandoned it. I found that idea really interesting; this last remaining
employee who wanders the halls of this lonely, old factory and what that would have
been like for that person- so he becomes the centrepiece for our show.”
-Jonathan Christenson (LIVE magazine, 38)
In 2012, the original Hershey’s chocolate factory in Hershey, Pennsylvania closed. Photographer
Matthew Christopher captured images of the factory before its demolition for his collection of
works entitled Abandoned America. These photos sparked inspiration for the aesthetic
presentation of Fortune Falls.
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ABOUT THE PLAY - Fortune Falls
Who is Catalyst Theatre?
Catalyst theatre is an Edmonton based theatre company newly homed within the Citadel
Theatre’s building, in the Maclab Theatre. Catalyst Theatre was founded in 1977 by David
Barnet with the original mandate “to promote and practise the use of theatre for public
education and as a catalyst for social change”. When the current Artistic Director, Jonathan
Christenson, and Joey Trembley took over as co-directors in 1996 the mandate was reestablished as “to create original Canadian work that explores new possibilities for the
theatrical art form and the process through which it is created, to expose the work locally,
nationally, and internationally, and to challenge the artists and audiences who participate in the
creation of that work.” Jonathan is quoted in LIVE magazine stating, “I believe it’s a political act
to create a space where the audience can bring their own imagination to the story. We’re
[living] in an age when we’re spoon fed so much so to awaken the audiences imagination is
really important.” Creating shows, such as Fortune Falls that leave so much room for the
imagination allows the audience to become a contributor to their own theatrical experience.
This is a reality for many of Catalyst Theatre’s productions including, but not limited to,
Hunchback, Vigilante (which will be touring Ontario and Saskatchewan in 2017), and NevermoreThe Imaginary Life and Mysterious Death of Edgar Allen Poe. (Pictured below)
CHARACTERS
Photo by Joan Marcus
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ABOUT THE PLAY - Fortune Falls
CHARACTERS
EVERETT LIDDELMAN
A young boy who grew up in a poor family that just never seemed to catch a break. He has
dreamed of working at the Mercey Chocolate Factory for his entire life, and after over 2 years
of writing daily letters asking Milton Mercey II for a job in his factory, Everett finally receives a
call for employment, but all is not as it seems. The factory is shutting down and Everett has
been hired as Mercey’s sole employee, a full-time security guard. Everett’s curiosity leads him to
discover major secrets within the Mercey Chocolate Company and he is faced with the decision
to choose between his loyalty to Mercey and his own values.
CHILDREN OF FORTUNE
The ensemble plays many characters (below), however they are primarily chorus members
entitled the Children of Fortune who share Everett’s story directly with the audience.
LOUISE LIDDELMAN - Everett’s Mother
BULLY KIDS
EVELYN FROST - Secretary of Mercey Chocolate Co.
WALTER CHAN - Fortune Falls’ Pharmacist
DAWN LEAKY - Funeral Home Owner
MERCY TOUR GUIDE
MERCY WORKERS
MILLICENT MERCEY - Milton Mercey the First’s mentor and inventor of Mercey
Chocolate’s secret recipe
MIRIAM MESNER - Ghost of Milton Mercey second’s fiancé
MILTON MERCY I - Founder of Mercey Chocolates
MILTON MERCEY II - Son of Milton Mercey the First
THE REVOLUTIONARY - An ex-worker from Montenegro Mercey Chocolate Factory
seeking revenge
THE STAG
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