Skip to content

‘Voices’ recounts real-life tale of loss and redemption

Fate can be as cruel to the rich and talented in this world as it is to the destitute.
A.Voices
Jeanne Gordon in costume from a production of the opera Carmen, circa 1925.

Fate can be as cruel to the rich and talented in this world as it is to the destitute. Take the real-life story of Jeanne Gordon, a gifted vocalist born to a wealthy family in southern Ontario in 1885, and the subject of the Sechelt Arts Festival premiere production of the play Voices, at Raven’s Cry Theatre, Oct. 22-24.

Gordon had from an early age demonstrated the capacity and ambition to be an opera singer, but her family continually stymied that dream until her father finally relented, although not until she was in her early 30s.

Gordon took full advantage and became a celebrated diva of the New York Metropolitan Opera in the 1920s. Her stardom attracted fans worldwide and at least one famous lover, legendary U.S. businessman and philanthropist Bernard Baruch.

But like a Grimm fairy tale, bad followed good, as Gordon spiralled into mental illness, suffering a breakdown just 14 years after bursting onto the opera scene. Eventually she was confined to a sanitorium. As this true story goes, however, even that cruel fate did not silence her voice.

Had Gordon lived today, her career might not have ended so soon, said the play’s author and director, Louise Phillips.

“In those days, bipolar disorder was not known,” Phillips, writer, actor, and former resident of Sandy Hook, told Coast Reporter. “Anybody who exhibited her symptoms, which included hearing voices, was immediately classified as having schizophrenia. And she was given all sorts of horrible treatments.”

While researching and writing Voices over the past three years, Phillips said she had discussed the story with mental health professionals who said Gordon was likely not schizophrenic.

“These days, she would definitely not be locked up. She would be treated with the appropriate drugs and psychotherapy, and she would learn how to handle what was happening to her,” said Phillips.

Some well-known local actors have roles in Voices. Wanda Nowicki stars as Jeanne Gordon; Richard Austin, as her private secretary; Mac Dodge, as Gordon’s father; and Steve Schwabl plays Baruch. Two newcomers to Coast stages, Delaney Gilmour, and Rachel Ruecker, fill out the ensemble.

“I’m very excited about this cast and their talent. It’s lovely to be working with them,” said Phillips. “It’s like old home week for me, coming back here. It’s great.”

Seating is limited, but remaining tickets for the three performances of Voices are available through the Sechelt Arts Festival website.