A Staged Reading of an original musical by Kimberly Cloudwalker

Marions’ Fire, an original musical drama inspired by historical events, written by Kimberly Cloudwalker, makes its debut performances in the enchanting ambience of the historical Nevada Theater in the heart of Gold Country.

Set in 1326 Marion La Droiturere is charged with leading a rebellion when the Inquisition comes to town and arrests her beloved Auntie Marguerite, a midwife, a healer, a witch. Marion is faced with the most challenging decision of her life. Will she risk her life to save those she loves?

In the Celtic land of Brittany in 1326, Marguerite teaches her 16-year-old niece Marion how to make a pregnancy potion in preparation for the upcoming Beltane celebration, a spring fertility ritual of the Old Religion. In the middle of the celebration, Sheriff Malet raids the festivities, as ordered by the Grand Inquisitor Bernard Gui. Many arrests are made, including Marguerite and her husband Perceval. To save the village, Marguerite appoints Marion to be her successor and charges her to lead the town in a rebellion against the Inquisitors.

The enormity of the charge seems nearly impossible to Marion. The town is divided, neighbors squabble with each other, the town bullies torment her, her lover Gwenael’s father is the Sheriff, the coven appears to be falling apart, and even her mother and Auntie are at odds with each other. To overthrow the Inquisitors, Marion must gain the support of the coven and the villagers if she is to succeed, yet she no longer can be sure whom to trust.

Marion learns of the Inquisitors’ torturous methods in order to gain confessions and accusations of others. Marguerite and other innocent prisoners may soon fall victim to these barbaric techniques. Despite the rifts and dangers, and personal attacks against her, does Marion dare attempt to build a clandestine movement to rebel? Where does she even begin to seek alliances? Marion is running out of time to decide.

To take up the mantle Marion knows the Villagers are ill-equipped with weapons and experience in battle. Yet, the trials loom against those fighting for their lives in which sure punishment is exile, seizure of property, and even condemnation by death. As a young apprentice of the magical arts, Marion must find a way not only to rally the forces but to summon her powers if she is to go against a foe with such unimaginably skewed odds.

Producer, Playwright & Lyricist: Kimberly Cloudwalker
Composer: Alan Feeney     
Director: David Endacott-Hicks     
Musical Director: Peter Johnson

Cast

Penelope Johnson                 
David Endacott-Hicks                 
Amy Clark
Ingrid Holman                        
Peter Johnson                            
Malachi Killion
Ehrland Hollingsworth           
Lindsay Grimes                          
Cameron Cash
Rich Fisher                            
Jason Fordney                           
Susan Perko
Sara McKinnon                      
Reine Thibeault                         
Anthony Andino
Donovan Farwell                    
Tessa Taft

www.marionsfire.com