Charlestown Working Theater presents theatre KAPOW’s Raining Aluminum, an original piece based on the parallel storylines of the 1917 explosion in Halifax, Nova Scotia (and the subsequent American relief efforts) and Halifax’s involvement in Operation Yellow Ribbon (the Canadian initiative to handle the diversion of civilian airline flights on 9/11). This will be the final preview presentation of the work before the premier in July, 2016.
At 9:05am on December 6th, 1917, Halifax Nova Scotia was rocked by the largest man-made explosion prior to the detonation of the atomic bomb when a ship carrying munitions to the war front caught fire in Halifax harbor. More than 1900 people were killed and another 9,000 injured. In an instant the city was reduced to ruins and tens of thousands of people were left without homes. The first relief to the families came from Boston, MA. In recognition of the support of the people of Massachusetts, the people of Nova Scotia hand pick and donate a Christmas tree to be lit on Boston Common. This tradition continues to this day though very few people remember its origin.
At 9:03am on September 11, 2001, flight 175 originating from Boston, MA, crashed into the South Tower of the World Trade Center and confirms America’s worst fear that the events of that morning were more than a terrible accident. Minutes later, the air space over the United States is shut down and all of the flights over the Atlantic are rerouted to the maritime provinces of Canada. Over the course of 90 minutes, 47 flights are landed in Halifax, Nova Scotia. The stranded passengers spend three days in Halifax and are forced to watch from afar as their country reels. The hospitality shown the passengers is incredible with Haligonians throwing opens their homes and their kitchens to support the relief effort.
An Exploration of Maritime Music 1917 – 2001
Renown PEI fiddler, Cynthia MacLeod will share some of the music she is assembling for theatre KAPOW’s new piece Raining Aluminum. Performing with Cynthia will be New England area musicians Nat Ward (guitar), David Comtois (percussion), and Candace Gatzoulis (vocals). Concert Thursday, May 19, 2016 at 7:30 p.m.
Remarkable Objects
Polish poet, Wislawa Szymborska said, “You can find the entire cosmos lurking in its least remarkable objects.” Principle Raining Aluminum collaborator and Artistic Director of the Czechoslovak American Marionette Theatre, Vit Horejs, will discuss the use of objects in the piece including two marionettes carved in Prague for the production. Friday, May 20, 2016 at 7:30p.m.
Incorporating Text
The Dramaturg for Raining Aluminum, Kelly Smith, along with theatre KAPOW Artistic Director, Matt Cahoon, will share how text for the piece was developed over the course of the past year. A compilation of found text, survival accounts, personal interviews and original writing provides the textual fabric of the piece. Saturday, May 21 at 7:30p.m.
CWT’s annual Comedy fundraiser is coming up. Visit
charlestownworkingtheater.org for more information