Audience Feedback
Responses to the play Script, the Music, and two public presentation Workshops
“Rose Cullis’s new play looks, unflinchingly, at what love can be, and sometimes what it fails to be among friends who are brought together by their art. We often have stories about artists, musicians in particular, breaking up after a long career but this looks at how band members struggle to come back together many years after an early tragedy (a suicide) drove them and their band apart. Reading the script I was immediately engaged by the rawness of the emotions expressed by the characters.”
Catherine Banks, Playwright
“Rose Cullis has captured something truthful and exhilarating about this kind of life. Paired with Astrid Van Wieren's powerful songs for the piece, we’re excited about this show’s potential to create something wonderful.”
Irene Sankoff & David Hein, Come From Away creators
“After/BAAL has strong potential to become an exciting and important new piece of theatre that I remain interested in as a producer -”
Michael Rubinoff, Producer, Mirvish Productions, Toronto
“Rose Cullis’ script is a dynamic contemporary Canadian drama with the bonus of Astrid Van Wieren’s vibrant songs! Exploring themes of grief, chosen family, aging artists, and the LGBTQ+ community makes “After/BAAL” feel fresh and compelling. And what a great group has been gathered together: a seasoned creative team with a wonderful track record, combined with new and emerging artists, like Parmida Vand and Sarah Richardson. I’d be very interested in supporting the production. It is clear to me, based on what I’ve seen and read so far, that the show being created would resonate very well with our audiences.”
Jeremy Webb, Artistic Director, Neptune Theatre
“I'm a longtime admirer of Astrid Van Wieren's vivacious talents as a singer and actor, and am impressed by the songwriting she's done for After/BAAL. I'm also well aware of Parmida Vand's feisty musical work as PATER. And Rose Cullis' dramatic script about the trials and tribulations of a rock n' roll band, focused on the relationships of its core members, exhibits a lot of wit, heart and smarts. In particular, I feel that her take on contemporary issues concerning gender, sexuality and generational conflicts will strongly resonate with today's audiences.”
Alessandro Costantini, Artistic Director, YES Theatre, Sudbury
SMALL DECISION - Act II - full song Video)(Tarragon Extra Space Workshop December 2025)
(left to right: Sarah Richardson, keys, Parmida Vand, bass guitar, Astrid Van Wieren, JD Nicholsen, rhythm guitar)
Audience Reactions to December 15 2024 workshop presentation of “After/BAAL” at Tarragon Theatre Extra Space Toronto
I understood that we were to be seeing a ‘workshop’; did not expect such a polished, professional production! Still Gobsmacked! Loved Astrid; loved the music and the cast and the characters. And, yes, I cried at the end.
Cynthia Fisher
What a spectacular piece. Funny and dark and twisted and deep and exciting and-and-and, and the list goes on. Dialogue was rich. Characters felt true. Congratulations!
Lindsey Miles
Rose Cullis. Did I say I loved that performance on Sunday? That Sam Shepard drunken cowboy guitarist character: wonderful. And the actor was fantastic.
Ralph Kolewe
Astrid - Pipes of Joplin. Hair like Annie Lennox. I absolutely loved your performance - it seemed more like a real production not just a workshop! (Okay well minus the music stands…) Well done Lady, you killed it. Great performances by all. I was very impressed. I’d say it’s ready!!
Sandi Newton (theatrical agent - Newton-Landry agency)
So glad I came! It was awesome.
Kelly Straughan (managing director, Aquarius Theatre)
Congratulations on an excellent presentation! It looked and sounded great.
Michael Rubinoff (producer, Mirvish Productions)
I really enjoyed it. Astrid, You are a phenomenal talent!
Heather Jessiman (Arts Philanthropist )
It was a tour-de-force. Touching - truly.
Zarrin Darnell-Martin (actor)
Loved the show. Great performances all around with Astrid Van Wieren leading the way with charisma and balls! Combining kick ass swagger, then the moving scenes where everyone showed their chops! Overall very satisfying. Vibrant and loud. Also the fact that the actors were reading off the page and rocking it was awesome.
Brock Johnson (actor)