I saw Children of God last night at the McPherson Playhouse. This musical about residential schools was written, composed and directed by Corey Payette. I found the musical to be ultimately very moving, in its portrayal of a period of Canadian history that, although many would like to forget, burns into our collective memories with the warning, “Never again.”

We meet Tommy and his friends who have been taken forcibly to a residential school far from their homes. Tommy (Dillan Chiblow) was excellent in the opening night performance, and was an understudy to boot! Chiblow is well-supported by the rest of the cast: Lauren Bowler as Sister Bernadette, David Keeley as Father Christopher, Cheyenne Scott as Tommy’s sister Julia, Andrea Menard as their mother Rita, and Vinnie Alberto as Vincent, Danica Charlie as Elizabeth, and aaron m. wells as Wilson. The ensemble sings together very well, with beautiful harmonies throughout.

Although the production doesn’t shy away from the harsher realities of living in a residential school, including sexual abuse, physical abuse and other hardships endured by these children, the show stylizes these abuses to make them more appropriate for an audience. I was very moved by this production, tearing up in the finale when the family honours the memory of a lost family member. The production is designed by Marshall McMahen, with musical director Rachel Kiyo Iwaasa, Lighting Director Jeff Harrison, Orchestrator Elliot Vaughan and Sound Designer Bradley Danyluk.

You have one more chance to see this touring production, tonight at 7:30pm. Recommended. https://www.rmts.bc.ca/production-detail-pages/2025-mcpherson-playhouse/children-of-god/