219:). Ernesto does not accompany her. There are glimpses of life on the road during the 1940s, sometimes tiring and challenging. Ernesto and Portia occasionally meet, and he eventually confesses he is a Polish-German Jew, with a painful past, though Portia suspected this. He does not want association with him to hold her back, tells her to go, and she returns his ring. In several scenes, often set over Christmas and spanning several years, Portia's parents reflect on their lives, a child that died young, Portia's generosity, and her apparent loneliness. Her father dies, and Portia resists her mother's suggestion to see Ernesto. She does eventually return to him. Touring and illness is taking its toll, and Portia wants his assistance to become a voice teacher. She takes back his ring, and they regret that they can never be together in public. Izie regrets that Portia has never found anyone. When Portia dies, Ernesto attends her grave, and sings from
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In 2004, the artistic director of The
Eastern Front Theatre identified this play as "the most successful box office production that we have ever done," despite a storm that closed the theatre for three nights. It is still listed as a hit in the company history, and the $ 39,000 revenue it earned was
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Throughout the play, there are references to contemporary and past racism. There are musical performances in many scenes, and the total running time is two hours and ten minutes. This can vary depending on the length of songs included, and the author permits cuts to the text. There are references to
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Eastern Front
Theatre Company, of Halifax, premiered the play on February 19, 2004, for ten nights. Singer Denise Williams reprised her role as Portia, and Linda Moore directed again. Portia's brother and sister Lorne and Yvonne attended, as well as Tom Vince, son of Ernesto Vinci. Another attendee
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The first Act begins on a late evening at the White home. Portia's mother, Izie, greets the audience, then reflects on the plight of lonely old ladies, mentions how she misses Portia, and contemplates memories. The story then flashes back several years, to Portia practicing for a music competition
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Performers, often with a strong singing background, have praised the play for bringing attention to an early performer, and noted that audience members often want to know more about her. Sister Yvonne White has also praised the play. Michelle White, who played Izie for the
Petrolia production,
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Portia wins the competition, and impresses eccentric music instructor
Ernesto Vinci. She becomes his student, and while both are strong-willed individuals that occasionally clash, they also become fond of each other, and he quietly gives her a ring. Portia becomes a popular singer for church
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389:, led to the cancellation of several performances. Theatre North West, of Prince George, presented the play from November 16 to December 4, 2005. Again, Denise Williams played Portia. Victoria Playhouse, of Petrolia, presented the play from August 15 to 27, under the title
151:, Canada, in 1911, and part of a large family, White sang in the choir at her father's church as a child, won several singing competitions, and in 1944 began touring Canada, the United States, Central and South America, and the Caribbean. The music consists of
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determined that she was not related to Portia, but discovered her voice teacher had been trained by
Ernesto Vinci, and that Ernesto's lines in the play were similar to things her voice teacher would say. The Eastern Front performance was acknowledged in the
357:, the play was given a public workshop performance, with songs, but without full sets, lighting, or props, in 2003. Portia was portrayed by Denise Williams, who also met with Lorne and Yvonne, and learned the spiritual
393:. In addition to the four main characters, the show featured singers Brian Belleth (tenor), Ruaridh MacDonald (baritone), Rebecca McCauley (soprano) and Aijia Waithe (contralto).
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There was a full production the following year, under the current title. Lance
Woolaver, with the assistance of Tom Vinci, is currently developing the play as a feature film.
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Lance
Woolaver wrote the play after seven years of research into the life of Portia White, including meeting Portia's siblings Lorne White and Yvonne White. Under the title
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The Prince George production earned praise for all four actors, and noted that the play both tells a story and allows for great performances.
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was the
President of the Halifax Ladies Musical Club, an organization which helped launch Portia's career. A major snowstorm, known as
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for a radio broadcast. For the remainder of the play, Izie sometimes narrates, and sometimes participates in, scenes from the past.
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Gee, Skana (November 4, 2004). "Eastern Front in better financial shape entering new season". Halifax Daily News. p. 24.
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fundraisers, telling her father "We put a roof on every church in the county." When
Ernesto arranges a debut at Toronto's
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Hammerstedt, Josh (November 14, 2003). "TNW unveils the inspiring story of singer Portia White". Prince George This Week.
203:, Portia insists he come with her. Her parents are concerned about her leaving home, but she leaves with their blessing.
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Trick, Bernice (November 4, 2005). "Theatre North West harnesses unique talent". Prince George
Citizen. p. 13.
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nominations for Réjean Cournoyer (Outstanding Actor) and Sandy Moore (Outstanding Sound or Original Score).
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three siblings that may be represented by performers, and a minor character has a few lines in one scene.
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Sipos, George (November 21, 2005). "Excellent cast brings play alive". Prince George Citizen. p. 5.
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The play was first performed in workshop in Halifax 2003, and has since been performed in
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Nestruck, J. Kelly (September 3, 2004). "All's local at the Eastern Front".
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Act Two begins with Portia's debut performance, consisting of three songs (
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Barnard, Elissa (February 19, 2004). "The Dream Comes True".
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with portions shared between various pairs of characters.
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Portia images gallery at Victoria Playhouse Petrolia
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