This February, Montreal’s La Place des Arts is currently hosting the musical Évangéline, an original large scale French musical production that takes on the significant challenge of bringing to the stage one of the most powerful founding stories of Acadian history.
Inspired by the events surrounding the deportation of the Acadians in 1755 by the British, the production revisits the tragic love story of Évangéline and Gabriel, two lovers separated by the forces of history and exile.
Évangéline – le spectacle musical
– le spectacle musical
Presented at Salle Wilfrid Pelletier, Évangéline stands out as a rare original musical creation in a cultural landscape often dominated by revivals of American classics. Written by Caroline Cloutier and Frédérick Baron, with music composed by Steve Marin and musical arrangements by Yvan Cassar, the show embraces a large scale theatrical approach and a contemporary aesthetic.
The production features a minimalist and modern artistic direction that avoids traditional historical imagery. Costumes, props and a striking polymorphic beaded curtain that doubles up as a projection surface contribute to a visually refined and current stage environment.
Several choreography sequences draw from contemporary dance, reinforcing the production’s modern sensibility while highlighting key emotional moments in the production.
At the heart of the musical is Maude Cyr Deschênes, who delivers a powerful and committed performance as Évangéline. Her portrayal captures both the strength and vulnerability of a young woman caught between love and displacement. Olivier Dion plays Gabriel, an adventurous and idealistic figure whose destiny remains closely tied to Évangéline’s journey. The cast also includes Raphaël Butler, Matthieu Lévesque, Océane Kitura Bohémier Tootoo, Nathalie Simard and Laurent Lucas.
The first part of the show focuses on the events leading up to the deportation, weaving together political tension, community bonds and the emerging love story between the two protagonists. The narrative also gives space to Indigenous perspectives through the character of Hanoah, reflecting a deliberate effort by the creators to acknowledge the role and presence of First Nations within this historical context.
The second part of the musical follows the years of separation after the deportation, as Évangéline searches over 20 years for her fiancé Gabriel across different regions including Philadelphia, New Orleans and Grand Pré.
Through this journey, the story explores themes of loss, resilience, faith and identity, while expanding its focus to include secondary characters whose experiences reflect the broader consequences of displacement and war.
Évangéline is an ambitious production that seeks to reconnect contemporary audiences with a defining chapter of history while drawing clear parallels with present day issues surrounding exile and forced migration.
Its scale, visual impact and emotional sincerity made it a meaningful theatrical experience that was generally well received by the audience, particularly for those interested in historical narratives brought to life through music and performance.
The musical Évangéline is presented at Salle Wilfrid Pelletier until Sunday February 8th, with additional performances scheduled from July 30 to August 9th.
For tickets and more information , please visit : https://www.placedesarts.com/en/event/evangeline