Untold Stories is a one-act play about relationships and the influence they have on who we are – and who we become. Told through 18 original, thought-provoking songs ranging in genre from folk to pop to jazz to country, and performed by a ten-piece band, Untold Stories is Mona’s story about the influential relationships in her life – and her relationship with herself. Seven characters tell Mona’s story: Mona; Mona’s inner voice; Mona’s birth mother; her adoptive mother and father; her best friend, Melanie; and her partner, Pierre.
The premiere performances!
Untold Stories premiered at the Domino Theatre in Kingston, Ontario on April 8, 2023. It came after several years of imagining Mona’s story and crafting the lyrics and music.
David Archibald, director, playwright, songwriter and composer, directed the premiere performances of Untold Stories. Anna Sudac, Kingston-based performing artist, singer-songwriter, and graduate of Sheridan College’s Musical Theatre and Performance program, added her artistry as Assistant Director.
Jenica’s statement
I was delighted to share my song-craft with the talented musicians who performed in the premiere of Mona’s story. I was also extremely grateful to the audiences who generously gave of their time to attend Untold Stories and support my art.
Watch Jenica and David’s interview on YourTV.
Watch the full play here!
Delve into the lyrics in this booklet
Watch your favourite songs!
1. Chasing the Sun
“What’s forever anyway? That word could never make you stay. The only thing forever is is ever-changing.”
As Mona watches her partner leave, she contemplates her life and who she is.
Mona — Jenica Rayne
Lyrics
2. Educating Mona
“We gave our hearts to a quiet kid who watched from the sidelines.”
Mona’s adoptive mother recounts to Mona what she was like as a child.
Irene, Mona’s adoptive mother — Nicci Rea
Lyrics
3. Waking Up Mona
“I’m the feeling in your gut. The unspoken truth. I’m the one that you can trust.”
Mona’s inner voice offers guidance and hope.
Mona’s inner voice — Jenica Rayne
Lyrics
4. Some Good Advice
“Not everyone will meet you halfway. Not everyone will like what you say.”
Mona’s father offers her fatherly advice before she heads off to university.
Bill, Mona’s adoptive father — David Archibald
Lyrics
5. Hallelujah
“It’s a brand new day in my brand new life. I see possibilities.”
Mona turns 18 and experiences the exhilaration of independence.
Mona — Jenica Rayne
Lyrics
6. Way More Fun with Friends
“You can pretend that you’re okay and keep your loneliness at bay. But Mona, it doesn’t have to be this way.”
Mona’s inner voice offers her sage advice on coming through loneliness and the importance of connection.
Mona’s inner voice — Jenica Rayne
Lyrics
7. Melanie and Mona
“Did you ever write that letter? Did you say hello? Sometimes forgiveness is simply letting go.”
In this dialogue, Mona’s best friend, Melanie, encourages her to confront her past.
Mona — Jenica Rayne
Melanie, Mona’s best friend — Anna Sudac
Lyrics
8. The Letter
“If time has a way of healing, could you take a chance and write me back?”
Mona’s birth mother writes her a letter explaining why she had to give her up for adoption.
Mona’s birth mother — Christina Foster
Lyrics
9. Like a Rock
“You’ll be a yo-yo on a string. Because you’re not listening.”
Mona’s inner voice cautions her against getting involved with a narcissist.
Mona’s inner voice — Jenica Rayne
Lyrics
10. Corner Witness
“I see you Mona, even when you hide. Dark and lonely, you tucked yourself away.”
Melanie, Mona’s best friend, encourages her to leave the relationship she’s in.
Mona — Jenica Rayne
Melanie, Mona’s best friend — Anna Sudac
Lyrics
11. The Gift
“Now I give. I give to me. I give a gift to my soul and set it free.”
Mona gives herself the gift of freedom from her unhealthy relationship.
Mona — Jenica Rayne
Lyrics
12. Eye to Eye
“It takes a long time to unwind when you’re working overtime to never fall in love again.”
Mona’s inner voice helps her open her heart to love again.
Mona’s inner voice — Jenica Rayne
Lyrics
13. Let’s Fall in Love
“Can you let yourself linger in a soft kiss? It could bring you to life.”
Mona’s new love expresses his love for her.
Pierre, Mona’s partner — Kevin Baker
Lyrics
14. Untethered
“The last ime I saw you, you were running wild. Untethered. Unhinged. A mischievious grin. Throwing caution to the wind.”
Mona leaves Melanie a voicemail telling her about her new love, and expresses her concern about Melanie’s emotional state after not hearing from her in awhile.
Mona — Jenica Rayne
Lyrics
15. Slow Motion
“She’s like a dream.”
Pierre expresses his lust and love for Mona.
Pierre, Mona’s partner — Kevin Baker
Lyrics
16. Untold Stories
“Did you loose your will to stay in your ordinary life?”
Mona reflects on her friend Melanie, and her own untold stories.
Mona — Jenica Rayne
Lyrics
17. A Long Long Time Ago
“I imagine we’ve got the same heart. And that’s a start.”
Mona finally answers her birth mother’s letter, and tells her a bit about her life.
Mona — Jenica Rayne
Lyrics
18. Chasing the Sun (reprise)
“It’s a brand new day, that’s the gift. All the untold stories we live.”
This is the hopeful culmination of Mona’s self-reflection and self-discovery, and the acknowledgement that life is rich when we look through the window to our soul.
Full cast
Lyrics
The characters
Mona — Jenica Rayne
Mona’s inner voice — Jenica Rayne
Mona’s birth mother — Christina Foster
Irene, Mona’s adoptive mother — Nicci Rea
Bill, Mona’s adoptive father — David Archibald
Melanie, Mona’s best friend — Anna Sudac
Pierre, Mona’s partner — Kevin Baker
The musicians
David Archibald: Acoustic guitar, mandolin, and vocals — Read David’s bio
Kevin Baker: Vocals — Read Kevin’s bio
Salik Brant: Electric guitar — Read Salik’s bio
Christina Foster: Vocals — Read Christina’s bio
Ken Hall: Keyboard — Read Ken’s bio
Duncan Holt: Drums — Read Duncan’s bio
Jenica Rayne: Acoustic guitar and vocals — Read Jenica’s bio
Nicci Rea: Vocals — Read Nicci’s bio
Anna Sudac: Vocals — Read Anna’s bio
Winston Vinh: Bass — Read Winston’s bio
James Wannamaker: Saxophone — Read James’ bio
With gratitude
Not So Amateur Amateurs: Christine Harvey
Domino Theatre: Michael Catlin, Michael Gourgon, Douglas McNichol
Lighting: Douglas McNichol, Domino Theatre
Sound: Michael Gourgon, Domino Theatre
Recording engineer: Duncan Holt
Videographers: Michael Gourgon, David McCallum
Crew: Sylvie Charlebois, Sue Corcoran, Hannah Kaufman, Colleen Lahaise,
Céline Pépin, Jan Riopelle
Marketing: Jan Riopelle
Ticket sales: Arden’s Music, Brian’s Record Option, Jan Riopelle