Banana Musik is part of Common Ground Arts’ Fall 2025 season.
Check out the rest of our season announcement here.
About Banana Musik
Written by Kris Alvarez
Performed by Kris, Jim, and Susan Alvarez
Directed by Judy Wensel
“BANANA MUSIK. The name my Dad gave his original music, recorded on his 8-track in our basement -that name, that spelling with a clean, precise, bamboo font from a mechanical pencil on the spine of dozens of cassette tapes neatly packed in a leatherette case.”
In this memory play about aging, reciprocity and care, 50-year-old “immigrant kid” Kris gives you a tour of her childhood home – the sights, sounds, smells – to meet her parents, while she takes inventory of ALL their stuff, trying to get to know them better in real time.
September 16-26, 2025 in the Backstage Theatre
ASL Interpretation will be available September 19th (Opening) and September 26th
Interpretation by Gail Benin with support from Jenni Stevens
SPECIAL EVENT: BURNT SIENNA
September 27, 2025 in the Backstage Theatre
Kris Alvarez and her family invite you to tune in to a variety show with a little more colour: Burnt Sienna, Kris’ 4-year theatre project, brings audiences together for an evening of conversation, food, humour, and heart with prairie artists, thinkers, and entertainers from diverse backgrounds.
BURNT SIENNA WORKSHOP SERIES
Check out three opportunities to connect with community and develop your artistic toolkit with the creators of Banana Musik and Burnt Sienna.
Attendance to all workshops is free of charge but capacity is limited, click HERE to register!



Banana Musik was workshopped as part of Found Festival 2024. Photos by Mat Simpson.
CREATIVE TEAM
Director Judy Wensel
Creators Kris, Jim, and Susan Alvarez
Accompanist Eric James
Production Designer Shaunna Dunn
Collaborators Zöe & Iris James
Banana Musik is supported by:


