The Well-Behaved Woman

Canadian Mennonite
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  • Performing Arts

The Well-Behaved Woman is a musical essay about a Mennonite woman's experience as a newcomer to Canada, spanning from the 1920s to the present day. There are 14 parts in this series, including interviews with Mennonite women from across Canada, behind-the-scenes looks at the creative process of making and writing a musical, and the 6-part premiere of The Well-Behaved Woman, a two-woman musical. It is a recipient of a MennoCreative grant from Canadian Mennonite magazine.

Episodes

  1. 3d ago

    The Well-Behaved Woman: Musical "Act 2"

    In Act 2, Anne heads out to the big city! Rooming at an all-girls house in Vancouver, she works with her friend Mina as a laundress to help pay off their parents' travel debts. Life is peaceful, until a rumour begins to spread around the house. Anne, played by Katrina McCarthy Mina and Train Conductor, played by Robyn Froese Music and Lyrics by Robyn Froese Script by Katrina McCarthy With special thanks to our band, Wanda Froese and Mikayla Clay, and to our audio engineer, Andre Antonio. Recorded live at Odd Owl Studios. Opening credits include clips from the films Madame X and The Road to Ruin, alongside a quote from Laura Thatcher Ulrich's talk courtesy of GBH Forum Network.

    18 min

  2. May 28

    The Well-Behaved Woman: Musical "Act 1"

    In Act 1, we meet our spirited heroine, Anne. Full of imagination and a heart of gold, Anne learns stories of her family's past while gently urging her sister Nettie to chase her dreams waiting just beyond the horizon. Anne, played by Katrina McCarthy Nettie, played by Robyn Froese Music and Lyrics by Robyn Froese Script by Katrina McCarthy With special thanks to our band, Wanda Froese and Mikayla Clay, and to our audio engineer, Andre Antonio. Recorded live at Odd Owl Studios. Opening credits include clips from the films Madame X and The Road to Ruin, alongside a quote from Laura Thatcher Ulrich's talk courtesy of GBH Forum Network.

    17 min

  3. Mar 31

    The Well-Behaved Woman: "Thoroughly Modern Mennonite"

    What makes a Mennonite woman a Mennonite woman? In this final research episode, we dive into the modern Mennonite woman. Our interviewees discuss how it feels being outsiders to the historical European, straight, Mennonite background, and we consider how we could move forward as Mennonite women as a whole.

    58 min

  4. Mar 25

    The Well-Behaved Woman: "The Second Mouse Gets The Cheese"

    We talk all things feminism and late-stage careers this episode. We talk to the first female Mennonite moderator, hear from two amazing ministers about "the boys club", Anabaptism, and how Jesus was a feminist. We also speak with two amazing profs about second and third wave feminism and inclusive feminine language for God.

    46 min

  5. Mar 19

    The Well-Behaved Woman: "Mennonite Girls Can Cook"

    We may not share the bun recipe you're looking for, but we do offer engaging conversations about food, the traditional roles of Mennonite women and the realities of the expectations placed on girls. We also chat with the creators of "Quietly Landed," a musical production from the 1990s focused on the untold stories of Mennonite women. Grab a snack and get listening.

    36 min
  6. The Well-Behaved Woman: "Eye For an Eye"

    Mar 10

    The Well-Behaved Woman: "Eye For an Eye"

    CONTENT WARNING: This episode discusses domestic abuse and sexual violence. How can a people group who is defined by their peace movement have allowed violence in the home? What is the difference between "pacifism" and "non-resistance"? Explore these questions and more with us in this episode as we engage in conversations with experts in the fields of domestic abuse and sexual harm, as well as hear real life experiences from Mennonite women themselves.

    36 min
  7. The Well-Behaved Woman: "All's Fair in Love and War"

    Mar 2

    The Well-Behaved Woman: "All's Fair in Love and War"

    This episode explores themes of love in the time of war, women's roles in 1940s Canada, and what it's like to be a young adult woman growing up culturally Mennonite.

    44 min
  8. The Well-Behaved Woman: "Little Women"

    Feb 23

    The Well-Behaved Woman: "Little Women"

    This research episode explores the theme of immigration, coming to Canada and the context of Mennonites in the 1920s. Follow along as we hear many stories of hardships, change, trauma and resilience.    Opening Credits: Public Domain 1920's-1930's clips from various films: "Madame X" and "The Road to Ruin".  Quote from Laura Thatcher Ulrich's talk courtesy GBH Forum Network https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YbsrSdT9x84   Closing Credits:"Again" by Robyn Froese   Special thanks to our interviewees: Chris Sundby, Marlene Epp, Maria Friesen via Juliana Howe, Crissy Robson, Sonja Everson, Ruth Funk, Elfrieda Buhr, Karen Theissen, Mary Loewen, and Betty Giesbrecht   MORE INFORMATION: https://canadianmennonite.org/mennocreative/the-well-behaved-woman/

    57 min
  9. The Well-Behaved Woman: "Prelude"

    Feb 12

    The Well-Behaved Woman: "Prelude"

    The Well-Behaved Woman Podcast's introductory episode gives an overview of the project and introduces the creators, Katrina McCarthy (Froese) and Robyn Froese. These two sisters, living in Vancouver, Canada, discuss their experiences growing up Mennonite and the creation of this podcast. They offer listeners a preview of interviews with remarkable Mennonite women from across the country, asking, "What is a Mennonite woman?"   MORE INFORMATION: https://canadianmennonite.org/mennocreative/the-well-behaved-woman/

    32 min
  • 9 Episodes

About

The Well-Behaved Woman is a musical essay about a Mennonite woman's experience as a newcomer to Canada, spanning from the 1920s to the present day. There are 14 parts in this series, including interviews with Mennonite women from across Canada, behind-the-scenes looks at the creative process of making and writing a musical, and the 6-part premiere of The Well-Behaved Woman, a two-woman musical. It is a recipient of a MennoCreative grant from Canadian Mennonite magazine.

Information

  • Creator
    Canadian Mennonite
  • Years Active
    2K
  • Episodes
    9
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026
  • Show Website
    The Well-Behaved Woman