Vinegar Tom was expertly mixed by Justin Phelps and recorded in-person at The Hallowed Halls, a recording studio in SE Portland, that was to be the venue partner for live performances for Vinegar Tom.
Witches. Protest. Feral Cats.
Set in the 17th century, Vinegar Tom centers on a story of women in a rural town. Alice sleeps with a man she does not know. Her mother Joan owns an old cat, and curses when her neighbors are cruel to her. Betty does not want to marry. Susan doesn’t want to be pregnant. Born out of the women's rights movement of the 60's and 70's, this play with music is a direct response to the uncompromising systems of patriarchy. Steeped in a landscape of pride, poverty and prejudice the question persists - what makes a witch?
Recording Location
Both Vinegar Tom and The Moors were recorded at The Hallowed Halls in SE Portland. This recording studio was originally a library, then was the first government building in Oregon to be named after a woman and is on the National Historic Register. Lea Wikman was a Finnish immigrant, who moved to Oregon in 1953 and became a well-known advocate for children and poor people. The building was named in her honor in 1982. We believe this space has the perfect alchemy for our season of women pushing against the mold.
THANK YOU TO RACC FOR SUPPORTING THIS PROJECT