Mon voyage en Amérique, a staged reading with Pascale Montpetit and Kim Yaroshevskaya at the Espace culturel St. John on November 13, 2026.

In 2017, Kim Yaroshevskaya published a charming book in which she recounts her “journey to America.” A voyage through troubled waters, perhaps—but one that is funny, unusual, and full of surprises. It begins when, at the age of ten, she leaves her native Moscow to join her maternal grandparents in New York. The adventure takes an unexpected turn and ultimately ends at her aunt’s home in Montreal, where Kim would put down roots.

Passionate about the arts—music, dance, and theatre—she drew on a childhood memory to create the character Fanfreluche. From that same childhood, she shares the tenderness of her paternal grandmother, as well as dramatic moments lived under Stalin’s repressive communist regime. She also speaks of her love of theatre—she performed Chekhov, Ionesco, and Pirandello on some of the country’s leading stages.

It was Kim who chose to ask Pascale Montpetit to perform My Journey to America in her place, making it clear that she could entrust this story to no one else but an actress she deeply admired.

Text: Kim Yaroshevskaya (Éditions du Boréal, 2017)
Staged reading: Kim Yaroshevskaya and Pascale Montpetit
Performed by: Pascale Montpetit

For tickets and additional information.

MORE INFORMATION

Pascale Montpetit

A graduate of the Conservatoire d’art dramatique de Montréal (1985), Pascale Montpetit has enjoyed a wide-ranging career in radio, television, film, and theatre, spanning both classical repertoire and contemporary creation. She has also taught at the National Theatre School of Canada and led workshops for the Union des écrivaines et des écrivains québécois.

Kim Yaroshevskaya (1923-2025)

A pioneer of children’s programming in Quebec, Kim Yaroshevskaya left a lasting mark on generations with the character Fanfreluche, created in 1954 at Théâtre Le Grenier and later brought to Radio-Canada television (Fafouin, La Boîte à surprise, and Fanfreluche). From 1968 to 1971, she not only played the role but also wrote and scripted every episode of Fanfreluche. A versatile actor, she performed in theatre, television, and film, including La femme de l’hôtel, Le Matou, Anne Trister, and Le sexe des étoiles. She received the Order of Canada (1991), was named a Companion of the Ordre des arts et des lettres du Québec (2017), and a Commander of the Ordre de Montréal (2023).

See the book information for Mon voyage en Amérique, published in 2017 by Éditions du Boréal.

ABOUT THE ESPACE CULTUREL ST. JOHN

Experience this performance in a truly unique venue: the St. John, a former Anglican church built between 1882 and 1885, now transformed into a space dedicated to arts and culture. A true architectural gem, this intimate hall is located on Shefford Street in the heart of Old-Bromont. This lively area features beautiful heritage buildings housing cozy cafés, fine restaurants, and one-of-a-kind boutiques—making it the perfect place to extend your cultural outing.