It’s been a long time since I’ve written an actual blog post, as opposed to my theatre reviews and preview articles. But today is a very special day for me, so I wanted to share my feelings on here. Tonight is opening night of Mamma Mia! at Theatre Under the Stars (TUTS), which I’m performing in, and I am so excited and honoured to be in this amazing production. I truly believe this will be a career highlight for me, and I’m so happy to have this opportunity.
The road back to being onstage hasn’t been the easiest for me. A few years ago, I suffered from injury after injury. My physiotherapy sessions were ridiculous because I was getting treated in so many different areas of my body at the same time. I tried to trick myself into thinking I was content moving on from dance and theatre. I had graduated with my degree in communications and was on a really great career path in that field, so there was an option to say goodbye to theatre forever.
My dream to dance with a pink flamingo has come true!
I’m still working in communications and it will be my life career as well as a life passion for me. But dance and theatre will also forever be passions of mine as well. My return to the stage was sparked by my heart telling me that I wasn’t finished. A couple years ago I did a small production of Cabaret and that made me realize that I would regret it forever if I didn’t come back with full effort.
So, for the past couple years I’ve been back in the dance studio getting back in shape, as well as working on my singing again. When I was preparing my singing for my auditions this season, it was as if my voice had returned to me and it made me realize that I’m not my complete self without musical theatre in my life.
I started my theatre season with Royal City Musical Theatre’s production of Singin’ in the Rain at the Massey Theatre, and it was an honour to perform in such a high calibre production. Working with legendary director and choreographer Valarie Easton again was a wonderful experience.
A fun selfie before our final run thru in the rehearsal hall.
My attention then turned towards Mamma Mia! at TUTS. It had always been a dream of mine to perform for the company. TUTS is an annual tradition in Vancouver since the 1940’s, putting on large-scale Broadway musicals every summer. I was supposed to have been in previous TUTS shows but the timing never worked out. I’m so thrilled to finally have my opportunity to perform on the TUTS stage at the Malkin Bowl in Stanley Park – a stage that so many renowned performers have made their mark on throughout the years.
This was taken on our first rehearsal onstage.
I would like to thank the incredible creative team – director Shel Piercy, choreographer Shelley Stewart Hunt, and musical director Wendy Bross Stuart. Shel has been extremely supportive of me. Shelley has allowed me to showcase my talents in this show and working with her has been a fabulous experience. Wendy is an extraordinary human being. She has astonishing musical abilities and knows her stuff inside and out.
We’re ready to rock the Malkin Bowl stage all summer!
My wonderful castmates have been superb to work with. I’m so happy to be sharing the stage with such dynamite talent – and in such a fun show! Everything about this production is sensational – the concepts of the creative team, the sets, lights, costumes, orchestra, and everything else. I’m so proud of this show and I can’t wait to entertain and inspire audiences all summer.
Theatre Under the Stars’ (TUTS) production of Mamma Mia! runs at the Malkin Bowl in Stanley Park until August 16, 2019 with the possibility of a holdover. Visit TUTS’ website for more information.
