Okanagan theatre-goers have a chance to see the inaugural presentation of an award-winning play, when Okanagan College’s Red Dot Players present A.K.A. Fangirl.
Written by Jeremy Beaulne, an OC English professor and playwright, the play runs from March 10 to March 13 at the college’s Kelowna campus theatre.
The play is being directed by Beaulne, and focuses on the life of Nichelle O’Neil, a high school student and aspiring comic book creator.
During her adventures at a comic book convention, her world is juxtaposed with the exploits of the superhero characters she created for a graphic novel she is writing.
A.K.A. Fangirl won Best Full-Length Play at Theatre BC’s 2014 playwriting competition.
“I’m really excited about how this play has come together,” said Beaulne, who is also artistic director for the Red Dot Players. “We have an incredible cast and crew who have managed to bring my characters to life in a way I only hoped as I was writing the play.”
Ashley Johnson, 18, plays the lead role.
“I didn’t have to do a lot to prepare for Nichelle. Our personality types are pretty much the same, and the way she reacts to situations is pretty much the way I would,” said Johnson. “We’re both very guarded and unsure about people, and we’re both supremely into comics. Nichelle takes it a step forward and is drawing her own, while I just sit around enjoying them.”
The cast also includes Kevin Morrison as Jack/Dr. Nocturnus, Zoe Sommerfeld as Louise/Vibrato, Torsten Nogel as Bernie/Winged Fury, Ruby Bullock-Spitz as Miriam/Lupescu, Zoë Sehn as Allyson/Chimera, Harry Grossmith as Laurence, Amy Williams as Super Panda, Jeremy Ratt as the narrator/Lucas, Mike Boulter as a comic book fan, and Amy Wagner as another comic book fan.
Beaulne warns that the presentation includes coarse language, intense scenes, and flashing lights and that it may not be appropriate for younger audiences.
Tickets for the production are $15 for adults, and $12 for students and seniors. They are available (cash only) at Leo’s Videos, Mosaic Books, the Okanagan College campus store, and at the door.
