Rehearsals are in full swing for the sixth annual Young Performers summer productions of Bumbershoot Children’s Theatre which will take to the stage of the Mary Irwin Theatre at the Rotary Centre for the Arts from Aug. 21 to 24.
Artistic director Tracy Ross announced that as well as the Young Performers staging of ‘Legally Blonde, The Musical’ in evening performances, a second production featuring Junior Performers titled ‘Crowning Lil Miss Cutie’ will be presented in three matinees.
Featured in ‘Legally Blonde’ will be Kelowna performers Georgia Kemp as Elle Woods, Antony Knight as Emmet, Tyson Sigler as Warner Hungtington and Naomi Cormier as Vivienne, with cameo appearances by Danny Tagle, Neville Bowman, Lucy Hazelwood and Tracy Ross.
“Legally Blonde’ will be directed by Ross. The musical director is Neville Bowman and choreography will be by Danny Tagle. “We are so excited to Danny as part of our team. He brings wonderful energy and a ton of experience from shows all over the world.” Ross said.
Ross said that the fun, upbeat musical about self-discovery stays true to form with a peppy score and playful story as Elle Woods responds to being dumped by her boyfriend who is off to Harvard to study law. Determined to get him back, Elle uses her charm to get into Harvard Law School and goes on to prove herself to the world.
The new Junior production of ‘Crowning Lil Miss Cutie’, which was written by Ross, will feature over 21 junior performers taking the stage for a unique theatrical experience they will share with the audience.
The role of the annual Young Performers summer program is to provide aspiring Kelowna actors and singers aged 6 – 18 with an opportunity to develop their talents and skills and then test and exercise them on stage. After benefiting from instruction and coaching, the young people will run the entire show by themselves once it hits the stage.
Bumbershoot teachers and directors are actors, choreographers, performers and educators who create a safe, fun and energetic environment in which children and young people feel free to create, challenge themselves, make lasting friendships and learn.
‘Legally Blonde’ will be featured in four evening performances at 7.30pm at the Mary Irwin Theater from Aug. 21 to 24. Tickets are available through the Rotary Centre for the Arts at 250-717-5304. ‘Miss Cutie’ will take over the same stage for matinee performances on Aug. 22, 23 and 24. Admission will be by donation.
This is the sixth summer young performers program to be presented by Bumbershoot which is a non-profit registered charitable theatre company which was launched in Kelowna in 2009. The young performers summer program complements the regular season of four productions. Other contributions to the cultural life of the Okanagan include regular youth and children’s drama workshops as well as a Residency Program which interfaces with individual schools in the greater Kelowna and Vernon areas.
To learn more about Bumbershoot Children’s Theatre, see bumbershoottheatre.com.
