A musical written, directed and choreographed by Powell River’s own CaroleAnn Leishman will premier at Evergreen Theatre on Thursday, April 28.
Welcome to the Funhouse is the latest production from Far Off Broadway Theatre Company and is a locally produced performance, featuring all volunteer cast and crew.
The story is about a brother and sister who run away from home and end up following a group of children they meet to “the funhouse,” a place where magical things happen. The show incorporates music from other musicals and pop songs into the story with the actors dancing and singing as part of the performance.
Leishman started developing the story last June when she got the idea after watching a friend choreograph a music number to pop artist Pink’s song “Funhouse.” She used music as a way to string the story together and help her figure out the plot.
This is the first complete play that Leishman has written although she is no stranger to directing and producing theatrical works. She said it came fairly easily to her and the play almost wrote itself over the two weeks it took to translate from her mind to the page.
“Ruminating over it I would make notes, ideas would come into my head or songs and I would write it down,” said Leishman. “Then when I actually sat down to write it, it just kind of took on a life of its own.”
The play features a cast of 60 people of all ages including 30 children from ages six to 13. There are two casts of the young brother and sister featuring Tyana Sacree and Elise Hocking as the sister and Jeremy Hopper and Jaxyn Oele as the brother. John Dean plays the older brother and Katherine Lister stars as the older sister. Leishman plays Grizelda, one of three witches who work at the funhouse and Powell River’s Buddy Holly, Jim Baron plays the Crooner.
“The talent locally is phenomenal,” said Leishman. “I think people will be pretty blown away by the kids, their vocal quality and the dancing. There’s a lot of talent here.”
With such a large cast and being a volunteer production, organization has been the most challenging part of the production, said Leishman. Despite the challenge and the long hours, Leishman said it’s all worth it to see the excitement on the actors’ faces, children and adults alike, before the show.
“The thrill of getting that audience feedback for the first time, they’re so excited,” said Leishman. “It’s an adrenaline high like you can’t really imagine unless you’ve done it. I think that’ll be the neatest thing—just pulling it all together.”
The show runs at 7:30 pm from Thursday, April 28 to Saturday, April 30 and from Wednesday, May 4 until Saturday, May 7. Evening show tickets are $15 for adults, $12 for students and seniors. There will be a matinee at 1:30 pm on Sunday, May 1 with ticket price $10. Tickets are available at Breakwater Books and Coffee, Mitchell Brothers, Powell River Recreation Complex box office or at the door.
