Meet the young stars of Theatre Aquarius’ Pollyanna The Musical
Theatre Aquarius has announced the cast for the world premiere of Pollyanna The Musical, which starts previews on December 6 and runs until December 23.
With book and lyrics by Steven Gallagher, music by Linda Barnett, and direction by Robert McQueen, the holiday musical is an adaptation of the classic 1913 novel by Eleanor H. Porter.
In addition to a large group of experienced adult actors including Adam Brazier, Michelle Bardach, and Peter Fernandes, eight children will feature in the show. Over Zoom, Intermission asked the youngsters a few questions about their careers and hobbies. Here are their answers, edited for length and clarity.
Emily Watt
What character do you play?
Pollyanna.
How old are you?
Eleven.
What show kicked off your acting journey?
The first professional show I did was Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat at Mirvish last year.
What’s your favourite winter activity?
Doing Christmas decorations with my brother!
Alexa Meixner
What character do you play?
I’m Pollyanna’s understudy, and I’m in the children’s chorus.
How old are you?
Nine.
What show kicked off your acting journey?
Probably this, actually!
What’s your favourite winter activity?
Figure skating, because I used to take lessons and I like twirling on the ice.
Athan Giazitzidis
What character do you play?
Jimmy Bean.
How old are you?
Ten.
What show kicked off your acting journey?
Mary Poppins.
What’s your favourite winter activity?
Freestyle skiing.
Miles Avery
What character do you play?
I’m in the children’s chorus!
How old are you?
Twelve.
What show kicked off your acting journey?
I played Santa in a little Christmas show when I was like three or four.
What’s your favourite winter activity?
Tobogganing, or skiing with my friends.
Shaadee Vahdat
What character do you play?
I’m in the children’s chorus.
How old are you?
Eleven.
What show kicked off your acting journey?
Grease!
What’s your favourite winter activity?
I really love baking cookies and listening to Christmas music.
Sofie Greenspoon
What character do you play?
I’m in the children’s chorus.
How old are you?
Twelve.
What show kicked off your acting journey?
Oliver! at Theatre Ancaster.
What’s your favourite winter activity?
Tobogganing.
Finn Kirk
What character do you play?
I’m the understudy for Jimmy Bean.
How old are you?
Thirteen.
What show kicked off your acting journey?
This is actually going to be the first one!
What’s your favourite winter activity?
Hockey.
Henry Tiller
What character do you play?
I’m in the children’s chorus.
How old are you?
Ten.
What show kicked off your acting journey?
The Addams Family.
What’s your favourite winter activity?
Hockey and skiing.
Pollyanna The Musical runs at Theatre Aquarius from December 6 to 23. Tickets are available here.
Liam Donovan
Liam is Intermission’s publishing and editorial assistant. Based in Toronto, his writing has appeared in Maisonneuve, This Magazine, NEXT Magazine, and more. He loves the original Super Mario game very much.
LEARN MORE
iPhoto caption: Courtesy of the St. Michael's College Troubadours.
A Lord of the Flies adaptation hits the Hart House Theatre stage this weekend
Andrea Perez is set to direct the student-led production, which will reimagine the story through a de-colonialist lens.
iPhoto caption: Photo of Annemieke Wade courtesy of TAPA.
TAPA appoints Annemieke Wade as new executive director
Wade steps into the position with an extensive background in theatre, with past roles including executive director of Roseneath Theatre and Theatre Direct and company manager of Tarragon Theatre.
iPhoto caption: Beowulf in Afghanistan graphic courtesy of GCTC.
Beowulf in Afghanistan to make world premiere at GCTC
As part of its 50th anniversary season, Ottawa’s Great Canadian Theatre Company will program the world premiere of Laurie Fyffe’s Beowulf in Afghanistan, in a production directed by Company of Fools artistic director Kate Smith.
iPhoto caption: Photo courtesy of The Hive
Brampton On Stage partners with local companies to present contrasting pair of fall productions
Brampton Music Theatre is head-banging to the stage with a community theatre production of We Will Rock You, while The Hive Performing Arts is staging Duncan MacMillan and Jonny Donahoe’s Every Brilliant Thing.
iPhoto caption: Poster courtesy of CBC Podcasts
PlayME releases trailer for new audio drama Tunnel Runners
Launching on October 30, the series follows Cam, a 16-year-old gifted student whose struggles with anxiety and depression lead him into a labyrinth of hidden subway tunnels beneath Toronto.
iPhoto caption: Prude production photo by Daniel Wittnebel
Toronto Fringe unveils 2024 Next Stage programming
The Toronto Fringe has announced the lineup for the 17th annual Next Stage Theatre Festival, running at Buddies in Bad Times Theatre from October 16 to 27.
iPhoto caption: Photo by Roya DelSol.
REVIEW: Tarragon’s Craze lacks focus — that’s what makes it fun
A frenzied test of endurance, Craze whips along like a social media feed on steroids, sprinting from image to image with wild, masculine bravado.
iPhoto caption: Courtesy of the St. Michael's College Troubadours.
A Lord of the Flies adaptation hits the Hart House Theatre stage this weekend
Andrea Perez is set to direct the student-led production, which will reimagine the story through a de-colonialist lens.
iPhoto caption: Photo by Dahlia Katz.
REVIEW: Baram and Snieckus’ Big Stuff uses improv to explore the materiality of grief
The couple’s Second City-tested comic repartee keeps the show moving with delicious lightness.
iPhoto caption: Photo courtesy of The Hive
Brampton On Stage partners with local companies to present contrasting pair of fall productions
Brampton Music Theatre is head-banging to the stage with a community theatre production of We Will Rock You, while The Hive Performing Arts is staging Duncan MacMillan and Jonny Donahoe’s Every Brilliant Thing.
iPhoto caption: Poster courtesy of CBC Podcasts
PlayME releases trailer for new audio drama Tunnel Runners
Launching on October 30, the series follows Cam, a 16-year-old gifted student whose struggles with anxiety and depression lead him into a labyrinth of hidden subway tunnels beneath Toronto.
iPhoto caption: Photo by Ian Jackson
REVIEW: In Ronnie Burkett’s darkly intelligent Wonderful Joe, gentrification hits like a meteor
When Siminovitch-winning puppet virtuoso Ronnie Burkett chose the focus of his latest play, was he thinking of TO Live’s $421-million plan to redevelop its St. Lawrence Centre for the Arts?
Comments