Photos by Charlene Ruedig 26 • www.PRLiving.ca
Welcome to the Fun House Actor/director also wrote new play By John Dean t’s good, but you need to paint a picture across the fourth “Iwall as you sing, so the audience can see you’re trying to show there’s a world out there!” instructed CaroleAnn Leishman after I had finished my song, “There’s a world.” I was at a rehearsal for CaroleAnn’s new musical suitably named Welcome to the Fun House. CaroleAnn is from Powell River’s Far Off Broadway theatre group which has put on such productions as the famous show Chicago. CaroleAnn graduated from the American Academy of Dramatic Arts in Los Angeles. Since graduation she has performed around North America in all different mediums; theatre, TV and even film. She has performed with La Scala Opera Company and has acted in such films as Bram Stoker's Dracula and Chaplin. Her theatre experience includes performances in such productions as Steel Magnolias, Hair and even won a best supporting actress for her role in the Memory of Water. This new creation from Powell River’s talented thespian is a story of a brother and sister who leave home to escape from a terrible thing they have done. They end up being led to a magical, yet dark place known as the Fun House, where wishes can come true, performers are electronically tagged and drugged to keep them working all hours and kids smoke cigars and gamble. The sibling’s crazy adventure takes them on a journey where they learn not everything is as it seems, and this crazy world is darker than first imagined. CaroleAnn’s inspiration came from a friend who co-choreograhed Chicago with her. “Jody McKamey choreographed an amazing modern dance number to rocker Pink’s ‘Fun House’ for a dance recital last June. I watched from the wings with my mouth open and said, ‘I am putting that number in my musical!’ Then it became the centre of the whole story,” CaroleAnn tells me. “Welcome to the Fun House has been swirling around in my head since last June. After months of jotting down notes about characters and songs I sat down and wrote the script in about two weeks over Christmas,” she adds. Not only has CaroleAnn written this piece, she is also directing and performing in it. She has 64 performers she has to direct, at various ages, ranging from six to 60. “I have eight-hour rehearsal days. That is so I can work with each PAIR PRACTICE: Katherine and John rehearse a duet for the Far Off Broadway production Into the Fun House. group separately so no one but me has real long days. The kids can be a challenge. When I raise my booming voice, though, they stop in their tracks. It’s pretty funny. They are pretty good. They are kids after all,” CaroleAnn explains. She also acts as a magical performer for the musical named Grizelda. She has two other “soul sisters” who, too, are magical. “Grizelda resembles me in that she tends to try and look after some of the kids in the Fun House. Carma Sacree and Melissa Call, who play my ‘soul sisters,’ are also soul sisters of mine in real life so that has been fun to play opposite them in these roles. They’re both type cast,” CaroleAnn explains. CaroleAnn comes from a long line of directors, actors and singers. As she puts it to me, “It’s in my DNA.” Though she admits to having it in her genes, so to speak, she also admits, “Theatre school was just the next step because I was a terrible actor! And I was terrible at public speaking. I also never sang until I went to theatre school. That’s where I found my voice.” Although she may have struggled at the beginning, CaroleAnn has gone on to do many performances all over North America and admits her most memorable and favourite performance was for her role as Katherine in The Memory of Water. “It was such a challenging role: so different from me, very emotional and over the top and it was a really well-written play as well.” I myself am no real actor, and have never done so before this. However, with CaroleAnn’s tuition, I feel I have picked up many tricks and I am beginning to feel more confident and relaxed in my role. As the rehearsal comes to an end I ask her what advice she would give to those who would like to get involved in theatre, “Get involved in one of our local theatre groups or in drama at school. You won’t know if you really like it or which aspects you are interested in until you try. And if you want to get serious about any kind of career in acting: training, training, training!” So if you are reading this and wish to be on stage or TV, be like me and put yourself out there. Welcome to the Fun House runs from Saturday, April 30 until May 7. Do not miss this insane performance by many of our talented Powell River performers. Brandy Peterson is happy to let her clients speak for her. “Thank you so much for everything! We so much appreciate all your excellent advice! You are very good at your job!” – Alex & Tammy Beauchamp Let’s talk! 604 485-4231 office • 604 344-1234 direct • 1-877-485-4231 toll free • coastrealty.com • brandypeterson@shaw.ca • 4760 Joyce Ave Powell River Living • april 2011 • 27