Orphaned on the stage
Sophie Leroux, 15, is performing in the Theatre Under the Stars production of Annie this summer in Stanley Park.
Email
Print
Letter to Editor
Share
Updated: July 16, 2009 12:18 PM
Sure, the sun will come out tomorrow.
But it was nightfall on July 14 that Theatre Under the Stars fans were looking forward to, as the curtain rose on the summer 2009 season in Stanley Park’s Malkin Bowl.
And among the young performers taking the stage in TUTS’ production of the popular Broadway musical Annie, was Sophie Leroux, who plays one of the orphans in the production’s children’s chorus, best known for their song, Hard Knock Life.
Set in 1932, Annie tells the Depression-era story of a spunky, red-headed orphan, who along with her faithful dog Sandy, flees an orphanage and wins the heart of a New York City business tycoon while searching for her parents.
Annie is one of two productions TUTS is mounting in the park this summer. The other, presented on alternating nights, is Thoroughly Modern Millie, which is set in the same city a decade earlier than Annie. It tells the story of a small-town girl named Millie Dillmount who comes to New York to marry for money instead of for love.
The outdoor theatre company has been staging productions in Vancouver’s most famous park, on and off, since 1940.
This is not Sophie’s first outing with TUTS. She played Jessie, Annie Oakley’s younger sister in last summer’s production of Annie Get Your Gun.
Almost as soon as that show wrapped, the young performer was thinking ahead to this year’s show.
“They tell us at the end of the run what the next production will be,” said Sophie, who knew right away she’d be auditioning for a part in Annie.
Singing has always been her strength, said the 15-year-old performer, who also has a strong background in dance. But she’s happy to expand her horizons. That includes taking her first drama class at Surrey’s Holy Cross Regional High School, where she’ll enter Grade 11 in the fall.
And though she’s never acted in a school play, Sophie performed with Royal City Musical Theatre at age 12 in its production of The Music Man and several times with Fraser Valley Gilbert and Sullivan Society.
“The thing I like about acting is you get to be someone else,” she said.
In this case, a singing and dancing orphan named Glory.
Stepping onto the outdoor stage is a magical experience, said the young actor.
“It’s open and wide, and you can see the sky while you’re performing. It’s incredible.”
“I’ve been going to Theatre Under the Stars since I was a little girl,” said Sophie. “Last year, when I was on stage, it was like ‘wow, I’m part of a Vancouver tradition’. ”
Though both of TUTS’ productions offer a fictional glimpse at the Big Apple, Sophie is hopeful the city will one day hold some real-life adventures for her.
“I’d like to go to New York and start a career, and then come back here and teach,” she said.
Annie runs to Aug. 21. Playing on alternating nights, Thoroughly Modern Millie opened July 15 and runs until Aug. 22. General admission tickets are $34/adults; $32/children 5-15. Reserved seating is $39/adult; $37 children.
Call 604-684-2787 to reserve or visit www.ticketstonight.ca or go to www.tuts.ca for more information.
entertainment@langleytimes.com
v2
