A Tri-City actor who starred in last winter’s production with Vagabond Players is now the director's chair.
Amanda Russell is leading the New Westminster troupe in Tick, Tick… Boom!, a musical by Jonathan Larson that tells the story of an aspiring composer who lives in New York City in 1990; Lin-Manuel Miranda directed the 2021 movie featuring Andrew Garfield.
Opening Thursday, Nov. 28, the Vagabond version is on at the Bernie Legge Theatre in Queens Park in New West until Dec. 15.
Russell’s last venture with the company was as one of four actors in The Marvellous Wonderettes for last year’s holiday season.
She said she’s feeling more pressure as a director.
“There's a lot more to think about — not just dealing with the actors onstage, but the behind the scenes things too, like making sure the lighting, costumes, props and set fit into your vision,” Russell stated in a news release.
She described Larson’s musical as ahead of its time, especially in addressing mental health challenges.
“Larson's ability to capture the idea of one's anxiety really spoke to me the most because I personally deal with anxiety and I know many people around me who do as well,” she stated.
“The show just really reminds me that everyone deals with the feelings of doubt, and rejection, and that's just a part of life.”
Russell is also the choreographer of Tick, Tick… Boom! while Allan Thorpe is the music director.
Russell, who has been in musical theatre for more than 25 years, has worked with theatrical companies in the Lower Mainland and Vancouver Island.
Some of her recent shows include A Christmas Story and Seussical the Musical with Align Entertainment; Out of This World (in concert) with the Applause Musicals Society; and Thoroughly Modern Millie with the Victoria Operatic Society.
After Tick, Tick… Boom! Russell will perform as Alma Hix in Align’s The Music Man that runs from Jan. 24 to Feb. 8, 2025, at the Michael J. Fox Theatre in Burnaby.
For tickets to Tick, Tick… Boom!, you can visit the Vagabond Players’ website or call the box office at 604-521-0412.
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