Theatre Under The Stars brings depth to young actors

By Katrina Pederson
[contributor]

An exclusive interview with Bye Bye Birdie director Shel Piercy reveals what’s important for the company and where it’s going.

Katrina Pederson: You have worked on many diverse projects in the past such as Chasing the Tango High and Leo’s Journey what inspired you to choose Bye Bye Birdie?

Shel Piercy:  I’ve been in theatre since I was a kid. I was working exclusively in theatres. Years and years ago, literally, I got my start in the whole world of theatre and when I was 15 years old I was part of the stage group for Theatre Under the Stars. So it’s been one of those things I’ve always loved and 16 years later when I became a member of the screen director equity I did my first professional play and I was working as a director and was hired in 1982. So this year when they were trying to figure out what shows to do, and they’ve done a lot of shows, actually I think I’ve directed more shows with TUTS than any other director, but you know it’s always been about choosing shows. It’s an outdoor theatre and its big that there’s a lot of things that are challenges down there and I found last year when I did Joseph and the Amazing Technicoloured Dream Coat that the big rock music really worked well.  We decided to do Birdie because it has a kinda rock feel and is big enough. It’s a really funny show, it’s a great script. So with a combination of all that made TUTS decided to do it and made me want to direct it. That’s a long answer to a short question.

KP: How has it been working with choreographer Shelley Stewart Hunt and music director Kevin Michael Cripps?

SP: It’s like we all have the same brain. They’re awesome. I don’t know where me directing ends and Shelley’s choreography begins. You know we do it all together. We work as a team. As a fabulous team, I think, and we think the same way. We are very comfortable with each other.  That makes a really great working experience relationship. You know you’re combining dance and music and singing and all the rest of it. So we’re really just one “super director” in all of this. In a perfect world, they work well with the others and combine to make something special and spectacular. They are extremely talented. They teach at Capilano University and they’re in this environment working with younger actors all the time and they bring a lot of depth and knowledge to how to help these actors find the voice. It’s pretty great.

KP: I went to Singing in the Rain last year and that was my first time at Theatre Under the Stars (TUTS) and I have been to many Broadway plays before, but there was something about that show that blew all of the previous shows I’ve seen out of the water. What do you think makes Theatre Under the Stars so special?

SP: You know, I wish I knew the answer to that but I think it’s probably the fact that it’s outdoors in Stanley Park. If you go anywhere in the world and ask people if they have ever been to Vancouver, if they say yes they will evidently say the word Stanley Park afterwards. It’s the most iconic thing about Vancouver and I think that the fact that you are sitting in this world-class park, one of the most beautiful places, on a beautiful summer’s night, hopefully, it will be all summer and you get that wonderful oxygen rich smell, cedar trees and you’ve got a few eagles up in the trees peeking down on you. You know something fun to watch and I just think it makes a really magical night. It’s something really special, really special. A lot of people love TUTS, not only Vancouver but around the world and make a point of coming back year after year.

KP: It’s like when you go it creates some sort of tradition, my mom and I saw it last year and we’re going to see it again. So it just creates a tradition.

SP: Yeah yeah, it’s a pretty great way to spend a summer night, in my opinion. Also I mean it’s great on another level. It’s great because it’s great for families. It’s not as difficult to take your kids to this show as it is to many theatres. They can run around a bit. We get a lot of people who are obviously in love and there for a date and tons of older people who are reliving memories of the past. There’s a kind of warmth at the place that’s really special. And honestly believe more than anything is because it’s in this magical spot. We started rehearsals today at three o’clock. And we do our first dress rehearsal tonight with an audience and I relish that time down there.

KP: What can the audience expect this year with Bye Bye Birdie?

SP: Humour. It’s going to be really funny. It’s quite spectacular. It’s a big show, in fact, it’s quite a bit bigger than we realized. It was a lot of work, a lot of rock and roll in it, really great music.

KP: I watched the movie and I’m really excited about what you have to offer.

SP: I’m looking forward to it, I’m pretty excited

KP: Will you be returning next year? If so, do you have any ideas of musicals you would like to do?

SP: I think Theatre Under the Stars would be a perfect place to do Mama Mia or Les Misérables because with TUTS you can do anything that’s big and loud. I also think Beauty and the Beast. Those are shows I would love to see down there.