For the first time, The Green Room: A College Musical will hit a Canadian stage.
Director Jessica Falcioni said they’ve been trying to bring the musical performance, about four students trying to break out onto Broadway, to Thunder Bay for about two years, but the first attempt fell flat because of school.
Falcioni said she excited to be able finally put on the show, written by C. Stephen Foster and Rod Damer, featuring music and lyrics by Chuck Pelletier.
“It’s the first time performed in Canada and that blew my mind,” Falcioni said. “Just to have a Canadian premiere in Thunder Bay is something we don’t typically get. To have this little gem of theatre here is pretty exciting. This feels right. This feels like this was the right cast, right place and that’s been very comforting."
The story follows all four students through their journey to become big-name actors, showcasing the friendship between them and how each is trying to pursue a lifelong dream.
It was also Falcioni’s first time directing a play. She said the experience was a bit nerve-wracking, but was grateful for the support of the cast and crew.
“If you don’t have the right cast, directing can be really difficult,” she said. “I’ve been very lucky with the four people I’m working with. They have been my strength and I hope I’ve been that for them as well.”
Jessica Melanson, who plays Divonne, said she’s never had a lead role before. The 19-year-old nursing student at Lakehead University played various parts in a number of performances at her high school, but never anything like this.
“The experience has been incredible,” Melanson said. “With it being the Canadian premiere and working with such talented people, I’ve been just so honoured.”
Melanson said she and her character were polar opposites of each other. While Divonne is self-confident and self-absorbed, so she had to search deep within herself to find the confidence to portray her on stage.
“Divonne is really strong and knows what she wants and all she wants to do is be on Broadway,” she said. “Divonne taught me that you have to go through life and take chances and not be scared to try things.”
Melanson will be performing alongside Spencer Hari playing Cliff, Alex Onski as Anna and Cole Larson as John.
The Green Room: A College Musical will be performed at the Paramount Theatre on Court Street from Jan. 5 to Jan. 7 at 8 p.m. Tickets are $10 for adults and $7 for children 12 and under.
