Kelly Charleen is about to enter the Little Shop of Horrors.
The Colwood resident plays a reporter in the well-known musical for this weekend’s three Kaleidoscope Theatre showings at the McPherson Playhouse, which also serve as the 19th annual fundraiser performances for the company.
Joining the ensemble and bringing 15 years of acting experience, including work at Langford-based Four Seasons Musical Theatre, Charleen said the upcoming shows are all about supporting local talent and local theatre.
“We’re so lucky (to be) quite a theatre-based environment here and we’re lucky to have so much talent in one show,” she said. “I’ve been saying to everyone I’ve seen, you must come out and see the singing, the vocals, the acting, the whole production … You will not be disappointed.”
Other Four Seasons Musical Theatre veterans in the cast include Julia French and Sasha Moriarty-Schieven, who played Princess Fiona and Donkey respectively in Kaleidoscope’s recent production of Shrek.
Despite being a popular cult show that many have seen some iteration of before, Little Shop offers something special as a decidedly homegrown show, Charleen said.
“It’s a very small cast and most of us play multiple roles. This added to us working closely together in many different areas, and it allowed us the opportunity to get to know each other on stage and off. Which, as I mentioned, will reflect on stage. The audience will feel the connection we’ve all made together.”
The fundraiser showings happen tonight (Oct. 30) and Halloween night at 8 p.m., while a matinee performance goes at 2 p.m. on Sunday. Last year’s shows were sold out. For tickets, visit home.kaleidoscope.bc.ca/season/littleshop/.
alim@goldstreamgazette.com