For months, a group of Squamish locals has been giving up their evenings to build something together. This week, they’re finally ready to share it.
Act Alive Academy, the performing arts studio founded and run by Jessica Kelly, opens Heathers the Musical at the Eagle Eye Theatre on May 21, with shows running across two weekends through May 29.
Based on the darkly comic 1989 film, the show follows high school misfit Veronica Sawyer as she navigates the brutal social hierarchy of Westerberg High and falls for the dangerous JD, who has a rather extreme solution to the problem of the popular crowd. Though it’s set in 1989, its themes remain deeply relevant today. Act Alive recommends it for ages 14 and up, with content warnings covering bullying and suicide.
Playing Veronica is Sophia Krstin, a three year member of Act Alive who discovered the group after moving to Squamish and spotting Kelly’s social media.
“I used to love musical theatre as a kid, and this seemed like a great opportunity to get back into it.”
Getting back into it has meant rehearsing twice a week for months, ramping up to nearly every day as opening night approaches. Playing a high school senior in her 30’s has been part of the fun.
“It’s been a really fun challenge. A chance to be playful, take me back to my high school days, and do something a little bit different.”
Her favourite moment in the show is the opening number, where Veronica narrates the action and introduces the principal characters. But what stands out most to her isn’t any single moment onstage. It’s the people who made it possible. The costumes and props have been in development since the fall, set pieces were built from scratch by a local volunteer, and choreography is handled by co-director James Furnell, a local dance instructor. Musical direction falls to Fiona Ferguson. Overseeing it all, directing, producing, and this year also stepping into the role of JD opposite Krstin, is Kelly herself.
“It’s been really inspiring to see all these different people with their different talents. Some of whom do this professionally, but the majority of us don’t. Everyone has day jobs,” said Krstin.
The cast is made up of local kindergarten teachers, graphic designers, therapists, and care aides, and other Squamish community members, said Krstin.
Heathers the Musical runs May 21 to 23 and 28 to 29 at the Eagle Eye Theatre, located inside Howe Sound Secondary School. Doors open 30 minutes before curtain. Tickets are on sale now for $35 at onstagedirect.com.
