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The Globe Theatre’s latest musical is delving into the experiences of young people discovering themselves at a special summer camp.
‘Us’, created by playwright Kelley Jo Burke, was inspired by Camp fYrefly in Saskatchewan — a retreat for LGBTQ youth — and features four actors playing a wide range of roles.
Local actress, Kaitlyn Semple, plays three characters including a gay man known as ‘Football Dave.’
“This play, in particular, was specific about characters that could be played by any gender, any ethnicity,” Semple said adding she also plays a camper along with a girl named Burgundy.
“Burgundy, who’s in love with a transwoman — Carley is her name — she’s played by David Light who’s from (Prince Albert) and that character is just a beautiful emotional roller-coaster.”
Semple calls the Globe her home theatre and said she can’t wait to see how the audience reacts.
“For the audience to have questions, to be really curious and to have their minds opened by this,” she said.
“Tuesday night we had this talkback with members of the LGBTQA+++ community in Regina and it was gorgeous. There were so many beautiful and honest responses and people were saying their hearts were wounded, but also lifted,” Semple said. “I think Regina is really ready and needs to hear this story.”
She added it said a lot about the Globe by taking on this musical. She praised artistic director and CEO Ruth Smillie for taking a chance on a show like this.
“But also it’s not taking a chance – it’s just a great musical — I think (Smillie) just saw a good play with characters who are going on this journey and thought that it would be a great fit. It’s great that it’s no longer an ‘issue play’ it’s just ‘a musical.’”
Semple expects a lot of toe-tapping to music composed by Saskatchewan singer-songwriter Jeffery Straker. She said every song is catchy and people will walk away from the play with at least five melodies stuck in their head.
Tickets for Us can be purchased online and the show runs until March 18.
