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July 17, 2009
Thrilled to be in show
Two youth to play orphans in Annie at TUTS.
LAUREN KRAMER
There are two Jewish youth representing the local community in this year's theatrical production of Annie, at Theatre Under the Stars (TUTS): Sophie Visscher-Lubinizki and Eve O'Dea will play orphans.
Ten-year-old Sophie, who will enter Grade 5 at Vancouver Talmud Torah this fall, saw a TUTS production of Annie when she was two, and loved it. She has seen the shows at Stanley Park's Malkin Bowl every summer since, and was thrilled to be accepted as a performer in this year's show, even though it meant giving up her usual summer attendance at Camp Solomon Schechter, to rehearse for her role. She has attended classes at the Dena Wosk School of Performing Arts for the past few years and has also participated in shows at Dance Express, in Festival Ha'Rikud and in the Gateway Academy of Performing Arts Summer Musical Theatre programs. The orphan Tessie is her favorite role so far, she said.
"One of the instructors, Jamie Armstrong, suggested she audition for the part of Annie in this production, and that's how we first heard about it," said her father, Ben Visscher-Lubinizki. Sophie prepared for the audition with the assistance of Beth Israel Synagogue Cantor Michael Zoosman, and was selected from 100 girls who auditioned for parts in the play.
"I'm really excited about the show," Sophie said. "The best part is getting to know all the nice people that are acting in it, and experiencing this Vancouver tradition. Me and my friends do a lot of singing together and it's really fun."
Eve's mother, Tracy O'Dea, said her daughter, too, loves being part of the production. "I haven't heard a complaint from her yet, and the rehearsal hours have been very long." O'Dea had been surfing the web looking for opportunities for her 10-year-old when she stumbled across the TUTS call for auditions. Eve, who will be a French immersion student at Pauline Johnson School this fall, attends the Pro Arte dance school in North Vancouver.
"I'm having a lot of fun just learning what we're supposed to learn and practising all the time," Eve said. "Sometimes it's hard, the rehearsals are tiring and I'm a bit nervous about the performances, but I've made a lot of friends and I'm having a great time."
For more information about Annie and Thoroughly Modern Millie, the other TUTS production this summer, visit tuts.ca.
Lauren Kramer is a Vancouver freelance writer.
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