The newest theatre production at the Capitol Theatre in Port Alberni will feature three alumni from the Stages Youth Theatre program.
Lennon Chase, Gabby Eyford and Bella Paragallo all star in the Portal Players Dramatic Society's production of Maggie's Getting Married, which opens Thursday, Feb. 13, 2025. All three of the actors have come through the Capitol Theatre's youth drama program and have now "graduated" to become full-fledged members of the Portal Players.
Stages Youth Theatre was founded by Wendy Karpuik and Teresa Drew in 2009, offering an after-school drama program for Port Alberni youth who are interested in theatre.
Eyford joined Stages in the program's first year, and participated all the way up until her graduation from high school. After attending post-secondary school, she returned to the Capitol Theatre to help out with teaching Stages students.
Now, in her 20s, she's the artistic director of the Stages program.
"It's been a slow transition," said Eyford. "One of the biggest challenges for me has been doing more directing. I've always thought of this place as a second home, and now I'm here five days a week."
Chase first got involved in Stages when he was seven years old, playing a cowboy in his first performance on stage at the Capitol Theatre. During one scene, when his character was required to walk offstage, he instead improvised a slow crawl offstage.
"I got a big laugh from the crowd, and after that I was hooked," said Chase. "I've always been a dramatic child."
Chase has plenty of fond childhood memories of the Capitol Theatre, but he's been able to add new memories as an adult by joining the Portal Players Dramatic Society. Since graduating from high school, he has gotten more involved in backstage work, most recently winning an award for puppeteering in the production of The Pillowman. This will be his first time acting on stage since The Jungle Book in 2018.
"The production here is insane," he said. "If you've ever been to a professional show, this absolutely matches up. To me, this feels like a top-tier theatre group."
Paragallo, meanwhile, was only in the Stages program for one season, which was cut short by the COVID-19 pandemic. But she'll be a familiar face for many theatre-goers, as she recently appeared in the Portal Players productions of Calendar Girls and The Pillowman.
Paragallo says her favourite part of joining the Portal Players has been the people involved in it.
"You meet so many awesome people here," said Paragallo. "Everyone cares for each other and looks out for each other so much."
She calls Maggie's Getting Married a show that will "get your sillies out." The romantic comedy, written by Norm Foster, takes place in a family kitchen on the night before a wedding, where a "big surprise" turns the kitchen into a three-ring circus.
Eyford plays the titular Maggie Duncan, who she describes as the more "conservative" of the two Duncan sisters. Despite this, Maggie has gotten engaged to a man she has only known for seven months.
Chase plays Maggie's fiancé, Russell, who is a real estate with some "controversial" opinions.
"He's not exactly as popular as he likes to believe he is," Chase laughed. "He says whatever he wants in front of anyone. It's an interesting character that I'm excited to portray. I'm most excited to see my mother's reaction."
Paragallo, meanwhile, plays Wanda, the older sister of Maggie. It is revealed in the production that Wanda has some history with Russell, which Maggie doesn't know about. Wanda, said Paragallo, is "a little bit promiscuous" and flamboyant.
"I like her because she's so funny," said Paragallo. "I think I can see a little bit of her in me."
"I think everyone will be able to find things they have in common with these characters," added Eyford.
Maggie's Getting Married opens at the Capitol Theatre on Thursday, Feb. 13 and runs every Thursday, Friday and Saturday night until March 1. Tickets are available online at www.atthecapitol.org or at the box office Tuesday to Thursday from 4-6 p.m.
For more information about Stages Youth Theatre, email stagesyouththeatrecompany@gmail.com.
