Skip to main content

Meet the young stars of Theatre Aquarius’ Pollyanna The Musical

/By / Nov 24, 2023
SHARE

Theatre Aquarius has announced the cast for the world premiere of Pollyanna The Musical, which starts previews on December 6 and runs until December 23.

With book and lyrics by Steven Gallagher, music by Linda Barnett, and direction by Robert McQueen, the holiday musical is an adaptation of the classic 1913 novel by Eleanor H. Porter. 

In addition to a large group of experienced adult actors including Adam Brazier, Michelle Bardach, and Peter Fernandes, eight children will feature in the show. Over Zoom, Intermission asked the youngsters a few questions about their careers and hobbies. Here are their answers, edited for length and clarity.


Photo courtesy of Theatre Aquarius.

Emily Watt

What character do you play?

Pollyanna.

How old are you?

Eleven.

What show kicked off your acting journey?

The first professional show I did was Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat at Mirvish last year.

What’s your favourite winter activity?

Doing Christmas decorations with my brother!


Photo courtesy of Theatre Aquarius.

Alexa Meixner

What character do you play?

I’m Pollyanna’s understudy, and I’m in the children’s chorus.

How old are you?

Nine.

What show kicked off your acting journey?

Probably this, actually!

What’s your favourite winter activity?

Figure skating, because I used to take lessons and I like twirling on the ice.


Photo courtesy of Theatre Aquarius.

Athan Giazitzidis

What character do you play?

Jimmy Bean.

How old are you?

Ten.

What show kicked off your acting journey?

Mary Poppins.

What’s your favourite winter activity?

Freestyle skiing.


Photo courtesy of Theatre Aquarius.

Miles Avery

What character do you play?

I’m in the children’s chorus!

How old are you?

Twelve.

What show kicked off your acting journey?

I played Santa in a little Christmas show when I was like three or four.

What’s your favourite winter activity?

Tobogganing, or skiing with my friends.


Photo courtesy of Theatre Aquarius.

Shaadee Vahdat

What character do you play?

I’m in the children’s chorus.

How old are you?

Eleven.

What show kicked off your acting journey?

Grease!

What’s your favourite winter activity?

I really love baking cookies and listening to Christmas music.


Photo courtesy of Theatre Aquarius.

Sofie Greenspoon

What character do you play?

I’m in the children’s chorus.

How old are you?

Twelve.

What show kicked off your acting journey?

Oliver! at Theatre Ancaster.

What’s your favourite winter activity?

Tobogganing. 


Photo courtesy of Theatre Aquarius.

Finn Kirk

What character do you play?

I’m the understudy for Jimmy Bean.

How old are you?

Thirteen.

What show kicked off your acting journey?

This is actually going to be the first one!

What’s your favourite winter activity?

Hockey.


Photo courtesy of Theatre Aquarius.

Henry Tiller

What character do you play?

I’m in the children’s chorus.

How old are you?

Ten.

What show kicked off your acting journey?

The Addams Family.

What’s your favourite winter activity?

Hockey and skiing.


Pollyanna The Musical runs at Theatre Aquarius from December 6 to 23. Tickets are available here.

Liam Donovan
WRITTEN BY

Liam Donovan

Liam is Intermission’s senior editor. He lives in Toronto.

LEARN MORE

Comments

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *


Ordena Stephens-Thompson and Tony Nappo in 'The Neighbours.' iPhoto caption: Ordena Stephens-Thompson and Tony Nappo in 'The Neighbours.'

REVIEW: In Nicolas Billon’s The Neighbours, everyone’s a bystander

Green Light Arts’ The Neighbours, playing at the Tarragon Theatre Extraspace, encourages audiences to reconsider their assumptions about the comfort of spectatorship.

By Liam Donovan
iPhoto caption: Pip Dwyer, Jeanie Calleja, and Natalia Bushnik in 'Night at the Grand Guignol.' Photo by Jack Woolfe.

REVIEW: Eldritch’s Night at the Grand Guignol features spurting blood and severed eyes

The show hits the pulpy B-movie bullseye at which the indie company has long taken aim. Over the course of four playlets, a catalogue of deaths unfurls — shlockily! gorily! — in macabre locales.

By Liam Donovan

Q&A: Hybrid conference explores the potential of VR theatre in Canada

Single Thread Theatre’s Performance and Extended Realities Conference features a mix of live performances, interactive digital presentations, and technical deep dives, as well as virtual and in-person installations.

By Liam Donovan
Members of the North American touring company of 'MJ.' iPhoto caption: Members of the North American touring company of 'MJ.' Photo by Matthew Murphy.

Review of MJ: The Musical among winners at the 2025 Nathan Cohen Awards

The Canadian Theatre Critics Association has announced the winners of the 2025 Nathan Cohen Awards for Excellence in Critical Writing. This year’s prizes for outstanding review and critical essay were adjudicated by Natasha Tripney, international editor of the Stage.

By Liam Donovan
Members of the company of 'Some Like It Hot.' iPhoto caption: Members of the company of 'Some Like It Hot.' Photo by Matthew Murphy.

REVIEW: Inventive choreography powers delightful Some Like It Hot at Mirvish

The gears of Casey Nicholaw’s production are well-oiled. Despite Art Deco set design and plenty of era-appropriate choreography, the show moves with contemporary fluidity.

By Liam Donovan
Mike Nadajewski in 'All the Cows Are Dead.' iPhoto caption: Mike Nadajewski in 'All the Cows Are Dead.' Photo by Dahlia Katz.

REVIEW: Two critics compare reactions to TIFT’s new musical All the Cows Are Dead

Liam wrote about observing the production's rehearsal process. Shivani viewed the musical without any insider knowledge. On the way home from seeing the show in Barrie, they discuss.

By Liam Donovan, , Shivani Nathoo