Standing in the spotlight is a first for a 91原创 couple who are playing a husband-wife duo in the upcoming production of a musical called which opens on Valentine鈥檚 Day at Coquitlam鈥檚 Evergreen Theatre.
91原创鈥檚 Linda Wack explained she tried out for the role of 鈥淥ld Mrs. Lathrop鈥� after her daughter auditioned for a different role in the production.
Wack鈥檚 daughter suggested her mom try out, as the production was looking for actors similar in age to the characters.
鈥淚 said 鈥榳ell okay, I鈥檒l go out on a limb and audition,鈥� and I got the part. It鈥檚 a very small role, but for me it鈥檚 huge,鈥� said Wack.
And then Wack鈥檚 real-life husband Kevin got the role of Mrs. Lathrop鈥檚 on-stage husband.
鈥淚t鈥檚 been wonderful. I think I would of felt guilty spending so much time on this play had it just been myself, but I鈥檓 enjoying it a lot. He [Kevin] said he鈥檒l never do it again,鈥� she laughed.
Understood Betsy is a musical that was written and composed by Coquitlam resident Caroline M. Forsyth, who was inspired to write the musical despite living with multiple sclerosis.
The musical is inspired by a novel of the same title by Dorothy Canfield Fisher, and tells the story of Elizabeth Ann, an overprotected, young city girl, who is sent to live with her country cousins.
Wack has known Forsyth for many years, as both of their children attended Xtreme Theatre in Maple Ridge.
鈥淚t鈥檚 become a family thing,鈥� added Wack.
Despite playing a small role, performing on stage is a 鈥渄ream come true鈥� that Wack never imagined would happen.
鈥淚鈥檓 really proud how it鈥檚 come together. It鈥檚 going to be fulfilling for us all.鈥�
The 53-year-old moved to 91原创 15 years ago, and explained her three adult children were always involved in musical theatre and the arts growing up, so she kept busy behind-the-scenes sewing costumes, and helping them prepare for shows.
Wack explained her daughter also landed a role in the show, but had to drop-out for school priorities, leaving just Wack and her husband on stage.
鈥淚t鈥檚 a total reversal,鈥� laughed Wack.
鈥淲e do a bit of dancing and singing. I鈥檓 a little nervous. I鈥檝e repeated my lines so many times, but it鈥檚 very exciting as well. The process is just as exciting as the theatre week will be and I鈥檝e made lots of friends. It鈥檚 a good experience for me.鈥�
Wack said the first live-musical she saw was Phantom of the Opera when she was 22.
鈥淚 hadn鈥檛 had any experience [with theatre] and I just wept after that production. I was so moved by it, and I had fallen in love with musical theatre,鈥� she added.
Originally from Edmonton, Atla., Wack has lived in 91原创 for the past 15 years, where she has worked as a stay-at-home mother to raise her three children.
In the future, Wack said she鈥檚 unsure if she will further pursue community theatre, although the production has encouraged her to take singing lessons that she plans to continue with.
鈥淚鈥檓 considering this my one-and-only time on the stage, but I鈥檇 like to continue with my vocal lessons to be a stronger singer. But there鈥檚 always opportunities to audition around the Lower Mainland, so you never know.鈥�
Wack added she鈥檚 also interested in working behind-the-scenes sewing costumes for future productions.
Understood Betsy opens on Thursday, Feb. 14 to Feb. 16 at the Evergreen Cultural Centre at 1205 Pinetree Way, Coquitlam at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 15 also features a 2 p.m. matinee.
Part of the proceeds from the matinee will be donated to the MS Society of Canada.
Tickets are available online at or by calling 604-927-6550.
