My eight-year-old Macaroni Kid junior reporter, Kyah, had the opportunity to interview Violet Henderson, 6, and Rowan Oler, 4, both of Calgary, who alternates the role of “Lulu,” the daughter of the production’s main character, Jenna in Broadway Across Canada's musical, WAITRESS.
Violet and Rowan were chosen during an audition process at the Southern Alberta Jubilee Auditorium on September 24. Over 35 girls participated in the auditions, which were presided over by members of the WAITRESS Company. The character of “Lulu” is cast locally in each week-long tour market and two girls are chosen to share the role. Each girl chosen will perform in four performances each during the engagement.
Show Synopsis
Meet Jenna, a waitress and expert pie-maker who dreams of a way out of her small town and rocky marriage. Pouring her heart into her pies, she crafts desserts that mirror her topsy-turvy life such as “The Key (Lime) to Happiness Pie” and “Betrayed By My Eggs Pie.” When a baking contest in a nearby county — and a satisfying encounter with someone new — show Jenna a chance at a fresh start, she must find the courage to seize it. Change is on the menu, as long as Jenna can write her own perfectly personal recipe for happiness.
Interview with Violet Henderson and Rowan Older
| How would you feel if you were the main character? |
| Violet: That would be amazing. |
| Rowan: Good because of all the different pies! |
| How do you feel when you are on stage? |
| Violet: Great! I love it. |
| Rowan: Good, I’m having fun! |
| Are some of your family members in the audience? Who? |
| Violet: Yes. My whole family. And friends and my teacher. Oh my gosh! |
| Rowan: Yes - my mom, my brother named Dominick, my Dad, my Gammy and Papa and my Nana and Papa. |
| Have you ever been in another play before? |
| Violet: No. I was in kids theatre shows at nighttime when at a resort in Mexico. When we go to Jubilations Junior Dinner Theatre I like to volunteer to go on stage to act and dance. |
| Rowan: No this is my first play. |
| What was your favourite scene? |
| Violet: One night at Mexico I was in a kids show of Grease and another time a Circus show. They both were my favourite. |
| What were the hardest line and easiest line for you? |
| Violet: It was dancing and acting, no lines. I did have lines in a school concert in kindergarten. |
| Rowan: My favourite part is the clog dance. the hardest part is doing a pretend laugh that sounds real. |
| What was your favourite line? |
| Violet: I don’t know, I have not had many lines before now! I'm excited for my Lulu lines! |
| Rowan: “A lot!” |
 |  |
Violet Henderson, 6 | Rowan Oler, 4 |
WAITRESS is part of the 19/20 Broadway Across Canada season. Tickets are available now for WAITRESS by visiting ticketmaster.ca, or by calling 1-855-985-5000. Group orders of 10 or more may be placed by calling 1-800-889-8457. For more tour information, please visit WaitressTour.com
