Lia Luz is no stranger to embodying beloved characters on stage.
This holiday season, Toronto-based actor Lia Luz has taken centre stage as the title character in Rapunzel: A Merry (Hairy) Holiday Panto at the Capitol Theatre in Port Hope. A proud Filipino-Canadian artist, Luz infuses the classic character with a fresh energy that reflects her unique artistic journey.
That journey, and her love for performing, began in childhood. “My mom put me in singing lessons when I was eight because I was incredibly shy,” she recalls. “She was hoping it would get me out of my shell, since I loved to sing.” Accompanying her mother’s encouragement was a steady diet of movie musicals like The Wizard of Oz and Annie, plus endless Disney movies. “Looking back, I think there was always a little performer inside me,” she smiles. “I used to sing around the house constantly, sometimes even in public without realising it. It was just who I was.”
But it wasn’t until she auditioned at the age of 16 for CBC’s Over the Rainbow – on a whim – and found herself singing for Andrew Lloyd Webber as a Top 20 finalist, that Luz seriously considered performing as a career. “It was such a surreal moment,” she recalls. “I had no real expectation of going far. it was just something I thought would be fun to try. But then, suddenly, I was singing for one of the greatest composers in the world! That was the moment I thought ‘hey, maybe I can make a career out of performing!’”
As a Filipina actor, Luz proudly brings her heritage and culture to every role she plays. “It isn’t something that can be erased,” she observes, “because as I stand on the stage, I am standing there as a Filipino woman”. But growing up in a world of predominantly white performers, this truth posed a challenge. So seeing actor Lea Salonga perform as Éponine in the 10th Anniversary concert of Les Misérables was transformative. “Even at a young age, I felt a sense of representation that I had never felt before. In each role I play, I want to be able to show the world that representation matters and yes, Rapunzel can be Filipina!”
Rapunzel: A Merry (Hairy) Holiday Panto, which brings a reimagined contemporary take on the classic fairy tale, is written by Carly Heffernan, former Creative Director of The Second City and the current Artistic & Executive Director at CB Pro Comedy School & Comedy Bar Danforth Productions. The show is directed by Dora Award-winning Cherissa Richards. In it, Luz’s titular character is bored, lonely and confined – with her lengthy hair braid as the sole potential means of escape. When a dim-witted prince stumbles upon her plight, the tale begins to unravel in surprising and delightful ways.
Luz brings a layered interpretation to Rapunzel, drawing on her own experiences during the pandemic to shape the character’s resilience. “She’s been cooped up and isolated for 21 and a quarter years! She had to take care of herself for all that time. And that would make her incredibly strong and independent,” Luz explains. “Being separated from society would also make her develop lots of quirks and her big imagination, which was very fun to play with and discover. I also thought a lot about the pandemic and what I did to pass the time during lockdown. I got into lots of different hobbies like arts and crafts, baking, yoga, and so much more just to pass the time, which I imagine would be Rapunzel’s everyday life.” she muses.
The role also allows Luz to explore Rapunzel’s emotional transformation, specifically her realization that her magic isn’t in her hair – it’s in her – was compelling. For years, Rapunzel has been told by Gothel [played by Naomi Costain] that her magic is her only value, so she starts to believe it. “Throughout the story, we hear about how Gothel uses her magic for her own selfishness, diminishing Rapunzel as a person and making it seem like she’s only good for her magic powers.” But over time, Rapunzel learns that she doesn’t need her magic to be powerful; her strength and determination come from within. Her duet “Stronger” with Stewart Adam McKensy who plays the Narrator, is a turning point for Rapunzel. She learns “what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger”. “Her magic isn’t in her hair; it’s in her head and her heart. Despite all the hardships she has gone through, she is so strong and she doesn’t need her magic to defeat Gothel and save Prince, because she is enough.”
Rapunzel: A Merry (Hairy) Holiday Panto brings humour, heart and a modern flair to the story of Rapunzel. Luz makes no secret of the fun inherent in being able to bring a “fresh twist” on such a classic, well known fairy tale! “I feel like our version makes it accessible to younger audiences, as well as brings something new to those who know the story.” And with a variety of popular songs, ranging from Celine Dion’s “All By Myself” to Justin Bieber’s “Baby”, to Garth Brooks’ “Friends in “Low Places”, just to name a few, the production truly provides something for everyone. In addition to Costain and McKensy, the talented cast also includes Jeremy Lapalme, Caulin Moore, Christopher Sherwood, Yunike Soedarmasto, and Jennifer Villaverde. Musical direction is by Chris Barillaro, with dynamic choreography by Hollywood Jade.
Pantomime, or panto, is a holiday theatre tradition filled with organized chaotic comedy, slapstick humour, songs, and dancing. Highly interactive, it reimagines familiar fairy tales or legends into fresh and modern stories, creating a joyful experience for both artists and audiences.And of course, the Capitol Theatre is also continuing its tradition of offering two versions of their panto: the Nice version for families, and the Naughty version for adults. “The Nice version is truly fun for the whole family, and the Naughty version is a party for those who want a little spice in their life,” Luz points out. (When ordering tickets, double-check that you are booking for the version that is most appropriate for you and yours!)
Placing Rapunzel in the context of her career as a whole, which have included iconic roles like Dorothy in The Wizard of Oz, Peter Pan in Peter Pan, and now Rapunzel, Luz is grateful and proud of her contributions to theatre. “As a BIPOC artist, becoming part of the representation I wanted to see when I was younger has definitely been a very rewarding aspect of my career so far,” she admits. “It feels like an amazing full-circle moment.”
As for the future? Going forward, Luz has her eyes on iconic roles such as Eliza in Hamilton or to show off her soprano chops as Amalia in She Loves Me, as well as opportunities to originate new works. “I have dabbled in voiceover work and have fallen in love with it, so I would love to do more of that in the future.”
Quick Takes with Lia Luz
1.Rapunzel has some iconic songs in her story. Do you have a favorite song to perform as her, and why does it move you?
“All By Myself” is definitely a favourite of mine. It perfectly encapsulates everything Rapunzel is feeling in that moment and her desperate need for connection. And who doesn’t love Celine!
2. If Rapunzel were living in the modern world, how do you think she’d adapt? What do you think she’d post on social media, for example?
I think Rapunzel would be one of those people that posts literally everything she does! Whether it be something wild like skydiving or even just grabbing a coffee at a local cafe, it’ll definitely be on her Instagram story.
3. Rapunzel’s hair is practically a character of its own! Were there any funny or challenging moments working with her long locks during rehearsals or performances?
The hair definitely had a mind of its own! In the song “She’s a Maniac,” sung in the show by Prince, played by Caulin Moore, part of my choreography originally had me rolling around on the floor, but once we started incorporating the hair, the braid was going everywhere and it’s also quite heavy, so getting up from the ground was became its own journey, so we had to change up some of my blocking and choreo for that song.
4. In the movie Tangled, Rapunzel prepares hazelnut soup. What’s your favourite comfort food after a long day of rehearsals?
Especially with the weather getting colder, I love a nice warm soup and a grilled cheese! My partner makes the best tomato soup, and he made a batch for me to bring while on contract. I like to top it off with a chili garlic oil I make myself, and it’s the perfect way to wind down after a long day of rehearsals and performances!
5. What’s the best advice you’ve ever received about performing? And what’s the worst?
As performers, it’s so easy to be hard on ourselves for not being perfect. The best advice I’ve ever received was “Nothing to prove, only to share”. That really changed my mindset about performing. I’m not trying to prove anything to the audience, because I am enough. I’m here to share my talents and this story I’m lucky enough to be a part of.
As for the worst, probably when people say this career is very difficult and if you want to be an actor you have to devote your life to it and you can’t have any other interests. Yes, this career is NOT easy, but we all need other things in our lives that bring us joy!
Rapunzel: A Merry (Hairy) Holiday Panto continues on stage at the Capitol Theatre Port Hope until December 22, 2024. Reserve tickets at capitoltheatre.com.
© Arpita Ghosal, Sesaya Arts Magazine, 2024
