Calgary actor Katie McMillan was just trying to get through the end of her final semester of high school when an opportunity to perform in a Theatre Calgary production was brought to her attention by an acting teacher.
She got the audition, but the 18-year-old admitted she “had no clue” she would be trying out for a part in the world debut of Mary and Max – A New Musical — a play co-created by New York-based duo Bobby Cronin, composer and lyricist, and Crystal Skillman, theatre bookwriter.
“I went in for the ensemble part and they asked me to look young,” McMillan said. The actor said she was told she could be considered for the much bigger role of “young Mary,” the musical’s female lead.
“I was not expecting to get it all,” she said.
After casting Broadway performer and California native, Lauren Elder, as the adult version of Mary, Cronin and Skillman searched across Canada and the U.S. for her younger counterpart. The leading lady they’d been looking for was in Calgary all along.
“I swear, Katie walked in the room and I looked at Crystal and I looked at Anna, our music supervisor, and I went, ‘It’s young Lauren,’ ” said Cronin.
“There was just something about her energy and her glow that reminded me of the character and of Lauren.”
And then he heard McMillan belt it out.
“As she sang, tears streamed down my face,” Cronin said.
He recalled turning to Stafford Arima, artistic director at Theatre Calgary, and saying, “It’s her. I don’t need to see anyone else.”
McMillan was equally moved and has been enjoying the unexpected thrill of working with some of the industry’s best since rehearsals began nearly four months ago.
“I went in really excited just to perform in front of them, so having it go the way it did was very unexpected,” McMillan said. “It was incredible.”
McMillan shares a few traits with her character.
“I think our spirits are similar. We have similar views on the world,” said McMillian. “I think life is awesome and she’s very positive. She finds the best in things and I try to find the best in things.”
Mary and Max – A New Musical tells the tale of 10-year-old Mary from Melbourne who becomes pen pals with Max, a 44-year-old New Yorker who has Asperger’s Syndrome.
The production chronicles their friendship over the span of 20 years and how it influences Mary’s life choices. The story deals with serious subject matters like bullying and loneliness but also uses humour to show how each character helps the other grow.
Based on a true story, Mary and Max – A New Musical opens Oct. 16 and runs until Nov. 11. Tickets can be purchased on Theatre Calgary’s website or by calling the box office at 403-294-7447.
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