25th Street Theatre’s Luna back by popular demand

It’s not very often a theatre company remounts a show only a one year after its premiere but Luna is special.

“It was so funny and joyous. It was magical.”

The play by Danielle Roy, who is also the director, is the story of a young girl, Luna who builds a time machine in her dad’s garage to go back in time and unfreeze her mother. One part fantasy, one part journey through grief, Luna touched more than 1600 children in our province with its first tour. Johanna Arnott lights up when describing the audience response.

Johanna Arnott reprises her role as Luna. (Photo Provided)

“The audiences were full of laughter. Some of these kids, it’s the first time they’ve ever experienced live theatre,” says Arnott. “In one performance, the kids began clapping during the final scene. They were clapping so loudly we couldn’t hear the other actors delivering their lines. It was so funny and joyous. It was magical.”

“It’s such a gift to up the ante.”

There is such a demand from schools for this play and the after-show theatre workshops that the tour is booked solid and there’s now a waiting list. Not resting on its laurels the artistic team got to work making this version of Luna bigger and better.

Danielle Roy is excited to have another opportunity to share her play. (Photo Provided)

“We’re taking it to the next level with our sounds and sets, really giving new dimension to the play,” says Roy. “We’re adding large 3D puppets and new lighting to take the kids out of the venue and into Luna’s world. I didn’t know the show could change this much but it’s such a gift to up the ante.”

“Getting to incorporate our ideas into this new production is wonderful.”

Most of the original cast is returning and that means a chance to refine roles.

Francoeur says this is a chance for actors to build on the previous production. (Photo Provided)

“I think it’s such a beautiful story so it’s been incredible to revisit it,” says actor Paige Francoeur. “As an actor, you always finish a project and think, ‘I could’ve done this better or changed this,’ getting to incorporate our ideas into this new production is wonderful.”

Luna will make stops in communities like Davidson, Grand Coulee, Plenty, Edam, and Leoville before returning to Saskatoon for three public shows. Roy is excited to share her play with more people throughout the province.

“This means the world to me. It’s a way to open up discussions about death and grief, and to show students all the creative possibilities of theatre,” says Roy. “It’s an offering of wonder and magic in the form of a play and I hope it inspires those who see it to tell their own stories.”