It's always a good thing when as an actor, you get to play a character you idolize.
Samantha Currie gets to do that this summer at the Chemainus Theatre Festival when she steps into the role of the Paper Bag Princess in Munsch Alley. The show is based on the works of Canada's beloved children's author Robert Munsch and is like a medley of his works including the aforementioned Paper Bag Princess, as well as Jonathan Cleaned Up -- Then He Heard a Sound, Something Good, and Show and Tell. Currie, who's 26 and grew up with her parents reading her Munsch's books, said she loves stepping into her actual paper bag dress and being the princess.
"It's really fun because it was one of my favourite stories when I was a kid and it's always interesting to tackle an icon, even in a sort of cartoon form," Currie said. "It's great, we're having a fun time."
While many children know Munsch's books, some will be new to the stories. The play tells the each of the four stories in their entirety.
"It's a fabulous way to get his work out there and a fun way to get to do it," Currie said. "There's four actors and we get to tell the story in a fast way. The story is about an hour and that's just the right amount of time."
And it's not just children Currie thinks will be interested in the play. Although it's of course geared towards the younger crowd, those age four and up, many parents who read the classic books to their children will enjoy it.
"I know my mom and dad read the books to my brother and I when we were young and I'm excited to see, they'll laugh for different reasons," she said. "He's the kind of writer that parents don't mind reading to their kids, and I think parents will enjoy themselves along with their kids."
Currie isn't new to children's theatre-- she was recently in Kaleidoscope production's Little Women in Victoria, has played Anne of Green Gables and performed in Chemainus Theatre Festival's Wizard of Oz last year. As she gets older, Currie said it's great to be able to continue acting for younger audiences.
"I find it so incredibly rewarding, kids are so amazing and they have such an open mind," she said. "They're absorb every second of it. It makes me feel really young and that's great."
Munsch Alley opens July 13, and runs until Aug. 26. Directed by Mark duMez, the production also features actors Steven Greenfield, Ryan Levis and Julie McIsaac.
Matinees at 2 p.m. and evenings at 8 p.m. Call the box office for specific show dates and for reservations at 1-800-565-7738.