THE WIZARD OF OZ's Chris Adams is the King of the Forest

Chris Adams is unassuming in street clothes. Put him in a costume though, and you've got something.

A native Vancouverite who has spent most of his life on stage or behind the scenes, Chris is wowing crowds nightly as the Cowardly Lion in Footlight Theatre's current production of The Wizard of Oz at the Michael J. Fox Theatre in Burnaby.

His first exposure to the classic movie musical was when he was very young – he remembers seeing the movie so often that when his Mom was throwing a dinner party for some friends and family, and Chris entertained the group by doing a one-man version of the whole movie – songs and all.

Fast forward a few years, and Chris moved to Victoria, BC to attend the University of Victoria, to major in theatre. There he received the usual actor training, and was exposed to the other side of theatre, and developed an interest in sound design. His mentor, Brian Linds, worked with Chris extensively, culminating in the sound design for the mainstage season at the school. From there, he was hooked. Performing though has always been something that Adams has been passionate about.

He has worked with most of the amateur theatre companies around Vancouver, including APPLAUSE! Musicals in Concert, Theatre Under the Stars, Metro Theatre, and Footlight Theatre. He has played roles both large and small – but playing the Cowardly Lion is something he feels that he was born to do.

When the various theatre companies in Vancouver announced their 2011/2012 season, there were three productions of The Wizard of Oz scheduled at different points in the year. One company has since decided to do something different (Metro Theatre is now presenting Victor/Victoria in the spring of 2012), but Adams looked at the fact that he had a chance to play a role that means something special to him and his Mom.

The director of The Wizard of Oz, Lalainia Lindbjerg Strelau, worked with Chris earlier this year on Bye Bye Birdie at Theatre Under the Stars, and while his summer in Stanley Park ended at the end of August, he was ready to jump into rehearsals for his current project when September arrived. He's been making the trek out to Burnaby for rehearsals three times a week ever since.

What's next for this versatile performer and designer? He'll be heading back into the rehearsal hall for Royal City Musical Theatre's upcoming production of Hello, Dolly! in early 2012, with the show beginning performances on April 12, 2012.

In the meantime, he's relishing the opportunity to find his courage on a daily basis, and to go on a magical journey into the land of Oz with his friends Dorothy, the Tin Man, and the Scarecrow.

 

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