Amélie Poulain knows that “times are hard for dreamers” – or really, for anyone who doesn't quite seem to fit in with our society. It can be a relatable sentiment for many of us. But what if we truly had the chance to find connection, profoundly impacting someone's life in the process? Portland Playhouse explores this question through an imaginative and musical version of Amélie, taking the stage this October.

The musical is based on the quirky 2001 French cult classic by Jean-Pierre Jeunet and Guillaume Laurant, celebrating an imaginative-but-overlooked dreamer. Amélie Poulain has a relatively lonely life as a café waitress in Paris when, through a series of unexpected events, she begins to undertake covert and clever acts of kindness. As she touches lives and brings delight to those around her, Amélie ultimately discovers love, connection, and the transformative power of celebrating the little things in life.

From October 2nd through November 10th, witness Portland Playhouse’s North Portland theater space transformed into a bustling Parisian café, filled with a magic and a charm - not to mention an artistry - that are not to be missed!

Playhouse Artistic Director Brian Weaver directs an all-star cast of 12 actor-musicians who not only play and sing all the roles in the show but also form the live band accompanying the action on stage. Led by celebrated Portland actor and singer-songwriter Lo Steele as Amélie, the cast also features local favorites Susannah Mars, Jimmy Garcia, Benjamin Tissell, and Sammy Rios alongside several new faces, joined by veteran Seattle-based actor Charles Leggett, who last appeared at the Playhouse as Ebenezer Scrooge in their 2018 production of A Christmas Carol. And while Amélie is certainly the audience’s connection to the story here, the colorful characters in her life are sure to delight and captivate nearly as much as Steele’s performance in the title role.

Elleon Dobias and Kennedy Verrett create a certain magic and delight of their own as the innovative co-music directors of the piece, taking their inspiration from the three-time Olivier-nominated UK version of the musical. The result is a sound and a staging that are truly unique, infused with Kemba Shannon’s choreography and Alan Cline’s projection design. The whole production is a richly-layered tapestry of elements - all bolstered by talented artists and loads of heart - that promises to be unlike anything else you’ll find on Portland’s stages this season.

And who knows, you might just leave inspired by Amélie’s story to discover the ripple effects of kindness and connection for yourself…

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