What does a farm girl do in 1955 when she wants to escape rural life?
Why, win the local beauty pageant, of course.
That's what Peggy Ann Douglas sets out to do in the one-woman show Miss Caledonia, coming to the Shadbolt Centre for the Arts April 20 and 21.
The show, performed by comedian-actor Melody A. Johnson - is set in Caledonia, Ont. in 1955. Johnson plays Peggy Ann, the farm girl who decides to follow in the footsteps of starlets Debbie Reynolds and Lee Meriwether and become a movie star.
She decides that the way out is to start by winning the local pageant.
"Peggy sets out to sing, twirl and charm her way into the judges' hearts, while overcoming the nerves and 'puritanical work ethic' that threaten to sabotage her efforts," a press release explains.
Johnson is a Dora Award and Canadian Comedy Award-winning performer who has been described by the Toronto Star as the "kook supreme of the Canadian stage."
She'll be joined by Alison Porter live on fiddle.
Miss Caledonia was written by Johnson and is directed by Rick Roberts.
"I think the desire to rise above their origins, to achieve fame and fortune, is a secret little flame that everyone carries through childhood," said Cory Philley, the facility and event services coordinator at the Shadbolt. "Melody explores this desire with unabashed gusto and enthusiasm in her one-woman show, painting a compelling portrait of a funny, driven and remarkable young woman and of life in rural Ontario during the 1950s."
Miss Caledonia is onstage Friday, April 20 and Saturday, April 21 at 8 p.m. Tickets are $32 regular, $27 for students and seniors.
Buy online at tickets.shadbolt centre.com or call 604-205-3000.
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