SUBMITTED PHOTO
Keri Kelly was raised in Medicine Hat and will play as Scaramouche in the upcoming performance of "We Will Rock You" at the Esplanade early next year.
mcranker@medicinehatnews.com@MHNmocranker
The North American tour of “We Will Rock You” will be making a stop in the Hat in early January and it will showcase local talent in a prominent role.
Keri Kelly moved to Medicine Hat at a young age and spent many years here before graduating from Medicine Hat High School and leaving the city to pursue performing career. She is playing the role of Scaramouche during the musical, based on the music of Queen, tours through Canada.
“I initially auditioned last March and was working abroad in Dubai – I sent tapes in and after a bit of time I got the good news,” said Kelly. “I’ve been performing for the majority of my whole life – I started lessons at the age of six and moved to New York City at the age of 20 to study at the American Musical Dramatic Academy.
“From there I’ve been able to do what I do and do this as a job.”
Cast from the show spent a week in late August rehearsing at the Esplanade – which was also a good time for Kelly to visit her parents who still live in the city. She says she cannot wait to tour the country with the musical.
“Doing a national tour is a lifelong dream for me,” she said. “Ever since I was young, this is what the goal has been – for me this is just unreal.
“I think my first show at the Esplanade – I was about 12 so being back here to perform with “We Will Rock You” really brings everything full circle for me – it’s going to be a really special performance.”
As for the source material of the musical, Kelly says she is a giant fan of Queen.
“I love Queen and I’m not even just saying that,” she said. “Growing up on road trips, our dad was in charge of the radio and we were always listening to Queen’s greatest hits.
“All of the songs we’re performing I already knew – I can’t wait to perform these songs.”
Tickets are selling quickly and are available online at tixx.ca, by calling 403-502-8777, and in person at the Esplanade box office or the Medicine Hat Mall customer service desk.
