Spotlight On: Sara Courtemanche
Connecticut Theatre Company’s “Spotlight On…” series continues with a look into our talented cast of The Producers. Get to know Sara Courtemanche who is portraying Ulla in our production!
Introduce yourself to our audience.
My name is Sara Courtemanche and I play Ulla (Inga Hansen Benson Yonsen Tallen-Hallen Swaden-Swanson).
What is the story about, and why do you think it’s important for audiences to see it?
This story is first and foremost about friendship, but it has very heavy themes of confidence throughout the show. Besides mocking Nazis (which it’s always a good thing to do) this show reminds us what’s really important in life, which is doing what makes you happy and being with others who make you happy. Life is too short to be miserable, and when you put your mind to it you really can achieve anything!
What do you do when you’re not doing theatre?
When I’m not doing theatre I’m usually with my dog (she’s my familiar), and I can often be found with my nose buried in my laptop doing design work. In the spring I also like to garden and listen to audiobooks. However, I often enjoy going to see theatre—especially when my friends are performing!
What do you find most compelling or interesting about your character?
I fell in love with Ulla for many reasons, but my favorite thing about her is how sex-positive she is. Women are constantly shamed for embracing their sexuality and having pride for their bodies. Ulla learned from a very young age that being a woman is a powerful thing, and with anything powerful others will either want it for themselves or eliminate it from competition. That’s why she’s learned to use it to her advantage and no one else’s. She really is a feminist icon!
How is this production bringing something new to this story?
This team is unlike any I’ve worked with! Every single person in this cast is equally as supportive as they are talented, and we truly all want one another to succeed. Johanna, Kim, and Alexis are all incredible at their crafts; The choreography looks beautiful even when we don’t know what we’re doing; Alexis is so committed to not only our vocal quality but our vocal health; Johanna has an incredible knack for comedy which can be so hard to do—She helps ground the actors in such a ridiculous script, making the characters believable. I know the audience will feel the love of our show, and that is not something that happens often in community theatre.
Who in the show is most like their character?
Definitely Tullio. He’ll kill me for saying it but Roger is so particular about his creative vision, and so is Tullio—both brilliant men!
Without giving anything away, what’s your favorite line of dialogue?
“There is more to me than there is to me!”
What will the audience be thinking about in the car as they drive home after this show?
I think most will reflect on their lives, friends, and career choices…but some will be thinking about the little old ladies.
“The Producers” opens on May 2nd and runs through May 11th at Connecticut Theatre Company. Tickets on sale now!
“For all its daring, Brooks’s show is ultimately a nostalgic throwback to vaudeville and a testament to male friendship.” — The Guardian
“With more belly laughs per minute than any new musical in years, Mel Brooks’ “The Producers” reminds us in grand, politically incorrect style that Broadway never rewards wimps.” — Variety
“It’s the type of musical people say they pray for; a gleeful return to the good old days of undemanding musical comedy with laughs, pretty girls, laughs, a couple of catchy songs, laughs, soon to be legendary performances by some of the best talents of the Broadway stage, laughs, and . . . well . . . lots and lots of laughs.” — Talkin’ Broadway
