July 15 to August 3, 2025
Meet the Cast and Creative Team of
“KINKY BOOTS”
Written by: Cyndi Lauper and Harvey Fierstein
Directed by: Gary Brown
Kinky Boots is the big-hearted musical extravaganza that won six Tonys including Best Musical in 2013. Charlie Price has reluctantly inherited his father’s shoe factory, which is on the verge of bankruptcy. Trying to live up to his father’s legacy and save his family business, Charlie finds inspiration in the form of Lola, a fabulous entertainer in need of some sturdy stilettos. As they work to turn the factory around, this unlikely pair find that they have more in common than they realized… and discover that when you change your mind, you can change your whole world.
OMABUWA DEDE
Lola/Simon
Banker by day and performer by night, Buwa is a contemporary soul artist with pop and R&B influences and a love for storytelling. Music has always been central to his life. He expresses his creativity through poetry and stage performances on Vancouver Island, having appeared in shows like Hair, Chicago, and Hairspray.
Buwa has released three Eps – Just Call Me Buwa, Olu, and Road Signs – plus several singles. He uses his art to reshape how the world sees Africa.
BRYCEAN JONES
Young Simon
A brand-new ECHO member, Brycean is a Hip-Hop and Acro dancer (4 years) with the VIREO School of Performing Arts [Courtenay]. This is his first “theatre” performance. “B” enjoys singing, dancing, anything arts-related, and is happily growing his artistic portfolio.
PADRAIG HOGAN
Charlie
Padraig Hogan is a local actor, singer, educator, and D&D enthusiast. Since moving to Nanaimo 10 years ago, he’s been quite involved with theatre, up until a certain Pandemic. You might have seen him as Burger in Hair, Gabe in Next to Normal, orThe Baker in Into the Woods. He’s beyond excited to bring Charlie Price to the stage in his first show with ECHO Player
JAY NEWMAN
Don
Despite having just moved – only eight short months ago – from Calgary to Qualicum Beach, this is Jay’s second appearance with ECHO Players, following his role earlier this year as Sidney Bruhl in Deathtrap. Previous musical productions have included The Drowsy Chaperone, Annie Get Your Gun, Fiddler on the Roof and many Gilbert and Sullivan presentations.
GUS BURGENER
Young Charlie
Gus, 9, loves biking, reading, jujitsu, and singing just about everywhere – even humming in class (sorry, teachers!). A student of Lindsey Tromba, he recently performed at the BC Provincial Arts Festival and is thrilled to be in Kinky Boots, his first “proper” play!
ARTHUR LEE
Angel, Dance Captain
Arthur was previously a member of the Pastime with Good Company choir, and also was cast in the short film, The Queen’s Cantonese. He is a longtime Cyndi Lauper fan and is thrilled to make his theatrical debut in Kinky Boots!
RANDY HUMCHITT
Angel
Randy is ecstatic to be back on the Village Theatre stage after performing in ECHO’s Longing [Spring 2024]. Other recent credits [Nanaimo] have included Drag Queens on Trial, and Seven for a Secret. Randy thanks Buwa and the rest of the Angels for the raucous ride, and his awesome sis Jen for her unending support and love.
DAVE PAUL
Angel
Dave has done various shows with ECHO, B2B, and A Night at the Palace. He is so very excited to be a part of this amazing production. On the stage, in his heels, it’s where he belongs!
DON TECSON
Angel
No stranger to the realm of arts and entertainment, Don is an active member of Portal Players [Port Alberni] with whom he has appeared in The Actors Nightmare, Mama Mia, and in the Sea Notes Choral Concert. Don also hosts The WAVE and Queer View Mirror seen on the Rogers TV community channel.
EILEEN BUTTS
Producer
An ECHO member since 1976, Eileen has enjoyed acting, directing, producing, stage-managing, gathering props, a 20-year stint on the Board, and – this past year – serving on the 50th Anniversary Committee and the Take-a-Seat Campaign. Her most recent producing credit (also with Director Gary Brown) was “The Play That Goes Wrong” (Summer 2023).
LINDSEY TROMBA
Vocal Director
Lindsey is a classically trained soprano and vocal coach with extensive performance experience in Europe and North America. A graduate of the prestigious Manhattan School of Music, she has captivated audiences in recital and in leading roles such as: Mimi (La Boheme), First Lady (The Magic Flute), Madame Lidoine (Dialogues des Carmelites), Alice (Falstaff) and many more. With a passion for teaching, Lindsey opened Songbird Voice Studio, where she fosters a love of music and performance in the next generation of young singers.
GARY BROWN
Director
Theatre has been a part of Gary’s life since high school – directing, acting, props/sets and just about everything else. Yet the thrill, excitement, camaraderie, sense of family, and joy of entertaining have never waned. He is so excited to be a part of this uplifting show.
REBECCA MCLANE
Assistant Choreographer
Born and raised in Parksville, Rebecca danced during her youth at the Parksville Ballet School under the direction of Linda Klassen. After graduation, her journey as a young artist led her to Musical Theatre school [London, England]. She subsequently obtained a diploma in Contemporary dance [Ottawa] and completed 500 hours of yoga teacher training [Melbourne, Australia]. Returning to Vancouver Island to raise her family, Rebecca has taught at numerous dance schools up and down the island; she loves to share her love of dance and the arts in her local community. Rebecca is excited to work alongside Susan to put together Kinky Boots!
Many thanks to our sponsor, Qualicum Beach Cafe
SUSAN BRADSHAW
Co-Director and Choreographer
Susan is a new member to Echo Players, but not to Qualicum Beach having spent 12 summer seasons with B2B. Highlights as a Director/Choreographer: Drowsy Chaperone, Hairspray, Forbidden Broadway. In addition, selected other performances at the Village Theatre include Velma (Chicago), Masha (Vanya & Sonia & Masha & Spike). Other theatre credits [Courtenay]: Cabaret, It's a Wonderful Life, Singing in the Rain, and Alice in Wonderland. As always, love to my family.
HILARY WHELTON
Vocal Director
Hilary is a singer and voice teacher who has been involved in musical theatre in the mid Island since 2001. She was Vocal Director for B2B Theatre for 19 seasons, and has done several shows for ECHO Players, as well as working with some high school and dance school productions. She is coordinator and instructor for three of ECHO’s performing arts programs for children and youth: Spring Break-a-Leg; JuMP! and Teen Musical Theatre. She is delighted to be working with Gary, Susan, Lindsey, Rebecca and this wonderful company of actors!