Q&A: CBC Over The Rainbow's Jessie Munro

Jesse Munro (center) performing Adele’s “Rolling in the Deep.”

Six hopefuls remain in CBC’s Over The Rainbow, the nation-wide search for a Dorothy to star in Andrew Llyod Webber’s The Wizard of Oz, starting performances at the Ed Mirvish Theatre in December. Here, we chat with 18-year-old Jessie Munro from Toronto about her experience on the show, and why she is meant for the role.

Theatromania: Tell us about Over The Rainbow so far. Is it everything you imagined it would be?

JM: The experience has been everything I thought it could be and more! (“was it everything you thought it could be and more?” was my dads catch phrase when I was growing up!). It is hard to predict what this experience would be like but I could never have imagined the things I have been so blessed to be a part of and do! My dreams have come true, I am performing and doing what I love. The TV side of things is very different to anything I have ever experienced. This is music theatre boot camp! This has been the most incredible journey I have ever been on!

Theatromania: What is the most valuable lesson you have learned so far?

JM: I have learned to be myself and that being an individual and confident is so important. To know who you are and what you want to achieve. I have not only learned that from my own experiences but also the other girls in the competition. They have taught me to be confident and myself. I have also learned that commitment is key, to everything we do. Commiting to a song or a dance move and an acting choice is important.

Theatromania: Do you prefer singing pop songs or show tunes? Why?

JM: I enjoy singing both. I have a classical background in music. Personally my favorite kinds of songs to sing are ones with a meaning. Not nessecarily a ballad, but a song that I can dig into emotionally, whether thats a heavy emotion or a light and fun one. Its always fun when a song feels good to sing.

Theatromania: What is your favourite Andrew Lloyd Webber musical?

JM: I really love Cats, Phantom of the Opera and, of course, The Wizard of Oz!

Theatromania: Any funny behind-the-scenes stories to share?

JM: There is never a dull moment when all of the Dorothys and the production team are around, we really like to be goofy and fool around. We have a lot of little things we do to keep each other laughing, I move my eye brows to move my bangs and the girls think it looks funny. Stephanie is the queen of one liners! But one night Jennifer got locked in the bathroom and one of our drivers had to help her get out threw the window!!!

Theatromania: Has this competition brought you closer to the other Dorothys?

JM: The competition has definitly brought all of us Dorothys closer! We live together now and experience the same things. It is an emotional rollercoaster and we lean on eachother for support. We are a family and I love all of them.

Theatromania: Who are your biggest supporters?

JM: My biggest supporters are my family. My parents are so supportive and my sister and my boyfriend. I am so blessed to have the support team that I have. My friends and my parents friends are so incredibly supportive and out there spreading the word. My dad even painted his car a rainbow and wrote “Vote 4 Jessie” on the back!!! My mom had flyers printed and went around and put 1,000 on car windsheild wipers.

Theatromania: Why should you be Canada’s Dorothy?

JM: I should be Canadas Dorothy because I think I am an honest performer and Dorothy needs that quality. I also have a strong attachment to home and I can identify with how Dorothy feels. I think every person finds themselves going through a journey like Dorothy’s and I think I would be able to tell the story with passion and youthfulness.

Catch the next episode of Over The Rainbow on Sunday October 14 at 8pm (8:30 NT).

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