Tahirih Vejdani is the iconic Audrey in the classic “Little Shop of Horrors”

“My journey is not the typical journey into theatre. My career in theatre is actually a natural extension of my career in music,” remarks versatile and accomplished triple-threat Tahirih Vejdani, who is readying to take centre stage as Audrey in Capitol Theatre Port Hope’s eagerly anticipated full-scale production of Little Shop of Horrors, under the direction of Artistic Director Rob Kempson.

The beloved 30-year-old Motown-infused musical follows meek flower shop assistant Seymour (Amir Haidar) who pines for co-worker Audrey (Vejdani) despite her boyfriend Orin (Michael De Rose). During a total eclipse, Seymour discovers an unusual plant which feeds only on human flesh and blood. The carnivorous plant, which he names Audrey II (voiced by Chris Tsujiuchi), begins to attract a great deal of business for the previously struggling store . . . but the question is how (or should we say who) to feed it. Rounding out the cast are Tyler Murree as Mr Mushnik, Michelle Yu as Crystal, Taylor Lovelace as Ronnette, Sierra Holder as Chiffon, with Joel Cumber as puppeteer and ensemble member, and musicians David Schotzko, Gabriela Laconsay, and Matt Ray.

Vejdani traces her artistic path back from the Capitol Theatre to her formative years at Campbell Collegiate in Regina, Saskatchewan. There, she discovered an affinity for the arts, which she nurtured during high school in community musicals and theatrical productions. With the support of encouraging parents, Vejdani then discovered that her passion for storytelling extended to singing.  And after earning a Bachelor of Music in vocal performance from the University of Regina, she embarked on a professional singing career that eventually paved the way to a career in theatre.

When she arrived in Toronto after university, she had no clear plan or guidance about how to “make it” in this industry. However, being a professional choral singer with The Nathaniel Dett Chorale and other choral groups provided a vital sense of community and artistic connection. And as Vejdani ventured into the world of auditions and agency representation, her talents began to gain attention. A pivotal moment “back home” at Regina’s Globe Theatre marked the beginning of her career in professional theatre: she booked her first professional theatre gig as an actor-musician in Honk!, directed by Jillian Keiley.

Vejdani’s musicianship became the key to unlocking further opportunities. “The next big contract I would book was a Gilbert and Sullivan show at the Stratford Shakespeare Festival (where I would return 5 years later to do more G&S),” she shares. “My strong musicianship – and some well-timed whistling in my audition – opened new doors for me.” Thirsty for growth, she flew through those doors: during her inaugural season at Stratford alone, she participated in workshops and private coaching in order to refine her craft and expand her artistic horizons.

Her career evolved from there to working at theatrical venues throughout Toronto, including  the Tarragon Theatre, Factory Theatre, Shakespeare in the Ruff, Driftwood Theatre, and Young People’s Theatre. For more than ten years,, she concurrently worked in music as a choral conductor and educator at the Community Music Schools of Toronto (formerly the Regent Park School of Music). She summarizes her distinctive, joy-filled journey by emphasizing its consistency: “The work I have done in music and theatre are just natural extensions of the same desire to collaborate and create art,” she shares,

Just now, her days are full as she prepares for the opening of Little Shop of Horrors (book & lyrics by Howard Ashman; music by Alan Menken). While in rehearsals, Vejdani chatted with Sesayarts Magazine about performing in the iconic musical, how Rob Kempson’s interpretation distinguishes and updates it for diverse modern audiences, and how her casting as one of musical theatre’s most iconic ingénues helps to further representation in theatre.

SesayArts Magazine: What has surprised you the most as you have been working on this musical and the role of Audrey?

Tahirih Vejdani: I think what has surprised me the most about working on this musical is just how funny, dark, and absurdly good it is. Mainly because of the amazing team and cast involved. I am constantly in awe of how ridiculously talented all my castmates are. I find Audrey to be a very intriguing character, and what I think surprised me the most is the journey and discovery of self, and how truly strong and resilient she is on top of her amazing taste in fashion.

SesayArts: Little Shop of Horrors is considered a classic musical… a beloved musical-theatre standard that is often staged. What sets this Capitol Theatre production apart, and how do you think modern diverse audiences will relate to it?

Tahirih Vejdani: What sets this production apart is a wonderfully conscious approach to using what serves us in the script and letting go of what does not. There is definitely some problematic language that is not necessary for telling this story today that we have omitted. Modern diverse audiences will also be thrilled to see two leads of diverse, intersectional backgrounds amongst an already diverse cast. I am a Brown woman of Iranian and Tamilian heritage, and Amir Haidar who plays Seymour is a queer, Lebanese-Palestinian man. 

Growing up, I never saw anyone like myself playing the lead in a show. Despite the lack of representation and uphill battles to be seen in an industry that, for the longest time, had a limited worldview and didn’t know how to cast me  – I am really proud to be able to stand on this stage and explore an ingénue role I never imagined I’d be asked to play – and hopefully be that representation for that Brown girl in the audience seeing herself on stage thinking, “Gee, that could be me!”.  

SesayArts: What are you most excited about in terms of doing Little Shop and for audiences to experience?

Tahirih Vejdani: Personally, I am very excited to be back in Port Hope working again with director Rob Kempson at The Capitol. I was here in December performing in the panto and it’s special to be invited back into this community and space working on a new project and enjoying the beauty of Port Hope in the summertime. I am also super excited for the audience to experience all the amazing music the show offers. Our musical director Jeff Newberry and music team have been hard at work putting everything together and everything is sounding fantastic. It really is a tremendous musical experience told through the lens of a sci-fi, human-eating fly-trap.

SesyArts Magazine: We would like to know a bit more about you. What would you like us to know about you that we will not find on your resumé?

Tahirih Vejdani: Something I am very proud of that I would like to share is that over the pandemic I started teaching voice at Sheridan College’s Bachelor of Musical Theatre Performance program. I also went back to school myself and have just finished my Post-Graduate Certificate in Professional Practice  in Vocal Pedagogy from the University of Wales Trinity Saint David and the Voice Study Center. Teaching has always been a part of my artistic practice, and I’m excited to continue that journey.

Sesayarts Magazine: What’s coming up next for you?

Tahirih Vejdani: I’ve got a couple shows coming up that I’m excited to share! First, I’ll be returning to the Capitol in the fall singing in Billboard in Concert: 1969. Then I’ll be headed to The Grand Theatre in London, Ontario in the New Year performing in Catalyst Theatre’s production of The Invisible: Agents of Ungentlemanly Warfare playing the role of Anna Sidiqui. And come the spring I’ll be headed to Calgary for a soon-to-be announced show! You can follow all the updates on my website for more details. 

Audiences can stay updated on all of Vejdani’s endeavours by visiting her official website. 

Little Shop of Horrors at the Capitol Theatre Port Hope runs until September 3, 2023.  Visit capitoltheatre.com for tickets.

© Arpita Ghosal, Sesayarts Magazine, 2023