A Port Alberni actor is excited to share his performance in Kinky Boots with audiences at Qualicum Beach’s Village Theatre this summer.
The Echo Players, Qualicum's amateur theatre society, began working on the production in early November, a bittersweet time in actor Don Tecson’s life.
“My first rehearsal for Kinky Boots was Nov. 9 in the afternoon and that evening my mom passed away. She never got to see me in this production,” Tecson said.
Although first critical of Tecson’s choice of pursuing an acting career, his mother grew to become one of his biggest supporters.
“I am slowly getting back out there now since her passing,” he added.
Tecson was involved in theatre as a child and young adult, but only began acting professionally 10 years ago after coming out.
He has performed in The Actors of Nightmare and in Portal Players Dramatic Society’s production of Mamma Mia a few years ago.
Born in the Philippines, Tecson lived in Coquitlam before moving to Port Alberni with his partner a decade ago.
“I was so scared when I realized I was gay because I was in the Philippines and I am able to relate to the story of Kinky Boots,” Tecson said.
One of the songs he can relate to on a personal level is “Not My Father’s Son.”
“I am not the image of what (my father) expected me to be and that song resonates with me. ... Growing up I already showed signs of begin gay or feminine and my father would say, ‘stop crying, you are not a girl,’” he said getting emotional.
Kinky Boots is based off of a true story following the survival of a shoe factory and its workers in England. Following the success of a film, it was made into a musical written by Cindy Lauper and Harvey Fierstein.
Tecson wishes he had seen a story like this growing up and is proud to be part of this production.
“It is a dream come true for me.
“The message of this story is to be yourself because there is hope. In this world, there is room for you to be who you are,” Tecson added.
He hopes this story will resonate with others as much as it does for him.
Kinky Boots is already sold out and will be playing from July 15 to Aug. 3 at the Village Theatre.
