As any good girl will tell you, sometimes it's fun to be bad.
Over the years, self-described "girl-next-door" Ranae Miller has accumulated a collection of Archie comic books numbering in the hundreds and, while she has always considered herself a true Betty at heart, she is nonetheless intrigued by Betty's saucy rival Veronica.
"When I was little I used to act out the Veronica parts with myself," says 23-year-old Miller. "She was always the fun one to play because she's a mean girl."
Now, the graduate of Capilano University's Musical Theatre Program has a chance to assume the rich-bitch attitude in front of a real live audience. She's not playing Riverdale High student Veronica Lodge, though, but instead is taking on the role of Riverview High student Erica Snodge - who bears an uncanny likeness to the former with her long brunette hair and fondness for miniskirts.
Set in 1996, Riverview High: The Musical is loosely based on the antics of Archie and the gang, though Miller says the show is also inspired by a mix of '90s teen pop culture such as TV's Saved by the Bell and the movie Clueless.
With music and lyrics by Stewart Yu, book by Angela Wong and lyrics by Mike Mackenzie, Riverview High was voted Pick of the Fringe after its initial run at the 2012 Vancouver Fringe Festival and won the 2013 Ovation Award for Outstanding Production (Small Theatre). It makes another run at Vancouver's Firehall Arts Centre Aug. 7 to 24.
The story revolves around redheaded Alex, who has accidentally invited both sexy, stylish Erica and sweet-natured Cathy to the prom.
"Trouble ensues and he has to make a decision by graduation day," Miller says, explaining both Erica and Cathy have suitors of their own, which puts the pressure on Alex to choose.
So, he enlists the help of his hot-dog-loving best friend Parker to help him weigh his options. But girl-hating Parker has problems of his own as his not-so-secret admirer Esther just can't seem to take a hint.
Miller caught the acting bug at age 11 when she enrolled at Gateway Theatre's Academy for the Performing Arts. She participated in high school plays and was a member of the ensemble during the Fringe showing of Riverview High. Stepping into Erica's high-heeled pumps will give her the long-awaited chance to demonstrate her acting range.
"I'm usually typecast as the girl-next-door ingnue kind of character, so I'm really excited this time around to actually get to play the mean girl," she says. "Stewart Yu has written some great stuff for Erica and it's just so much fun to sing, and just so fun to be a little bit mean."
Fellow Musical Theatre Program alumnus Alex Gullason plays Cathy, Erica's former best friend and competitor for Alex's affection.
"It's just fun to play the girl next door that everybody loves," says Gullason, 21, who sports a perky blonde ponytail and sugar-sweet sundresses for the part.
Riverview High is a bit zany, yes, and there's no shortage of upbeat singing and dancing, but Gullason says the show also has heart. "It's more than just a big campy musical. It's got a lot of deeper moments in it as well," she says.
So, why was the Fringe run of Riverview High a sold-out success, and why has the gang returned for an encore performance? Perhaps for the same reason Archie comics are still on the newsstand after 70 years.
"No matter what age, everyone has grown up with the classic love triangle story," Miller says. "There's something for everyone, whether you're the guy who doesn't know which girl to pick, or you're the guy who's trying to vie for someone's attention. Everyone can connect to something in this story."
Riverview High: The Musical, Aug. 7-24 at the Firehall Arts Centre, 280 E. Cordova St., Vancouver. Tickets: $18/$20 available at firehallartscentre. ca or by calling 604-689-0926.
