#411 – Rebecca Perry

This week on Stageworthy, host Phil Rickaby welcomes back actor, singer, playwright, and producer Rebecca Perry, marking a full-circle moment as Rebecca was Phil’s very first podcast guest nearly eight years ago. Rebecca shares the journey of her acclaimed solo show Confessions of a Redheaded Coffee Shop Girl, which debuted at the Toronto Fringe ten years ago and has since toured internationally, including a sold-out run at the Edinburgh Fringe.

Rebecca discusses the evolution of the show over the years, her preparation for returning to Edinburgh and Toronto Fringe for the show’s 10th anniversary, and the realities of crowdfunding and producing as an independent artist. She also reflects on the importance of adapting material in response to live audiences, the sense of community on the Canadian Fringe circuit, and the challenges and joys of international touring.

This episode explores:

• How Confessions of a Redheaded Coffee Shop Girl has evolved over a decade
• The distinct culture and audience vibe of different Fringe festivals (Toronto, Edinburgh, Winnipeg, Edmonton)
• Preparing for the marathon that is Edinburgh Fringe
• Navigating grants, crowdfunding, and financial challenges as an indie artist
• Building an international touring career and the importance of networking
• The excitement of bringing the show to a new generation of audiences

Guest: 🎭 Rebecca Perry Rebecca Perry is an actor, singer, playwright and producer based in Toronto. From Hallmark movies to The Handmaid's Tale, she has appeared in a wide variety of things on film and TV, most recently including Jazz Ramsey: K-9 Mystery and Bluegrass Christmas, and others across Netflix, Crave, Prime, Bell Fibe and more.

Rebecca has performed on stages all over the world. She was part of the international touring cast of Roseneath Theatre's The Money Tree, including a run at the prestigious Smith Centre in Las Vegas, NV. Her solo shows, the multiple award-winning Confessions of a Redheaded Coffeeshop Girl and its sequels, From Judy to Bette and Bond, James Bond: The Songs of 007 have played to sold out houses and audience acclaim wherever they go.

She is excited to celebrate the anniversary of Confessions of a Redheaded Coffeeshop Girl with a run at the Toronto Fringe (Alumnae Theatre) this July, and after beginning her Edinburgh Fringe journey 10 years ago with Confessions... at the Gilded Ballon Teviot, and bringing her last show From Judy to Bette in 2019 to the Gilded Balloon Patter House, it’s a thrill to return back to Gilded Ballon once again for its 40th Anniversary Season in August 2025.

Since that run in Edinburgh in 2015, Perry's shows have toured from top to bottom of the UK, all over Canada, and into both the US and Europe.

Connect with Rebecca: 📸 Instagram: @redheaded_coffeeshop_girl 🌐 Website: rebeccaperry.ca

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