Bucks People
by Margo Ragan
Imagine going from a major Broadway production to the sets of some of the more successful television and movie productions, but finding your greatest satisfaction and happiness in the tiny borough of Morrisville. That's the journey of twists and turns that Courtney Rains Loo embarked upon, ending now with her intimate relationship with God.
My 12-year-old granddaughter Emma and I recently spent a fascinating afternoon with Courtney. We had been told that she is petite, but that does not describe the force of boundless energy she radiates, the strength of her personality. She could have been six feet tall by the way she knows instinctively how to connect with people, and command their presence.
“I'm a Philadelphia native who always loved to sing and dance,” she said. “At age ten I knew all the lyrics of the Broadway show Annie, and when Mt. St. Joseph School was preparing to produce The Sound of Music, I auditioned and won the role of Brigitta, since I could sing the loudest of all who auditioned.”
Being on stage gave Courtney the opportunity to assume a different persona, especially since life at home was a little difficult.
The acting bug bit. She auditioned for roles with the Cheltenham Playhouse and the Riverfront Theater, and spent time with the La Salle University Summer Music Theater. “I did odd jobs such as sweeping the stage, getting drinks for the actors, grateful for the opportunity to watch them perform, observing their techniques, interactions with one another and the audience. It was a wonderful education,” she said.
Then there came the smash Broadway musical Cats. The help wanted advertisement in the show business newspaper Variety could have read like this: Wanted—actor with the physical grace of a cat, the agility of an acrobat, the personality of an impudent and cheeky kid, and of course, an excellent voice that can reach the rafters of a Broadway stage. A perfect description of Courtney!
The musical is based on poetry written by British poet T.S. Eliot, whose own words set the parameter of what the cats should be: “Knockout clowns quick change comedians Tight rope walkers and acrobats, They had an extensive reputation."
Courtney was cast in the role of Rumpleteazer, a lovable mischievous orange and black tabby or calico cat, who created hassles for the other cats. A string of pearls was a distinctive part of her costume. Because the estate of T.S. Eliot insisted that there be no script or deviation from the poet's words, there is essentially no spoken dialogue between each song. Therefore, the performers have to use their bodies as an instrument for communication between them and the audience, a technique that Courtney was perfectly able to do.
“I always knew how to connect with an audience,” Courtney said. “My love of dancing and singing helped me own my presence on stage.”
For three years Courtney performed Rumpleteazer in a traveling Cats production, which took her to 161 cities in the United States and Canada. Despite the success and adventure associated with traveling with such a major musical show, Courtney admitted that she was personally dissatisfied with her life. “When you are an actor, you can hide the person you really are within the role,” she said. “You are playing in a fantasy world, you can hide from your inner thoughts and insecurities, never truly facing them. It is a world of make believe that was not satisfying to me. Fame and money only led to a false sense of fulfillment.”
Her depression was obvious to her sister Deborah Watson, who travelled with her. Deborah took Courtney aside, and began talking with her about finding peace and resolution with God. “That is when I became a Christian,” said Courtney, “Once I accepted Jesus Christ as my Savior, my life has changed forever for the better.”
To find out more about Courtney Rains Loo, turn to page 46 in the Summer 2014 issue of Bucks County Magazine.