Why is the Cat in the Hat a favorite role of yours?
I saw you play it at your theatre many years ago.
Although
the Cat seems to create chaos… His main objective in this play is to help
"Jojo" understand that his imagination and creativity are
wonderful!!! As well as valuable, and practical! In this story, Jojo's
"Thinks" help him to save "Whoville"
and all the people who live there.
As with Peter Pan you bring such a sense of wonderment and fun to it. Audiences of all ages seem to take to the piece. Why do you think this is so?
Whether
you are an adult or a child there is something for everyone…The characters,
including Horton the Elephant, Gertrude Mcfuzz, The WHO's , the Sour
Kangaroo…JoJo etc. in Seussical, are trying to figure out how to fit
in, have their voice heard, deal with war, and many other personal and social
issues. (Ie ,War, bullies, hypocrites… "Being different"
hopes, dreams etc.) It's all done with beautiful lighting, whimsical characters
and most of all fantastic music by Lynn Ahrens and Stephen
Flaherty.
How is it working with 3-D Theatricals? To me their
professionalism is a perfect match for what you and Tom have established at La
Mirada. You make it worth traveling south to see a show.
It's
really quite exciting to work as a real theater community. 3-D theatricals
has been a real friend to McCoy Rigby Entertainment and the La Mirada Theater
for the Performing Arts. We all want to do great work and higher talented
theater folks, whether it's artistic directors, actors, musicians, crew,
front-of-house ushers...We are all part of an effort to keep theater alive and
well and growing in Southern California.
Talk a little about your cast and director for Seussical.
I've
worked with a few people before but many of the actors are new to me. But once
you work with a cast and crew they become part of your extended family. That's
the great part of our rather "Gypsy style" working situations. You
meet people very quickly, become close and then see them in another
production somewhere. David Engel and I have done other
productions. He worked with us at the La Mirada theater for the performing arts
in a few shows and of course I worked with him in Seussical on Broadway. I
love his passion and enthusiasm as a director and choreographer. Specially
with this show because he started with it when it was just a workshop in
NY. If anyone understands or has the insight into the characters, the
music and the book it's David. TJ Dawson is simply one of the most
caring, passionate, and talented producers. We are very fortunate to have him in
Orange County.
When I last spoke to you, you told me you wanted to play Madame Thenardier in Les Miserables, so when you mounted it - beautiful production, by the way - at La Mirada, you didn't do it. What happened? I'd like to see you do this. Your sense of comedy and physicality are perfect for it.
Thank
you for the compliment. Les Mis turned out better than Tom and I could've
ever hoped. Thanks to the incredible effort of all the artistic
designers, actors, production staff and especially Dana Solimando who managed to stage many of those big scenes during our tech rehearsal. Les Mis was a huge
undertaking. It's one thing when you have months and months to mount a show of
this size and scope..vs three weeks, and as far as playing Madam T, I was
so busy with our "McCoy Rigby Conservatory"in Yorba Linda, I
thought it would be a bit much trying to take on a brand-new role like this and
working with our kids.
What else is in the air for the future for you and for your theatre?
Well
our next production is the world premiere of Pride and Prejudice, and we are in
talks with producers around the US, Canada, Asia and Europe to bring some of
our La Mirada shows to their venues.
Whatever Cathy Rigby puts her mind to, you can bet it's a worthwhile and entertaining venture. Catchher in Seussical for 3-D Theatricals in Fullerton and then in Redondo Beach at the Redondo Beach Performing Arts Center. Ticket info is at the link below.
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