A Spoonful of Sugar

Name: Abby DeSpain

Age: 10

Role: Jane Banks

Favorite snack? Probably… pretzels and M & M’s.

Must-have gadget? My iPod so I can listen to music.

What’s kind of music do you listen to? I just like just the Broadway soundtracks. I listen to those a lot.

Favorite Broadway musical? That is a hard one. I really like Wicked.

Do you have a favorite scene in Mary Poppins? I really like “Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious” because that is the funnest number I get to do. It’s fast, and it’s just a lot of fun.

Do you do anything special to get ready before each show? Well… I like to be really early for the show. I like to have everything on, my wig on, my makeup on, so 10 minutes before the show, I am totally ready, so I have lots of time to chill.

How do you unwind afterward? After I get all my costumes off, and my wig off, and go say hi to my mom and everyone else that is there… it’s usually a pretty late night, and by the time I’m home, I’m usually half asleep. So I just get in bed, and after a few minutes, I’m out.

What do you want to be when you grow up? That’s a tricky question. There’s a lot of things I want to be when I grow up. An actress is definitely one of them. But I also really love to write, and want to be an author. And another thing I want to be is a marine biologist. I really love animals. And I love the water.

Secret to success? I would say to start at the beginning and follow your instincts. Always work hard. Do your best. And you’ll get there if you work hard. And it has to be fun!

A Spoonful of Sugar

Nate Carman and Abby DeSpain in Mary Poppins (photos by Ken Jacques) 

Name: Nate Carman

Age: 10

Role: Michael Banks

Favorite snack? I’d have to say I love nachos.

Must-have gadget? I’d have to say my iPad because I can read books on it and play games on it. I like Floppy Bird. (laughs)

What’s the coolest part about being in the show? It’s so cool hanging out with all the other people, and I think it’s really fun to go up the chimney. That’s kind of a new experience. I’ve never done that before. It’s a really cool thing, they have this elevator inside, but it’s not really an elevator. It’s a weight system, like a seesaw with pulleys.

Were you scared the first time you tried it? I was pretty scared, because if you’re standing in the wrong place, you could hit your head on one of the bars. But afterwards it got pretty fun.

Do you have a favorite moment in the show? My favorite moments is when Mr. Banks produces the kite, and then I run over to him and hug him. I just like it cause it’s kind of a heartwarming scene.

Do you do anything special to get ready before each show? Um. Not really. Sometimes I just play with friends or sit at home and rest.

How do you unwind afterward? I go home, sit on the couch, and sometimes my mom makes me popcorn.

What do you want to be when you grow up? Um… I think want to be an electrical engineer.

Do you know what an electrical engineer does? Yeah, they help fix problems in circuitry, like if a wire is out of place, they go and fix it on the circuit board and make sure everything’s running smoothly.

Secret to success?  I don’t really know. I mean, what I like to do in rehearsal is I don’t just work on the things I’m doing right, I work on the things I’m doing wrong, and then, I like to look back at the things I’m doing right and put it all together.

Disney’s Mary Poppins runs through August 2 at Moonlight Amphitheatre in Vista. For tickets, visit moonlightstage.com.

The post A Spoonful of Sugar appeared first on San Diego Magazine.

A Spoonful of Sugar

Name: Abby DeSpain

Age: 10

Role: Jane Banks

Favorite snack? Probably… pretzels and M & M’s.

Must-have gadget? My iPod so I can listen to music.

What’s kind of music do you listen to? I just like just the Broadway soundtracks. I listen to those a lot.

Favorite Broadway musical? That is a hard one. I really like Wicked.

Do you have a favorite scene in Mary Poppins? I really like “Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious” because that is the funnest number I get to do. It’s fast, and it’s just a lot of fun.

Do you do anything special to get ready before each show? Well… I like to be really early for the show. I like to have everything on, my wig on, my makeup on, so 10 minutes before the show, I am totally ready, so I have lots of time to chill.

How do you unwind afterward? After I get all my costumes off, and my wig off, and go say hi to my mom and everyone else that is there… it’s usually a pretty late night, and by the time I’m home, I’m usually half asleep. So I just get in bed, and after a few minutes, I’m out.

What do you want to be when you grow up? That’s a tricky question. There’s a lot of things I want to be when I grow up. An actress is definitely one of them. But I also really love to write, and want to be an author. And another thing I want to be is a marine biologist. I really love animals. And I love the water.

Secret to success? I would say to start at the beginning and follow your instincts. Always work hard. Do your best. And you’ll get there if you work hard. And it has to be fun!

A Spoonful of Sugar

Nate Carman and Abby DeSpain in Mary Poppins (photos by Ken Jacques) 

Name: Nate Carman

Age: 10

Role: Michael Banks

Favorite snack? I’d have to say I love nachos.

Must-have gadget? I’d have to say my iPad because I can read books on it and play games on it. I like Floppy Bird. (laughs)

What’s the coolest part about being in the show? It’s so cool hanging out with all the other people, and I think it’s really fun to go up the chimney. That’s kind of a new experience. I’ve never done that before. It’s a really cool thing, they have this elevator inside, but it’s not really an elevator. It’s a weight system, like a seesaw with pulleys.

Were you scared the first time you tried it? I was pretty scared, because if you’re standing in the wrong place, you could hit your head on one of the bars. But afterwards it got pretty fun.

Do you have a favorite moment in the show? My favorite moments is when Mr. Banks produces the kite, and then I run over to him and hug him. I just like it cause it’s kind of a heartwarming scene.

Do you do anything special to get ready before each show? Um. Not really. Sometimes I just play with friends or sit at home and rest.

How do you unwind afterward? I go home, sit on the couch, and sometimes my mom makes me popcorn.

What do you want to be when you grow up? Um… I think want to be an electrical engineer.

Do you know what an electrical engineer does? Yeah, they help fix problems in circuitry, like if a wire is out of place, they go and fix it on the circuit board and make sure everything’s running smoothly.

Secret to success?  I don’t really know. I mean, what I like to do in rehearsal is I don’t just work on the things I’m doing right, I work on the things I’m doing wrong, and then, I like to look back at the things I’m doing right and put it all together.

Disney’s Mary Poppins runs through August 2 at Moonlight Amphitheatre in Vista. For tickets, visit moonlightstage.com.

The post A Spoonful of Sugar appeared first on San Diego Magazine.

There are 29 colors to be exact. As the lyrics go, “It was red and yellow and green and brown and scarlett and black and ochre and peach and ruby and olive and violet and fawn and lilac and gold and choc’late and mauve and cream and crimson and silver and rose and azure and lemon and russet and grey and purple and white and pink and orange and blue!”

This is just one of many great numbers in this beloved Andrew Lloyd Webber musical, with lyrics by Tim Rice—a score that many theater lovers, including San Diego Magazine staffers, know by heart. (Note: These songs are so catchy; we guarantee you’ll be singing them all the way home.)

The story of Joseph and his magical coat is based on a Biblical fable. It’s great for families with children, offering life lessons about honesty and honor and faith.

The current production, now playing at the San Diego Civic Theatre, stars former American Idol contestants (and married couple) Ace Young as Joseph and Diana DeGarmo as the narrator. We can’t wait to “Go, Go, Go” and see their real-life chemistry on stage.

Here’s to life in Technicolor—and all the dreamers out there!

Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat runs through June 29. For tickets visit, broadwaysd.com.

How Many Different Ways Can You Say Pink?

Courtesy of Broadway San Diego

The post How Many Different Ways Can You Say Pink? appeared first on San Diego Magazine.

There are 29 colors to be exact. As the lyrics go, “It was red and yellow and green and brown and scarlett and black and ochre and peach and ruby and olive and violet and fawn and lilac and gold and choc’late and mauve and cream and crimson and silver and rose and azure and lemon and russet and grey and purple and white and pink and orange and blue!”

This is just one of many great numbers in this beloved Andrew Lloyd Webber musical, with lyrics by Tim Rice—a score that many theater lovers, including San Diego Magazine staffers, know by heart. (Note: These songs are so catchy; we guarantee you’ll be singing them all the way home.)

The story of Joseph and his magical coat is based on a Biblical fable. It’s great for families with children, offering life lessons about honesty and honor and faith.

The current production, now playing at the San Diego Civic Theatre, stars former American Idol contestants (and married couple) Ace Young as Joseph and Diana DeGarmo as the narrator. We can’t wait to “Go, Go, Go” and see their real-life chemistry on stage.

Here’s to life in Technicolor—and all the dreamers out there!

Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat runs through June 29. For tickets visit, broadwaysd.com.

How Many Different Ways Can You Say Pink?

Courtesy of Broadway San Diego

The post How Many Different Ways Can You Say Pink? appeared first on San Diego Magazine.

Such is the premise behind Dog and Pony, a world premiere musical now playing at the Old Globe. It’s a show about relationships and broken hearts—and having the courage to move on.

Don’t expect big Broadway numbers. It’s an intimate show, performed in a theater in the round with just five cast members. But there will be laughs, plenty of them. And any gal who’s ever experienced the agony of singlehood will feel for the show’s main character, Mags, played by Nicole Parker.

Parker is a standout—a MADtv alum (who also starred as Elphaba in the Broadway production and National Tour of Wicked), with a strong voice and even stronger comedic chops. Heidi Blickenstaff is another standout, portraying the dumb-like-a-fox Bonnie with gusto.

The second delightful show, now in its final weekend at the Globe, is Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike, winner of the 2013 Tony Award for Best Play.

(from left) Martin Moran as Vanya, Candy Buckley as Masha, Marcia DeBonis as Sonia, and Tyler Lansing Weaks as Spike in the San Diego Premiere of Christopher Durang’s Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike, directed by Jessica Stone, based on the direction of Old Globe Associate Artistic Nicholas Martin, May 17 – June 22, 2014 at The Old Globe. Photo by Jim Cox.

Jim Cox

The cast of ‘Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike’ (photo by Jim Cox)

Meet siblings Vanya, Sonia, and Masha, whose artsy parents named them after characters from Chekhov plays. These kids were destined for drama from the get-go.

Vanya and Sonia stayed at the family’s farmhouse in Bucks County, Pennsylvania, to care for their ailing parents, while sister Masha left to pursue a semi-successful B-movie career and pay the bills. Comedy and chaos ensue, as Masha returns and makes plans to sell the house.

Acclaimed playwright Christopher Durang’s script is fast-paced and witty. Actors, theater majors, and dramaturges will find the nuanced Chekhov references especially brilliant.

These characters are flawed and loveable; their rivalry and dysfunction are all too familiar and relatable.

The scenic design by David Korins is also a work of art—completely transporting the audience to that Pennsylvania farmhouse. We could practically feel the mosquitoes nipping at our ankles.

Don’t miss your chance to see these two great shows and support local theater.

Dog and Pony runs through July 6. Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike runs through June 22. Both shows are playing at the Old Globe Theatre in Balboa Park. For tickets, visit oldglobe.org.

The cast of ‘Dog and Pony’

Jim Cox

The post Now Showing: Two Very Funny Plays appeared first on San Diego Magazine.

Such is the premise behind Dog and Pony, a world premiere musical now playing at the Old Globe. It’s a show about relationships and broken hearts—and having the courage to move on.

Don’t expect big Broadway numbers. It’s an intimate show, performed in a theater in the round with just five cast members. But there will be laughs, plenty of them. And any gal who’s ever experienced the agony of singlehood will feel for the show’s main character, Mags, played by Nicole Parker.

Parker is a standout—a MADtv alum (who also starred as Elphaba in the Broadway production and National Tour of Wicked), with a strong voice and even stronger comedic chops. Heidi Blickenstaff is another standout, portraying the dumb-like-a-fox Bonnie with gusto.

The second delightful show, now in its final weekend at the Globe, is Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike, winner of the 2013 Tony Award for Best Play.

(from left) Martin Moran as Vanya, Candy Buckley as Masha, Marcia DeBonis as Sonia, and Tyler Lansing Weaks as Spike in the San Diego Premiere of Christopher Durang’s Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike, directed by Jessica Stone, based on the direction of Old Globe Associate Artistic Nicholas Martin, May 17 – June 22, 2014 at The Old Globe. Photo by Jim Cox.

Jim Cox

The cast of ‘Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike’ (photo by Jim Cox)

Meet siblings Vanya, Sonia, and Masha, whose artsy parents named them after characters from Chekhov plays. These kids were destined for drama from the get-go.

Vanya and Sonia stayed at the family’s farmhouse in Bucks County, Pennsylvania, to care for their ailing parents, while sister Masha left to pursue a semi-successful B-movie career and pay the bills. Comedy and chaos ensue, as Masha returns and makes plans to sell the house.

Acclaimed playwright Christopher Durang’s script is fast-paced and witty. Actors, theater majors, and dramaturges will find the nuanced Chekhov references especially brilliant.

These characters are flawed and loveable; their rivalry and dysfunction are all too familiar and relatable.

The scenic design by David Korins is also a work of art—completely transporting the audience to that Pennsylvania farmhouse. We could practically feel the mosquitoes nipping at our ankles.

Don’t miss your chance to see these two great shows and support local theater.

Dog and Pony runs through July 6. Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike runs through June 22. Both shows are playing at the Old Globe Theatre in Balboa Park. For tickets, visit oldglobe.org.

The cast of ‘Dog and Pony’

Jim Cox

The post Now Showing: Two Very Funny Plays appeared first on San Diego Magazine.

The Old Globe Theatre celebrated a big win on Sunday night as A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder won the Tony Award for Best Musical, a first in the theatre’s history.

Managing Director Michael G. Murphy enjoyed his second trip to the Tony Awards in New York. He and Artistic Director Barry Edelstein joined cast and crew members on stage at Radio City Music Hall to accept the final award of the night.

A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder won three other Tony Awards after receiving 10 nominations, the most of any production this season. Best Direction of a Musical went to Darko Tresnjak, a former co-artistic director at The Old Globe. The show also picked up accolades for Best Book and Best Costume Design. (Read our original review of show here.)

Lead actor Jefferson Mays received a nomination for Best Performance by a Leading Actor for his portrayal of eight different characters, all ill-fated heirs to an English dukedom. Murphy describes Mays in three words: “amazingly talented genius.”

Murphy remembered when the play was first being considered for production at The Old Globe. “I don’t normally laugh out loud at a script even if it’s funny,” he says. But he was laughing when reading A Gentleman’s Guide.

The award-winning Old Globe Theatre is no stranger to big-name awards. The theatre has been a part of numerous Tony Award winners, the last of which went to Norbert Leo Butz for Best Performance by a Leading Actor in Dirty Rotten Scoundrels in 2005.

The Old Globe Theatre has also been celebrating success in the local performing arts community for decades. The theatre was the recipient of a regional Tony award in 1984, one of the first theatres to accept the honor. The newly awarded Best Musical honor helps to remind everyone how important San Diego is for the national theatre scene, Murphy explains. “San Diego is a good place to develop work and has intelligent audiences who know theatre.”

Cast of ‘A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder’ at the Old Globe

Henry DiRocco

The post Old Globe Show Wins 4 Tony Awards appeared first on San Diego Magazine.

The Old Globe Theatre celebrated a big win on Sunday night as A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder won the Tony Award for Best Musical, a first in the theatre’s history.

Managing Director Michael G. Murphy enjoyed his second trip to the Tony Awards in New York. He and Artistic Director Barry Edelstein joined cast and crew members on stage at Radio City Music Hall to accept the final award of the night.

A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder won three other Tony Awards after receiving 10 nominations, the most of any production this season. Best Direction of a Musical went to Darko Tresnjak, a former co-artistic director at The Old Globe. The show also picked up accolades for Best Book and Best Costume Design. (Read our original review of show here.)

Lead actor Jefferson Mays received a nomination for Best Performance by a Leading Actor for his portrayal of eight different characters, all ill-fated heirs to an English dukedom. Murphy describes Mays in three words: “amazingly talented genius.”

Murphy remembered when the play was first being considered for production at The Old Globe. “I don’t normally laugh out loud at a script even if it’s funny,” he says. But he was laughing when reading A Gentleman’s Guide.

The award-winning Old Globe Theatre is no stranger to big-name awards. The theatre has been a part of numerous Tony Award winners, the last of which went to Norbert Leo Butz for Best Performance by a Leading Actor in Dirty Rotten Scoundrels in 2005.

The Old Globe Theatre has also been celebrating success in the local performing arts community for decades. The theatre was the recipient of a regional Tony award in 1984, one of the first theatres to accept the honor. The newly awarded Best Musical honor helps to remind everyone how important San Diego is for the national theatre scene, Murphy explains. “San Diego is a good place to develop work and has intelligent audiences who know theatre.”

Cast of ‘A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder’ at the Old Globe

Henry DiRocco

The post Old Globe Show Wins 4 Tony Awards appeared first on San Diego Magazine.

An Evening with Duncan Sheik

Confession: I have a little bit of a crush on Duncan Sheik.

I admit that I know very little about what’s cool in music, but that I am a first-rate Broadway nerd. Sheik composed the score for the electric, coming-of-age Broadway smash Spring Awakening. I saw the original cast in New York, which starred Lea Michele and Jonathan Groff—pre-Glee. Amazing! It was a memory for sure. But that wasn’t what made me fall for Dunc.

I have friend who is also a first-rate Broadway nerd. She was/is obsessed with Spring Awakening (groupie status: bought tickets to sit on stage, soundtrack on full blast in the car, etc.). So when Sheik scheduled a performance at the now-shuttered Anthology (so sad!), we were the first in line.

First of all, he is pretty dreamy (see above photo). And when he sang his best-known pop hit, “Barely Breathing,” I couldn’t help but envy the lucky muse that inspired the song. Never mind that the lyrics are about a breakup.

As the night went on, he discussed the inspiration behind his music and his foray into theater. I found it wildly entertaining and interesting—the craft of song writing.

Shortly thereafter I got the chance to meet him in person following a similar performance at the Old Globe, where he was working on a new musical called Whisper House. In this line of work, we get the chance to meet a lot of famous people, and most of the time, it’s no big deal. But when I met Dunc, I clammed up like a schoolgirl.

So embarrassing.

Whisper House never gained as much traction as Spring Awakening, but Sheik is still excited about composing in this genre. And on Monday, March 24, as Cygnet Theatre kicks off its production of Spring Awakening, Sheik will appear for a one-night-only engagement at the Old Town Theatre. The night will include a conversation with the show’s director, Sean Murray, and music director, Terry O’Donnell.

Here’s hoping for a quick rendition of “Barely Breathing.” I know at least one girl who will be barely breathing in the audience. KC + DS forever!

An Evening with Duncan Sheik

The cast of Spring Awakening at Cygnet Theatre

An Evening with Duncan Sheik, March 24, 7:30 p.m. Tickets at cygnettheatre.com.

Spring Awakening runs through April 27. Tickets at cygnettheatre.com.

The post An Evening with Duncan Sheik appeared first on San Diego Magazine.

An Evening with Duncan Sheik

Confession: I have a little bit of a crush on Duncan Sheik.

I admit that I know very little about what’s cool in music, but that I am a first-rate Broadway nerd. Sheik composed the score for the electric, coming-of-age Broadway smash Spring Awakening. I saw the original cast in New York, which starred Lea Michele and Jonathan Groff—pre-Glee. Amazing! It was a memory for sure. But that wasn’t what made me fall for Dunc.

I have friend who is also a first-rate Broadway nerd. She was/is obsessed with Spring Awakening (groupie status: bought tickets to sit on stage, soundtrack on full blast in the car, etc.). So when Sheik scheduled a performance at the now-shuttered Anthology (so sad!), we were the first in line.

First of all, he is pretty dreamy (see above photo). And when he sang his best-known pop hit, “Barely Breathing,” I couldn’t help but envy the lucky muse that inspired the song. Never mind that the lyrics are about a breakup.

As the night went on, he discussed the inspiration behind his music and his foray into theater. I found it wildly entertaining and interesting—the craft of song writing.

Shortly thereafter I got the chance to meet him in person following a similar performance at the Old Globe, where he was working on a new musical called Whisper House. In this line of work, we get the chance to meet a lot of famous people, and most of the time, it’s no big deal. But when I met Dunc, I clammed up like a schoolgirl.

So embarrassing.

Whisper House never gained as much traction as Spring Awakening, but Sheik is still excited about composing in this genre. And on Monday, March 24, as Cygnet Theatre kicks off its production of Spring Awakening, Sheik will appear for a one-night-only engagement at the Old Town Theatre. The night will include a conversation with the show’s director, Sean Murray, and music director, Terry O’Donnell.

Here’s hoping for a quick rendition of “Barely Breathing.” I know at least one girl who will be barely breathing in the audience. KC + DS forever!

An Evening with Duncan Sheik

The cast of Spring Awakening at Cygnet Theatre

An Evening with Duncan Sheik, March 24, 7:30 p.m. Tickets at cygnettheatre.com.

Spring Awakening runs through April 27. Tickets at cygnettheatre.com.

The post An Evening with Duncan Sheik appeared first on San Diego Magazine.