There are a few iconic women's roles that every girl dreams of playing. Some are those leading lady roles you can't wait to play when you're "old enough," like Dolly in Hello Dolly!, and Mama Rose in Gypsy. Even a newcomer like Diana in Next to Normal. Some roles many of us will never get the chance to play unless we knocked them off our list at a young age, like Annie in Annie or Oliver in Oliver!. There are a handful of characters I've always dreamt of playing because I love big splashy musicals (Reno Sweeney in Anything Goes, Millie in Thoroughly Modern Millie), but then there are those heroines amidst the flashy musicals that require a great deal of strength, drama, and tenacity. I consider SALLY BOWLES one of those roles. She's iconic. She's tragic. She doesn't just need to dazzle you on the Kit Kat Club stage during her production numbers with her killer belt and sexy dance moves, but she needs to be able to break your heart as the tragic heroine amidst a seriously historical backdrop. It requires serious acting chops, above all. I am so THRILLED to announce that I have been given the opportunity to portray Sally in the upcoming production of CABARET at The Players Theatre of Sarasota! I feel honored and privileged and scared to death to tackle this role. I will also be reunited with the fabulous Michael Newton-Brown, my director from the highly acclaimed production of Side Show in 2013. For a full cast list, click here. To buy tickets, click here. JANUARY 7 through JANUARY 25, 2015
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What a beautiful experience this was!
Garry Breul, the creator of Suncoast AIDS Theatre Project, presents several readings, productions, cabarets, and benefits that raise money and awareness for people living with HIV/AIDS. It's a great organization that I've wanted to get involved with for awhile now. When I heard they were doing a concert production of RENT, the beautiful rock musical by Jonathan Larson, I knew it was meant to be. I was lucky enough to be offered the role of Maureen, a definite "bucket-list" role for me. I have to say she is a extremely heightened version of myself... and so FUN to play, even in a concert setting. We performed two nights at Florida Studio Theatre, November 3 and 10, 2014 to near sold-out houses. The cast was filled with professionals from all across Florida; some who had done the show previously at American Stage in St. Petersburg, FL, some of us new to Suncoast AIDS Theatre Project, and others who have done projects with Garry before. It was a beautiful mix of people and talent! If you can imagine it, the produciton was very much like a "staged reading" version of a musical. And because RENT is such a powerful piece of theater on its own, it turned into a lovely re-telling of the story through the music itself, with a bare stage, a small band, a few music stands, and the entire cast sitting on stage the entire show. We heard that it was very powerful, even without costumes, sets, and special lighting. Here are a few photos from the piece: |
AboutDanae DeShazer is an actress, singer, and dancer living in Sarasota, FL. Archives
May 2023
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