really gets me into character is the make-up prep. In CATS it takes so long and the artistry is so beautiful, it gives me time to think through all the emotions. How do you describe CATS to people who have not seen it? Sometimes, it is
pre-med and wanted to be this well-rounded doctor who could work holistically. But, the cost of medical school scared me off and I fell in love with musical theatre. So I became a teacher while working profes- sionally in theatre. Then I became a mother of two amazing people and now I’m making the transition from a mother with young children to a mother with adults. I have a 21-year-old daughter and a 19-year- old son. It’s been a strange journey and I took a weird path to get to here.
Don’t we all? How do you connect all this to your craft and get into character? For this show that is a real challenge because the
rest of the cast is coming from this highly energized place. My cat is broken; she is quiet, the prep is really different and I sort of have to keep to myself. What
what I imagine a bad drug trip would feel
like. The casting has to be so spe- cific, it is the Olympics of musicals because it is so challenging. They all have to sing and dance well, know gymnastics, be comfortable with fight choreography and be willing to transform from head to toe. It takes the tal- ent pool and whittles it down to the best. This show has truly amazing cats—they are doing an incredible amount of work to prepare. I always feel like such a slacker—I don’t fit into the mold of a dancer-esque person. This old broad cat comes on stage and sings this big old song and steals the show. Woo-hoo!! Fortunately, it’s a Grizabella day. Tell me your take on the storyline. There are always people trying to bring rhyme
and reason to CATS. I can appreciate that because examining the story is a fun process. What I see it is really all about relationships. True enthusiasts know the T.S. Eliot poems and they know the geneal- ogy of CATS— that this cat is this kitten’s mother. In my brain, I think who gives a flipping rip! It’s about taking away your own experience; enjoying the amazing singing, dancing and performances. You get to see the best of the best do what they know how to do and sit back in awe of what’s being done on stage. This show is incredibly technical and detailed and they make it look effortless. What’s next for you Debbie? I have several auditions coming
up. I am scared to murmur their names but I stay pretty busy, especially in the summertime. A lot of us locals perform seasonally and have day jobs, I teach second grade. Thankfully there’s always something on the horizon, all things happen at the right time!
San Diego Musical Theatre’s production of CATS runs Friday, March 21 through Sunday, April 6 at the Birch North Park Theatre at 2891 University Avenue. For tickets and more information call 858.560.5740 or go to
sdmt.org.
MARCH 2014 | RAGE monthly 19
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