theatre
What you’re probably asking is: What is a “Panto?” Well, let us enlighten! Traditionally, it’s a popular form of British theatre in which the actors break the “third wall,” creating productions known for their interactive style and humor. Each production is based on fairy tales, Grimm’s
and otherwise, with each story modernized, featur- ing topical humor for adults and well-known pop songs for kids.A Snow White Christmas features an on screen appearance from Neil Patrick Harris as Magic Mirror on the Wall, family-friendly comedy, magic, dancing withSo You Think You Can Dance alumni, a live miniature pony, contemporary music ranging from Katy Perry’s “Firework,” to Huey Lewis and the News’ “Power of Love” and Michael Jackson’s “Thriller” and more. The lovely Yvette Cason, who playsSnow
White’s Evil Queen, sat down with a cup of coffee to chat about the show, some new projects she has lined up and why we really need fairy tales. “I originally auditioned for a role in Cin-
derello [a boy who is bullied by his stepsisters and stepmother and goes on great adventures]. Then I was asked instead to play the Evil Queen inA Snow White Christmas. I enjoy wicked characters—actors always like doing something that is not who we are—the people we love to hate. And, breaking the third wall…This is going to be so much fun.” Cason is most definitely a
ONCE UPON A PANTO
pro, “Three of the cast members have already done this show so we are moving pretty fast. I arrived in Pasadena on Monday, and we started rehearsals, Tuesday, we blocked the second act and Wednesday, we connected the acting dots with the music. Today, we will do a ‘stumble through,’ where we try to get from beginning to end with blocking, lines and singing. Pretty soon we will travel down to San Diego and be ready for opening night onFriday, December 2.” In her free time Cason is passionate about being
with her family and also enjoys writing her own music, “I started singing at a very young age, then I moved to the Berklee College of Music in Boston. From there I was hired forDreamgirls, my first musical and my first professional, equity role. I did some singing and gigging before then and a tour in Europe as part of a trio.” Cason has just recently
52 RAGE monthly | DECEMBER 2016 YVETTECASON
A SNOW WHITE CHRISTMAS
IS COMIN’ TO TOWN by lisa lipsey
released her new EPThe Spirit of Christmas. “It’s
three songs, a little gift to fans and the public and will be on sale in the lobby of the theatre. Oh, and I am going
to be in the 2018 movieA Wrinkle in Time. Such a great book and the movie is really fun.” Aside from playing the Evil Queen, Cason also has a passion project based on her muse, the great Ella Fitzgerald. “I am a big fan, since I was a little girl and I am working on a story about her. It is in the early stages, a musical about her life and times. I did a tribute to her in Walnut Creek about three years ago.” Reflecting onA Snow White Christmas, it becomes clear why we need fairy tales. Cason says, “Fairy tales are like Christmas, it is magic. This is my most favorite time of the year. For my son, he still looks forward to our traditions. Storytelling
They see how things can start out wonderful, then there is a bump in the road and then a
happy ending. Life isn’t always like that, but we all need some fairy tale,a little reminder to take us out of the other stuff.
is a tradition, there is magic in these characters. I love seeing children’s faces, their innocence, when everything is larger than life. They see how things can start out wonderful, then there is a bump in the road and then a happy ending. Life isn’t always like that, but we all need some fairy tale, a little reminder to take us out of the other stuff. They give us hope and without hope we are doomed. Fairy tales do that… I can find my prince or princess charming, I can be a great mate, be it man or woman, I can be great at whatever I choose. That’s hope and faith.”
San Diego Repertory Theatre’sA Snow White Christmasruns Friday, December 2 through Saturday, December 24 at the Lyceum Stage in Horton Plaza.
For tickets and more information, call 619.570.1100 or go to
sandiegotheatres.org/a-snow-white-christmas.
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