Last week we introduced you to Rich Cohn-Lee from the cast of Portland Musical Theater Company’s first show of our “Season of Premieres” All Hands On Deck! opening October 20th.
Do you have your tickets?
Click here to get your tickets now.
And today we have another fun interview…
Our Interview with Deanna Maio the director and a performer in All Hands On Deck!
Deanna, what sort of person is going to love this show?
Families who want a fun night out without, friends who want to celebrate together, it even makes a great date night. If you love music and especially the 1940s, you’ll love this show.
What’s challenging about bringing this script to life?
This is an extremely aggressive show. Most musicals have 10-12 songs. This show has 40+ and 30 of them are in 4 part harmony.
Why did you want to bring this show to Portland?
I love this music and wanted to celebrate the commitment and sacrifice our country had during the war. I wanted to remember a time when we were united behind one cause and in it together. Plus, I love the idea that Portland Musical Theater Company is the first company to produce this show in Oregon, EVER!
What will the audience be thinking about in the car as they drive home after this show?
I hope they think about how blessed we are to live in this country. That many have it FAR worse than we do. I hope they remember that we can love our country and believe in what it stands for without loving our government or our current state of affairs. I hope they think that despite its many challenges, at our core we all just want to thrive, protect our families and be happy and healthy. Even when we disagree, we are all still the same inside despite our political leanings, the color of our skin or our religion. We all just want to be loved, respected and contribute.
What’s going to surprise people about this show?
Just how we fit in 40+ songs in such a short period of time. It’s a roller coaster and a lot of fun.
How is your character like you?
I play Betty Blake, the “bond bombshell” and the torch singer in the show. Betty is a seasoned performer and I like to think she’s the big sister of the troop. After performing on stages for 30+ years, I’d like to think I’m seasoned. 🙂 And as the leader of Portland Musical Theater Company I do often feel like the sister/mother of our company. Our performers, designers, and technicians come to feel like family and I care for them very deeply.
What’s the biggest challenge about taking on this role?
As a female lead, most of the songs in most musicals have you singing the melody. In this show, I’m only on the melody about 25% of the time. Learning these complicated harmonies has been a fun challenge and I know the audience is going to love hearing them.
Besides yourself, which actor in this production is going to blow people away?
I believe in the talent of each cast member. I hired them, after all. I’m so blessed to get to sing with them. Their talent and heart makes each rehearsal so much fun.
Who do you look up to (as an actor/director/etc.)?
Gene Kelly and Barbara Streisand. I admire triple, quadruple, quintuple threats. 🙂 Both of them were writers, directors, producers, performer, can sing, dance, and act. Gene was a choreographer too.
What do you do when you’re not doing theatre?
I run Confident Voice Studio and teach voice, piano and ukulele to adults and children. I love seeing them gain confidence and learn how to more fully express their talents. I watch way to much tv and love playing board and card games.
If you had a magic wand, what show would you do next?
There’s a really special show I have in mind to bring to Portland Musical Theater Company. It’s never been produced in Oregon before. The music is incredible, it’s got a very fun story, with a female lead and a female writer. We need a few more resources before we can make it happen (bigger venue, more sponsors to cover licensing fees, for examples) but when we do it’s going to be a game changer.
What’s the last thing you do before you step out on stage / the curtain goes up?
I say a quick prayer to God and thank Him for allowing me to live my purpose and do this work. Performing is a sacred responsibility and I don’t want to take even one minute of it for granted.
Click here to get your tickets now!!!
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Portland, Oregon (February 23, 2017)- Portland Musical Theater Company launches their second season, a Season of Premieres, with the Oregon premiere of ALL HANDS ON DECK! opening October 20, 2017 at the Mister Theater.
Flash back to 1942 and savor Portland Musical Theater Company’s ALL HANDS ON DECK!, an all-American, all-singing, roadshow and radio broadcast reproduction that features classic commercials, tight harmonies, impromptu skits, and 42 of the greatest, most enduring American tunes of all time.
Among the enduring songs highlighted in this patriotic homage to the American way of life are “Sentimental Journey,” “Yankee Doodle Dandy,” “Chattanooga Choo-Choo,” “I’ve Got A Crush On You” and “By The Light Of The Silvery Moon.”
Audience members are encouraged to dress in their favorite 1940s-inspired attire.
ALL HANDS ON DECK! Is directed by Deanna Maio, Founder and Executive Director of Portland Musical Theater Company. It was conceived by Jody Madaras & Quincy Marr, book and musical arrangements by Jody Madaras, with additional music and lyrics by Jody Madaras. It is presented by permission of Miracle or 2 Productions, Inc.
WHERE:
Mister Theater, 1847 East Burnside Street #101, Portland, OR 97214
WHEN:
October 20 – November 12, 2017
FRI/SAT @ 7:30PM
SUN @ 2:00 PM
Doors open 30 minutes before performance
No performance November 11th.
TO PURCHASE:
By Phone: Call box office at 971-225-7469
Online: www.PortlandMusicalTheater.org/tickets
Tickets from $12.00 – $24.00
The show’s run time is 2 hours and includes a 15-minute intermission.
Concessions will be available for purchase.
Groups interested in buying 10 or more tickets are encouraged to call the box office at 971-225-7469 for a group savings.
Arts for All tickets may be purchased by calling the box office at 971-225-7469 or at the door if available.
ALL HANDS ON DECK! features Rich Cohn-Lee as Ted Crosley, Aidan Nolan as John Hanley, Deanna Maio as Betty Blake, and Ashley Moore as Daisy Maxwell.
Please note:
October 29 features Ava Anderson as Betty Blake
November 5 features Caitriona Johnston as Daisy Maxwell
ABOUT PORTLAND MUSICAL THEATER COMPANY:
Portland Musical Theater Company seeks to inspire others to get into the arts through performances and educational programs. The programming and productions are selected to serve two fundamental truths- that each of us is special and has unique gifts to contribute to the world, and that we’re more alike and connected than we realize. As the organization believes in the uniqueness of the individual, their programs seek to bring out the individual strengths of each student, while productions seek to create community and connection.
ALL HANDS ON DECK! is the first of three productions offered by Portland Musical Theater Company during their 2017-2018 season. To learn more about Portland Musical Theater Company, please visit their website or contact them at contact@portlandmusicaltheater.org.
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