Theater Spotlight of the Week: Lisa Devine

by Shawn Parikh

Interview with Lisa Devine, Director of Mary's Wedding

Lisa Devine was my very first Theater Spotlight of the Week a year and a half ago, but she is back in the spotlight this week with the regional premiere of Mary's Wedding, which she is directing for Rover Dramawerks.

When I had first interviewed her, she had recently moved to Dallas so I start by asking her opinions of the DFW theatre scene. She talks about what she finds different and what was eye-opening to her.

Mary’s Wedding

Fri
Jul
11^th
8^PM

Cox Building Playhouse
1517 Avenue H, Plano
$15 - $18
Age limit: N/A

I ask what attracted her to direct Mary's Wedding, and she talks about the steps it took to get the regional premiere on stage. She talks about the setting of the show and how it will relate to today's audience even if it is about World War I. I ask if it has any significance to the War in Iraq and if that influenced her directorial style.

She talks about her vision and how she used paintings to form her production. Along with the painter, the playwright, Stephen Massicotte, will be attending the production so I whether she is anxious to present her work to him.

We end by talking about what she wants the audience to walk away with.

Mary's Wedding has a pay-what-you-can preview tonight, July 10, and then runs through August 2. Purchase tickets online or by calling 972-849-0358.

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Anonymous

Jason Rice, says:

Ok, totally biased comment disclosure #14b

I have to say, I love what Lisa does with relationships on stage. It really is her forte. It's so much more then hitting your mark and picking up cues.

You want to see Lisa's work and if you are an actor, you want to be part of it sometime soon.

This is also the second time Lisa has directed her leading lady, Julie Reinagel. They really got her out past her limits and she shines for it. Matt Savins is new to us but he's so gifted and pleasant, (Yeah, you recently saw him at Contemporary Theater) you just have to love him. His range from boyish to manhood in this piece is staggeringly real but very thoughtful. Both characters have astounding range written in.

Yeah, I'm the Producer and I'm biased. Sue me.