As Woodstock, Caroline Zavislak Proves that Actions Speak Louder Than Words in Petite Opera’s upcoming production
Yes, you could say that a little birdie told you, and if you’re Snoopy, and your friend Woodstock is the little birdie, it’s 100% true. In Snoopy!!! The Musical, Woodstock takes on a whole new dimension, falls in love, and helps propel the story, and Snoopy, to the greatest he can be. The challenge of Woodstock that is the character doesn’t speak at all, so conveying the plot, emotions and emotional intensity all occurs through pantomime. Petite Opera reached Caroline Zavislak before the early bird, and learned her impressions on her character, Woodstock.
Caroline, what roles have you
performed, which groups have you worked with around Chicago and beyond?
In opera and operetta, I have performed Papagena/Magic Flute (American Chamber Opera), Ensemble/ Amahl and the Night Visitors and Sound of Music in for (Chamber Opera Chicago), Satirino and Destino/Cavalli’s La Calisto and Suor Infermiera/Puccini’s Suor Angelica (Bay Area Summer Opera Theatre Institute), and Peep
Bo/The Mikado (Chicago College of
Performing Arts). My musical theatre credits include Liesl/The Sound of Music, Guenevere/Camelot, Hope Harcourt/Anything Goes, Belle/Beauty and the Beast, and Dorothy/The Wizard of Oz. In addition, I perform regularly with the Chicago Chorale and
in 2012 had the privilege of performing with the North Shore Chamber Arts
Ensemble. I’m a native of Georgia, and also performed a lot of soprano oratorio solos there with the Rockdale County Chamber Chorus (Metro-Atlanta area), including Mozart’s Requiem, Handel’s
Messiah, and Carl Orff’s Carmina Burana.
Bo/The Mikado (Chicago College of
Performing Arts). My musical theatre credits include Liesl/The Sound of Music, Guenevere/Camelot, Hope Harcourt/Anything Goes, Belle/Beauty and the Beast, and Dorothy/The Wizard of Oz. In addition, I perform regularly with the Chicago Chorale and
in 2012 had the privilege of performing with the North Shore Chamber Arts
Ensemble. I’m a native of Georgia, and also performed a lot of soprano oratorio solos there with the Rockdale County Chamber Chorus (Metro-Atlanta area), including Mozart’s Requiem, Handel’s
Messiah, and Carl Orff’s Carmina Burana.
Which role have you most enjoyed portraying,
or are you most proud of and why?
As a young emerging artist, my pool of
roles performed is still expanding! However, one of the roles I most enjoyed
developing and performing was Satirino in La Calisto, a baroque opera by
Francesco Cavalli. Satirino is one of the main sources of comic relief in the
opera. The character is a satyr which is a Greek Mythological being that is
half human half goat! There must be a pattern of being cast as some kind of
animal, as I play a bird in our fun story of Snoopy!!! However, there is no
denying that I have an enormous soft spot for Musical Theatre, and I have loved
every single musical theatre role I’ve had the opportunity to perform.
or are you most proud of and why?
As a young emerging artist, my pool of
roles performed is still expanding! However, one of the roles I most enjoyed
developing and performing was Satirino in La Calisto, a baroque opera by
Francesco Cavalli. Satirino is one of the main sources of comic relief in the
opera. The character is a satyr which is a Greek Mythological being that is
half human half goat! There must be a pattern of being cast as some kind of
animal, as I play a bird in our fun story of Snoopy!!! However, there is no
denying that I have an enormous soft spot for Musical Theatre, and I have loved
every single musical theatre role I’ve had the opportunity to perform.
What fascinates you about the WOODSTOCK character in Snoopy?
It has been such a delight developing the
character of Woodstock, the other “animal” in the show. Exploring the
physicality of the flitty, flighty, furiously clumsy little bird has been both
challenging and a so much fun.
character of Woodstock, the other “animal” in the show. Exploring the
physicality of the flitty, flighty, furiously clumsy little bird has been both
challenging and a so much fun.
What is the most enlightening thing WOODSTOCK learns through the
course of the show?
course of the show?
Since Woodstock is often times so very
clumsy (although he does have his more graceful moments), I think one of the
things he learns and is most excited about in the show is that he can in fact
dance! He doesn’t really have two left bird feet after all, and he loves it!
When Snoopy receives the letter declaring him “Head Beagle,” it is a huge boost
of confidence. With Snoopy’s new found confidence, I think Woodstock also gains
great boldness and spunk as they begin to dance together in The Big Bow-Wow.
clumsy (although he does have his more graceful moments), I think one of the
things he learns and is most excited about in the show is that he can in fact
dance! He doesn’t really have two left bird feet after all, and he loves it!
When Snoopy receives the letter declaring him “Head Beagle,” it is a huge boost
of confidence. With Snoopy’s new found confidence, I think Woodstock also gains
great boldness and spunk as they begin to dance together in The Big Bow-Wow.
How are those characteristics embodied in
you as a performer?
you as a performer?
I certainly relate to Woodstock in that I
am always tripping over my own two feet, falling up the stairs, and breaking
things.
am always tripping over my own two feet, falling up the stairs, and breaking
things.
What do you find most difficult about
portraying WOODSTOCK?
portraying WOODSTOCK?
Character-wise, the challenge has come infinding effective and believable ways to convey Woodstock’s emotions. Birds
have feelings too! I love the dynamic of the relationship between Woodstock and
Snoopy. It’s a best friend-like relationship with complete loyalty. Woodstock
definitely thinks the world of Snoopy and would do anything in the world for
him, which I love. Isn’t that how dogs typically feel about their human? And
Snoopy, too, has his own loyal pet-like best friend–Woodstock.
Why do you think patrons should come see
this show over any other options they have for Apr 25-May 4, 2014?
this show over any other options they have for Apr 25-May 4, 2014?
Snoopy!!! is an
all-around fun, high energy show great for adults and kids alike. I think
audience members will leave not only singing the catchy tunes, but also with a
feeling of light-heartedness, nostalgia, and a burst of energy all in one!
Snoopy!!! is a truly delightful show performed by cast with exquisite talent.
all-around fun, high energy show great for adults and kids alike. I think
audience members will leave not only singing the catchy tunes, but also with a
feeling of light-heartedness, nostalgia, and a burst of energy all in one!
Snoopy!!! is a truly delightful show performed by cast with exquisite talent.
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Petite Opera performs SNOOPY!!! the musical April 25-27, May 2-4, 2014 at Mary Wilson House Beyer Auditorium, part of St. Mary’s Episcopal Church campus, 306 S Prospect Ave at Crescent Ave (enter on Crescent Ave), Park Ridge, IL. Call 847-553-4442 to reserve tickets, or purchase tickets online via credit card (convenience charges apply to credit card orders).
Petite Opera is a professional 501c3 opera company