Katherine Dalin Moves From Opera Pant Roles to Musical Theatre TomBoy in Petite Opera’s upcoming production
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| Katherine Dalin |
have you worked with?
Sullivan Opera Company (Ruth/Pirates of
Penzance), Sugar Creek Symphony & Song (Mother Abbess/Suor Angelica; Zita/Gianni
Schicchi), Elgin Opera (The Aunt/Madame
Butterfly; Prince
Orlofsky/Die Fledermaus; Papagena/Die Zauberföte), SouthEast Wisconsin
Performing Arts (Sorceress/Dido;
Witch/Hansel & Gretel) Chorus
with Florentine Opera, Dupage Opera Theatre, Chamber Opera Chicago & da
Corneto Opera Company.
solo cabaret at Davenport’s Piano Bar “Not a Fairy Tale Princess”
will be a lighthearted look at life in mezzo-land, where the closest I get to
playing fluffy romantic leads…is a pants role!
What was is the favorite role you’ve played?
Choosing one favorite role is a such a challenge with a wide range of characters to pick from, so I hope you indulge me as I opt to choose not just one, but two!
Last year, I have the enormous privilege to play Ruth/Pirates of Penzance for the first time. This show has long been near and dear to my heart, and playing Ruth–a bawdy pirate lass–and building a both touching and hysterical portrayal was an immense joy.
On the flipside, my previous performance with Petite Opera, as Prince Charming/Cinderella (Cendrillon) was equally fulfilling, though a wholly different show and character. The show is not often performed, and it was a pleasure to study this rarely performed, but thoroughly beautiful piece of French opera. The role was a vocal challenge, but bore a more distinctive play in my heart as my first ever “romantic lead” while also a pants role. This challenged me to find a loving tenderness with a masculine edge, and has fed well into my physicality as Peppermint Patty.
opposites. I sense a real ugly duckling syndrome. She desperately wants to
belong and be accepted by her peers, but she doesn’t quite fit in with the
“girly” stereotype. She finds better understanding of her awkward,
“ugly duckling” mentality from the boys–then starts to find that
maybe, just maybe, she “likes” someone…
PEPPERMINT PATTY?
Lucy doesn’t particularly care for Patty,beyond wanting another person to lord over…but, then again, Lucy doesn’t like
much anyone except Lucy. Sally definitely does NOT understand where Patty is
coming from. After all, Sally wonders what isn’t to love about fluffy dresses?
Snoopy likes Patty well enough, even if she DOES call him Fuzzy Face. She gives
pretty much the best belly rubs ever, and he doesn’t judge her, just accepts
her for who she is. It is with the boys that Patty finds her true bosom buddies.
Linus and Patty share inside jokes (many at Lucy’s expense) and, though Patty
might tease Linus from time to time, it is in a pretty good-natured way. Likewise, Chuck
and Patty have a pretty genuine friendship, and open up to one another in
unique ways throughout the show. Neither of them is very good at expressing
themselves, but maybe, just maybe, something builds between them.
through the course of the show?
into strange situations. However, she starts to find out who she really is, and that
there is much more to her than a limited “tomboy” stereotype. Also,
boys might be cute.
you as a performer?
sisters or female cousins near my age, I have always been very at home with
being “one of the boys.” Though in real life, I often did and do wear
skirts and jewelry, I am equally comfortable climbing a tree, catching a newt
and can throw overhand better than my husband. Just like Patty, I adore
baseball, but I literally could not throw underhand to save my life! Every
ounce of awkward self-discovery in Patty is authentic to my own experience.
Even her dry sense of humor and no-nonsense attitude resonate with me! I like
to think I might be a pretty good example of who Patty might grow up to be.
portraying PEPPERMINT PATTY?
“Chuck” in immediate succession, and just in general, keeping a
straight face!
this show over any other options they have for Apr 25-May 4, 2014?
This is a truly delightful show and
production. The cast is tremendous and all are bringing their characters to
life in a deep and joyful manner. This is a thoroughly heart-warming show, and enjoyable for
kids of all ages!