FEBRUARY FEATURE: Getting to Know Them...

This February, The Drama King will be featuring full-length interviews with some notable names in the theatre world, all of whom have connections to the local San Diego theatre scene. Here's a little preview of who they are, how they are linked to our vibrant SD theatre community, and when you can expect their complete interviews to be published here on my blog.

Seema Sueko

ABOUT: Co-Founder and Executive Artistic Director of Mo`olelo Performing Arts Company, Seema was the winner of the 2010 Des McAnuff New Visions Award from the San Diego Theatre Critics Circle and named one of the “Top 5” artists to watch in 2012 by the San Diego Union-Tribune. She has fearlessly lead her company, Mo`olelo Performing Arts, through seven years of groundbreaking new works and socially conscious theatre. Her company has just come off a red banner year, having won both the American Theatre Wing’s National Theatre Company Award and Actors’ Equity Ivy Bethune Award in 2011.

SAN DIEGO THEATRE CONNECTION: This year, for the first time in the company’s history, Mo`olelo is producing a three show season at the 10^th Avenue Theatre: How I Got That Story by Amlin Gray, Hoodoo Love by Katori Hall, and KITA Y FERNANDA by Tanya Saracho.

INTERVIEW PUBLICATION DATE: February 2, 2012

WEB: www.moolelo.net

Roger Bean

ABOUT: Executive Director of Steele Spring Theatrical Licensing and a member of the Society of Stage Directors and Choreographers and The Dramatists Guild, Roger is the creator, writer and director of the long-running Off-Broadway hit, The Marvelous Wonderettes. Master of the jukebox musical, he has created nearly a dozen new musicals, including: The Andrews Brothers, Why Do Fools Fall In Love?, Winter Wonderettes, Route 66, Honky Tonk Laundry, Don’t Touch That Dial!, Life Could Be A Dream, and his newest musical, Summer of Love.

SAN DIEGO THEATRE CONNECTION: His Marvelous Wonderettes are making their way down to the Birch North Park Theatre this February, courtesy of San Diego Musical Theatre.

INTERVIEW PUBLICATION DATE: February 9, 2012

WEB: www.sdmt.org

Matt McGrath

ABOUT: Recently starred as Dr. Frank “N” Furter in The Old Globe production of The Rocky Horror Show. His Broadway credits include Emcee in Cabaret directed by Sam Mendes and Rob Marshall and also A Streetcar Named Desire. He has appeared Off Broadway in Hedwig and the Angry Inch, A Fair Country (Lincoln Center Theater), Minutes from the Blue Route, Fat Men in Skirts, The Old Boy, Life During Wartime, Amulets Against the Dragon Forces, and Dalton’s Back (Drama Desk Award nomination).

SAN DIEGO THEATRE CONNECTION: Will play Adam in the Tony-nominated play Next Fall at Diversionary Theatre beginning February 16th.

INTERVIEW PUBLICATION DATE: February 18, 2012

WEB: www.diversionary.org

? Rock of Ages Mystery Rockstar ?

ABOUT: Rock of Ages, The Musical is a hilarious, feel-good love story told through the hit songs of iconic rockers Journey, Styx, REO Speedwagon, Foreigner, Pat Benatar, Whitesnake, and many more. The Broadway production opened in April 2009 at the Brooks Atkinson Theatre and was nominated for five Tony Awards, including Best Musical. The film adaptation is scheduled for a June 2012 release and stars Julianne Hough and Diego Boneta, with an ensemble cast including Russell Brand, Tom Cruise, Kevin Nash, Catherine Zeta-Jones, Alec Baldwin, and Mary J. Blige.

SAN DIEGO THEATRE CONNECTION: The first national tour will rock the San Diego Civic Theatre, from March 27th through April 1.

INTERVIEW PUBLICATION DATE: February 23, 2012

WEB: www.broadwaysd.com