2-Month-Old Daisy Tanner to Make Stage Debut at Lynn University in WAVE YOUR FLAG
By: Louisa Brady Apr. 30, 2016
Ms. Tanner will be two months old when she does so.
'WAVE YOUR FLAG!' is the final presentation of the 2015-16 Season for the award-winning 'Jan McArt's New Play Reading Series' at Lynn, which helps Florida playwrights develop their new work through a six-day rehearsal period, culminating with a public presentation fully staged in the beautiful 750-seat Keith C. and Elaine Johnson Wold Performing Arts Center.
Daisy, born earlier this spring in Fort Lauderdale, is considered by many to be 'theatre royalty' in South Florida, the daughter of Carbonell Award-winning regional theatre actors Shane Tanner and Amy Miller Brennan, who were wed two years ago on the stage of Coral Gables' Actors' Playhouse in a ceremony conducted by its Artistic Director David Arisco.
"So, in my play Jan plays a movie star who has an aversion to babies," says Finstrom, who also serves as Associate Producer for this Lynn play reading series. "And there's this short scene where someone comes on holding a baby and she reacts.
"Well, I figured 'Hey, we'll just use a doll.' But, you know, Daisy's proud parents have put her photos all over FaceBook. So suddenly it was like a scene out of 'THE PRODUCERS,' where I found myself sitting in front of my computer screen, shouting 'That's our baby!' "And while Tony Finstrom the producer said 'Just use a doll,' Tony Finstrom the playwright kept whispering 'Get Daisy Tanner!'"
Consequently, after concluding contract negotiations with her parents, the cast of 'WAVE YOUR FLAG!' just got a tiny bit bigger.
"Funny thing is, 'WAVE YOUR FLAG!' was originally scheduled to be presented on April 6th, but we had to postpone it as a couple of our cast members fell ill," Finstrom adds. "And, of course, Daisy would've only been about ten days old on April 6th, so we would've had to go with a doll on that date."
McArt, a South Florida theatre icon since she first opened the Royal Palm Dinner Theatre in Boca Raton back in the mid-1970s, giving legions of local actors work over the years, says "I'm thrilled to give another kid her first break!"
Mother Amy says "We simply couldn't turn up the chance for Daisy to share the stage with Jan! And what a beautiful cast of people."
Daisy will also be sharing the stage with South Florida playwright/actor/legend Michael McKeever, who's new drama 'DANIEL'S HUSBAND,' first developed in this play reading series and recently the recipient of a slew of 2016 Carbonell Awards, will open next spring at New York's Primary Stages.
"I'm thrilled to be there for what I'm sure will be the first of many stage appearances for this glorious new star," says McKeever. "And I can't wait to write a play for her!"
Other actors featured in 'WAVE YOUR FLAG!' include Lindsey Corey, Clay Cartland, Barbara Sloan, Sandi Stock and Jay Stuart, under the direction of Wayne Rudisill. Ron Hutchins will provide the musical staging, and Phil Hinton is the musical director.
"I love theatre history and tradition," says Finstrom.
"I was recently reading about an actress whose career began as a baby in 1881 when she was carried onstage by her acting parents. And, I believe, in vaudeville days it was done all the time! So this just feels so right.
"But I must admit it does seem odd to ask a two-month-old baby for a headshot," he concludes. "That's got to be one for the Guinness Book of World Records!"
A new four-play season for this series, scheduled for 2016-17, will soon be announced, with subscriptions available at discounted rates.
Meanwhile, tickets are currently available for 'WAVE YOUR FLAG!' at $10 each. Call 561-237-9000, or go to www.lynn.edu/tickets for more information.
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