BWW Interviews: Mara Davi in EVER AFTER at Paper Mill Playhouse

Paper Mill Playhouse will be presenting Ever After, the enchanting love story adapted from the film starring Drew Barrymore. This sparkling World Premiere musical will be on the Millburn Stage from May 21st through June 21st. Directed and choreographed by three-time Tony winner, Kathleen Marshall, the productions sets the Cinderella story straight with the "true" tale of Danielle de Barbarac, budding philosopher, friend of daVinci and a renaissance woman for all time. This hopelessly romantic show promises to be fantastic fun.

Mara Davi will be playing the role of Marguerite de Ghent. Davi appeared in the Broadway productions of The Drowsy Chaperone, A Chorus Line and Irving Berlin's White Christmas. In addition to playing Dana on The Good Wife (CBS), Ms. Davi had recurring roles on Smash (NBC) and Blue Bloods (CBS). Broadwayworld.com had the opportunity to interview Davi about her career and Ever After.

What was your earliest interest in music and theatre?

My love of singing comes from my mom. My mom and sister and I even had a trio growing up called 3D (for the three Davis.) We sang tight three-part harmony and performed at churches and even at outlet malls! I also grew up watching old movie musicals. I wanted to be any of the women who were lucky enough to dance with Gene Kelly. So I started taking musical theatre classes and fell in love with the theatre.

Tell me a little about your training and your mentors in the performing arts.

My acting coach in New York is absolutely incredible. I feel like I have grown so much as an actor and as a person through our work together. I am also constantly learning from my friends and colleagues in every show I do.

What are some performances and performers that you admire?

So many! But in recent memory: Mark Rylance in Twelfth Night. Tim Pigott-Smith as Charles III in London. I loved his performance and the show so much. I hope American audiences get a chance to see it. The casts of Hand to God and Curious Incident on Broadway. My jaw was on the floor and my heart was in my throat during both shows. Such great writing and genius performances!

We'd like to know about your role in Ever After.

In the Cinderella story, we're familiar with the "ugly" stepsisters. In Ever After, the sister dynamic is different. One sister is a spoiled brat and the other is hidden in her shadow. I play the spoiled brat! Marguerite de Ghent has been raised by her mother to marry as high up as possible and save her family from financial ruin. What does this mean? She gets whatever she wants! And when she learns the Prince is no longer engaged, she wants HIM. Marguerite is sexy, manipulative, fiery, sometimes maniacal and often cruel. She's a lot of fun!

Tell us a little about the cast and creative team at Paper Mill Playhouse.

Everyone at the Paper Mill Playhouse has been wonderful, and the theatre is such a great space to work in. Our large cast is composed of extremely talented and terrific individuals. Our creative team is mostly female, which is terrific when working on a show about strong women. I have so much respect for Kathleen Marshall. Our writer and composer, Marcy Heisler and Zina Goldrich are delightful to work with. It's beautiful to watch all of them watch the show they've been developing for years as it comes to fruition.

Tell us about your music career.

My band is Mara and the Bitter Suite. We released our first album "Unspoken" a few years ago. My dear friend and collaborator Adam Waite wrote the music, I wrote the lyrics and then we got our friends together to form a band and locked ourselves in a recording studio! The album is available on iTunes: https://itun.es/us/aSeqG.

What are your plans for the future?

I do have something coming up, but I will wait until it's officially announced. In other news, I am looking forward to another summer growing veggies in my garden and spending time with my new niece!

Tickets are now available for Ever After at Paper Mill Playhouse. The show will run from May 21st through June 21st. Visit the theatre web site at www.papermill.org or call the box office at (973) 376-4343.

Photo: Courtesy of Mara Davi

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