48 HOURS
Donna McKechnie's autobiographical show about becoming a Broadway
star has evolved.
On and off for nine years, she's been producing "Inside the Music"
on stages with sets built for other plays and playhouses lacking good
sound quality. Now, through a new liaison with The Colony Theatre in
Burbank, the singer/dancer is finally seeing her creation moving into
a professionally staged presentation.
"This is a jewel box of a theater," she said, looking around the
Colony's digs inside the city-owned Burbank Center Stage facility.
"This is what my show needs."
The show is a collaboration of East Coast and West Coast
professionals, she said. The Colony covered the expense to fly out
her own director Thommie Walsh from New York. The text is written by
Obie Award-winning Christopher Durang, also from the East Coast.
West Coast influences are Larry Miller on set design, Robert L.
Smith creating the lighting, Drew Dalzell perfecting the sound and
Scott A. Lane doing costumes.
What is exciting for her is the new ideas being generated.
"I love the fact that it's still evolving," she said. "It takes on
a life of its own."
Letting go of complete control of a project coincides with her
mantra "Kiss it up to God."
"I will never stop working hard -- it's that Midwestern work ethic
and the bane of my existence," she said. "I have always placed
demands on myself to be perfect and it got me into trouble. I've
learned you can't control everything."
Directing the music for the production is Burbank resident Tom
Griffin. He conducts the three-piece combo while playing the piano.
Joining him are bassist Dana Decker and percussionist Tom Bowe.
It's been an interesting experience for Griffin because the combo
is right on stage with the performer. He has the opportunity to sing
a song with McKechnie and even says a few lines.
"She is a wonderful lady to work with -- extremely musical," he
said.
A lot of the music is from shows she's done in her career -- "A
Chorus Line," "Promises, Promises," "Sweet Charity" "How to Succeed
in Business."
Performances are 8 p.m. Fridays, 3 and 8 p.m. Saturdays and 2 and
7 p.m. Sundays through May 11. Tickets are $26 to $32 and can be
reserved by calling 558-7000. Burbank Center Stage is at 555 N.
Third St., Burbank.
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In her third photo exhibit, she is showing her framed photos of
