Meet Angeline Mirenda (Leana Callaghan)
Why do you think the world has been so fascinated with the legend of Nessie?
I think we all like a little mystery. It’s exciting, that there are things we can let our imagination run around since we don’t have enough information to prove anything definitively wrong. Nessie is a wonderful example of that because there are actually quite a lot of documented sightings of unexplained activity in Loch Ness. Most of it is pretty vague, but that’s the fun of it: that there are so many possibilities of what it could be.
What is it like to work on a world premiere musical?
It is WAY too much fun. The wonderful thing about new works is there’s no precedent to compare them to from prior productions and the script is subject to change until its official opening night. So everything this show is when it goes up will have grown from its rehearsal process. It’s exciting too, that things change as much as they do. The writers/composers are still tweaking dialogue and songs as we go to produce the most polished and effective product possible. Everyone has been willing to try new things so far and the creative team is very supportive.
What mysteries or legends captivate your imagination?
There are a great many. But mostly I long to know what Fergie’s “London Bridge” is and why it kept coming down in 2006. Was this due to poor city planning? I understand that budgets are tight, but the safety of the public should really be a bigger priority here. Where is this bridge located? Should I avoid driving on it? Is it a toll road? Also, what is my cat chasing around the house at three in the morning? Because, Charlie, if it’s a ghost, Mom is okay with being haunted as long as she gets a solid seven or eight hours of sleep. Let it do its thing.
If you met any of the characters on the street, who would you share a pint with and who would make you turn and walk away? And why?
I would like nothing more than to sit and listen to The Oiler talk about the Scottish Highlands, especially if he was being underscored with his theme music the whole time. As for whom I’d run from, that depends on whether or not I know their backstory. Callaghan probably comes off as abrasive to strangers and a giant sea monster would maybe not inspire the invitation to a pub but if you really know these characters, you’ll understand that the one to avoid is Thomas Westerbrook.
Because that man’s jokes are terrible. Seriously.
Do you have a favorite moment in the play?
I have many! I’m really bad at decisions. My favorite moments to watch are probably the end of “Nuthin’ I Can’t Do” and “The Monster Scat.” I’m not onstage for either so I just get to observe. I’m going to leave you with that because my favorite moment to participate in and play would spoil the ending.
What do you connect to in this story?
I love the whole theme of looking for answers and some of the characters really needing those answers to be able to keep functioning. The world is huge and I think we should always be seeking to educate ourselves about it but we also can’t forget to appreciate what is unquestioningly in front of us. When we get too wrapped up in what might be, we make decisions based upon that instead of what absolutely is. Haley’s arc is a really universal and relatable thing in my eyes.
What excites you about this story and why should people come see it?
I love that it’s new and innovative and it touches on a legend that we’re all familiar with, so no one is going in completely blind to what’s about to happen. But it also raises a lot of thematic questions around this famous myth that we don’t stop to consider when we discuss Loch Ness. The characters are colorful and the story as a whole is fun while also having a lot of heart.
Tell us something most people don’t know about you.
Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet was actually originally based on my relationship with Julia Cassandra Smith. For she is a Slytherin and I am a Gryffindor. Alas.
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