Spotlight On...Cicily Daniels

Name: Cicily Daniels

Hometown: Potomac, MD

Education: B.A. In Theater Studies, Performance Concentration, Yale University

Select Credits: Broadway: Disney’s The Little Mermaid (Ursula u/s, Alana, Original Cast), All Shook Up (Sylvia u/s, ensemble), Rent (Joanne u/s); National Tour: Caroline or Change (The Washing Machine)

Why theater?: At college, for 2 1/2 years I was a double major, in theater/psychobiology. While agonizing about neurobiology class not fitting into my rehearsal schedule, my friend suggested that maybe I just wanted to be a theater major.  I saw the light, made the leap, and told my mom about my decision...about 6 months later.

Tell us about Mother, Wife, and the Complicated Life: It is the story of four friends, all women, in different phases of their lives.  It explores the truth about marriage, motherhood--the good, the bad, the crazy and the funny.

What is it like being a part of Mother, Wife, and the Complicated Life?: It is so much fun.   My fellow actresses are all super talented, generous & funny, so there has been a great deal of laughter.  Most of all though, there is a commitment to creating a new work.  The writers, Amity Dry and Mark Simeon Ferguson, and director, Hilary Adams, and the rest of the amazing team are coming in everyday with new ideas, sometimes even new songs, whatever we need to tell the best story possible.  It is very stimulating & exciting.  There are also a lot of different genres of music in the show (blues, pop, rock) so it is great to sing! 

What kind of theater speaks to you? What or who inspires you as an artist?: I love theater that moves you.  Makes you laugh, think, cry, whatever.  Catharsis works for me!  When I play characters that are full, with honesty, flaws & humor, I am a happy actress.  I also see the audience as sharing a gift with me by attending the theatre, so I want to give them my best.  I still love the crackle and energy of a live audience, so while I enjoy tv/film, theatre will always be my heart.

Any roles you’re dying to play?: My dream role of a Broadway show that I haven't done, is Marie Christine in Marie Christine.  Feel free to pass this on Michael John LaChiusa:)

What’s your favorite showtune?:  Too hard.  Favorite sounds so exclusionary. I had "Myself A True Love", St. Louis Woman, "Heaven on Their Minds", Jesus Christ Superstar, "Santa Comin' Caroline/ Little Reward/1943", Caroline or Change, "Step Into The Bad Side", Dreamgirls, "How Glory Goes", Floyd Collins.

If you could work with anyone you’ve yet to work with, who would it be?: Angela Basset.  I think she is an extraordinary actress, and I would be honored to learn from her.

Who would play you in a movie about yourself and what would it be called?:  No idea.   Something with diva in the title, since it has been my nickname since college.

What show have you recommended to your friends?: Recently, Once.

What’s your biggest guilty pleasure?:  Lifetime movie network movies.  Feel free to pass this on to LMN.

What’s up next?: I will be playing the role of Martha in a reading of Gumbo, a new musical, music by Brett Macias, book & lyrics by Christina Quintana.

For more, visit http://www.motherwifemusical.com/