Understudying Blair Underwood in Othello has been a wonderful gift. I have watched his career since I was a young kid and everyone in my family is a fan. I never thought when I chose to get classically trained for my graduate studies at USD/Old Globe, that we would cross paths. Blair is such a joy to work with. He's interested in people and cares deeply about the work. This is apparent in how he connects with others offstage and on. He comes prepared, asks the right questions, and takes risks that livens the experience. The best part about observing him is witnessing Othello's character take deeper shape each day with Blair's investment in the spirit of this man. It was great to work on a ch
(Marcia DeBonis as Sonia, Martin Moran as Vanya, and Allison Layman as Nina in the San Diego Premiere of Christopher Durang's Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike, directed by Jessica Stone, based on the direction of Old Globe Associate Artistic Nicholas Martin, at The Old Globe. Photo by Jim Cox.) This spring, I had the honor of playing Nina in The Old Globe's production of Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike by Christopher Durang. Mr. Durang's play is being produced in theatres all over the country this season. It is an homage to Chekhov yet absolutely contemporary. It is a play about family, change, the weather, the loss of personal connection and other universal themes that are also ext
