SEVA MAY
SEVA MAY, who will appear as Mae West and one of her avid fans, Jo, in RCRT's DIRTY BLONDE, is one of the most popular musical performers in the Shreveport/Bossier area. Since her debut appearance as Eve Harrington in APPLAUSE (1979) she has starred in numerous productions that have been considered the "benchmarks" of excellence in local theatre. For River City Rep she has appeared in A LITTLE NIGHT MUSIC as Desiree Armfeldt, STEPPING OUT as Mavis Turner and, most recently, as a cast member in AND THE WORLD GOES ROUND.
Full given name:
SEVA CELESTE DAY ...and now MAY. At least it wasn't May Day!
Hometown:
I was born in Fairbanks, Alaska, lived in Thomasville, Georgia for many years
and have resided in Shreveport, Louisiana for the last 31 years. Hard to pick
which one is exactly my "hometown" but "home" is definitely
Shreveport.
Zodiac sign:
Gemini
Currently driving:
JAGUAR XK....convertible...silver with gray interior. Are you dying?!
On your tombstone it will say:
"SHE AGED WELL"
The most overrated virtue:
I don't think there's a single virtue that's over rated.
Best and worst audition experience:
I've managed to find something positive and good in every audition that
I've had. I've learned something about myself and my talent each
and every time. The same can be said for every role I've played.
Biggest regret in life:
Not going to New York City and attempting the "Broadway thing"
when I had the chance.
What it means to you to have a professional theatre in Shreveport:
Finally! To be a founding member of a professional acting company is a dream
come true for me.
First professional theatre production you ever saw:
OLIVER! in London when I was in the sixth grade. My family was stationed there.
I was so fortunate to have had the opportunity to see so many historical sights.
I remember that when the production was over I just sat there and stared at
the stage. I think I was hypnotized at that point.
If you could go back in time and catch any performer or production
on Broadway, who or what would it be?
At the moment, after all my Mae West research, I think I'd like to go
back and see Miss West in THE DRAG. LOL!
Website most frequented:
MUSICAL CREATIONS. I buy a ton of accompaniment tracks for myself and my voice
students.
Carrying a show on your shoulders or lending admirable support?
I've done both and love both. For me, any time spent onstage is time
well spent.
Most played song in your car:
The CD for whatever production I happen to be working on at the moment. Believe
it or not, I actually like country music a lot. I know. Calm down.
One CD you could not live without:
I could live without CDs but I'd rather not. I love Diana Krall
Artist you would drop everything to go see:
Liza Minnelli
Last book you read:
SHE ALWAYS KNEW HOW by Charlotte Chandler. It's a biography about Mae
West. 'Natch.
Must-see TV show:
I have several that I try not to miss....THE MENTALIST (that guy is so
cute) and CSI: NEW YORK.
Last good movie you saw:
Tom Hanks in ANGELS AND DEMONS
Pop culture guilty pleasure:
watching AMERICAN IDOL and trying not to get too angry with Simon!
Favorite pre/post show meal:
I can't eat before a show and it's too late afterwards.....so
nothing. I drink a ton of water, however.
First stage kiss:
In the musical APPLAUSE (or was that a slap?!)
Worst missed cue and/or onstage mishap:
I was playing the Baker's Wife in a production of INTO THE WOODS and
we arrived at the scene where the Baker and myself try to fool the Witch with
a cow that had been dusted with white powder to trick her into believing that
it's "Milky White" (the white cow needed to break a spell).
I was blocked to cross to the cow and pat its neck on the upstage side where
the prop crew had placed an attached bag of powder. This would send a light
mist of white powder into the air alerting the Witch that a scam was on. Well,
I have no idea what happened or how the prop crew had packed the powder on
this particular night but it shot up into the air in the form of a nuclear
cloud right into my face. Think Hiroshima! The other actors on stage were
staring right at me and of course realized that something had gone wrong.
When I finally looked up at them, there I stood looking like a reverse Al
Jolson.....big eyes, pink lips, all staring out of a white mask. The other
actors on stage began to look away, hide their heads, do ANYTHING to suppress
their laughter and not break character. The poor actor playing the Baker was
hanging by a thread and doing everything he could to work his giggles into
his line deliveries. The worst part was that I was wearing contacts so I turned
and ran off stage as though I was scared of how the Witch would react, knowing
that I had no more lines and needing to get the powder out of my eyes. Someone
in the wings got me some water and I was frantically washing out my eyes when
I realized that I had all the props in a knapsack that my character carried
that were needed to stuff into the cow's mouth to break the spell. I
dashed back on and hurled the knapsack through the air to the Baker who caught
it and, I kid you not, right on cue with the lyrics that coincide with the
prop biz, began to stuff them into the cow's mouth. It was a nightmare!
Worst costume ever:
I've been lucky...all my costumes have really been fabulous.
Best costume ever:
The gown that I wore for my curtain call in MAME. I think I might want to
be buried in that dress. It's floor length, head to toe, white/silver
bugle beads that hug every curve of my body.
Favorite role (professional or amateur) to date:
Eva Peron in EVITA. Ms. Lupone......I was Evita!
Role you would most like to play:
Norma Desmond in SUNSET BOULEVARD
Actor that most inspired you:
Judy Garland
Director you would most like to work with:
I'm not feathering my nest here but I think I've gotten to work
with two of the best already.
Favorite show tune:
I couldn't even begin to narrow that down. There are so many.
Favorite playwright:
John Kander and Fred Ebb ( I know, I know.....they're musicians!)
Film or play that had the most and lasting profound impact:
The Marjorie Lyons Playhouse (Shreveport, LA) production of BENT. The acting
was flawless and I left the theatre actually feeling that I knew what it was
like to be in a concentration camp.
Worst show or production you ever saw:
Unfortunately, I was IN it......THE THREE PENNY OPERA. To this day,
I refuse to put it on my resume'.
Most regrettable fashion choice:
My evening gown for the Miss America Pageant. I have to defend myself however.
It really wasn't my choice. It was hot pink with feathers! I would have
chosen black.
Favorite holiday:
I really like Thanksgiving. That seems to be the time we can gather the most
family together and I can cook a turkey.....pretty damn good I might add!
Most dreaded holiday:
Christmas! Everything seems so rushed.
Worst job ever:
Sewing canvas on hunting pants. I'm telling you that will tear up your
fingers big time.
Favorite singing gig:
Anytime it's just me and a piano.
One vice you can't quite give up:
Buying fabric. I'm a fairly skilled seamstress. My motto is "She
who dies with the most fabric....wins!"
Favorite junk food:
Cookies!
Favorite non-theatre related pastime:
Knitting and sewing and playing with my grandbabies. Parker is almost two
years old and Lucas is almost two months old. If I ever get a granddaughter--;everybody
watch out!
