“Tell us about yourself. We have precious little information…”
New Jersey born and bred, I am a Jill of many trades. What most people know about me is that I hold a SHRM-CP certification in Human Resources, I have a passion for essential oils, I am a soloist and the Executive Director of the fledgling Corner of Broadway Theatre at Warren Point Presbyterian Church, the mother of 4 semi-normal adults, and married to my husband Ed for 36 years.
What many people don’t know about me is that I hold a certificate in Dressmaking and Design, I studied classical guitar and flute and became a singer quite by accident, that although I am often asked to sing soprano in the upper reaches, I am really a folk singer at heart, I get positively giddy over science and history, and I didn’t step foot on a theatrical stage in a something more than a chorus role until age 50. I have also been a digitabulist for the last 40 years, with a collection of almost 500 pieces. And yes, I’m going to make you look it up.
How familiar were you with 1776 before joining this cast?
I had only heard of it in passing. Now that I have been introduced to it, I am hooked. And being given the opportunity to play Dr. Benjamin Franklin is an honor for which I am most grateful.
And my dog is pretty thrilled too – he is a 7-year-old Yorkie-Poo who quite coincidentally is named Benjamin Franklin. He was given the name by his previous owner who felt that little dogs should have big names. He called him Franklin for short, and when he eventually came to live with us permanently, he came to be known simply as Frank.How much (or little) do you know about your colony/state?
I have visited quite often in my lifetime, although I have never been west of Bloomsburg, where my nephew is a PA State Trooper. We used to vacation in the Amish Country several weekends a year when the kids were young. PA is the home of Herr’s potato chips and Snyder’s pretzels, and Wilbur Chocolates. Yum. Lancaster County is also one of the best places to find antiques, which, as a digitabulist (oh, that word!) is extremely helpful.
I know never to wear sports gear from another football team when going to a Philadelphia Eagles home game. Trust me on this. And of course, all that history in Philadelphia – the Liberty Bell, Independence Hall, the Birthplace of Democracy, and let’s not forget Rocky’s victorious climb to the top of the Philadelphia Museum of Art’s iconic steps. (And now that theme is going to be playing in your head for the rest of the day – you’re welcome.)
As your colony’s stance on the question of Independency is well known… let us instead pose another, highly divisive question: Pumpkin Spice- Yea or nay?
Since Pennsylvania is the 3rd largest pumpkin producing state in the US (2nd in the colonies…) I would say Yea to pumpkin anything! As for the spice, there is “much virtue in herbs, little in men”. Thus making the idea of an all-women’s Congress ideal, don’t you think?