Anchor ads are not supported on this page.

4S Ranch Allied Gardens Alpine Baja Balboa Park Bankers Hill Barrio Logan Bay Ho Bay Park Black Mountain Ranch Blossom Valley Bonita Bonsall Borrego Springs Boulevard Campo Cardiff-by-the-Sea Carlsbad Carmel Mountain Carmel Valley Chollas View Chula Vista City College City Heights Clairemont College Area Coronado CSU San Marcos Cuyamaca College Del Cerro Del Mar Descanso Downtown San Diego Eastlake East Village El Cajon Emerald Hills Encanto Encinitas Escondido Fallbrook Fletcher Hills Golden Hill Grant Hill Grantville Grossmont College Guatay Harbor Island Hillcrest Imperial Beach Imperial Valley Jacumba Jamacha-Lomita Jamul Julian Kearny Mesa Kensington La Jolla Lakeside La Mesa Lemon Grove Leucadia Liberty Station Lincoln Acres Lincoln Park Linda Vista Little Italy Logan Heights Mesa College Midway District MiraCosta College Miramar Miramar College Mira Mesa Mission Beach Mission Hills Mission Valley Mountain View Mount Hope Mount Laguna National City Nestor Normal Heights North Park Oak Park Ocean Beach Oceanside Old Town Otay Mesa Pacific Beach Pala Palomar College Palomar Mountain Paradise Hills Pauma Valley Pine Valley Point Loma Point Loma Nazarene Potrero Poway Rainbow Ramona Rancho Bernardo Rancho Penasquitos Rancho San Diego Rancho Santa Fe Rolando San Carlos San Marcos San Onofre Santa Ysabel Santee San Ysidro Scripps Ranch SDSU Serra Mesa Shelltown Shelter Island Sherman Heights Skyline Solana Beach Sorrento Valley Southcrest South Park Southwestern College Spring Valley Stockton Talmadge Temecula Tierrasanta Tijuana UCSD University City University Heights USD Valencia Park Valley Center Vista Warner Springs

David McBean’s Bucket List

The Craig Noel Award-winner shares five "new challenges" he hopes may come his way.

As Miss South in Cygnet Theater's production of Pageant
As Miss South in Cygnet Theater's production of Pageant

I’m asking veteran local actors to name five dream roles and say why. The answers not only reveal aspirations, they may put an idea in the minds of artistic directors and producers – even choices that may seem out of the box.


David McBean as Marley in Cygnet Theater's Christmas Carol

Craig Noel Award-winner David McBean

“I’ve been blessed to play so many characters, what more could I ask? I just want to come in at the end of the act, make some people laugh, and go home! Actually, as I’m reaching a new age range and type, I find myself wanting the challenge of tackling more serious work.”

Sponsored
Sponsored

1.) Sweeney Todd, Sweeney Todd: Demon Barber of Fleet Street, by Stephen Sondheim. “It was the first play I remember seeing as a child. It was at the Moonlight. My grandparents had season tickets and took me starting at age five. I loved the music and the dark comic beauty of it. Even then I loved theater and would sit through entire shows with my grandmother. 32 years later she just released her seats — at 93 years old.

2.) The Witch, Into the Woods, by Stephen Sondheim and James Lapine. ”Perhaps far-fetched, but on my wish list for sure! I have had the dubious blessing of playing women in shows. I love the challenge and the privilege of discovering the vagaries in that artistic endeavor. The Witch has a heartbreaking and terrifying arc. One moment she is protective and loving, the next demanding the sacrifice of child-like Jack to save her own skin. She loses her powers. I would love to physicalize that power and ugliness then attempt the beauty and loss of facility.

David McBean as Miss South in Cygnet Theater's production of Pageant.

3.) Irma Vep “I wish I could do Irma again, with Phil Johnson if possible. Irma Vep represents a dark period in my life. It was the last production I did in a haze of destructive behavior. I tried to stay present for the process but failed, aiding my awareness about the need for a serious change. I (sort of) remember rejoicing in the crazy quick changing, the over the top but ever truthful dynamics of the piece. I would love the chance to be fully present for that experience. And who could ask for a better playmate than Phil?”

4.) Noël Coward. “Anything! I revel in playing character parts. When I saw Private Lives at Cygnet, I immediately fell in love with Noël Coward. I am sadly remiss in not researching this kindred spirit, but long to speak his words. My affinity for accents and relish for witty language would be perfectly wed were I afforded the opportunity.”

5.) Shakespeare. “And Durang, and Restoration Comedy, but I would delight in learning more Shakespeare. I’ve done Midsummer as a musical twice now – first as the cross-dressing Flute, then the fairytastic Oberon. Some of the darker parts would be a welcome challenge. And after playing Feste in the Old Globe educational tour (a condensed 50 minute version) I hope to play the entire part one day.”

Here's something you might be interested in.
Submit a free classified
or view all
Previous article

Coyote tracks in frail San Diego avocado grove

Second place winner in Reader neighborhood writing contest
Next Article

Mid-range fleet scoring bluefin limits off Ensenada

Rockfish to open at all depths April 1st (no foolin’)
As Miss South in Cygnet Theater's production of Pageant
As Miss South in Cygnet Theater's production of Pageant

I’m asking veteran local actors to name five dream roles and say why. The answers not only reveal aspirations, they may put an idea in the minds of artistic directors and producers – even choices that may seem out of the box.


David McBean as Marley in Cygnet Theater's Christmas Carol

Craig Noel Award-winner David McBean

“I’ve been blessed to play so many characters, what more could I ask? I just want to come in at the end of the act, make some people laugh, and go home! Actually, as I’m reaching a new age range and type, I find myself wanting the challenge of tackling more serious work.”

Sponsored
Sponsored

1.) Sweeney Todd, Sweeney Todd: Demon Barber of Fleet Street, by Stephen Sondheim. “It was the first play I remember seeing as a child. It was at the Moonlight. My grandparents had season tickets and took me starting at age five. I loved the music and the dark comic beauty of it. Even then I loved theater and would sit through entire shows with my grandmother. 32 years later she just released her seats — at 93 years old.

2.) The Witch, Into the Woods, by Stephen Sondheim and James Lapine. ”Perhaps far-fetched, but on my wish list for sure! I have had the dubious blessing of playing women in shows. I love the challenge and the privilege of discovering the vagaries in that artistic endeavor. The Witch has a heartbreaking and terrifying arc. One moment she is protective and loving, the next demanding the sacrifice of child-like Jack to save her own skin. She loses her powers. I would love to physicalize that power and ugliness then attempt the beauty and loss of facility.

David McBean as Miss South in Cygnet Theater's production of Pageant.

3.) Irma Vep “I wish I could do Irma again, with Phil Johnson if possible. Irma Vep represents a dark period in my life. It was the last production I did in a haze of destructive behavior. I tried to stay present for the process but failed, aiding my awareness about the need for a serious change. I (sort of) remember rejoicing in the crazy quick changing, the over the top but ever truthful dynamics of the piece. I would love the chance to be fully present for that experience. And who could ask for a better playmate than Phil?”

4.) Noël Coward. “Anything! I revel in playing character parts. When I saw Private Lives at Cygnet, I immediately fell in love with Noël Coward. I am sadly remiss in not researching this kindred spirit, but long to speak his words. My affinity for accents and relish for witty language would be perfectly wed were I afforded the opportunity.”

5.) Shakespeare. “And Durang, and Restoration Comedy, but I would delight in learning more Shakespeare. I’ve done Midsummer as a musical twice now – first as the cross-dressing Flute, then the fairytastic Oberon. Some of the darker parts would be a welcome challenge. And after playing Feste in the Old Globe educational tour (a condensed 50 minute version) I hope to play the entire part one day.”

Comments
Sponsored
Here's something you might be interested in.
Submit a free classified
or view all
Previous article

Coyote tracks in frail San Diego avocado grove

Second place winner in Reader neighborhood writing contest
Next Article

Gonzo Report: Stinkfoot Orchestra conjures Zappa at Winstons

His music is a blend of technical excellence and not-so-subtle humor
Comments
Ask a Hipster — Advice you didn't know you needed Big Screen — Movie commentary Blurt — Music's inside track Booze News — San Diego spirits Classical Music — Immortal beauty Classifieds — Free and easy Cover Stories — Front-page features Drinks All Around — Bartenders' drink recipes Excerpts — Literary and spiritual excerpts Feast! — Food & drink reviews Feature Stories — Local news & stories Fishing Report — What’s getting hooked from ship and shore From the Archives — Spotlight on the past Golden Dreams — Talk of the town The Gonzo Report — Making the musical scene, or at least reporting from it Letters — Our inbox Movies@Home — Local movie buffs share favorites Movie Reviews — Our critics' picks and pans Musician Interviews — Up close with local artists Neighborhood News from Stringers — Hyperlocal news News Ticker — News & politics Obermeyer — San Diego politics illustrated Outdoors — Weekly changes in flora and fauna Overheard in San Diego — Eavesdropping illustrated Poetry — The old and the new Reader Travel — Travel section built by travelers Reading — The hunt for intellectuals Roam-O-Rama — SoCal's best hiking/biking trails San Diego Beer — Inside San Diego suds SD on the QT — Almost factual news Sheep and Goats — Places of worship Special Issues — The best of Street Style — San Diego streets have style Surf Diego — Real stories from those braving the waves Theater — On stage in San Diego this week Tin Fork — Silver spoon alternative Under the Radar — Matt Potter's undercover work Unforgettable — Long-ago San Diego Unreal Estate — San Diego's priciest pads Your Week — Daily event picks
4S Ranch Allied Gardens Alpine Baja Balboa Park Bankers Hill Barrio Logan Bay Ho Bay Park Black Mountain Ranch Blossom Valley Bonita Bonsall Borrego Springs Boulevard Campo Cardiff-by-the-Sea Carlsbad Carmel Mountain Carmel Valley Chollas View Chula Vista City College City Heights Clairemont College Area Coronado CSU San Marcos Cuyamaca College Del Cerro Del Mar Descanso Downtown San Diego Eastlake East Village El Cajon Emerald Hills Encanto Encinitas Escondido Fallbrook Fletcher Hills Golden Hill Grant Hill Grantville Grossmont College Guatay Harbor Island Hillcrest Imperial Beach Imperial Valley Jacumba Jamacha-Lomita Jamul Julian Kearny Mesa Kensington La Jolla Lakeside La Mesa Lemon Grove Leucadia Liberty Station Lincoln Acres Lincoln Park Linda Vista Little Italy Logan Heights Mesa College Midway District MiraCosta College Miramar Miramar College Mira Mesa Mission Beach Mission Hills Mission Valley Mountain View Mount Hope Mount Laguna National City Nestor Normal Heights North Park Oak Park Ocean Beach Oceanside Old Town Otay Mesa Pacific Beach Pala Palomar College Palomar Mountain Paradise Hills Pauma Valley Pine Valley Point Loma Point Loma Nazarene Potrero Poway Rainbow Ramona Rancho Bernardo Rancho Penasquitos Rancho San Diego Rancho Santa Fe Rolando San Carlos San Marcos San Onofre Santa Ysabel Santee San Ysidro Scripps Ranch SDSU Serra Mesa Shelltown Shelter Island Sherman Heights Skyline Solana Beach Sorrento Valley Southcrest South Park Southwestern College Spring Valley Stockton Talmadge Temecula Tierrasanta Tijuana UCSD University City University Heights USD Valencia Park Valley Center Vista Warner Springs
Close

Anchor ads are not supported on this page.