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BEHIND THE CURTAIN: Catch a rising local star in Waltham



Wrentham's Allysa Trasher, left, is performing with Broadway legend and Tony-Award-winning actress Donna McKechnie, right, in the Reagle Players production of 'No, No, Nanette' this Friday through Aug. 17 in Waltham. (Submitted)




You may not know the name now, but you will.

Wrentham's Allysa Trasher, 23, is in the cast of Reagle Players' 40th season production of the musical "No, No, Nanette," tonight through Aug. 16 in Waltham.

Trasher has been cast as a key supporting character Betty Brown, but more impressive, gets to work with Tony Award-winning Best Actress Donna McKechnie. As all Broadway mavens know, McKechnie was the original lead Cassie in the Pulitzer and Tony Award-winning "A Chorus Line" 35 years ago. The legend has also starred in New York productions of "Company," "Follies," and "Sweet Charity," London shows and has an autobiography out by Simon and Schuster.

Trasher grew up in Medfield and graduated from the American Music and Dramatic Academy in New York City.

For several years, she has been performing in the Midwest and New York. Two years ago, her parents bought a home near Lake Pearl and she has been using that as a base to audition in theaters from New York to Boston.
Dr. Kevin Mischley does a little two step as the pompous Sir Evelyn Oakleigh in Norton Singers's June production of 'Anything Goes.' (Submitted photo)
"Normally, I audition in New York and end up going wherever I can go. I'll audition anywhere!" Trasher said, laughing. "I was actually home (on Lake Pearl) and a friend of mine had been in the ensemble (with Reagle Players) and said, 'Go and audition.' So, I did."

Trasher also gets to work with Mary Jane Houdina in "No, No, Nanette." Houdina was Peter Gennaro's assistant on the original Broadway production of "Annie" and Michael Bennett's assistant on the original production of "Follies" - two iconic shows - and two huge choreographers on Broadway.

"It's been a lot of fun. It's been interesting finding the connections," added Trasher. "My vocal coach, Virginia Sandifur, was the original Phyllis in 'Follies,' and she also covered Donna in 'Company,' so they all connect.

"So, it's been very interesting hearing how things worked (on Broadway) back then. Both Virginia and Mary Jane are both very knowledgeable. The impression that I get is that things are run so differently now, and run for the better, partly because of them and their experiences."

She has picked up a lot just by observing. "Donna's acting is fantastic. Just staying in the moment of being, just watching," Trasher said of the fantastic opportunity. "To have that interaction and to work off of someone who has all that experience, wow..."

When this run is complete, Trasher will star as Nancy in Fiddlehead Theatre's fall production of "Oliver" in Norwood center.

For tickets to "No, No, Nanette" or more information, call 781-891-5600 or go to www.reagleplayers.com.

Mischley may get DASHed

Kevin Mischley of Wrentham has been nominated for an Eastern Massachusetts Association of Community Theaters (EMACT) DASH award for his performance as Sir Evelyn Oakleigh in Norton Singers' June production of "Anything Goes."

The nomination surprised show director Ted Mitchell and company - not because Mischley was nominated, as he has superb skills - but because he was listed in the Best Actor category, rather than Supporting Actor. The role is written as a supporting part, but Mitchell expanded it into something more because Mischley was getting so many belly laughs with it. EMACT noticed and gave him the nod in the bigger category. Mischley - a dentist with a thriving Walpole practice - even went so far as to create a false set of overbite teeth to change his appearance for the part. Now, that's using all your available skills....
"Anything Goes" was one of more than 40 musical productions evaluated by DASH during the 2007-08 season, so this is quite an achievement. Mischley is the only performer, director, manager or other theater person from a local or regional theater company to be nominated this year.

The winners will be announced on Friday, Sept. 12 at the 6th annual EMACT gala, which is taking place in Concord.

 


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