Sarah Errington Marries Us A Little
"Marry Me a Little," with lyrics and music by Stephen Sondheim, was conceived by Craig Lucas and Norman Ren�. Their concept is smart: Create a revue show from a plethora of songs that were cut from Sondheim's best musicals. "Marry Me A Little" is dialogue-free and follows the ups and downs of some lonely, single New Yorkers. The Diversionary has a great opportunity to gender-bend some of the roles and really put a spotlight on this universal theme.
Originally conceived in the 1980s, it was an all "straight couple" production. In late 1998 actor Steve Gideon approached Sondheim with the idea of casting a gay couple and was given permission. The new version of the work debuted at the Celebration Theatre in Hollywood in 1999. The Diversionary presentation, directed by James Vasquez, takes the show one step further and has a rotating cast that also includes a lesbian couple. Local actress Sarah Errington discusses the additions with me below.
What drew you to audition for this show?
A couple things brought me to Diversionary. First, Mr. James Vasquez; I absolutely adore his work and fell in love with his directing style when we worked together on "Into The Woods." He has a knack for putting a fresh spin on shows and accentuating an actor's positives, making them comfortable and safe so we have the freedom to create. Second, I have been waiting for an opportunity to work at Diversionary because I respect its place in the LGBT community. And because of my own personal story, I wish to represent the "L" part of that equation. We do theatre too!
Give me your take on the show.
The show is a one-act "revue-sical" (a musical revue with no dialogue) about two single people alone on a Saturday night, residing in the same apartment building one floor above/below the other. It's comprised of Sondheim songs that didn't make it into final productions. Sondheim is so specific yet writes double or triple entendres and as an actor he gives you practically unlimited options for how to play a moment. His lyrics aren't just complicated rhyme schemes, but a cry about the character's dilemma. Every note means something, every rest means something, he gets inside your head and you go crazy along with your character. It's a treat!
You are a local star. How long have you lived in North County and where are you from originally?
I love North County and feel very blessed to be living and working in beautiful San Diego. My wife, Rae, and I celebrated our fifth anniversary recently. She too is an actor and grew up in Oceanside, that's how we ended up in Vista - close to my amazing in-laws who have been a wonderful support to the both of us in our careers and lives. I grew up in the East Bay Area, I love it up there. The theatre and arts community is so alive - there is nothing like San Francisco.
How does this show tie to Prop. 8 and the recent Supreme Court Ruling?
The show has a universal quality to it. These are not specific single people, but they represent everyone who has ever been single and ready for the real thing: A meaningful long-term relationship. I refrain from using gender specific pronouns because James Vasquez has chosen a rotating cast. The show was originally written for one male and one female actor, at Diversionary we represent three different groups. There will be a show with two men, a man and a woman and one with two women.
I feel it's perfect timing to call attention to equality. That's what I mean by universal - we are all human and experience all that comes with life: Hopes, disappointments, wanting love and giving love. The show is about being human no matter your orientation. I got cast on the female track, I play the girl in the straight show and also in the lesbian version - as an actor I'm interested to see how James directs. I am also interested to see if I make different choices according to the gender my character is attracted to, or if my role and responses will remain similar. It will be fun to discover.
"Marry Me A Little" runs through Sunday, September 29 at the Diversionary Theatre. For tickets and more information call 619.220.0097 or go to diversionary.org
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