Interview with the director of “The Boy Who Loved Monsters and the Girl Who Loved Peas, Mary Ann Janecka

After the opening of “The Boy Who Loved Monsters and the Girl Who Loved Peas” by Jonathan Graham, we checked in with the Director, Mary Ann Janecka, to ask her about the show.

Question 1: Why did you want to direct this show?

Seriously, is there anything more fun than playing monsters for 12 weeks? Nothing is more exhilarating than watching your adult cast delve into their fun and zany sides to get in touch with the wonder of having a Monster Pea move in to live with them. While all casts bring a unique energy with them  to a production, working on a show geared to Young Audiences requires actors to approach the piece with spontaneity, excitement, fun, and enthusiasm. All children already have the imagination to enjoy theater, we just need to engage with them and draw them into a fun tale. “The Boy Who Loved Monsters and the Girl Who Loved Peas” is definitely a fun and exciting tale. It’s family life with a twist!

Question 2: How would you describe your vision for this production?

I wanted to present a show with a loving family supporting each other. There really are no villains in this story but just a loving family which is a little overwhelmed by trying to make all the parts of their lives work together. I could imagine children and their parents in the audience nodding their heads along saying “yes, that’s just like my family…My parents love us kids, but they are distracted by other things such as work.. and we love our parents, but it’s no fun to stay quiet and eat our peas and clean our rooms…We need a Monster to come and live with us and stir things up a little bit!”

Question 3: How has the rehearsal process been for this show? What has been exciting? What has been challenging?

The most exciting part of rehearsals is always watching the actors bring their characters to life, to see their live representation spring from the page to the stage! There is always some challenge in presenting Young Audience shows, as we want to appeal to both the children and the adults who bring them. We really feel like we have put together a show that everyone will enjoy. So come out and be prepared to be entertained!

Question 4: What has been your favorite moment so far?

I think everyone’s favorite moment was seeing our actress, portraying Pea, Alice Rhoades, in her full Pea costume, with a green Pea face and green furry hands, crawling and galloping around stage and jumping out at unexpected moments from unexpected places! How often do you get to encounter a Pea Monster? What a delightful job she did with the role! Also, encountering Mom and Dad Pea was exciting. Our actors for those roles, Dan Potter and Nicole Zodrow, really immersed themselves into differentiating their human Mom and Dad roles from their Pea Mom and Dad through costumes, expressions, and even voice changes.

Question 5: What should the audience be excited about seeing or experiencing at your show?

Watch for the green furry hands to creep out at unexpected moments! Hold tight to your cookies!

Bonus Question: Who in the show is most like their character? Who’s the least?

I think the parents Dan Potter and Nicole Zodrow are most like their characters. Dan really is a Dad, and I imagine he is just the lovable combination of firm, playful, and silly Dad at home as he is on stage. Nicole with her caring and thoughtful way will make a great Mom someday and certainly portrayed a warm and friendly character.  Max Martel is probably least like his character. His character, Evan, can be a little pushy with his on stage  with his sister, whereas Max is a very kind and considerate young man who would never really push anyone around, much less make them cry. Also, Irma Leyva did a delightful job portraying an annoying but adorable little sister.

Visit here to learn more about “The Boy Who Loved Monsters and the Girl Who Loved Peas” and to get your tickets today!