After graduating High School, most 18 year olds are getting ready to go to college, but Maria Dalanno? She is making her Broadway debut in Mrs. Doubtfire, the hit movie that has been turned into a musical. It is not surprising though, given her talent, hard work, and the fact she’s been performing for almost a decade, it seems like a “right of passage”. She understudies Lydia Hillard, and is in the ensemble.
When did you start doing theatre? Did you always know it was something you wanted to pursue professionally?
I started doing theatre when I was about 10 years old. I would sing everywhere I went, but for a while it was just something I did for fun. I was primarily a competitive dancer so I always thought that I would pursue professional dancing but I fell into musical theatre by accident when the owner of my dance studio got me an audition! From the minute I did my first musical, I knew without a doubt that it was what I would spend my life doing!!
Were you a fan of Mrs. Doubtfire before hearing it was becoming a musical? If not, did you watch it after you heard about the show/booked the role?
My mom actually is a huge Robin Williams fan so growing up I always knew about the movie since it’s one of her favorites, but somehow I managed to not watch the movie for all of those years. I did, however, end up watching the movie for the first time in the car on my way to New York for my audition and I see why everyone loves it so much, it’s so good!!
What are you most looking forward to about making your Broadway debut?
I just feel so blessed and honored to be able to share the stage with the amazing cast. The story has so much heart and I think it will be very wanted in the world after all of this craziness is resolved. Of course, I love the show with all of my heart but the people involved really make it everything that it is.
You haven’t been able to do the show yet, but from what you’ve done so far, what is your favorite part about being in the ensemble and understudying a lead? What is the most challenging part?
I am so so grateful to get to perform in the show every night, it still blows my mind when I think about it. I love putting my brain to work and learning, so being a part of the ensemble as well getting to learn a principle track has definitely given me a lot to do!! I love watching the numbers and trying to pick up on the choreography, it’s been a lot of fun for me. The most challenging part of it all is being patient with myself. Going into that Broadway rehearsal room, I put so much pressure on myself. In some cases, this is a positive trait of mine since it pushes me, but it can also be very overwhelming. I thought that when you walk through those doors that everyone is perfect and never makes mistakes but truthfully no one can meet that standard. Having the support of the cast and Analise especially, who I’ve gotten very close with, has really helped me handle all of the emotions, I know they have my back!!
How have you been keeping busy during quarantine? Has it encouraged your creativity/motivation or hindered it?
Keeping busy has been tricky. I make sure to spend extra time with my dog, Nala, and I watch a lot of Netflix, as basic as that sounds. I bake something new almost every night and eat a lot of cookies, so staying active like going on runs is definitely a priority! Towards the beginning of quarantine I felt really unmotivated creatively but now it’s really important to me to take dance classes as regularly as possible, and I sing all of the time which has helped a lot.
Thank you so so much to Maria for taking the time to do this interview! Make sure to see Mrs. Doubtfire and follow her on Instagram @MariaDalanno
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