Once Upon A Mattress – 2015 – (left to right) Amanda Payne and Todd Payne
Since stepping on the Coaster Theatre stage in 2010’s My Fair Lady, Amanda has been dancing and singing her way across the Coaster Theatre stage entertaining audiences with her wit and wonderful comedic timing. This holiday season she is delighting audiences as Princess Winnifred the Woebegone in our current production of Once Upon A Mattress. Last holiday season she stepped into the shoes of another well-known princess when she fell in love with a real Beast as Belle in Disney’s Beauty and the Beast. A few other roles that entertained Coaster Theatre audience’s include Little Shop of Horrors, Into The Woods, Present Laughter, Irving Berlin’s White Christmas, Around the World in 80 Days, Arsenic and Old Lace and The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee.
1. What is your present state of mind?
I have been burning my candle at both ends (with a torch) for over a year. Right now my candle is slowly dimming (well, at least one end). I am ready to slow down, maybe take a vacation to run a marathon.
2. Who are your favorite playwrights?
I feel funny saying this but I am not familiar with many playwrights. I can’t say I have one favorite. I have favorite roles, songs, and lines from every show I have seen or played. If the show pulls me into its world then I add it to my favorite list.
Disney’s Beauty and the Beast – 2014 – (left to right) Amanda Payne and Richard Bowman
3. Your favorite musician?
Freddie Mercury from Queen. Need I say more? Done and done.
4. Who are your favorite characters?
Too easy! That one guy from that one movie. Yeah he’s pretty awesome.
5. Who are your heroes in real life?
The people who stand up for those who cannot stand up for themselves.
6. What natural gift would you most like to possess?
I don’t believe in “Natural Gifts.” I believe you take your strengths and if you work hard enough then people will look at you and see a “Natural Gift.”
7. What is your most marked characteristic?
It depends on the day! I will say I am optimistic. I am hopeful about the future and if the future is not looking too bright then I will change my attitude and make a plan.
Arsenic and Old Lace – 2012 – (left to right) Amanda Payne, Donald Conner and Marty Giguiere
8. What do you most value in your friends? I value their honesty and acceptance. A true friend will accept you, the positive and negative sides. They will be there on the best and worst days, months, and years of your life. They will be there for hugs and understand if you need space. There are no lies.
9. If you could be anyone throughout history, who would you have been?
Oh yeah! I would be a 21 year old girl in the 1940s. I would have played on one of the All American Girl’s Baseball League
teams and between games you would find me swinging on the dance floor!
10. What is your motto?
When you have nothing else to give, give a smile.
Photos by George Vetter/Cannon-Beach.net
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