Wednesday, November 13, 2013

Get to Know: Dr. DADDY WARBUCKS!


New to CVFT but not to the stage! Meet Dr. David Dexter - playing Daddy Warbucks in CVT's upcoming production, "Annie".

Dr. David when he is not on stage.
Q: Three words that describe you?
Compassionate, Energetic, Dependable.


Q: What is your day job/real-life roles?
Physician working as pathologist for Fairview and director of our group; Medical Advisor of Fairview Medical Laboratory Science Program.

Q. How did you get involved in CVFT?
Family auditioning for the show, orphans Maddie and Lauren and their mother, our accompanist Kelly, encouraged me to audition. Good friends (presently in CVFT’s “All Hands on Deck), Marina and Todd Preston told me CVFT is a great group of people to work with.

Q: First show?
“Cinderella” in 2010 with Morris Park Players.

Q. Family Pets?
Small poddle, “Fifi”.  My youngest son named her.  I really did not want to have to holler that name to call her in and favored a fierce name for this tiny creature, like “Bowser”!
David Dexter + Maddy Turk  + Widget = adorable

Q. What do you do in your spare time BESIDES CVFT?
Did lectures and labs on Congenital Heart Disease to the second year medical school class for over twenty years at the University of Minnesota Medical School. Past medical director of Interfaith Service to Latin America and still active with this mission that serves a community in Northern Nicaragua, a community which I have visited many times (health care, education scholarships and construction projects).  The past Cub Master of Pack 751 in Robbinsdale for over 10 years (and still host a Pinewood derby clinic in my garage for them each December). Have actively hosted many foreign exchange students as well as teaching assistants for Robbinsdale Spanish Immersion School over many years. Presently still sing with the Mounds View Alumni Choir with my choir director from when I was 15 years old (one member of the choir had the same teacher but I was 1 year old when he graduated as she is 86!).   Mostly pleasure in the company of my friends and family and try to support all my Thespian friends by attending their productions.

Warbucks and Annie - the story of hope and finding a home

Q: Tell us a little about the character you play in "Annie" - or any personal connection to the show.
I play Oliver “Daddy” Warbucks.  I see him softer than others portray him.  I see him as someone who has always had a need for love and closeness with others but growing up an orphan, not unlike  “Annie”, had a hard knock life of his own and hid his softer side behind a shield of strength and aloofness that would  shield his insecurity from others.  He didn’t want to let anyone close again because he didn’t want to be hurt and “making” money was a good substitute for relationships because it offered security that he would NEVER be dependent on others again…  but it was an empty relationship.  Warbucks was ready for Annie to come into his life, and the song “Something was Missing” lets you know this.  I too “hide” behind a demeanor which often portrays more confidence than I really have, and I use this to identify with Warbucks as I prepare for this role.  In 2010 my second acting role was as Warbucks with my nieces Maddie and Lauren Kadlec, orphans in our show, playing the roles of “Annie” and Molly” in that production.  It is wonderful to share this experience with them again as well as with this wonderful new cast and directors of CVFT.

Q: Favorite restaurant?
Chili’s – we know all the staff by name and they know us.

David and his cast of many (37 orphans to be exact) hope to see you at the show!
Q; Any pre-show rituals?
Does panic count? No set ritual. Love to go with the flow of rituals each group has established, one favorite is forming a circle, holding hands, and getting a pep talk from our director as we all prepare to “become” our character on stage.

Q: Any final thoughts we should know about you?
I try to learn everyone’s names, so if I ask you “again, and again” it is because I really want to learn them. 

OPENS THANKSGIVING WEEKEND  
November 29 - December 8th, Chanhassen HS Theater
2200 Lyman Boulevard

GET TICKETS HERE
$12 students/$17 adults  -ALL FEES INLCUDED
$2 OFF Tix price for groups of 10+ to same show -use code: "Group10" to receive discount.



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