Dorchester’s Carolyn Saxon will take the stage this month in the Concord-based Umbrella Stage Company’s production of “To Kill a Mockingbird,” portraying Calpurnia, the housekeeper at Atticus Finch’s home.
The play, directed by Scott Edminston, puts a theatrical twist on Harper Lee’s 1960 Pulitzer Prize-winning novel. Its 18-member cast launched the series of performances last Friday and will carry on Thursday-Sunday through March 22 on the Main Stage Theater 144 at the Umbrella Arts Center.
While Saxon has been singing for as long as she can remember, she said the acting bug bit her later, in her adult life. “I have been acting and performing for years and years and years, but here in Boston, one must also have a day job. I work at a bank, and I perform in and around Boston whenever the opportunity arises,” she told The Reporter.
Her orchestral work includes appearance with the Boston Pops, Carnegie Hall, Teatro Colón in Buenos Aires, Boston Landmarks Orchestra, Indianapolis Symphony, and the Buffalo Philharmonic.
Her theatrical credits to date include Broadway, Off Broadway, Broadway National Tours, film, and regional theaters throughout the United States, including Papermill Playhouse in New Jersey, Alliance Theatre in Atlanta, Actors Theatre of Louisville, North Shore Musical Theatre, Forestburgh Playhouse, Huntington Theatre, and Connecticut Repertory.
Of Dorchester, she said, “I love that mix of cultures; that’s something that’s always appealed to me. I love living in the middle of that.”
Her favorite spot in the neighborhood is Tavalo Ristorante at Ashmont. “We know the folks there. We like to go there and dine and chat. Eat well, drink some wine, watch some sports.”
When she heard about the Umbrella Company’s production, Saxon said, it was the first show in a while that she could see herself acting in. “I took the commuter rail and went out there and auditioned,” she said excitedly.
“I had never auditioned for the Umbrella Company because it’s kind of a long way away,” she said. “Unfortunately, a lot of theaters in town have had to stop doing as many shows, and they’ve had very small casts, so at a lot of the theaters that are closest to me, there was nothing to audition for.”
When reherasals started in January, Saxon began working with Calpurnia’s character in mind, seeing her as hardworking, loving strongly, and advocating for her people. “I hope I am as strong as her and half as wise, because she is very wise,” she said.
Tickets are on sale for $25-$63 and can be purchased at secure.theumbrellaarts.org/overview/98495
