STAGE VIEWS: The Toxic Avenger's Mara Davi

By Andrew Gans
January 14, 2012

Playbill.com's new series features brief chats with Broadway actors commenting on their recent theatregoing experiences, what productions they are looking forward to and more. Here, via e-mail, we speak with singing actress Mara Davi, who is currently starring in The Toxic Avenger, the sci-fi rock musical, at the Alley Theatre in Houston, TX.

What show recently impressed you?
Freud's Last Session. I was completely entranced by this imagined meeting of these two great minds and their compelling arguments. The actors were both fantastic, and the story was engaging from beginning to end.

What production are you most excited to see?
I can't wait to see On a Clear Day so that I can see Jessie Mueller make her Broadway debut. She and I worked together on Animal Crackers in Chicago, and I think she is a superb and special talent. I can't wait to hear her glorious voice on a Broadway stage.

What play/musical would you most like to revive on Broadway, and which role would you want to play?
Polly in Crazy for You. A childhood dream that I would still love to fulfill!

What are your current/upcoming projects?
I'm down in Houston right now working on The Toxic Avenger at the Alley Theatre. It's an oozing, gooey, heartfelt, action-packed comedy. And, it rocks! Also keep your eye out for my character Bianca Sanfino on CBS's "Blue Bloods" — she might make another appearance.

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On Broadway Mara Davi has been seen in Irving Berlin's White Christmas (Judy Haynes), The Drowsy Chaperone (Janet Van de Graaff) and A Chorus Line (Maggie Winslow, original revival cast) as well as in the City Center Encores! productions of No, No, Nanette (Nanette) and Of Thee I Sing (Miss Emily Benson). Among her regional credits are Animal Crackers (Arabella Rittenhouse/Mrs. Whitehead), Goodman Theatre; Thoroughly Modern Millie (Millie Dillmount), Sacramento Music Circus; Irving Berlin’s White Christmas at the Ordway, St. Paul; Gabrielle Gerard in Dancing in the Dark (the Old Globe Theatre, San Diego).