Meet the Plaids! Week Two: Frankie

Have you got your tickets yet for FOREVER PLAID? Our opening night on January 30 will be extra special — with food, champagne, and fun! Order now and surprise someone with a PLAID ticket for Christmas! https://southbaymt.com/shows/foreverplaid.html
And now it’s that time again – time to meet another of our four Plaids!

Derek DeMarco: “Frankie”

Why are you excited to be in Forever Plaid?
I am so excited to be a part of this Production of Forever Plaid! Since moving to California a couple of years ago, it has been a slow process of finding new groups to replace former theater families. This production has been a delight – from the cast, to the crew, and the membership at large, everyone has been warm and welcoming. The show itself is one of my favorites! It has been an amazing experience to sing with my talented cast mates, and I can’t wait to hear what we sound like come performance time!
What do you love most about portraying your character?
“Nothing feels as good as being inside a nice tight chord!” This line sums up Frankie’s unabashed love of music, and his delight at creating the perfect sound with his band of merry men. I have always loved music, and it such a treat to be playing someone who revels in it as well. I also have always wished that I had my own vocal group to perform with, so this show is a way to, even if only temporarily, realize that dream!
What attracted you to join an SBMT Production? Why do you perform in community theatre? 
I have been doing community theater since I was seven years old. I originally got involved because an aunt of mine performed on a regular basis, and I just never looked back. Sharing experiences with people create bonds that last lifetimes, and theater, specifically musical theater, is where my heart is happiest. This is the first time I have worked with SBMT, and the chance to be a part of this production was what brought me to the group. The talent and professionalism of all the members has convinced me that I will need to come back!
What do you think audiences will be most excited to see in this production?
My hope is when audiences are watching us, they will be excited each time a song starts that they know and love – that they settle in for the show and get swept up in the innocent delight of the characters so before they know it, the closing number is getting started. I hope that people who have fond memories of the songs we sing will be taken back to the times when those memories were made, and that for a little while at least, we can leave the present behind.
Derek has been in various theatrical productions since he was very young. Some of his favorite roles have included Lumiere in Beauty & the Beast, Pilate and Peter in two different productions of Jesus Christ Superstar, Enjolras in Les Miserables, and Lloyd in Noises Off.