Singer Spotlight: Jennifer McLaren

HMS Pinafore Singer Spotlight Jenny McLaren

Name: Jennifer McLaren

Voice Type: Mezzo-soprano

Role: Buttercup

Hometown: Richmond, BC (originally from Calgary, Alberta)

Is this your first time performing with DD?

It is – DragonDiva has long been on my radar as a company I’ve wanted to work with, but it’s often difficult to fit productions into my current schedule, so things had to wait for a while. I’m THRILLED to have the opportunity now!

(NOTE: We are glad she did. Jenny learned her role in about 2 weeks, and is exceedingly good!)

Favourite thing about the role you are playing?

This is a “full-circle” experience for me; my very first stage performance ever was as Buttercup in an elementary-school version of Pinafore when I was 10. The experience brought me from being a shy kid to being absolutely certain that I wanted to pursue the performing arts as a career. To now take on the full role as a more seasoned performer is just really cool. (I’m shocked by what I remember – and how different this Buttercup is from the 10-year-old version!)

Where did you find inspiration for this role?

Ah, Buttercup. She’s quite the cougar... I mentioned to Riley McMitchell in rehearsal the other day that I saw my version of Buttercup as being a slightly more no-nonsense version of Betty White (but with all the requisite sweetness-slash-dirtiness) by day, and who held tarot readings, read gothic novels, and taught striptease-dancing classes by night. Riley said, “So…equal parts Betty White and Bettie Page, then?” I said, “Exactly!! And maybe a smidge of Betty Ford in there, too…”

Favourite part of this opera?

Whenever Nick Meyer tiptoes and sings the line “at half past ten”, I giggle uncontrollably. And anything and everything our fabulous Dick Deadeyes do just cracks me up. Favorite aria: Josephine’s ‘The Hours Creep on Apace”.

What are your rituals before a performance?

It depends on the day and the particular demands of the performance. As I’ve grown as a performer, vocal care’s become really important for me. Depending on where I feel my instrument’s at, it can range anywhere from a light warm-up to hauling out the vocal steamer, really watching what I eat, moderating the amount of other activity that day, etc. That’s the thing about vocal musicians – we’re products of our environment, so we have to be in tune with ourselves.

And I’m a pacer. I always pace before the first few shows. I have too much pent-up energy to sit down!

What is your favourite opera?

I have a soft spot for early opera (Monteverdi, Purcell, etc.) and French opera (Debussy, Bizet). Offenbach, John Gay, and Edward German write great operettas (in addition to Gilbert & Sullivan, of course). And I love contemporary opera – it’s always great to see new Canadian works being developed.

Have you ever been asked to do something strange onstage?

I’ve done a fair bit of non-musical theatre, and they’re the productions where crazy things seem to happen. I acted opposite a fully naked man for the first 10 minutes and last 5 minutes of a production once…I was a chain-smoking former prostitute in another play…and I think quite possibly, the craziest thing was a piece of movement theatre where I was dressed up in a “king’s” costume made out of leather, tiled orange pieces which resembled the stuff they make yoga mats out of, and a layer of thick plastic lamination. Totally unbreathable and unmovable. I had to dance, crawl around, hang upside down off a chair, and scream like a crazy person while wearing this. Did I mention it was strangely fun??

What's the most difficult thing you've done onstage?

I memorized a play which was essentially a monologue over an hour long. Tricky, but rewarding! Plus, finding the balance in crying scenes is difficult – being connected enough to be able to go there emotionally, but not completely break down in the process. The Laramie Project was an emotional doozy for me: fulfilling as a performer, but so heartbreaking.

Favourite role you've ever played?

Favourite musical role: Dido in Dido and Aeneas. Favourite non-musical role: Martha in Anatomy Lesson.

What is your favourite activity that has nothing to do with singing classically?

Um…I like to watch Food Network (and drool over the recipes)…and watch my husband’s rock band (Incura) play!

A lot of singers have day jobs…do you?

I honestly don’t know if they could be considered as such! I’m heading into my sixth season as a professional chorister with the Vancouver Chamber Choir. I adore my choir and am so privileged to be working with such amazingly talented singers. We rehearse in the mornings; in the afternoons, I teach private music and group music lessons in Vancouver and White Rock. I count myself extremely lucky to be working full-time as a musician, and often have to pinch myself!!

(NOTE: See Jenny's website HERE)

Coffee or Tea?

Tea. Coffee makes me woozy. A high school friend of mine bet me that I couldn’t make it through the International Baccalaureate Program without getting hooked on coffee. I won.
Do you have a secret talent other than singing?

I play accordion! It was my first instrument (I started lessons at age 5). It still makes appearances at cabarets rather frequently. I can also talk like Alvin and the Chipmunks…

You're trapped on a deserted island. What three luxury items do you hope you have with you?

My hubby Jim, the entire Vancouver Chamber Choir, and Audra McDonald. I suppose that means I wouldn’t be deserted, then…

(NOTE: Jenny and I share a passion here. Audra McDonald, in my opinion, is one of the best singers of our time. Check her out HERE.)

Tell us a joke.

I’m not funny. ;)

(NOTE: NOT true!)

Any upcoming performances you want to share?

Yes! I’m singing with some phenomenal musical theatre performers in “An Elegant Legacy” at the new Orpheum Annex on September 24^th, celebrating the lyrics of Gus Kahn and E.Y. Harburg (tix: lande@telus.net). And the Vancouver Chamber Choir’s 10-concert season is kicking off a week after that with “The English Touch: Byrd to Britten” at Ryerson Church on September 30^th (www.vancouverchamberchoir.com has all the season details). I’m also in an Andrews Sisters-inspired quartet, The K Sisters – we perform all over the place!

We are delighted that Jenny has agreed to be part of our production of HMS Pinafore. Don't miss your chance to see this wonderful and vibrant performer in action!

John Arsenault, Music Director/Production Manager