A Toast to Friendship: Debra Thaïs Evans on Finding Connection in Winesday, a winetasting musical
“Funny and upbeat,” (theatrelife.com) the charming and sometimes heart-wrenching musical Winesday, Debra Thaïs Evans shines as Winter, a character who finds solace and strength in her weekly gatherings with friends, each accompanied by a generous pour of wine (or non-alcoholic drinks) for the entire audience. Winesday unfolds as a delightful tapestry of friendship and support, set against the backdrop of life’s unpredictable twists and turns, with each character’s story interwoven with themes of connection, indulgence, and resilience. We had the pleasure of sitting down with Debra to explore what drew her to this role, how she connected with Winter’s passion for wine and camaraderie, and how the themes of the show resonate with today’s audiences.
MEDIUM: How would you describe Winesday?
DEBRA THAÏS EVANS: Winesday is a delightful, yet at times poignant, tale of a group of friends supporting each other through life’s twists and turns. And of course, what is life without a glass of wine… or four?!
MEDIUM: What drew you to the role in Winesday and how did you connect with your character’s love of wine and weekly gatherings?
DTE: Winter was an artistic challenge for me and at first, I was apprehensive. Luckily, Jamibeth had complete faith in me and gently guided me as I found Winter. Ultimately, I realized that Winter and I are not that different; we both want to take care of those we love and support them in any way we can.
MEDIUM: How has your previous experience in shows like Rocktopia and The Goodbye Girl prepared you for your role in Winesday?
DTE: Actually, it was my time with the show Sistas: The Musical that most informed my character in Winesday. Simone (Sistas) and Winter (Winesday) are very similar; they want to take care of everyone, sometimes at the expense of their own wants and needs. These two roles have helped me discover that when you trust your tribe, they will not let you down!
MEDIUM: How does the camaraderie among the cast members contribute to the dynamic of the weekly wine gatherings depicted in Winesday?
DTE: Some of us had worked together before, which was helpful, but when you are creating a new piece, you have to have each other’s backs. These ladies were there for me when I went through a traumatic event, and I will forever be grateful for that. We genuinely love and support each other, and that definitely shows when we are on stage together.
MEDIUM: How do you see the themes of Winesday, such as friendships and indulgence, resonating with today’s audiences, and why do you think this story is particularly relevant now?
DTE: Human connection is so important to our well-being, and we need each other to survive this crazy life. Post-pandemic, we have forgotten that, and I think this show is a reminder that no matter your background, ethnicity, or political views, we can all sit down, have a glass of wine, and be human together.
Ms. Evans is joined by a talented cast that includes Dawn Cantwell (Broadway: 1776, WICKED), Jennifer Diamond (NYC: Let Me Be Me), Shannen Hofheimer (Regional: Anything Goes), Amanda Lea LaVergne (Broadway: Annie, The People in the Picture) and Michael Valvo (National Tour: Cirque Musica: Holiday Wonderland) with understudy Suzanne Dressler.
Winesday: The Wine Tasting Musical is written by Jenne Wason (book and lyrics) and Joseph Benoit (music), with direction by Jamibeth Margolis and musical direction by Alec Bart. Winesday is currently performing in New York City at The Jerry Orbach Theater at The Theater Center (210 West 50 Street).
For tickets and more information visit www.winesdaymusical.com.
