L.R. Davidson Takes Center Stage: Bringing Creativity to Life in TheaterWorksUSA’s ‘Cat Kid Comic Club — The Musical’
Earlier this month, TheaterWorksUSA unveiled their latest theatrical masterpiece, “Cat Kid Comic Club — The Musical,” a harmonious fusion of creativity and imagination adapted from Dav Pilkey’s renowned best-selling series. Garnering the coveted NY Times Critics Pick distinction, this production has swiftly become a sensation among young audiences, igniting a whirlwind of excitement. As the show continues to capture hearts and spark laughter, I had the privilege of engaging in an insightful conversation with one of its stars, the multi-talented L.R. Davidson. With her enthralling portrayal in the musical, Davidson offers a window into her captivating journey, shedding light on her embodiment of diverse characters, the process of breathing life into Pilkey’s iconic creations, and the joyous adventure of being part of a theatrical phenomenon that seamlessly marries storytelling, music, and pure enchantment.
L.R. Davidson, a dynamic performer known for captivating audiences with her versatile talent, has once again stepped onto the musical stage, this time as Poppy and Starla in “Cat Kid Comic Club — The Musical.” Having won hearts as the beloved Lil’ Petey in “Dog Man: The Musical,” Davidson takes on a new dimension as she embodies the contrasting personalities of Poppy and Starla. We had a chance to delve into her experience of returning to the whimsical world of Dav Pilkey, her insights into the characters she portrays, and the delightful journey of bringing “Cat Kid Comic Club” from page to stage. Davidson’s passion for her craft shines through as she shares her creative process, her connection to the themes of imagination and creativity, and her anticipation for the laughter-filled, family-friendly adventure that this musical promises to be. From her artistic roots at The Juilliard School and Manhattan School of Music to her endearing interactions with fans on social media, L.R. Davidson offers a glimpse into her world of performing and inspiring, leaving us eager to join the comic club and revel in the magic of her talents.
In “Dog Man The Musical,” you played audience favorite Lil’ Petey; how does it feel to play Poppy and Starla in “Cat Kid Comic Club the Musical”? Who are they, and do you have a favorite?
It’s thrilling to be back in the Pilkey-verse, and I am thoroughly enjoying being able to explore both Starla and Poppy, who seemingly are polar opposites. Poppy’s sweet disposition, upbeat, genuine openness to all things (including skeletons and monsters and stuff) directly counters Starla’s caring, introspective, artistic, and more thoughtful nature. I love being able to explore both of those personality types, which also mirror my own introverted-extrovert-ness. Playing Sarah Hatoff has also been tons of fun, as she’s in direct contrast to the tadpoles with her reporting. Hard to pick a favorite character as they all have similarities to my personality!
How does it feel to be part of the world premiere of “Cat Kid Comic Club the Musical”? What excites you the most about this production?
To me, there is nothing more exciting as an artist than being able to originate a role and to create new material. To explore that material with such a talented, hysterically funny group of performers, who have worked together and built such trust, as well as a creative team ready to support us, has been nothing short of a dream. It’s so exciting to see how the book translates to the stage and even more exciting to see how kids are inspired to create their own comics or are coming to the show with comics and ideas of their own.
Cat Kid Comic Club is based on Dav Pilkey’s popular book series. Did you read the books or have any familiarity with the characters before joining the musical?
I certainly was familiar with the books, and once I was cast, was sure to read the series so I’d have as much insight into my characters as possible.
The musical explores themes of creativity and imagination. How do you personally connect with these themes, and how do you think they will resonate with audiences, especially families and children?
The themes of imagination and creativity stretch beyond children- I think it’s an integral part of adulthood that is sometimes lost. As Baudelaire said, “Genius is no more than childhood recaptured at will.” While the show may be aimed at children and families, I would say those ideas of creativity and imagination at play are equally important for children of all ages. It also opens the door to discussion between parents and children as to how to bring such creativity into day-to-day life. To never stop playing or exploring, regardless of age, and to find magic in the small things.
You’ve previously worked on “Dog Man: The Musical,” also based on Dav Pilkey’s books. How does it feel to be part of another production based on his work? Are there any similarities or differences in the experience?
Being Li’l Petey in DOGMAN has become a part of me- honestly, I think I will always be Li’l Petey. lol The creative process was so special, imaginative, and filled with such special humans. We made a bond that will last forever while creating a hysterical musical that continues to cultivate the fancy of everyone who has seen it or heard the album.
CKCC had been equally special in its genesis. I am so grateful that so many of those magical people are back on board, as it’s allowed us to further explore the themes of empathy, humor, perspective, and comedy that make Dav’s work resonate with everyone who reads it- or comes to the club!
As an actor, how do you prepare for a comedic role like Poppy and Starla? Are there any specific techniques or approaches you use to enhance the comedic timing and delivery?
Making sure both Poppy and Starla are their own fully formed characters helps create contrast between the two. The more I lock into who each character truly is, the easier it becomes to find the truth of their humor. It’s been especially fun playing Sara Hatoff in the show as well, as I’ve always found her to be such a wonderful character in the Pilkey-verse, from DOGMAN to CKCC, as well as loving the added challenge of the Australian accent!
“Cat Kid Comic Club the Musical” is described as a “supa awesome laugh-out-loud family adventure.” What do you hope audiences will take away from this musical experience, and what do you think makes it a must-see for families?
I hope audiences take away the idea of everyone having their own brand of creativity, a deeper understanding of perspective, and seeing things from someone else’s point of view- all while laughing and sharing in the magic of live theater. There’s nothing quite so special as the shared experience of an audience at a live event.
How has your training at The Juilliard School and Manhattan School of Music influenced your career as a performer? Are there any specific skills or lessons that have been particularly valuable to you in your theatrical journey?
My training at The Juilliard School and Manhattan School of Music influenced me by opening up the world of classical music. Before I went to either school, my background was in commercials, film, television, musicals/plays. Gaining a deeper understanding of music & Music theory, music history, as well as vocal technique has opened up a world of vocal sound I had never explored and helps me stay healthy while finding unique voices for any character I play. That, in turn, has made me a stronger singer, a smarter performer, and a better, more well-rounded artist.
You can be found on social media and have your own website. How do you use these platforms to engage with fans and share your experiences as an actor? Is there a particular aspect of connecting with your audience that you enjoy the most?
Connecting in general! To be honest, I have a very hard time attempting to keep up with social media. I tend to keep things a little more private, and really only share certain aspects of my life on social. I’m grateful that it has allowed me to find connections with Pilkey fans all over the world, as well as allowing me to connect with Dogman and CKCC supa fans. I guess when it comes to social media, I’m a little more like Starla, lol, slightly more thoughtful and more introverted than in real life. What can I say? I guess I just enjoy good old-fashioned human contact lol. That being said, I love to connect with people online as you can do it with the click of a button, so feel free to find me and say hi- @thelrdavidson and www.thelrd.com
What advice can you offer others looking to have a career on stage?
Say yes to every artistic opportunity you can, and always stay true to your unique individual voice. Your uniqueness is your personal magic. Be yourself- everyone else is taken.
What’s up next for you?
Now that we’ve opened CKCC, I’m looking forward to workshopping a hysterical new musical in LA this fall called DOOFYLAND, continuing to teach voice and fitness, and hopefully finding my way back to planet Pilkey for more zany, hilarious, heartfelt fun! Oh, and getting some extra cuddles in with my Pekingese, Mulan.
TheaterWorksUSA’s World Premiere of the musical adaptation of #1 bestselling “Cat Kid Comic Club” series by Dav Pilkey. The limited run is written by the award-winning team of Kevin Del Aguila (book and lyrics) and Brad Alexander (music), with direction and choreography by Marlo Hunter and musical direction by Paul Staroba. Performances run through August 27, 2023, at the Lucille Lortel Theatre (121 Christopher Street). For more information about TheaterWorksUSA, please visit www.TWUSA.org
