Veteran of stage takes on new role

Theater runs in the family of Dawn and Ivar Vasco of Costa Mesa. In

fact, to borrow one of Mortimer’s lines from “Arsenic and Old Lace,”

it practically gallops.

Dawn Vasco, a veteran of many local stage productions, is making a

hard-knock life for the mischievous orphans of the musical “Annie” at

the Westminster Community Theater. She plays the treacherous but

hilarious Miss Hannigan, the tipsy proprietor of the orphanage -- a

role definitely out of character for the bubbly singer-actress, but

one she handles with expertise.

Ivar has a cameo role as Mr. Bundles, the laundry man, as well as

a number of chorus assignments. And the Vascos even recruited the

family’s pet terrier, Sammy, to portray Annie’s canine companion

Sandy, in his show-stealing stage debut.

“This is my first time doing this show, and I’m having so much fun

with the role, my first mean person,” Dawn Vasco said. “It’s

wonderful that my husband does this with me, even our dog.”

Dawn Vasco, an alto singer and an actor, is at home in a leading

assignment or as a member of the ensemble. She has amassed an

impressive resume of theater roles in and around Orange County,

including those of Shandel in “Fiddler on the Roof” at the Costa Mesa

Civic Playhouse and a hostess in “Sweet Charity” at the Newport

Theater Arts Center. She also sang in a recent benefit show at the

Costa Mesa theater.

She costarred as one of the title characters in “Legends” at the

Huntington Beach Playhouse, where she also played Fraulein Kost in

“Cabaret.” Her repertoire ranges from farm matron Aunt Eller in

“Oklahoma” to wisecracking stripper Tessie Tura in “Gypsy,” and she’s

also played the show-stealing Adelaide in “Guys and Dolls.”

Her husband, a baritone, also was in Costa Mesa’s “Fiddler” as

Mordcha as well as the playhouse’s “Cinderella Waltz” as Mr. Snow. He

was part of the ensemble for Newport’s “Sweet Charity” and has many

nonmusical shows to his credit.

Currently, Dawn Vasco is having a ball impersonating the

villainess in Westminster’s “Annie.” She’s even crazy about the

“little girls” she excoriates on stage.

“The orphans are talented and never miss a cue,” she said.

“Bradley Miller’s songs [as Daddy Warbucks] are so smooth and lovely

to listen to, a great contrast to my belting songs.”

Miller’s wife, Patricia, directed the ambitious production.

“What a great hobby Ivar shares with me,” Dawn Vasco said.

“I love the energy of live theater and have made wonderful friends

here. Our Annie [Megan Moylan] is a darling both on and off the

stage. Each person in the ensemble works hard to portray many

different characters and each give something unique to the show. I

love each one of them.”

Currently, the Vascos and their four-footed friend are

entertaining audiences in “Annie,” which plays this weekend and next

at the Westminster Community Theater, 7272 Maple St.

Performances are 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays.

Tickets may be ordered by calling the theater at (714) 527-5546.

* TOM TITUS reviews local theater for the Daily Pilot. His reviews

appear Fridays.