July 07, 2010
By: Pia Haas
Category: Interviews, News, Peter Pan, Press
Christine DiTota will fly through the theatre as Peter Pan. At 5’2" she’ll be the perfect height to play a young boy! Previously at WBT, she played The Ghost of Christmas Past and other characters in A Christmas Carol and had the challenging task of being the Female Swing in I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change. (In which she performed both female roles and approx 40 characters!) She is a brilliant Actor and Singer, as well as an accomplished Director.We caught up with her at rehearsal between flights!
I was raised by my little Italian Mom in a small apartment in Yonkers NY. My brother and I shared a room until he got a little too old and then I shared a room with my Mom. It was funny because one side of the room had religious artifacts cluttering the walls and the other side had pictures that I had ripped out of the latest "Teen Beat" magazine taped to the walls. Usually, the pictures that were hanging on my side of the room were of guitar playing, long haired icons. And on her side, the virgin Mary. We ate pasta at least three times a week and went to church every Sunday. It was a standard Italian household. Lots of food, fun, laughter and tears!
I attended Maria Regina High School, graduated with honors from Westchester Community College and received a BFA from Purchase College Conservatory. My first year of college, I had decided I would become a pharmacist. I thought that was a strong/reliable choice. I got a job working in CVS in the pharmacy so that I would be ready. I had a meeting with my academic advisor and he took a final glance at the courses we had chosen and said "I’ve got an idea, how about you try taking a theatre class." I was a little surprised. Then I thought, " hmmm, maybe as a hobby " . I signed up for an acting class. The teacher put actors in pairs and gave out one scene for each couple to perform. I watched couple after couple get up and perform their scenes. The day came that it was my turn to perform my scene. I sat in a wheelchair, my character was handicapped, and began the scene. Something changed the moment I sat in the chair, I began to feel. And I forgot who I was for a moment. When the scene was over the whole class stood up and applauded. When I could finally focus again, on something besides the character I was playing, I saw everyone standing there, clapping, and I began to cry. It was a wonderful moment. I have pursued the theatre since then…..
I love the classics! It is my absolute dream to one day get the opportunity to play Blanche DuBois in "Streetcar Named Desire". Some of my favorite roles have been: Phoebe in As You Like It, Diane, a role I originated, in Clinton’s View at the American Theatre Of Actors, Mabel in Pirates Of Penzance, Maria (originated the role) in Swish, Maria in the Mourning. Anne in A Little Night Music, Puck in A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Audrey in "Little Shop of Horrors, and Willie in "This Property is Condemned.
I’ve worked in the children’s entertainment business for the last 7 years. I’m a party planner/entertainer. It’s a great job for an actor. I’ll dress up as a Princess, Pirate or whatever character a child could possibly desire for their birthday. We play games with them, give out prizes, face paint, make balloon animals, etc. It’s a lot of fun working with children and they ARE the toughest audience. Also, it provides a person with some of the funniest stories you’ll ever hear in your life. The birthday party business is chock full of entertaining mishaps
When I’m not on stage, I enjoy spending time with family and friends. I love going to the theatre to see plays or musicals. Of course, there is the homebody side of me. I like to curl up on the couch with my husband and dog and watch a good movie. My husband Keith DiBuono and I recently moved from an apartment in Harrison, NY to our first home in Carmel, NY. We Live there with our cat, Zizi and dog, Seymour.
