Deb Snyder is a 2008/2009 Ovation Award Nominee in the Acting Ensemble category for her work in DIVORCE! THE MUSICAL which was produced by Rick Culbertson, in association with Lynn Marks and Paradox Entertainment.
As an Ovation Award Nominee, LA Stage asked Deb the following questions:
What was the moment that first inspired you to pursue working in the theatre?
I have a Christmas memory from age three. I was wearing a white silk dress with red velvet pockets and singing “Jolly Old St. Nicholas” to my brother’s punching dummy dressed up as Santa Clause. My brother was pounding out the tune on our upright piano. I remember seeing my Grandfather smile at me and I knew that I wanted his ’smile’ to continue.
What do you feel made the production you were nominated for particularly successful, either overall or for you specifically?
I was very lucky in that I performed the original reading for Erin and worked with her and Rick over the next year on the show. I then got the chance to realize all of that work in front of an audience. I remember the night that I had that moment of, “Yeah, that’s the way it goes…” It was quite thrilling to be part of Erin’s vision and voice for a moment on a stage in Los Angeles.
What project or projects are you currently working on?
I write children’s music with Philip Bynoe an incredibly talented musician who’s toured all over the world with groups most notably the Steven Via band as a bass player. We are in the process of writing our third PBnDeb ‘Kickin tunes for kids’ album; a children’s musical entitled, ‘Word’; and a PBnDeb.com webisode show. I am singing bluegrass with the group “Los Banjolenos” and I am working with Al Pugliese’s La Canada Theater company.
What do you love most about theatre in Los Angeles?
The talented people I meet and get to work with again and again like David O, Gregory Franklin, Gabrielle Wagner, Steve Staley and the list goes on and on. I now have new cohorts to look forward to meeting again on and off the boards like Lowe Taylor, Rick Segal, Leslie Stevens, Rick Sparks, Erin Kamler and the list goes on and on.
What’s your dream project?
Performing ‘Divorce the Musical’ on the Broadway stage. Writing a musical for children and seeing it performed. Singing bluegrass with Steve Martin.
Biography: Deb has a multi-dimensional career in the performing arts as an actor, musician, songwriter, playwright, and award winning filmmaker. Considering herself a “good luck charm,” she cites Ang Lee choosing her for his first film “Pushing Hands,” and working Off-Broadway with noted playwright Nicky Silver early in his career. As proof Deb says, “Look at them now”!
Theater: A Noise Within Man of La Mancha; Breakup Notebook by Lori Scarlett at the Hudson Theatre with reviews likening her to a “…funny cross between Vivian Vance, Eve Arden, and Thelma Ritter.” Tight Quarters, Whitefire Theater; Atalanta, Powerhouse Playhouse; Freewill and Wanton Lust, Sanford Meisner Theater (Off Broadway); and Company with Polly Bergen, Miami, Florida. Deb recently joined Al Pugliese’s, La Canada Theater.
Film: Pushing Hands Ang Lee, Random Hearts Sydney Pollack, Dangerous Worry Dolls Charles Brand, Anna Nicole Movie Keoni Waxman. TV: General Hospital, Sins of the City, Unscripted (George Clooney) and Boston Legal. Commercials: Vick’s, AARP, Disney, Wendy’s, Bud, Webber and Febreze.
Deb is a talented writer of children’s music, books and shows. Her group, PBnDeb, released their second album, “Zoo Dance” in July 2008.
Education: MFA from Brandeis University and BA from Kalamazoo College.
For a full list of Ovation nominees, or for information about the Ovation Awards Ceremony on January 11th, click here!
