As a native of Philadelphia, Maggie Lakis holds that the city “won’t let you get cocky” but also contends that people can come to expect a bit of fortune if they dedicate themselves to being diligent. The 38-year-old is enjoying a stroke of that goodness through “A Children’s Christmas in Wales,” the Dylan Thomas-penned seasonal treasure that she and four South Philly peers are performing at the Walnut Street Theatre.
“I’m having a really wonderful time,” the Passyunk Square resident said shortly before a show at America’s oldest theatrical haven. “Each performance has built upon the positive vibes that are inherent in the material, and since I’m interacting with such easygoing and giving actors, it’s such a joy to be a part of this production.”
The Barrymore Award-nominated hire is joining with Barrymore winners Scott Greer and Aaron Cromie, who is also directing, Matthew Mastronardi, and Amanda Jill Robinson for the Irish Repertory Theatre of New York’s adaptation of the Welch bard’s cordial creation in which audiences “remember the joys of being young, the strength of a community, and the comfort of a loving family.” Lakis and the other locals are taking to their tasks through Dec. 23 and are engendering joyful experiences by executing traditional and contemporary holiday tunes, with the opportunity proving especially profound for this week’s subject, who is making her Walnut Street Theatre debut.
“It’s a powerhouse with such amazing history,” Lakis said of the 1809-founded venue that has enlisted “A Children’s Christmas in Wales” as an element of its Independence Studio on 3 season. “The combination of the location, great castmates, and a beloved text are making this a really great element of a wonderful time in my life.”
The South Philly dwellers are delighting patrons with their vocal versatility and musical mastery, the latter ability calling on Lakis to play autoharp, banjo, bells, flute and ukulele. The script does not place emphasis on naming the characters but instead aims to identify them as members of a cohesive unit, a move that makes Lakis happy.
“The idea is that we recite the poem and play instruments as a family who enjoys one another’s company,” she said. “That’s the spirit that comes through in our interactions, and it’s the perfect mindset to have as the holiday season unfolds.”
The offer to join the commended cast came in the summer, and she anticipated an enriching collection of occasions to gain even more proof of Philadelphia’ incredibly caring and creative theater scene, particularly given the novelty of being a Walnut Street Theatre employee. With 15 days left until she and her gifted contemporaries leave guests to plot their own yuletide celebrations, she knows the constant warmth from their exchanges will fend off literal and figurative chills.
“We all get along so well that it’s going to be easy to take the kind sentiments from this show and apply them to how we live our lives no matter what time of year it is,” Lakis said. “That’s one of the things that I love about Philadelphia. I think it provides constant chances to see the bigger picture, and I love that. I admire that it gives us so many moments to find balance. As a performer, I find that a pretty healthy benefit to living here.”
Having called Philadelphia home for a considerable part of her life has meant that Lakis has received ample reminders of its penchant for pushing people to test their tenacity. With the arts as a huge part of her upbringing, she loved how taking on different endeavors could yield something new every time and took great pride in guiding observers to enduring appreciation for creative works.
“The idea of suspending disbelief and making people care resonated with me,” Lakis said, with high school breeding belief that she could become quite adept at both practices. “Being from Philadelphia, I felt drawn to the East Coast in wanting to see how far I could nurture self-belief and go after valuable life lessons.”
She picked up one such charming chance at acquiring wisdom while enrolled at Temple University, with the now-Whitman-headquartered 1812 Productions casting the young adult in 1999’s “Box Office of the Damned.” Nailing additional work helped her to develop an unwavering perception of Philadelphia as a city that requires one to be tireless yet judicious to self in seeking, securing, and valuing opportunities.
“The spirit here is one of inclusivity, I’d say,” Lakis said, echoing a popular refrain among South Philly actors and actresses that holds that egos will never reign supreme and that establishing a presence in one’s community, both on stage and off, is always going to be about being humble. “We can put all this pressure on ourselves, but you have to maintain perspective and not be so lost in yourself. I could go to a store, for example, and nobody would know or necessarily care if I had cracked a note the night before. Just be true to yourself.”
Allegiance to that stance has made Lakis a constant presence in Philadelphia, with the Arden Theatre Co. as a frequent employer, and beyond, including the inaugural national tour of “Avenue Q.” Shortly before giving this publication an interview, Lakis needed to trek to New York for a fitting, with a tour of “Something Rotten” awaiting her and husband Rob McClure as soon as we welcome a new year.
“The leniency that the companies are showing me to pull off both of these productions is amazing,” she said of the dual duties, with rehearsals for “Something Rotten” having begun Monday. “It’s probably the best Christmas present that I could ask for.”
No matter where she travels, though, Lakis will always look forward to returning to Passyunk Square, where she has resided since 2009. Those roots make her interactions with neighbors akin to the exchanges that she shares with her stage family, as each instance reminds her of her fortune.
“I’m at a very luck and fruitful point in my life,” Lakis said. “It’s great to give and get support. If you’re fortunate, that’s Philadelphia in a nutshell.” SPR
“A Children’s Christmas in Wales,” playing through Dec. 23
Walnut Street Theatre, 825 Walnut St.
Tickets: $35-$40
215–574–3550
walnutstreettheatre.org.
Top photo by Maria Young.
Production photos by Mark Garvin
