Fine Arts
Bars/Clubs
Dining
Music
Movies
Literature
Fitness
Recreation
Attractions
Community
Professionals
Bright Idea: [Check out the Local Music Player located on the 
By CategoryInterview With Lester Malizia
Printer-Friendly Version | Email This Article
Interview With Lester MaliziaSeaside Music Theatre Artistic Director
2005-07-25
Article Written by: Cheryl! Tisland
It was a great pleasure to meet with Lester Malizia, who is currently directing the upcoming "Moby Dick! The Musical", which opens this Friday at DBCC Theatre Center. I wanted to have a chance to meet with him before the show in order to get to know the man who is in charge of the artistic aspects of coordinating and bringing the musical together to what it will be on opening night.
Lester began in theatre, at age 5, performing in A Midsummer Nights Dream by William Shakespeare. From that moment, as he looked out to the crowd, he knew that this was where he wanted to be. He was most inspired by his grandfather, an operatic performer, who told opera stories to Lester at bedtime and taught him of the relationship between art and politics. Lester states that his favorite quote is "All new art is controversial".
He told me that he has been fortunate to always work with inspirational teachers who have brought out the inspiration in him. "Everyone has something to teach", he explains. "Young people bring an energy and freedom and adults bring the maturity and experience".
He is very passionate about his work and states that it is "great to always live at the top of life where there is always something new".
Lester's career as a professional director began in 1975 in New York. In 1981, he began working with SMT as a freelancer and came on full time in 1988. His favorite directing roles have been Ragtime, Miss Saigon and Children of Eden. He loves "Moby Dick! The Musical" and talked of its start in London before Russell Ochocki adapted it for America. Lester, and the Seaside Music Theatre, began planning and putting the musical together in December and have been rehearsing for the past two weeks straight. Lester mentions that, in this business, there are no weekends.
"Moby Dick! The Musical" is sure to be another big hit for Seaside Music Theatre. I am looking forward to this great opportunity of being there on opening night and witnessing what I expect to be a witty, clever and artistic accomplishment of Lester Malizia and his portrayal of this revised London cult favorite.
More information about Seaside Music Theater
