DGN Alumna Plays Young Joan Crawford, Learns Puppeteering in 'Christmas Dearest' Musical

Photos by Rick Aguilar.

Downers Grove, IL - Since graduating from Downers Grove North High School in 2014, Alexa Castelvecchi, 19, has maintained a steady course in her journey as a performer.

When last we spoke with the actor/dancer/singer, she had been selected for a highly sought-after role in the all-state production of “Grapes of Wrath,” put on at the Illinois High School Theatre Festival.

Now a sophomore at Roosevelt University/Chicago College of Performing Arts, Castelvecchi has landed her first part in a professional production, and she’s been mentioned by name in reviews of the musical by Broadway World and the Chicago Tribune.

Hell in a Handbag Productions in Chicago presents “Christmas Dearest,” a holiday musical that “tells the tale of Hollywood superstar, Joan Crawford, and the important lessons she learns one Christmas Eve.” The show runs through Dec. 29.

Castelvecchi plays a young Crawford, first when she’s 11 and then as a 20 year old. She also performs as a puppet child and a saucy housemaid.

Castelvecchi took a little break from performing to answer a few questions for Patch.

1. How has your theater career progressed since “Grapes of Wrath,” the Illinois High School Theatre Festival all-state production?

Well, I have continued with my training in terms of acting, dancing and singing by auditioning and being accepted into a conservatory program at Roosevelt University called Chicago College of Performing Arts. Honestly, I feel like I have developed a whole new perspective on performance over these past couple of years. Not only have I grown as a human being, but my understanding of the craft has blossomed.

One day I just woke up and realized that despite what people think, I chose one of most challenging yet rewarding career paths, and I should be grateful for every minute I am able to pursue it. That’s why whenever I feel like I hit a wall with a character or scene, I step back and say “I’m lucky that I have the ability to do this, whether it’s making me work hard or coming easy.” My theater career has ultimately broadened in terms of seeing all the options with performance styles (musicals, intense dramas, classical pieces, outrageous comedies, film, performance art, etc.) that are open to me. The possibilities are endless, and I am happy with the idea of dipping my toes in many of them.

2. Do you feel your theater experiences at DGN prepared you for the challenges you’ve faced since graduation?

Since freshman year, I learned never to settle at DGN. I demanded the best from myself 24/7 because my cast mates, directors and audience deserved that. And you know what, I deserved that too. Dedication and strength were things I grew into at North. There were times when I could have easily sacrificed my integrity or personal beliefs, but I always followed my gut and stood up for the things I believed in most. DGN was a great starting place, and I left that place being content with the memories I had made there.

3. Can you tell us a little about your role in “Christmas Dearest?” How did you come to land this part?

“Christmas Dearest” is a hilarious twist on a story most people know, “A Christmas Carol,” blended with the Joan Crawford classic- “Mommie Dearest.” Joan takes the place of Scrooge and travels back in time to see what a horrible person she has become, with a heart warming redemption at the end. Not to mention, Joan is played by a man in drag, further adding to the comedy. Betty Davis and Faye Dunaway (the actor who played Joan in “Mommie Dearest”) also star in this quirky, entertaining holiday parody.

I play Joan when she’s 11 years old and when she’s 20. Then I play a child in the mock Cratchitt household, which is actually a puppet! Lastly, I play present-day Joan’s saucy housemaid, Mamacita. Child Joan is a precious, innocent soul with her little wire hanger doll called Hangie (referencing the “no more wire hanger” joke). 20s Joan is a good-spirited flapper with a big heart. My favorite part about this role is the turn in her humanity. In the second part of this character, she becomes the snobbish diva, stepping on her friends to get ahead. It’s a blast playing both sides. With the hand-puppet child, it was my first time doing anything like that, and learning to work puppets has been an unexpected treat.

In terms of landing this role- well, this was the first year at my conservatory that they decided to do “non-guaranteed” casting, which means some students weren’t put in one of our seven productions (musicals/plays/showcases). Luckily/unluckily enough, I wasn’t cast, so I decided I would go to an audition out in the Chicago community. Despite being a little disappointed by the outcome of casting, I was determined to get some auditioning experience at least and get my headshot out there. I auditioned for about a few weeks on weeknights or weekends for various places. I received a few callbacks, but nothing really came out of anything. Then I went and gave Hell in a Handbag a try. From the moment I walked in, I was welcomed with a wonderful vibe from behind the auditor’s table. Pretty soon, I received the call from David Cerda, the writer and star of the show, asking me to be a part of their production. The best part of that moment was when he asked me, “Is this your first professional Chicago show?” and I meekly answered “Yes” and he said “Well, this is the first of many. You’re gonna be working a lot.” I was dumbstruck and so proud of myself. Coming from a place of self doubt after not being cast at school, I was reborn. Sometimes it takes the right person to see you and believe in you.

4. What is the best part about being a student at Roosevelt University/Chicago College of the Performing Arts?

The best part of being a student at RU/CCPA is the fact that I live in Chicago. This place is smorgasbord of opportunity. Everywhere you look there is art, from the architecture, the museums, the street sculptures, the people, the music. It’s impossible to not feel inspired. Not to mention, the Chicago theater scene is incredible. From store front theaters to the big houses like the Oriental or Cadillac, there is something that will tickle anyone’s fancy. The community is quite a welcoming one, close knit, and a lot more down to earth than New York. I have gone to shows and started talking to actors next to me who, despite their lack of high income, they go to see shows because they still love their craft. It’s so motivating and beautiful.

5. What are your plans for the future?

The future is such a distant light, but the scary thing is that it’s really not that far away. I ask myself all the time what is coming up the pipe, but honestly, if you would have asked me if I could see myself in my first professional Chicago show this year, I would have laughed and said, ”Thanks but probably not.” I try to live moment to moment, but one thing for sure is that one day I will have experimented with all types of performance, including television, film and theater. My ideal hope is to end up on one of the coasts (LA or NYC) or maybe even both, who knows? The possibilities are endless and as long as I keep working hard and keep the passion alive, I will be good to go!