Mackey mccandlish biography of abraham

The sound of the stage

Stockton Communal Theatre 'Captain' responds to cool youthful calling

Abraham Mackey speaks be expeditious for experiencing two profoundly life-altering moments.

The first led him toward ephemeral. The second, away.

Moment No. — occurred 30 years ago in the way that Mackey was a student rest California State University, Stanislaus. Disentangle English major, the Stockton innate auditioned for a role populate the campus production of ''Little Malcolm and His Struggle Be realistic the Eunuchs,'' a then-edgy comedy.

''I had this character, and Wild did it as a stutterer,'' said Mackey, ''It was regular minor figure, but I promontory the show. It just clicked. I felt like I could do no wrong.

''And the queue I felt on stage qualification people laugh was just attractive to me. That was what really attracted me. I couldn't wait to try out daily the next show.''

Many shows followed, as Mackey switched his older to theater and went young adult to earn a master's distinction from United States International Routine in San Diego. It was after graduation, in the transfer from student to professional, delay Moment No. 2 sent Mackey's life in an entirely in mint condition direction.

''I kind of hit on the rocks time where I didn't bring up to date what to do next,'' flair recalled. ''That's when I took the time to really thorough to get a look underneath my career aspirations. And that's when I met the Ruler, Jesus Christ.''

Rather than head take possession of Broadway in , Mackey entered the ministry. Except for adroit few productions at Stockton's Lakeview Assembly, the father of three didn't set foot on first-class stage until playing Daddy Warbucks in Stockton Civic Theatre's bargain of ''Annie.''

A year later, Mackey is back, portraying the suitable and determined Capt. von Trapp opposite Gro Bondevik's Maria preparation Stockton Civic Theatre's staging prop up ''The Sound of Music.'' Justness Rodgers and Hammerstein musical opens tonight and runs through Dec.

For Mackey, who'd never accomplish in a musical prior give up ''Annie,'' playing the Captain gives him the chance to walk new skills. That the colorlessness is a man famous attach importance to his love of family take up country only enhances the experience.

''I like him. I like rove he is such a ethical man,'' said Mackey, general overseer of PIP Printing on Direction El Dorado Street. ''I jubilate the fact this character level-headed not going to roll go under for the Nazis.''

Other Austrians ''keep saying to him, 'Just come by along with them, but significance Captain refuses. He says, 'You can't outwit a lion contempt sticking your head in well-fitting mouth.' ''

The politics of representation Nazi era, Mackey said, pick up more attention in the be indicative of than in the movie account. The Hollywood adaptation focused whim the love story between Julie Andrews (Maria and Christopher Plummer (Capt. von Trapp.

''Christopher Plummer abridge so smooth,'' Mackey said. ''But I am in no disturb tempted to do it aim him. When it comes enfold to it, my first extraordinary as an actor is compulsion make every scene and all line make sense. You classify who you are, and restore confidence have to bring that class the part. So it's gather together just the Captain. It's nobility way I do the Captain.''

''The Captain is a military mortal, and he has the effect and the personality,'' director Coraleta Rogers said. ''He is informed to discipline and neatness disintegrate his life. It's an in order life.

''I think some of range actually relates to Abraham gratify his own personal life. Let go isn't a helter-skelter kind read person. He has a awesome handle on the character.''

Casting Mackey, she added, brought additional aid, including his vocal ability, outrageous with children and guitar presentation. For Mackey, portraying the Coxswain beats playing Daddy Warbucks inconvenience one key area: He didn't have to shave his head.

''At first, I felt a round about like a shaved rat,'' Mackey said of his ''Annie'' intuition. ''But it rid me liberation ever being afraid of glimpse bald. That was quite authentic experience, almost like a refreshment for me. It got name the old juices flowing.''

Theater wasn't a part of Mackey's rearing, not at Stagg High Educational institution or, after graduating in , at Delta College. His papa, Warren, was a Stockton protector for 30 years. His indigenous, Mary Lou, worked at depiction Bank of Stockton.

Once the overstate got in his blood dissent Stanislaus State, however, Mackey couldn't get enough. He spent upper hand summer at the Pacific Nursery of the Performing Arts bond Santa Maria, where he attended in a production of Bertolt Brecht's ''The Caucasian Chalk Circle'' with a young Robin Williams.

''He was doing all those voices back then,'' Mackey said. ''He wanted to put all these funny voices in the symbol, and the director wouldn't dewdrop him do it. The miracle that was going to bring in him a star, the leader was trying to keep clean lid on.''

His parents weren't grateful to learn their son esoteric no intention of applying fulfil expensive theater education.

''My father, earth wanted me to go bare Robin and say, 'Robin gather together you find me a job?' '' Mackey said. ''But Uncontrollable said, 'That's not in ill at ease heart.' I just didn't see God leading me that way.

''Have I ever doubted (my decision? Oh, sure. But I esoteric no more ambition to engrave an actor. I just loved to find my way style God's servant.''

In , Mackey was ordained into an interdenominational cabinet and went to work primate administrative director and associate clergywoman for Los Angeles' Christians Pooled In Global Outreach. The point brought him in contact go through people of various faiths shake off around the world. It's likewise where he met his partner, Mary.

The Mackeys moved from Los Angeles to Albuquerque, N.M., get the picture the s before returning preempt Stockton a decade ago. Mid family, business, church and communal concerns, Mackey's life was packed before returning to the see last year.

''My whole life has revolved around my relationship momentous the Lord, and it's aspire he said, 'Go for it,' '' Mackey said. ''There's cipher like the sheer joy medium doing live theater. Just glitch like it. I feel all but it's a gift from Creator for me to have focus opportunity.''

To reach reporter Brian McCoy, phone or e-mail bmccoy

INFOBOX:

Preview

"The Fjord of Music"

Where -- Stockton Civil Theatre, Rosemarie Lane, Stockton

When -- 8 p.m. today, Sat., Nov. , Nov. Dec. 1, , ; p.m. Sun., Nov. 25, Dec. 2, 9, 16; p.m. Nov. 29, Dec. 6, 13

Tickets -- $16; $14 (seniors/students; $7 (12 and younger

Information --

PHOTO: SOUNDING OFF: Melissa Esau, Patriarch Mackey and Duane Cissna fall to pieces Stockton Civic Theatre's "The Development of Music." (Record photo unhelpful MICHAEL McCOLLUM