OCTOBER 24 • 2024 | 45
of somebody and how it all made
people feel more confident. I can look
at somebody and know their colors
and how to reshape each face.
“That’s what I’ve been doing. I
have my own freelance company
called Breathe Beauty, and I do
bridal parties, bar mitzvahs, bridal
showers and any occasions. I have
clients I see on a monthly basis and
do their makeup if they go out. I
also represent the Chanel company
at Nordstrom in Troy, where I’ve
worked for 24 years.
”
A SERIOUS LOOK AT
MENTAL HEALTH
McDonald’s understanding of Next to
Normal came from knowing a friend
who died from suicide and another
friend subjected to family violence.
“I thought this play has a very
important message, and I wanted
to be part of it in any way that I
can,
” McDonald said. “That’s why I
stepped on to be the board liaison. I
wanted to be an advocate and get the
message out that we can’t hide behind
mental illness.
“I believe everyone has issues,
and it’s very important that people
understand that there are ways to
get around mental health issues.
People need to ask for help and
not be ashamed of emotional
problems.
”
The cosmetician-actress is
impressed with the depth of
every song. She finds each one
very riveting with an important
message. The mother, who
is bipolar, sings “I Miss the
Mountains,
” which can be
interpreted in many ways. The
daughter sings “Perfect for You,
”
trying to be what the mother wants.
McDonald, who has watched a
show production on YouTube, is glad
to work with musical director Curtis
Rowe, a friend from high school.
McDonald has been involved with
Village Players since 2022. A friend
from college, Russell Boyle, had
moved to New York but moved back
to Michigan during the pandemic.
They reconnected, and he called her
about being in the ensemble for The
Producers. Her skills with makeup let
her comfortably transform among
five different characters, from a choir
boy to an older woman.
Acting in Arsenic and Old Lace, she
was able to use makeup to fashion
herself as someone 20 years older.
McDonald’s family participated in
Temple Israel in her youth, and she
currently celebrates Jewish religious
holidays with relatives. In a marriage
that shares religious observances,
she wants her two teenagers to
experience rituals from their Jewish
heritage.
She is proud that her sister, Alison
Blau, is a longtime employee of
Congregation Beth Ahm and works
on membership and marketing.
Details
Next to Normal runs Oct.
25-Nov. 10 at Village Players
of Birmingham, 34660
Woodward. 8 p.m. Tuesday-
Saturday; 2 p.m. Sunday.
$30. (248) 644-2075,
birminghamvillageplayers.com.
Andrea
Krass
McDonald
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PUZZLE ANSWERS
Solution to puzzle in 10/17/24 issue.
1.
48 Hours
2.
16 Candles
3.
Apollo 13
4.
10 Things I Hate
About You
5.
127 Hours
6.
42