TWG 9.3 Essay by Marika “Daisy” Mashburn

Posted by Molly on August 6, 2011

That's Weird Grandma TWG Weekly Update

Marika Mashburn, BOM Company Member, shares with us her actor’s journey into the creation of her award-winning performance of “Daisy” from “Daisy Never Learned”, a current story in That’s Weird, Grandma.  Supporting actress Elizabeth Levy, and male lead Tim Soszko give amazing performances as well.

“Daisy?  Daisy.  Forget it.”  These words haunt me, echoing through my brain like so many footsteps down a lonely corridor. 

My name is Marika Mashburn, and I originated the title role from Daisy Never Learned, a heartbreaking tale brought to us by Vanessa M. from the Little Village school.  I remember the day we adapted this staggering and gut-wrenching story.  So many questions arose.  So few answers.  Why couldn’t Daisy see Jimmy, the boy who’d given her his heart?  Why wouldn’t she answer?  And why, oh why, did she never learn?   

We are reminded of the timeless classic, Romeo and Juliet, another fable that is fraught with conflict, regret, misunderstanding and, eventually, peril.  Daisy loves Jimmy, her Romeo, but so many things stand in the way of their young adoration.  When he speaks, she cannot hear.  When he stands right next to her, she cannot see.  There are busses.  However, unlike Romeo, Jimmy gives up on his true love without a moment’s hesitation.  He barely tries to get her attention in the schoolyard before abandoning her for the teeter-totters.  On graduation day, Daisy has dressed in her very best yellow skirt—a nod to the color she wore when they first met—but Jimmy won’t walk the five to seven feet to gently guide her to pick up her diploma.  Even on the day of their marriage, when Daisy is blinded and confused by the bright lights and overwhelming emotions, Jimmy simply lets her walk away, with nothing but a nonchalant “Forget it.”   

“Forget” Daisy?  How could you, sir?

I am also reminded of a challenge given to us by one Madonna Louise Veronica Ciccone.  “You’ve got to prove your love to me.”  Jimmy:  if you truly love Daisy, as you say you do, you mustn’t simply “forget it.”  You must prove it.  Or else, it seems you will be the one who never learned. 

To witness this heartbreaking performance, join us for That’s Weird Grandma, Monday, August 8.  For $2 off your ticket, whisper “I will never forget it” to Kassi in the box office.