Eight roles one actress in 'Jeffrey'

Grooving to the tunes of the Brady Bunch backstage, the mist of hairspray hanging in the air, Cambria Davies is getting set for many costume changes in her multiple roles in the Cal State Long Beach theater production of "Jeffrey."

Davies, a 22-year old CSULB student, will graduate in July with a bachelor's degree in Theater Arts and a minor in public relations.

The only female member of the cast, Davies has undertaken the energetic task of playing eight different character roles. She portrays every personality with the enthusiasm and spontenaity that successfully brings each character to life.

Playwright Paul Rudnick treats the serious realities and struggles of gay life in the 90's through the genre of comedy. The story centers around a gay man named Jeffrey whose fear of contracting the AIDS virus leads him to humerously question his decision of celibacy. Each of Davies characters, through actions or words, help to provide Jeffrey with an interesting outlook on his sexual choices.

Her various roles include Mother Teresa, offering comfort and strength through her silence, and Anne Marwood Bartell, a socialite for the AIDS hoedown. Adding to the hilarity is a post-modern evangelists, a sexual compulsive and the mother of a pre-operative transexual lesbian.

"This cast has committed their time and effort to getting their meesage out about AIDS, and that lifes happy moments shouldn't end because of the fear of the disease" said Davies. Director Ashley Carr, Jr. has opened their eyes and minds to what goes on in the gay community, and "all of us love and respect him very much" said Davies.

The experience of participating in a production with a completely male cast has her smiling from the many hilarious memories she's making.

"These guys are so enormously talented and each one adds their own brand of humor to the show," said Davies, "I've had the best time working with all of them." The cast members include Marcus Plasencia, who stares as Jeffrey, Michael W. Page, Hal Houston, Karim Yero Oliver, Grant Baciocco, Scott A. Bonnel and Stephen Humphreys.

Among Davies accomplishments are the roles of Sara in the production of Table Manners directed by Ken Rugg, and a friskey attendent to the banished Duke in the production of "As You Like It" directed by Steve McCue.

Davies ambition toward achieving her goal is bolstered by her favorite motto as spoken by Dr. Suess "You'll get mixed up, of course, as you already know. You'll get mixed up with many strange birds as you go. So be sure when you step. Step with care and great tact and remember that Life's a Great Balancing Act."

So, as Davies tiptoes through her studies, her craft and life she is becoming accomplished at the task of balancing lifes many hats.