ISA BRIONES was born Isabella Camille Briones in London, England. Her parents, Jon Jon Briones and Megan Johnson Briones are both actors and singers, and her younger brother, Teo Briones is also an actor. She began modeling in New York at the age of 3, and started acting when her family moved to Los Angeles in 2006. She is best known for her role in the film Takers, playing Matt Dillon's daughter. Isa is entering her senior year of high school, and is excited to be making her professional theater debut in this production of Next to Normal. School theater credits include: Velma in Hairspray, Brooke in Legally Blonde and Abigail in The Crucible. TV and film: “Takers,” “Cutthroat”, “Lonely Boy”.
Isa is currently playing the role of ‘Natalie’ in Next To Normal, a contemporary rock musical with book and lyrics by Brian Yorkey and music by Tom Kitt, featuring a live five-piece band. Next to Normal explores how one suburban household is torn apart by mental illness and fights to stay together. Next to Normal, a guest production at The Pico Playhouse, runs August 19 – September 25, and is produced by Triage Productions and SRO Productions.
by Steve Peterson
Being brought up in that world of performers was truly an amazing experience. It was definitely not your usual childhood but that’s what made it so great. My fondest memories are trick-or-treating backstage during Miss Saigon around the dressing rooms and birthdays surrounded by the cast and all the amazing countries I was fortunate enough to visit. I was immersed in this world of people pursuing their dreams and that really inspired me to do the same.
Did you happen to travel with your parents when they were on the road doing a show? If so, was there a country, city or town you liked exploring or have pleasant memories of that you would visit again, and why?
I was born in London when my dad was closing the original
West End production of Miss Saigon and I was there for all of the Saigon tours
my parents did after my birth: Asian, US, and UK. One place that I would love
to visit soon is the Philippines. Almost all of my family on my dad’s side
lives there and I haven’t seen them in over ten years. I was so young the last
time I visited so my memories are just short flashes here and there of the
beautiful beaches and playing with my cousins.
When did you first consider becoming a performer?
I think performing has pretty much always been a part of
me. I remember performing one-man
reenactments of Miss Saigon for my
grandmother on her fireplace or dancing to Gwen Stefani in our hotel in the
Philippines. However, I didn’t start professionally acting until we settled
down in LA when I was eight and I pursued film and TV. But I think I decided to really commit to
pursuing musical theater two summers ago when my dad was living in London doing
the West End revival of Miss Saigon.
I got to see so much fantastic theater and I had such an emotional response to
watching the shows, not because they told emotional stories but because I
couldn’t help but think of what it would be like if I was up there on stage.
That made me realize how urgent my need to perform was.
Was or is there a teacher or coach, or someone who encouraged you along
the way whom you might call a mentor.
It’s cheesy but my parents have been my coaches my whole
life. I only recently started taking voice lessons with a teacher, before that
it was always my mom. Everything I know about singing, acting, and life is
because of her. She’s a truly amazing woman because she puts our family first
and works so hard to make sure we have every opportunity possible and on top of
that, she’s unbelievably talented. And my Dad is such an inspiration too
because he came from a very poor area in Manila, Philippines. The fact that he
was even able to get out of that situation at all is impressive, but to know he
achieved that solely on his talent is a huge inspiration. He has worked so hard
for so long to get to where he is now, making his Broadway debut at 50. They
are both such hardworking, dedicated people that inspire me every single day.
Tell us a bit about your character, Natalie. What you do you feel the character is there
to communicate through song and text to the audience?
Natalie is a teenaged girl whose entire life has revolved
around her mother. It has made her feel “invisible”, as the song says. Her
mother’s inability to let go of her son leaves Natalie feeling unloved,
motivating her to throw herself into anything that will distract from her pain.
Most of what you hear come out of Natalie’s mouth is snarky comments calling
everyone out but as you see later in the show, deep down, she’s just a girl who
needs her parents; she needs her mom. That basic, universal need for love and
family is what makes Natalie such a relatable character.
Is there anything you’d like us to know about your experience with NEXT
TO NORMAL, whether it is the musical itself or the creative process, and/or
people involved?
The thing that is so great about the show is how real it is.
The story doesn’t end with some sugar coated happy ending because that’s just
not how life goes. It so perfectly follows every character’s journey from chaos
to a very realistic, bittersweet resolution. And even though the play is
specifically centered on mental illness it’s a story about family, which makes
it so relatable to any audience. We’ve got such a great cast and a fantastic
director, Thomas James O’Leary. That has
made this experience so great.
Do have a favorite musical or play that you’d like to be in?
Well, my old answer to this question used to be Next to Normal! I guess I have to find a new answer. Shows I
would love to do one day are definitely In
the Heights and Spring Awakening,
with Nina and Wendla, respectively, as my top dream roles.
Next to Normal, garnered three 2009 Tony Awards, and the 2010 Pulitzer Prize. August 19 – September 25, 2016. Fridays and Saturdays at 8 pm, Saturdays and Sundays at 2 pm. Tickets: $32 – 36.99.
For tickets: http://n2nmusicalla.brownpapertickets.com
Information: www.n2nmusicalla.com or 310-204-4440
The Pico Playhouse, 10508 West Pico Blvd., Los Angeles
Information: www.n2nmusicalla.com or 310-204-4440
The Pico Playhouse, 10508 West Pico Blvd., Los Angeles
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