She's on her own in 'Spring Awakening'

If young Cat Brindisi achieved good grades in this or that class in school, her parents wondered whether she might want to pursue something along those lines for her career. The suggestions were intended only to assure Cat that her fate had not been determined.

"They would tell me, 'You don't have to do this,'" Brindisi said recently over coffee.

"This" was a life in the theater. And despite the "talk" that came out of the mouths of Michelle Barber and Michael Brindisi, how could their daughter not take note of their "walk"? Both were up to their necks in show business -- father Brindisi the artistic director of Chanhassen Dinner Theatres and mother Barber a constant performer on stage, TV, nightclubs and concert halls.

"Once when I was in college I thought of being a yoga instructor or a dance instructor, but I don't see myself in any other profession," Cat Brindisi said during a break in rehearsals for "Spring Awakening." "It's in my blood."

Brindisi grew up on the Chanhassen stage, hoofing with the dance line, and contributing her young voice and smile to the chorus. In 2007, she caught a break when Laura Osnes left the cast of "Grease" and Brindisi stepped into the lead role of Sandy. She clearly had talent, yet clinging to her back was the monkey who whispered, "You're only getting this because you're the director's daughter."

The adult Cat Brindisi, now tall, and gorgeous in a Lea Michele sort of way, is intent on forging her own future. She excelled in the drama program at University of Minnesota Duluth, moved to New York to test the waters, and has twice taken roles with Theater Latté Da.

"I don't think anyone would ever think she's a theater brat," said Peter Rothstein, who is directing the "Spring Awakening" production that opens Saturday at the University of Minnesota's Rarig Center. "She doesn't have any brashness that comes from being in a theater family, or the insecurity that she can never measure up."

Mother and daughter

Brindisi plays Wendla in Latté Da's staging, which is being done in collaboration with the University Theatre Arts and Dance Department. There is something perfect about a young actor trying to establish her independent identity in a play about youthful coming-of-age. The metaphor gets richer through Wendla's friction with her mother -- played by Michelle Barber. The two have worked together often at Chanhassen, but "this is the first time that we've worked together as adults," Brindisi says with gleeful satisfaction.

Brindisi did "Spelling Bee" with Latté Da last fall, her first significant professional production after graduating from UMD. When that show closed, she moved in November to New York, "where no one knows me."

She had the typical experience of a talented fresh face in the concrete jungle: endless auditions and two part-time jobs -- one at an athletic club so she could get a gym membership.

"I learned that auditioning six to eight times a week is the job in New York," she said.

Rothstein, who directed Brindisi in "Spelling Bee," brought her back to Minneapolis to audition for "Spring Awakening," which will use a mix of professionals and theater students from the University.

"She has this easy openness and vulnerability on stage that doesn't feel coy or manipulated -- an open heart, which is key for this role," Rothstein said. "She's really a smart, solid actor; she moves beautifully and the voice is really special."

He has also recognized where she gets her talent. With Barber in the cast, Rothstein said, he can see "this is where Cat comes from."

Vacation in Minnesota

Working back in Minneapolis has seemed like a vacation from the audition grind in New York.

"I'm falling in love with this city," Brindisi said. "I might stay a little longer after the show closes."

She said that her dad has casually mentioned that Chanhassen is doing "Bye Bye Birdie" later this summer. It's a youthful show; probably needs some good, young triple threats; just something to think about.

Brindisi, who has enormous affection for her parents, laughs as she tells this story. As much as she loves her father, "I don't want to take that route." There is eventually more New York to test, and maybe Los Angeles, for camera work.

"I want to try it all," she said.

Her eager optimism, interestingly, matches that of her character in "Spring Awakening." Wendla is innocent, perhaps a bit naive but dedicated to seeing the best in everything.

"I love that about her," Brindisi said. "Why wouldn't you be happy?"