A classicly trained actress, Maria Canals-Barrera has done it all. From theater to television and feature films, her resume is as impressive, as it is diverse. Easily recognized for her role as Theresa Russo, the mother to Selena Gomez’s Alex Russo in the popular Disney series Wizards of Waverly Place, Canals-Barrera has also offered her talents as a voice actress on everything from Danny Phantom to Ultimate Spider-Man. Always up for a new challenge, now in 2024 she takes on the role of a witch in the Horror Comedy Seven Cemeteries. Released in theaters and digitally on October 11th, it is a delightful way to gear up for Halloween! Excited, yet humble, Maria Canals-Barrera recently sat down to chat about her past, present, and future projects.
Cryptic Rock – You have been involved in film and television for quite some time now. From Wizards of Waverly Place to voiceovers, you have been a part of many cool projects. Before we go any further, how would you describe your career to this point?
Maria Canals-Barrera – Oh, gosh. I’m very grateful for the opportunities that I’ve had. As an actor, we always want more. We want to be doing something all the time. I feel like there’s so much more out there now; especially for actors who are American and of Latin heritage. I feel like we’re just starting to be seen as part of the American fabric rather than being put in just stories that are considered something we’d be right for.
Those opportunities have been too few and far between. It’s finally starting to change a bit. I’m very grateful because it’s not easy to have a career as a working actor in this business. There’s just so much more out there and things are changing. Things are getting better. Again, like I said, we’re being included as part of the American stories, American fabrics; and not excluded to a Latino story or a Hispanic story.
Cryptic Rock – Right. It is not just a particular character in a story anymore.
Maria Canals-Barrera – Exactly!
Cryptic Rock – Well, those are all positive things. As stated, through the years you have navigated through many different projects. You have been acting for a long time, and with that, in many different genres. Do you have a particular genre you enjoy working in most, or do you just like the challenge of working in all types of genres?
Maria Canals-Barrera – I like the challenge of working in all types of genres. I was trained at the University of Miami’s Conservatory Program, and we did it all. We did Italian Commedia Dell’arte. We did Shakespeare. We trained in every style, classical style. I love it all. As I got into the professional world, I got a chance to do voice work, animated characters, as well as funny TV moms.
In theater, I’ve gotten to play several amazing characters, like the play Hedda Gabler, at the East LA Classic Theater. I’ve had some amazing opportunities. For this particular film Seven Cemeteries, I play the very ugly witch. My husband said, “Babe, think of it like a theater piece. Don’t worry about what you look like.” I said, “You’re right, babe. I’m just going to throw myself into it like a theater piece.” It was a blast.
Even when our director, John Gulager, said, “Can we give her more liver spots?” I said, “Oh, okay. Let’s do it. Let’s do it.” I look quite hideous, and not like the glamorous mom that you used to see me as in Wizards of Waverly Place… where I always got to look cute. I loved it though. I loved being the bruja, the witch doctor. She was a blast. She’s funny. She prefers to be called Enchantress. She’s old. She’s hideous, and she’s a blast to play.
Cryptic Rock – That is great to hear. You were unrecognizable for a moment in Seven Cemeteries, but that is a testament to your great makeup and character portrayal. So, how did Seven Cemeteries come about for you?
Maria Canals-Barrera – Well, it was an audition, and it was during COVID time. We were doing self-tapes. We actually are still doing self-tapes like 99% of the time. That means you don’t go in a room where the people get to see you, the casting director, the director. You send your tape in… so you film yourself. My husband and I, have a little section set up in our basement for self-tapes.
I remember auditioning for Seven Cemeteries and setting it up. My audition scene was in my kitchen in the movie. I’m talking to Bravo, who’s on the couch; that’s Danny Trejo’s character. I’m cooking a concoction. I’m also making corn to eat. I’ve got a lot going on. I remember setting it up and having so much fun doing the audition. My husband read the other parts for me. I would throw my attention in different directions during the audition where I’m talking to Bravo, and where I’m talking to Efren Ramirez, who’s my husband in the movie.
I remember having so much fun doing the audition as if I was shooting the movie alone. Then weeks and weeks later, when I found out that I got the part just based on that one tape, I didn’t even have to get a callback! That was really exciting. I was like, “Well, I knew it felt great.” It was a lot of fun. We got flown to wherever the movie’s shooting, and we shot in Oklahoma City.
It was all very exciting, even though we had to deal with the COVID restrictions and the masks. It was hard with the makeup, but we did it. It’s a fun, guilty pleasure to go out and see because it’s hilarious.
Cryptic Rock – You would call it a Horror movie, but it has a strong level of comedy too. Was the comedy something that gravitated you toward the script as well?
Maria Canals-Barrera – Totally. I love that. I love it when writing is unexpected when it’s more like life. When you go see a Drama sometimes, nobody cracks a joke. When you see a dramatic show on television, like one of those Hospital Dramas, it is not like real life. Some are, like House. That’s why I like those that are actually funny. House had a lot of humor.
But so oftentimes, the Drama is dramatic, and a Comedy is ridiculously over-the-top, forced jokes. I like it when it’s like life. Life is full of pain, frustration, and moments of happiness. But when it’s difficult, we need to relieve the stress and the pressure with a joke. Sometimes it’s quite macabre. That’s how we deal in life.
We have all kinds of colors to us in real life. When a movie that’s an Action movie and a Horror movie that’s also funny, it’s not a common thing. That’s why I love Seven Cemeteries. I think it’s a lot of fun. I love that it’s right before Halloween; because I think it’s the perfect thing to do to meet with a bunch of your friends, maybe in costume if the theater allows it. Don’t eat dinner. Eat dinner at the theater. Stuff your face with all that awesome junk and watch our movie. It’s a total blast and warm-up for Halloween!
Cryptic Rock – Agreed. As you mentioned, the comedy seems natural. There is also a lot of good dialogue in this movie. Some lines stick with you right away.
Maria Canals-Barrera – Yeah. We had terrific writers. Our director, John, and Producer Joel Soisson wrote it. It’s very, very funny.
It’s always great as an actor when you get to say funny things and take all the credit. It always starts with brilliant writing. I got to improvise one line. I think John liked it. He said, “Oh, keep that line.” That was a big compliment that he liked something I threw in there. I can’t wait to hear what people say when they see it. It’s unexpected. I’ll tell you that.
Cryptic Rock – It is great you were able to improvise. With Seven Cemeteries out now, do you have any favorite Horror films?
Maria Canals-Barrera – I’m not into Horror in general. Life is pretty scary enough, so I don’t go looking for it. When I was a kid, I saw something like The Mummy (1932), or some other mummy film. My mom said, “Don’t stay up too late.” I said, “Okay, I won’t.” They used to have an evening show called Creature Features. I saw one of those mummy movies and it was so scary that I think that’s what made me not gravitate towards Horror. It was so well done! I would say anything that has to do with mummies freaks me out a little bit. (Laughs)
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