LaDonna Burns, who performs in Beef & Boards' 15th anniverary of Beef & Boards Christmas Show. (James Yee / The Indianapolis Star)

LaDonna Burns, 34, says it's surreal to return to the Indianapolis stage for the first time since 2001. The North Central High School graduate will join the Beef & Boards cast fresh off a tour of China with the musical "Grease."

"I'm just happy to be here during the holidays. No one could come to China to see me there," said Burns, who lives in New York when she's not touring. A return to Indiana also means spending the first Christmas with her mother, Florine Burns, since the death of her father, J.C.

"They've always been very supportive," said Burns, recalling her first leading role as Eve/Mama Noah in Footlite Musicals' "Children of Eden" as one such example.

"My mom came back stage afterward and said, 'Watch out, Jennifer Holliday -- here comes my baby,'" referring to the actress who won a 1982 Tony Award for her Broadway role in "Dreamgirls." Burns won an Encore Award for her first leading role and eventually landed roles with the national tours of "Seussical the Musical" and "Rent."

Got sick of science

Her path back to Indy came with a few curves in the road.

After high school she earned a bachelor's degree in microbiology at Michigan State University and took a break from acting to concentrate on a career in medicine.

"I was trying to stick to my science because I thought I'd become a doctor and make lots of money, but I was miserable," Burns said.

In 2001, she rented an apartment in Harlem and began auditioning for shows in the Big Apple.

"I've always loved theater," said Burns, recalling one of her first roles in elementary school. "I was a kitchen clock, and poked my head out of a big orange box reciting, 'hickory dickory dock,'" she says with a laugh.

The persistence paid off.

In the Beef & Boards holiday production Burns will dress in holiday glitz, and take the spotlight with solos "Santa Baby" and "The Man with the Bag."

"It's kind of a Vegas revue with lots of dancers ... a real feel-good show to come home to," Burns said.