Hometown: Leonia, NJ
Education: Fordham University (Lincoln Center), William Esper
Select Credits: Broadway: As Is, Burn This (TONY Award Nomination), Off Bway: Orpheus Descending, Sight Unseen, Regional: Intelligent Homosexual's Guide..., 12 Angry Men, That Championship Season; TV: "The Good Wife", "Nurse Jackie", "Sex & The City"; Film: "It's My Party", "Mary & Louise"
Why theater?: The honesty, the fear, the electricity, the evanescence... Also, the collaborative spirit of theatre has been one of many of the most inspiring and uplifting times of my life. Starting as an intern at The Circle Repertory Company to working on this current production, the collaborative ethic is paramount in creating an engaging, thoughtful, fun, exciting and (hopefully, but not always) important piece of theatre.
Who do you play in Mr. Toole?: Arthur Ducoing, Thelma's brother, Ken's Uncle. He works at The Standard Fruit Company in New Orleans, LA. My scenes are mainly w Thelma and take place in the 1970's, where he comes back into his sister's life to help her thru some tough times. He's good for her; supportive, a caretaker and a positive force in her life.
Tell us about Mr. Toole: It's a beautiful memory of an idealistic young woman and the troubled man in her life. John Kennedy Toole, the author of the Pulitzer Prize winning "A Confederacy of Dunces", was a teacher to this young woman, and an author trying to get his book published...it all comes to life beautifully through Vivian Neuwirth's words.
What is it like being a part of Mr. Toole?: Exciting to be creating a new role in a new play.
What kind of theater speaks to you? What or who inspires you as an artist?: Theatre that challenges you and/or makes you see a subject from a new angle. Theatre that makes you feel something...I want to be a part of an event that you can only experience by seeing it live. I want to be in something that I'd be dying to see. And I love for it to be funny as hell, too! Love me some good ol' schtick & bits...love that! I'm a ham...gimme a spit take or 2 and I'm a very happy camper. Inspiration: Tony Kushner, Marshall W Mason, all writers...
Any roles you’re dying to play?: My next one...
What’s your favorite showtune?: "Fugue for Tinhorns" from Guys & Dolls, "Wilkommen" from Cabaret, ...too many to pick just one... "I Got Life" from Hair...got an hour?
If you could work with anyone you’ve yet to work with, who would it be?: Stephen Adly Gurgis, Liesl Tommy, Sam Rockwell...(please check for spelling, thanks!)
Who would play you in a movie about yourself and what would it be called?: Tough. the practical side of me knows that this film would never be made...the egotistical side says there is no one who could play me!...and the idiot side of me (how many sides is that?!) says a Rottweiler. Call it "Lou" (original, huh?)
If you could go back in time and see any play or musical you missed, what would it be?: Laurette Taylor in The Glass Menagerie.
What show have you recommended to your friends?: Recently: Broadway: Fun Home, Off Bway: anything at Ensemble Studio Theatre.
What’s your biggest guilty pleasure?: I was going to say TV, but then I realized that it's really just a plain old addiction.
What’s up next?: Currently in A Class Act, directed by Christopher Scott, at New World Stages thru 9-04. Also, a workshop in September of a great play, Visible From 4 States by Barbara Hammond. Plus, reading some scripts for consideration...and of course, sleep.