Hometown: Rockford, Illinois
Who do you play in Numbers Nerds?: I play Ms. McGery – the former drama teacher now the janitor. Although - once a drama teacher – always a drama teacher! The school was an all-girl Catholic school, but the nuns lost all of their money, so they sold to a Charter school. There is no theatre department in the new school, so McGery was out of a job – but at 55 years old, no one would hire her, so they offered her the job of janitor and she took it. Fun, ha?
Tell us about Numbers Nerds: Numbers Nerds is an important story to be told. It focuses on young women mathematicians and the challenges that high school girls deal with daily. As one supporter said, “Numbers Nerds gives voice to the young women who have struggled to find their place in the world.”
What is it like being a part of Numbers Nerds?: I like being a part a show that has such an important message and it is always exciting to be in a play that features girls or women. That is what draws me to the material. And the show is hysterical and the music is wonderful – very catchy – the audience will walk out singing the songs.
What kind of theater speaks to you? What or who inspires you as an artist?: I am inspired by musicals – classic comedy. I love to make people laugh and I love to laugh.
Any roles you’re dying to play?: Dolly Levi - is my dream role . She has a fantastic open heart who truly believes she is helping people. At the end of the day, she can say my work is down. She can do anything. Ms Marple – I want to be the female Columbo. I love playing the snoopy, detective.
What’s your favorite showtune?:“Make Your Garden Grow” – from Candide. There is something about the chord arrangement – and the hope and determination. It can send you to another plane. Another is “Sunday” the end of act 1 of Sunday in the Park. It has a similar feeling.
If you could work with anyone you’ve yet to work with, who would it be?: I am excited about working with these young women in Nerds but, present ladies excluded, I want to work with Maggie Smith! Carol Burnett – Norman Lear. All favorites!
Who would play you in a movie about yourself, and what would it be called?: Melissa McCarthy – is hot now and we have a similar sensibility. It would be called “Ms. Whimsy takes a Holiday”
If you could go back in time and see any play or musical you missed, what would it be?: It would be something in the 1950s – it changed a lot of how we perceived acting – opening night of Gypsy would have been great. It was the end of an era and the beginning of careers. Sondheim was just beginning and Lorentz and Stein. Imagine what it would have been like to have been in that theatre hearing Ethyl Merman belt out that score!
What show have you recommended to your friends?:Dear Evan Hansen– it was amazing. It had a lot to say – or as I said, # DearEvanHankey - it is a story about young people in high school and how important that time in their life is. He put aside his intellect and his own personal agenda to tell a lie to be accepted socially - then he was accepted socially – so he let the lie grow.
What’s your biggest guilty pleasure?: Turner Classic Movies – TCM – “Some Like it Hot” is the ultimate - because there is a laugh every 30 seconds.
What’s up next?:“Will and Grace!” That is all I can say……..confidentiality agreements you know……