Playbill.com has two fantastic features on two very special actresses who have appeared recently on our stage.
Out today, is an interview with Alison Fraser about her return to Broadway after a 15 year absence! Alison has appeared in Gunmetal Blues, Lend Me a Tenor, and Lips Together, Teeth Apart at George Street. But it's her role in Gunmental Blues which she attributes to landing her the job in GYPSY which begins previews March 3rd at the St. James Theatre directed by Arthur Laurents.
Playbill also interviews Mary Beth Piel who is now appearing in the Roundabout Theatre Company's production of Sunday in the Park With George at Studio 54 on Broadway
Playbill also interviews Mary Beth Piel who is now appearing in the Roundabout Theatre Company's production of Sunday in the Park With George at Studio 54 on Broadway
Here's a preview of the Playbill interview with Ms. Frasier:
Question: Congratulations about Gypsy transferring to Broadway!
Alison Fraser: It's been a joy. It's just a joy to watch [everyone] at work: Arthur [Laurents] and Boyd [Gaines] and Laura [Benanti] and Patti [LuPone]! Patti is just the bomb. She's fantastic. It's really the most lovely group of people, and having Lenora [Nemetz] is such a nice addition. Nancy [Opel] was on tour with Drowsy Chaperone, so Lenora Nemetz came in as the new Mazeppa. It's just so much fun to reconnect with her. I had known her years ago, and I was a big fan of hers. She's just a great, great, great performer. It's thrilling to see. I'm sharing a dressing room with her.
Question: Let's go back to the summer. How did the role of Tessie come about for you?
Fraser: You know what? It was basically through the George Street Playhouse. I have a long association with them. I had done three shows in a row for David Saint, who is just one of my favorite directors in the world. He is, of course, a great, great pal of Arthur Laurents. Arthur came to see a show that I did a couple of years ago [Gunmetal Blues] . . . and shortly after that we went out for dinner, and he said, "I really would like you to be my Tessie Tura." It was months before the City Center show came about. Whenever you hear something like that, it's like, "Yeah, that'll be great if it happens," and it happened! And, then, it not only happened, but it escalated to me being back at the St. James again for the first time in 15 years.
Question: Let's go back to the summer. How did the role of Tessie come about for you?
Fraser: You know what? It was basically through the George Street Playhouse. I have a long association with them. I had done three shows in a row for David Saint, who is just one of my favorite directors in the world. He is, of course, a great, great pal of Arthur Laurents. Arthur came to see a show that I did a couple of years ago [Gunmetal Blues] . . . and shortly after that we went out for dinner, and he said, "I really would like you to be my Tessie Tura." It was months before the City Center show came about. Whenever you hear something like that, it's like, "Yeah, that'll be great if it happens," and it happened! And, then, it not only happened, but it escalated to me being back at the St. James again for the first time in 15 years.
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