BWW Interviews: LOVE, LOSS' Haylie Duff

Haylie Duff made her Broadway debut in 2006 as Amber von Tussle in Hairspray. She is now back in New York and starring in Nora and Delia Ephron's production of Love, Loss and What I Wore. Duff earned a Teen Choice Award for her role as Summer Wheatly in the cult classic "Napoleon Dynamite," and has also served as an executive producer and mentor to contestants on MTV's reality show, "Legally Blonde The Musical: The Search for Elle Woods."

Duff spoke to BroadwayWorld reporter Nick Orlando about the show, fashion, and theatre vs. Hollywood.

Your family came out to support you on opening night. How did it go?
It was so much fun. It was nerve-racking though.

Did you have much time to rehearse?
No! We only had two days to rehearse and we found out the characters we play four days prior.

What interested you in this show?
I was always a huge fan of Nora Ephron. Knowing that she and her sister wrote this play caught my attention. I read the book, and later on the script. It was unique. It is everything I thought it would be and more.

Have you met Nora and Delia Ephron?
No, not yet.

Did you see the show prior to being cast?
No, I was already casted and then I came out to New York and saw the last cast on their final performance. They were incredible!

How can you relate to the show?
I can relate in so many different ways. My mother's story, my sister's story, the shirt and bag story. As a woman, you get the whole thing.

Do you have your own memories that you associate with fashion?
Of course, I spent a lot of time in those memories - my mom made me a dress from a pattern for a father/daughter dance. I was 8 years old. A favorite pair of shoes I had. A hair bow.

How has your style changed over the years?
It is more relaxed now. I'm not as concerned about it. I know it sounds bad! For the month I am here in New York, I packed a couple of pairs of high heels. I only used them once for the opening night after-party. I have been in flats everyday, especially since it has been so hot.

Which designers are you a fan of?
Gypsy05 - I have been wearing a ton of their stuff. It is washable silk. I also like Phillip Lim, Diane Von Furstenberg. It's not hard to make me happy with fashion.

Do you see many guys in the audience?
Actually, we do see some guys. On Saturday nights, especially, it's date night. Some things may go over there heads a bit.

Maybe they are being dragged along by their significant other!
Probably!

How does the theatre culture compare to the Hollywood culture?
It feels like a united front. This show has only the five of us [Penny Fuller, ShaRon Lawrence, Myra Lucretia Taylor, Ashley Austin Morris] up there. When it's not on me, I am watching the other monologues and I watch each cast member knock it out of the park. We pull for each other. With film and television, your scenes are by yourself.

It's a tight community.
Yes, and two people who taught me the choreography in Hairspray, came out to opening night. It was so nice.

Being in NY, do you get a break from the paparazzi?
Yes.

What are your thoughts on some of the gossip sites TMZ, Perez Hilton, etc?
I don't really read them. The Huffington Post is the only one I usually go to if I really need to read gossip, which gives me enough.

What can't you live without?
My family, boyfriend, and my dogs; I feel like I could do without a lot of stuff. Maybe if I had to choose, a pair of Ray Bans and my iPhone.

Ok, so do you have the iPhone 4?
No, everyone asks me that! I don't have it yet.

You are on Twitter - fans can follow you @HaylieK?
Yes, someone had taken my name before I signed on, so I had to use my middle initial [middle name is Katherine].

What do you love about NYC?
So many things; I love everything from the parks to the people. The people are so special. For July 4th, Nick [Zano] and I went walking through the crowds. Everyone was sitting around together. We don't see that in Los Angeles. I love the food here.

Which is your favorite restaurant?
The Standard Grill has the greatest food. I love little local spots.

You were a mentor on MTV's "Legally Blonde The Musical: The Search for Elle Woods." What are your Top 3 reality shows that you can't stop watching?
"Celebrity Rehab," that's a guilty pleasure. I love "The Office" and "Bored to Death." They feel like reality shows, but aren't.

Can you talk to us briefly about your blog, Real Girl's Kitchen?
It is something I started for fun. I love to cook. It is a simple past time.

What else do you have in the works?
I just finished shooting two movies. "Slightly Single in L.A." (romantic comedy) and "Video Girl."

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Love, Loss, and What I Wore is playing The Westside Theatre (407 West 43rd Street). For more information and to purchase tickets, visit www.LoveLossOnStage.com or www.telecharge.com. Haylie Duff's final performance is currently set for Sunday, July 25th. To follow Duff on Twitter, check out twitter.com/hayliek.

Photo Credit: Carol Rosegg