Talking DIRTY with Joanna Gleason

If you haven't seen the show, go see DIRTY ROTTEN SCOUNDRELS currently playing on Broadway at the Imperial Theatre, which features todays interviewee, Miss Joanna Gleason. Gleason received Tony®, Drama Desk and Outer Critics Circle Award nominations for her role as Muriel in the Broadway musical hit DIRTY SCOUNDRELS. She also won the Tony Award, the Drama Desk Award and the Outer Critics Circle Award for her portrayal of the Baker's Wife in the original production of INTO THE WOODS . Her other Broadway credits include I LOVE MY WIFE for which she received the Theatre World Award, THE REAL THING, JOE EGG earning her a Tony nomination, SOCIAL SECURITY receiving a Drama Desk Award, NICK AND NORA (where she met her husband, actor Chris Sarandon), THE NORMAL HEART, IT'S ONLY A PLAY (Drama Desk Award); ELEEMOSYNARY and A HELL OF A TOWN.

I talked with Joanna after the Sunday matinee about the show and life as Joanna Gleason. So let's chat....

TJ: I understand that you are a dog lover ? Do you have dogs?

GLEASON: We have 1 black lab/shepherd named Joe. Sadly, we lost our yellow lab, Paddy, last June.

TJ: How many performances of SCOUNDRELS have you done to date, approximately?

GLEASON: I have done over 450 performances! 2 years involvement from the workshop through San Diego and over 14 months here...

TJ: Did you have any idea during the rehearsal process of the pending success that was to be?

GLEASON: I took a leap of faith...there was barely any role written, and I was allowed much input...that speaks to the confidence and talent of Jeffrey Lane, the writer, and his as well as David Yazbeck's talent.

TJ: It looks like you are having an absolutely wonderful time playing Muriel. Is it easy to identify with the character?

GLEASON: I am having fun...identify with her? Well, you have to play her or anyone..a woman of a certain age...alone...wanting to be of some use and be needed, included...

TJ: Now, I understand that sadly you will be leaving the show at the end of April. Any special memories of this show that you have?

GLEASON: Just the people..the cast, the crew..and how wonderful they all are!

TJ: You were nominated for a Tony for your performance as Muriel in SCOUNDRELS. Do you remember where you were when you received your nomination for the award and what was your reaction?

GLEASON: I was standing on our bed, jumping!

TJ: You had previously won the Tony for your performance as the Baker's Wife in INTO THE WOODS. You must have very fond memories of that experience. Doing a show for such a long period of time, you must have become very close with cast members. Have you kept in touch with members of that cast?

GLEASON: Yes, I am still very close to Chip Zien from WOODS and his family, and we absolutely adore Greg Jbara and his wife Julie and their boys....I am gaga for Sherie Rene Scott's toddler as well....we all went through a lot together, we got close and hope to stay somewhat in each other's lives

TJ: How you have done it all, TV, Film, Stage as an actress. Do you have a favorite out of them all and why?

GLEASON: Stage...plain and simple...make it happen 8 shows a week, 450 times

TJ: Had you ever thought about directing?

GLEASON: I have directed both network and cable television, off Broadway and Los Angeles theatre productions

TJ: What's in the future for Joanna Gleason? Any plans?

GLEASON: Many plans...many many!

TJ: I believe I read somewhere that your husband, Chris, is doing theatre in NYC right now as well?

GLEASON: That's right. He is currently playing the role of the Italian father in THE LIGHT IN THE PIAZZA...a wonderful show in which he is fabulous.

TJ: Where did you and Chris meet?

GLEASON: Nick and Nora...the only successful outcome of the production!

TJ: Have the two of you worked together again since then?

GLEASON: Yes, a play, some small films...

TJ: What is it like to have a spouse who is also an actor?

GLEASON: It's like life...we don't really bring too much work home. We're each other's huge fans and closest confidants and counsel vis a vis work as well as everything more.

TJ: Any final words on SCOUNDRELS you would like to share?

GLEASON: I had a ball! I'm a lucky girl to have had this great "housewarming" gift of a role as we move back here to live.

And last but not least, here we go with your FAVORITE THINGS, which tells us a little more about Joanna Gleason.

FAVORITE ACTOR Spencer Tracey

FAVORITE PASTTIME ACTIVITY Cooking

FAVORITE COLOR Green

FAVORITE CITY NYC to live in, St. Valliers to visit

FAVORITE THING IN THE WORLD At the end of the day, making sure that all the drawers are empty. Use everything you are given...make life better for others...grow up, and at the end of the days, leave nothing unfinished.

And you only have until the end of April to see Joanna in DIRTY ROTTEN SCOUNDRELS, so get your tickets now! Check out the show's website at http://www.dirtyrottenscoundrelsthemusical.com/. Performances are on Tuesday @ 7pm, Wednesday - Saturday @ 8pm, Wednesday and Saturday @ 2pm, Sunday @ 3pm at The Imperial Theatre, 249 West 45th Street, New York, NY.  To purchase tickets, go to telecharge.com or call (212) 239-6200 or (800) 432-7250.

My thanks to Joanna Gleason for this candid interview and until next time, remember, theatre is my life. Ciao!