Interview: ACTRESS TAMMY CATALANO

Tammy Catalano is a talented actress with a lot of drive and a great sense of humor.

MCL: When and where did you start acting?

TC: That depends on who you ask!

MCL: What made you want to be on stage?

TC: I am drawn to the limelight like a moth to a flame. I came from a rock and roll background, so I have always thought of myself as simply a lead singer. My daughters have been acting since they were in grade school, I got involved by running sound and lights, costuming, and shuttling to and fro. An opportunity presented itself as an understudy of sorts and I agreed, but unexpectedly was called upon to fill those shoes! It felt natural during the process, but my focus was on the girls and their opportunities and I considered it a fluke. Recently I have attended auditions with the girls and ended up taking part in 2 productions. It seems that that flame has found me once again!

(Would you call me an accidental actress? Hahaha!)

MCL: Any local mentors?

TC: My daughters Melody and Ally Catalano are both naturally gifted actors. Ally has incredible instincts she dumbfounds me with her clarity and vision. She can make an inconsequential part become integral with the depth she brings to it. Ally is able to share her talents and teach others. Ally's guidance was instrumental to my becoming Nurse Ratched. My daughter Melody is inspiring too. She is able to inhabit her characters with a fiery passion. She is compelling and magnetic with her charisma so that no matter her role, as an audience member your attention is drawn to her. She is not as quick to share her secrets, lol, but being part of the process with her taught me a lot.

MCL: Best advice you were given you still use on stage?

TC: Best advice was to plan to be able to help your fellow actors out of a jam by knowing the scripts back and forth. No man is an island, particularly actors!

MCL: What roles turn you off and what kind do you look for?

TC: I look at the stories behind the roles; I am open to understanding any character. With understanding characters and bringing the story to life, an actor can be empowered. The personal growth is there for the taking when one has an open mind.

MCL: What role do you dream of playing and haven't?

TC: I would love to play King Arthur's Guinevere, Momma Rose in Gypsy but that might be too much of a stretch (hahaha!) Jesus in Jesus Christ Superstar. Lola in Damn Yankees or Donna in Mamma Mia.. Sweet Charity, Velma Kelly in Chicago.. I like musicals, a lot.. but they are dream roles, right? I would love to play Lily Harrison in Six Dance Lessons in Six Weeks because I love to Ballroom Dance, Doris in Same Time Next Year, Baby in Dirty Dancing (again with the dancing!) and Golde from Fiddler on the Roof.

MCL: What's your next project?

TC: I am currently in a production with WNY Improv. We are doing a Murder Mystery in Hamburg at the Comfort Zone Cafe this month.

MCL: Why did you choose this role?

TC: This role chose me, again with this good fortune! I jumped at this opportunity because I am a big fan of the WNY Improv group and because I have the opportunity to work opposite my daughter Ally again.

MCL: Tell us about some of your favorite roles?

TC: My favorite roles are all of them so far, simply because of the people I was able to work with from the playwrights, directors, and producers; to the actors I was able to share the stage with.

MCL: Do you want to repeat any of these roles?

TC: I would repeat "The Spirit of Buffalo" because Papa Jake's Restaurant in Springville provided the Roast Beef on weck sandwiches!

MCL: What's some advice for those new to acting?

TC: I would advise anyone interested in acting to get out there and do it. The time is now, the only obstacle is you! Do it!

MCL: Who do you admire in the theater world?

TC: In Buffalo I am essentially a fan girl. I am the smiling stranger waiting to tell you how wonderful you were and how much I admired what you brought to the role. Be it a High School Musical, a show at MusicalFare or at Kavinoky. I am going to try to impart my awe and admiration to you. If you are lucky, I may see you out and recognize you and wave, or worse, start singing to you... Buffalo is such an understanding town.

MCL: What's Buffalo, New York Theater like?

TC: Buffalo New York Theater is surprisingly good. I love that our local theaters take risks and push limits. I love that our local actors meet those challenges with aplomb. And that aplomb is usually after a day at work in a butt busting job, driving in a blizzard to get there, and helping to shovel the front steps of the theater for the guests! Buffalo has some of the best venues, what can compare to Shakespeare in the Park?

MCL: What are some of the good and bad changes in local theater since you started?

TC: I am too new to answer this one.

MCL: Finally, what's coming up for you 2018?

TC: I am hoping to see lots of my favorite shows and my favorite actors in them!

FOR MORE INFORMATION ON TAMMY CATALANO:

https://www.facebook.com/tammy.catalano.7

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