Interview: Cassie Beck - An Original HUMAN After All

The U.S. tour of the multi-Tony Award-winning THE HUMANS completes its coast-to-coast trek landing at the Ahmanson Theatre, with the reunion of five of its original Broadway actors, including Reed Birney and Jayne Houdyshell reprising their Tony Award-winning roles of the patriarch and matriarch of the Blake clan. We had the opportune chance to chat with Cassie Beck, who originated the role of Aimee, the older sister in this loving, but dysfunctional Blake family, as they gather for a Thanksgiving meal at the new apartment of younger sis Brigid and her boyfriend Richard.

Thank you for taking the time for this interview, Cassie! And congratulations on your opening night and the cast's most deserving standing ovations.

How does it feel to be reuniting with these cast members for THE HUMANS in L.A.?

Blissful! Once we started rolling with the text again, I found them even more inspiring than before, as if the time away from the piece gave us all a deeper appreciation for it. We are building on top of a very strong foundation with these characters after so many performances on Broadway, but we are all slightly different individuals now. We know the play so deeply in our bones, but at the same time, we are rediscovering it. Plus, we are a tight-knit group that cares for one another beyond cast mates. We are invested as friends, confidants, and colleagues. Family, really.

Can you distinguish any differences in reactions between Los Angeles and New York City audiences?

Well, speaking of family, the self-recognition that the New York audiences experienced with the Blakes is happening in Los Angeles. The relationship dynamics are proving to be universal, and we are still hearing, "That's totally my mom!" and "You guys are like a real family!" at the stage door. Even the New York-centric references seem to be landing, which surprises me, especially with regards to 9/11. There is a quiet intensity from the audience when it's mentioned. They get very serious and reflective.

Do you find it a comforting luxury or a harder challenge to perform with the same actors over a period of time?

Total luxury. I come from ensemble theatre in San Francisco, so for me, this is very familiar. There is a short hand between performers that becomes second nature. But Jayne, Reed, Sarah, Nick and Lauren are the all-star experience in generosity. Everyone wants the play to shine. That's the common goal. I swear sometimes when we are sitting down to Thanksgiving dinner in the play, and the food is passing and the lines are flying and we're negotiating eating while talking - the timing of it, the teamwork of it is so fun! I'm hard pressed to think of a happier, more satisfying time on stage. And that's because of whom I'm lucky enough to be with.

Can you talk about your experiences working with your director Joe Mantello? What piece of directorial advice from him do you hold dear?

Well, first off, he's always right. So that's annoying, but true. Which leads to what I really want to share about him as a director: I've never felt more seen as an actor. I suspect because he's such a brilliant one himself, nothing you do as a performer will be taken for granted. He sees you. He respects what you're trying to achieve. And once you understand that he's always right, you can go on digging into the role with complete faith that you are in the best possible hands. He's got you. And he doesn't miss a thing.

Any particular Broadway or Off-Broadway audience response really surprised you? Any point in the play where an audience reaction made you just break and crack up?

Oh, my word! I will never forget the dress rehearsal at the Schoenfeld Theatre. We were dark for a week while the set moved from the Helen Hayes. So that Monday of the week we were to begin performances in our new home, we had an invited dress rehearsal. We had heard that our producers invited the other Broadway companies performing at that time to come if they'd like, since it was a dark night for most. We were lined up at places and the theatre was buzzing, it was shockingly loud. I thought maybe two hundred or three hundred folks might show (our biggest house to that point had been five hundred fifty), so I asked our SM how many people were out there. She said, "Nine hundred." I was like, "WHAT? FOR A DRESS REHEARSAL?" And I'm telling you that was the most amazing night. The community showed up for us in such a huge way. The generosity and goodwill from that crowd of performers and professionals was palpable. The first laugh of the show was a roar so loud, it was seriously like a rock concert. It scared all of us! Knocked us back on our heels for a second. We had to regroup and hold on for the ride. But the best moment was Jayne's speech as Deirdre about why she likes going on cruises, one of the perks being "the performers on the ship have professional credits" - brought the house down. The place exploded! Cheers, yelling, clapping. People were pointing to the stage and yelling, "That's right!" It was hilarious and awesome, and I will never forget it.

In giving a description of your character Aimee today, would your description be much different from to your description of her when you first started in 2015? Or just more detailed?

Just more detailed, I think. I identified early on that she's the family referee. She uses her quick wit and humor to diffuse tense situations. She's proud like her Dad and incredibly independent. I think my interpretations of her love life are what morph the most over time. Her ex, Carol, never appears in the play, but she's always on Aimee's mind. The loss of her is constant. So, I find myself playing out different scenarios in my head from night to night about how they said goodbye, what happened to cause the split, how much denial or acceptance she's experiencing. That's the cool, secret actor-y, joy, nerd stuff that comes with playing Aimee.

What's up next for you after this L.A. engagement of THE HUMANS?

THE HUMANS LONDON!

Thank you again, Cassie!

For ticket availability and schedule through July 29, 2018; log onto www.centertheatregroup.org

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