Interview: Lois Robbins On Sex & The Married Mother

Actress/playwright Lois Robbins will be world premiering her candid one-woman show L.O.V.E.R. April 15, 2018 at the Zephyr on Melrose. We grabbed a chance to chat with Lois on the topics she'll be covering and how her family reacted to her racy subject.

Thank you for taking the time for this interview, Lois!

Your character in L.O.V.E.R. is you yourself exposing yourself. What initiated the seedling of L.O.V.E.R?

Actually, I didn't write it to be "myself." I wanted to share every woman's story. Woman are complicated. Woman of a certain age were raised with a lot of confusion about what was expected of them. I wanted to open up the conversation. I just felt I had something to say and when the idea came to me, it just poured out. I couldn't stop it!

What topics can your Zephyr audience expect you to cover?

Let's just say, I leave no stone unturned. Everything from childhood masturbation to real-life adult issues.

What tweaks have you made from your New York workshop production (originally titled L.O.V.E.R. (Baring it All!)) June of last year to your present world premiere at the Zephyr Theatre?

The workshop at The Schoolhouse Theater allowed me to see what I had. I learned that the play spoke to several generations as well as gender. It isn't a "woman's play," even though it's a woman's story. I tweaked the narrative and made more sense of the "why." I rewrote the opening and quite a few things in between.

Were you always forthcoming on the subject of sex?

I guess I was, to some extent. The play gave me an opportunity to explore my journey and discover how I got there.

Did you have any initial discussions with your husband and your three children in preparing to present L.O.V.E.R.?

My husband knew I was writing something. He didn't really have any idea at first what it was. When I read it to him, he was pretty blown away. He thought it was brave, funny; and he was incredibly proud of me. My kids heard excerpts of it along the way. My eldest daughter especially, was also very excited about what I had written. They all saw it, and to quote my son, "Mom, I probably know more about you than I should, but I feel so lucky and proud that you are my mom."

How did you come up with your one-act's title?

After I finished the first draft, I met with Daryl Roth, the producer, and she had me read her the play. She gave me copious notes, discussed who should direct it, told me to go workshop it out of town away from reviews etc., etc.; and then said, "I think you should think about changing the title. How about calling it L.O.V.E.R?". I immediately thought, "Yes!" I mean...it's Daryl Roth!!

A lot of actors profess they're more comfortable inhabiting a character, rather than exposing themselves. Have you been more at ease with being yourself now after a number of performances in L.O.V.E.R.?

Again, it's me playing a character - Everywoman, so to speak. Of course, it is somewhat autobiographical, but at the end of the day, I am an actor. We bring ourselves to every role we play. My old acting teacher Fred Kareman used to say, "You're stuck with the character and the character is stuck with you." Having said that, doing the play has definitely been very cathartic in many ways.

What light bulb moment sparked Lois Robbins the actress to become Lois Robbins the writer?

I co-wrote two pilots that I never did anything with. But, in the process, I discovered that I had a voice and that was the beginning of the journey.

Have you talked to your daughters about the 'feeling' you talk extensively in your show?

Ha, ha, yes. I have always had a healthy and open dialogue with all my kids about sex. I want them to respect their bodies and feel good about their choices.

Have you taught your daughters how to 'use' your washing machine?

No, no, no! Boundaries, please!

What lessons have you learn from your childhood that has shaped the way you parent your own children?

My parents were very strict, and my mom was very puritanical. I knew I wanted to have a different relationship with my kids. I set boundaries, but I listened and treated them as people - not children. I always told them that they could tell me anything and I would never judge them. At age 15, I sat each of them down and said, "You're coming to a time in your life when you will experience a lot of firsts. Don't do anything to get it over with. Make them all count."

Do you plan to take this show to other cities?

I'm counting on it!

Thank you again, Lois! And the best for your world premiere!

For L.O.V.E.R. ticket availability and schedule through May 12, 2018; log onto www.plays411.com/lover

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