BWW Interviews: Annette O'Toole Stars in THIRD at Two River Theater

Annette O'Toole will play the lead role of Laurie Jameson in upcoming Two River's production of Third. The show will be on the Red Bank stage from May 31st to June 22nd in the Rechnitz Theater. BWW had a chance to interview O'Toole before the show opens.

O'Toole grew up in Houston, Texas. Her mother and her aunt owned a dance school; she was raised with a real exposure to the arts. She remembers being deeply moved when she saw the musicals Carousel and Oliver as a youth. As a child, she performed in the Alley Theatre in Houston. Two of the greatest influences in her career have been the renowned acting teacher, Peggy Feury and the director, Jack O'Brien.

O'Toole has appeared in theatre, film and television and has recently received both Emmy and Golden Globe nominations for her role as Rose Fitzgerald Kennedy in The Kennedys of Massachusetts. Her impressive credits include the regional plays, The Seagull, Magnolia, and Southern Comfort. She has also been in the popular television shows, Smallville and Grey's Anatomy. Her film credits include Superman III and she also received an Academy Award nomination for Best Song with her husband, Michael McKean for A Kiss at the End of the Rainbow from A Mighty Wind.

O'Toole currently makes her home in both Los Angeles and New York City. She enjoys her time in New York and said, "It's a great place to be an artist." This is the very first time she is appearing at Two River Theater.

Third is directed by Michael Cumpsty who O'Toole has worked with before in The Kennedys of Massachusetts. O'Toole commented, "I am delighted to work again with Michael."

The play is set on the campus of a New England liberal arts college. Professor Laurie Jameson accuses one of her students, an outwardly stereotypical jock nicknamed "Third" of plagiarism. As a result, her own life is thrown into disarray. O'Toole commented about her role as Professor Jameson. "She is easy to relate to because she seems to have it all together but she is having major changes in her life."

This is a play about the dangers of identity politics and stereotypes; a moving, and humorous piece written by one of the best loved writers of modern theater, Wendy Wasserstein. O'Toole was not familiar with playwright Wendy Wasserstein before reading Third. She said, "I was bowled over by the brilliance of her writing. She said it is amazing how the play has been written so "economically." O'Toole also said that the play is an "optimistic" piece and illustrates the "human quality of change in progress."

While she is remarkably suited to work in television and film, O'Toole spoke about the fact that she enjoys performing live. She said, "I love theater. Onstage, you are living in the moment and the audience brings so much to a play."

Metropolitan area audiences should not this opportunity to see Third starring Annette O'Toole. For ticketing and more information, visit the Two River Theater web site at www.tworivertheater.org or by calling (732) 345-1400.

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