Maureen Anderman's Cultural Life
She knows her way around a stage. Maureen Anderman has appeared on them around the world. The Tony nominated Shakespearean actress also enjoys Formula 1 drama.
Now You Know’s fifth edition features Tony-nominated Shakespearean actress Maureen Anderman.
Such treasures await you below. Maureen enjoyed a long career in what writer and podcaster Rob Long calls “the carousel of the damned,” show business. She worked and worked and worked some more, the definition of success.
It began in college with a tour of the Pacific to entertain troops, including in Vietnam, on stages and in hospitals. In New York, Maureen became a favorite of playwright Edward Albee and starred in Albee revivals and new work. She was nominated for a Tony award for her performance in the original production of The Lady from Dubuque.
With Jason Robards and Colleen Dewhurst Maureen starred in what began as a New Jersey revival of Kaufman and Hart’s masterpiece, You Can’t Take It With You. It transferred to Broadway and became a sensation with a two-year run. It was recorded by a new premium channel, Showtime. Maureen has been a favorite of Off-Broadway producers and regional theater directors, including appearing three times at Hartford Stage and once at the Long Wharf Theater and Yale Repertory Theatre.
She appeared on the daytime dramas Another World, Search for Tomorrow and One Life to Live. At least once as a villain. Her voice has resonance—and you can’t fake that.
During the pandemic she discovered Formula 1 racing—-and Lewis Hamilton.
Maureen shares some of her favorite roles and most memorable productions. In a single paragraph she explains the joys and torments of the actor’s life. When coaxed out of Weston, she can still deliver the goods sitting at a table in a stark rehearsal room.
Favorite author or book.
Edward Albee
The book you are reading.
The Library Book by Susan Orlean, given to me by my friend Tom Santopietro. Am loving it, as I have become a huge fan of the Weston Library. We lived right up the street from it for 34 years and occasionally took advantage of it. I was working, and when doing a play, I find it almost impossible to read a book. My head is full of lines, words, moves, the Play. Since moving to upper Weston, and having more free time. I go to the Library every 2 weeks, check out some newly published books, and dig in.
The book you couldn’t finish.
The Lincoln Highway
The book you’ve long intended to read but never get to.
Anything by Stephen King (too scary, but I’m so curious).
Most memorable performance.
Richard III at the ancient Greek Theatre at Epidaurus. 15,000 in the audience. No amplification. Just the glory of perfect acoustics under the stars. Absolutely thrilling. I had 5 minutes alone on that stage as the Duchess of York laments her losses. It was part of The Bridge Project directed by Sam Mendes. 10 Americans, 10 Brits. We began at The Old Vic……my second most memorable live performance. Talk about an actor’s dream come true. Never did I think I would be on those stages. But dreams do come true.
Your best binge.
Sitting outside reading a book. Only sounds are birds and a pond.
Favorite TV series.
I’ve gotten out of the habit of TV…… there are too many choices. But the one thing I always record or watch is Formula I. Started during the pandemic when all the sports were cancelled, and our daughter suggested Drive to Survive and we were hooked. It begins on Friday with 2 practice sessions. Saturday Practice 3 and Qualifying ( for Pole position ) with the Grand Prix race on Sunday. Since the races take place all over the world, it’s a great travelogue, but watching involves lots of planning and taping and early mornings. This is something most of my theatre friends would be totally unfamiliar with. But the drivers and teams are so different from our theatre world, it’s total diversion. And being from Michigan, I grew up loving cars.
A YouTube video you find yourself returning to.
Joni Mitchell’s surprise appearance at Newport last summer, after not appearing in public for many years.
“Both Sides Now” takes my breath away and fills my heart.
Favorite piece of music.
“Sunday” from Sunday in the Park.
Ralph Vaughan Williams “Serenade To Music”
The music that cheers you up.
Luciano Pavarotti waving that big white handkerchief and smiling and giving his all singing about love.
If you could own one painting it would be…..
A red Mark Rothko
The lyrics you wish you’d written.
Non, je ne regrette rien
The poem/song that makes you wonder
Move On. (Anything you do, let it come from you, then it will be new).
Obviously, I love Sondheim’s brilliant Sunday in the Park. I used to play the tape driving 95 on my way to Long Wharf in New Haven while doing Pinter’s Betrayal. I always got to the theatre totally inspired.
The instrument you wish you’d learned to play
I can play the piano. But I wish I could REALLY play the piano. Chopin Etudes, ok. But I’d really like to just sit down and play without having to look at the notes and sing like Joni.
Your guiltiest cultural pleasure.
No guilt please! But splurging on orchestra seats at the Met. Not many things can make me hold my breath, laugh and cry at the same time, but Puccini and Wagner do it for me!
You wasted an evening…….
Oh, way too many to count….. switching between baseball and MSNBC and CNN……?
Something that ought to be better known.
The true life situation of most actors. Because of the SAG-AFTRA and WGA strikes, I think that more people are seeing the reality of what an artist goes through to maintain their life as an actor. Too many assumptions that the money pours in if you’re on screen and that it continues with the residuals. I saved my 1 cent residual from a tv movie I did with O J Simpson. Too good to cash! And yes, it’s our choice, this life. But part of the bargain is we work and wait and work and hope. I wouldn’t ask for a better life. My career has taken me around the world, all over the country, to the White House, and a good chunk of time on Broadway. I’ve been exceedingly lucky. Blessed to have worked with the best of the best right from the start. Beginning at Stratford, Connecticut in 1970, working with great Connecticut actors Lee Richardson, Jan Miner, and Eva LeGallienne. And finishing my career covering great actresses Vanessa Redgrave, Glenda Jackson, and Elaine May. Not a one of them ever took any job for granted. That’s the life of an actor.
A recent discovery.
Early in the pandemic, I decided to read for purpose, and learn. The first book was the bio of Frederick Douglass by David Blight. Next was Begin Again by Eddie Glaude. Moved on to Isabel Wilkerson and Caste and The Warmth of Other Suns. Then to Colson Whitehead and his brilliant novels (all 4). My daughter introduced me to S.A.Cosby and his mysteries. New voices for me.
Two podcasts you try not to miss.
No podcasts
You’re having a fantasy dinner party, you’ll invite these guests…..
Lewis Hamilton (Formula 1 driver), Coco Gauff, Mike Barnacle, Doris Kearns
Goodwin, Colleen Dewhurt.
The place you feel happiest.
Apart from my home in the woods in Weston, I love being in the back of a theatre watching a technical rehearsal as a show is coming together. The old “!2 out now 12”…….12 hours work. 12 hours rest. The rules have recently been changed though.
How to make an entrance that grabs an audience.
Enter from the backstage wall of the Vivian Beaumont in a red gown and walk straight to the edge of the stage with strong percussion in background.
An inspiration you have noticed many actors share.
Actors gain inspiration from the actors they are working with at the time.
Julie Harris, James Earl Jones, Colleen Dewhurst, Eileen Heckart. I have watched them all communicate intimately with their fellow actors, always seeking the truth of the moment.
The book and movie that best depicts a life in the theater.
Maureen Stapleton’s “ A Hell of a Life” is one funny tale of an actor’s life.
As is “Still Here” about Elaine Stritch.
I go for the humor, as actors take themselves so seriously.
A word from the editor.
You will want to share this edition of Now You Know with others who appreciate the mysteries of talent. When you do, please subscribe too.
Art isn’t easy, and sometimes a short commercial voiceover can infuriate the greatest actors. Orson Welles provides a look inside the factory on a bad day.
Next week: He’s devoted himself to rescuing freedom’s friends from totalitarian misery.
Love these. Formula 1 was a delightful surprise.