Title: A Conversation w/ Susan Lucci
Jermetria - May 25, 2008 05:49 PM (GMT)
For many, Susan Lucci is a household name. Her longtime role as Erica Kane on ABC's "All My Children" has earned Lucci millions of fans, but that's only scratching the surface. Among her many accomplishments, Lucci has also hosted "Saturday Night Live," starred in a number of made-for-television films, done tireless charity work and starred in the final season of the legendary show, "Dallas." In 1999, Lucci made her Broadway debut as the lead in "Annie Get Your Gun," earning both critical and popular praise. That same year, she was interviewed by Barbara Walters for the television special, "Barbara Walter's 10 Most Fascinating People of 1999." Also in 1999, in a pop culture cliffhanger that may have rivaled the question of who shot J.R., Lucci, after countless nominations, finally, finally, won an Emmy for Best Actress. At 8 p.m. Thursday, she'll be performing on a dual bill with Regis Philbin at the Beau Rivage Theatre in Biloxi ($45.95, $59.95 and $71.95 plus tax and service charge). Lucci recently spoke with the Sun Herald by telephone. The following are excerpts of that conversation:
Q: What have you been up to lately?
A: Well, I've been up to being in jail as Erica Kane on "All My Children," and having Warren Buffett recently visit. She thought he was going to try to get her out. What he actually did was bring her directions to learn to play contract bridge, so she could better pass the time. That's what he had in mind.
Q: Was he actually on the show?
A: Yes, yes he was. We shot it actually a couple of months ago. It just aired a few days ago. And at that time, when he was shooting, he was so nice, he asked Agnes Nixon, who writes our show, and one of the other actresses and I, Jill Larson, to come out to his shareholders meeting. So we did that, the weekend before last, and went out and spent some time with him. He was just, I don't know if you've ever seen interviews with him, but he's so down to earth, and so funny and warm, and that's exactly how he was. It was a great experience.
Q: And was he reciprocating by being on y'all's show? Or is he a fan?
A: He's a friend of Agnes Nixon's. He actually was on the show 12 or 15 years ago, giving Erica advice. He was her white knight. He was actually saving her, telling her how to save her company. And he wanted to come back, and he came back.
Q: Tell me about the show that you and Regis are coming down here to perform?
A: Yes, that's the other thing I've been up to, getting ready to come down with Regis. When I made my Broadway debut in "Annie Get Your Gun," Regis asked me if I would think about working with him. Because he appears in casinos around the country, and concert halls. And I told him that I'd love to, but I didn't have a nightclub act at that point. And he urged me to get a nightclub act together, and when I finished "Annie Get Your Gun," I had worked with some wonderful musicians and musical directors, and did then go ahead and do that. And wound up opening the season at Fiensteins at the Regency Hotel in New York, the year right after 9/11. So he came opening night, and he asked me, now that I had a nightclub act, would I like to do it? And of course I said yes. He was so nice to ask. And ever since then, about five years ago, We have been travelling around to different places. We have been in Biloxi before. We were actually at the Beau Rivage a couple of years ago, so this is a return engagement.
Q: I imagine it's musical numbers, and are there other aspects to it?
A: Yes. A lot of people heard me sing for the first time when I went on Broadway. So there are a lot of people who have not heard me sing, ever, and some who didn't even know that I do sing. And so I open for Regis, and I sing from the American Songbook and from "Annie Get Your Gun," and some jazz. And Marvin Hamlisch wrote a signature song for me, and I perform that too, which is so much fun. A great, full orchestra, 18-20 piece orchestra, which is a sound people don't hear every day of the week, even on Broadway. So it's great to be surrounded by that music. And Regis is spectacular. He also sings standards, and he's so funny. The audience just leaves humming tunes, and having had a really good time laughing and being shown a really good time by Regis. We have a great time.
Q: Do you mind if I hit you with a couple of general questions?
A: No, not at all.
Q: I was reading recently that TV Guide called you "unequivocally the most famous soap opera character in the history of daytime TV." Erica Kane, I mean. What's your reaction to that? That's quite a mantel to wear.
A(Laughs) I was pretty flattered. And it was really, really wonderful coming from, especially since you're always told you should consider the source, and TV Guide is a really good source. So I feel great that they said that.
Q: And the 30th anniversary, or is it more now, of playing Erica Kane?
A: Yes, actually 38.
Q: And did you ever imagine that kind of longevity in the role?
A: Oh my goodness no. I mean, even now that's a very scary, big number, and it doesn't seem possible. No, I mean, my first contract was for three years, and that seemed an enormously long time to me. So, no, I did not. But it's been great for me, and to me, in every way I can think of.
Q: Well, of course being familiar most of my life with the character on the show, but reading a little more recently about some of the escapades and adventures that Erica's gone through, what kind of prompted you to stay on that horse? Was it just the role was so interesting, or that so many people were reacting to it? Or just a kind of confluence of factors?
A: Yes, well both of those things figured very, very importantly in that decision. And it's a decision I continue to make each time, you know, my contract comes up for negotiation. I certainly do think, "Am I happy here? Am I having a great time? Is the part interesting? Are the people still reacting?" And the answer was yes then and is yes now. The other thing is that, if you just like acting, which I do, I just really love what I do, you know. I guess if you do terrific material - Agnes Nixon is still very involved with Erica Kane, I get to work with a fantastic company of actors, very very talented group, many of whom themselves have been on Broadway and have vast experience. So I really have a great time. Plus because of the response from the audience, I think that's truly why I've had the opportunity to do all the additional things, such as Broadway, such as the television movies and a product line even that's been so successful, and infomercials and so on. I just know it's all about Erica Kane.
Q: So in a sense that was kind of your base. And from there you kind of springboarded, well, not springboarded, but kind of did other projects. But you always had your base to go back to.
A: Exactly. Exactly. It works for me. That's all I really can say. I have a great time. I walk into the studio with a smile on my face, and have a great time.
Q: Well, getting it from the horse's mouth, how would you describe Erica Kane, the character?
A(Laughs) Well, very spirited, very headstrong, very much someone who you're not going to keep down. Agnes Nixon has described her as a phoenix rising from the ashes. And so the audience watches that journey down, down, down into the ashes. A lot of times it's fun to watch her. Sometimes they love her, sometimes they hate her, sometimes all of the above. And then they watch her pick herself up and dust herself off and try again.
Q: Where did you grow up, ma'am?
A: I grew up in New York.
Q: How did you first get the acting bug, or decide that's what you wanted to do?
A: Actually, you know, from the time I can remember, it's how I played. I used to make up stories and act out all the parts, put on whatever music my parents had at home and just learn all the lyrics and the music and perform those all over the house. All over the house - in the living room, up in the bedroom, in the bathroom. I had great echo in my bathroom. Just everywhere. Then I got the kids in the neighborhood to also be in the plays with me, and we'd put on costumes. That was who I was.
Q: I wonder if there are any home videos of that?
A(Laughs) My mother might have some. I'm not sure.
Q: That would fetch a handsome price on eBay, I imagine. This might be a moot question, because you learned the love of acting so early, but is there a path you think you might have taken if you hadn't become an actor?
A: You know, maybe, I mean it was certainly an entertainer. Maybe a singer. Maybe primarily a singer. I might have done that.
Q: Now you've come full circle. The best of both worlds.
A: I think so. I did study in school, and I would suggest that to anybody. Study with the best teacher you can. And I got very lucky in that regard.
Q: It sounds like you don't have a whole lot of downtime, but what do you do to relax? Do you have hobbies, anything like that?
A: I used to have hobbies, Pete. I used to have hobbies (laughs). And I did enjoy them. I mean I do love decorating, and I like to travel. Fortunately, I do get to still do quite a bit of traveling, and I do like that very much. But I did used to play bridge. I learned when I was about 11. So Warren Buffett's suggestion was not falling on deaf ears. It's just that I haven't played in a very long time. But I used to do some needlepoint, and I actually recently went back to needlepoint and a little knitting. I find that very therapeutic, and I would like to do some more of that.
Q: Now, is that going to damage Erica Kane's reputation as a firebrand, the fact that you needlepoint?
A(Laughs) I don't think Erica, yeah, the firecracker, is doing any needlepoint. But I actually find it very calming. It's not a bad thing. So she might take it up, while she's in jail (laughs).
Q: What aspect of Susan Lucci would surprise folks the most? I realize that's kind of an oblique question, but anything come to mind?
A: Um, I don't know. You know, they may have already known more about me than they ever needed to know (laughs), because of so many years in the industry and interviews and so on. But, I think they would be surprised to know that I'm fairly athletic. I don't think people would look at me and necessarily know that, but I am. We're playing tennis, and I pick up most sports pretty well. I don't think you want me to be the linebacker, but apart from that...
Q: When finally, was it 1999, after a huge cliffhanger year after year, when you won the Emmy, was that - I know you've answered this question a thousand times, literally probably, but - what was your reaction to that? Obviously the whole nation was kind of involved in that.
A: Which really amazed me. That amazed me, Pete. That people knew, that they were invested in it, that they were wishing me well. That was amazing. And actually, when they announced my name, when Shamar Moore announced my name, and I actually talk about this a little bit in the club act too, I thought he was talking about some playoff scores. He announced "the streak is over," and I thought, "oh that's nice, he's probably just keeping everybody updated," because it was May and I thought, 'oh there are basketball playoffs, and hockey," and I never heard my name. I never heard my name.
Q: And did someone finally give you a nudge, and point you toward the stage?
A: Well, I knew it was me then, because everybody was looking at me and applauding. And Rosie O'Donnell reached over and took my evening bag from me, off my lap, so I wouldn't step on it. And my husband (nudged me) with an elbow, and, you know, I whispered in his ear, "are you sure?"
Q: You'd look bad if you were going up there and it wasn't you.
A: Exactly. I lived in fear of that (laughs).
Q: In any sense, was it almost anti-climatic only because, I imagine you wanted if for so long, and you finally get it. It's like, oh gosh, now what?
A: No, I understand your question very well, but no, it wasn't. It was really thrilling. And maybe even sweeter for all that.
Q: Anything else I should have asked you, or that you'd like to get out there?
A: No, I don't think so. I think we've covered it all.
Q: Great. Let me ask you, this may be a different timetable, but I have an aunt who, for a number of years, was on "All My Children," and I wonder if y'all ever worked together? Her name was Candi Early.
A: Oh yes, of course! Of course. And what a singer she is. I hope she's still singing. She was fantastic.
Q: She sang at my wedding five years ago, in a small Louisiana town. She lives in a small town in Arkansas now.
A: Oh, how fabulous!
Q: Yes, she's a wonderful lady, warm as could be. And we just love her to death.
A: Oh, she's terrific! And as I recall, she could needlepoint. She needlepointed her dining room chairs, I remember. When she was engaged to your uncle. So, please give Candi my love.
Q: Yes, ma'am. I certainly will. And you have a great day.
A: Thank you. Same to you, Pete. Take care. Bye-bye.http://www.sunherald.com/152/story/580967.html