Post by Hestella on Apr 25, 2010 10:57:57 GMT -5
Melina Kanakaredes
INTERVIEWS By Joseph Manghise August 7, 2003 - 5:38PM
Although she is best known for playing Dr. Sydney Hansen for five seasons on NBC's family drama Providence, actress Melina Kanakaredes is currently gaining attention for her Broadway debut as Sally Bowles in Cabaret. Born and raised in Akron, Ohio, Kanakaredes made her acting debut at age eight in a community theater production of Tom Sawyer. She attended Ohio State University to study music, dance and theater, then transferred to Point Park College in Pittsburgh. After graduation, she moved to New York and landed her first job on Guiding Light in 1991. Kanakaredes has also appeared off-Broadway in the York Theatre production of Down by the Ocean in 1994 and on such TV shows as NYPD Blue, The Practice and Oz. In 1999, she landed the lead in Providence, which garnered good reviews and solid ratings, and moved to Los Angeles. Her film credits include 15 Minutes, Rounders and Dangerous Beauty. Kanakaredes, 36, has been married to chef Peter Constantinades since 1992 and has two children, Zoe, age three, and Karina, six months. She relocated all of them to New York so she could live out her dream of appearing on Broadway.
What a surprise it was seeing you sing and dance! Who knew?
Well, I hope it was a pleasant surprise! laughs
Did you always sing and dance? Were you trained as a singer?
I was always doing this-as a kid, as a young woman. I loved to sing and dance. I am a trained actress and performer. I have a bachelor of fine arts in theater. I used to take three dance classes a day when I was in college. I took singing classes. When I first got out of school, Broadway was what I wanted to do.
Did you keep up with the singing while you were doing Providence?
For a couple of years when I was doing the show, I didn't keep up with the singing, but last year I did a workshop of [John] Kander and [Fred] Ebb's Curtains, so that got me back into it.
So this is kind of a dream come true for you.
When I first got the part in Cabaret, I called my best friend, who I have known since grade school, and I said, “I can't believe I am going to be on Broadway.” And she said, “Come on, Melina, you got yourself on TV, but now go and do Broadway. This is what you were meant to do.”
Had you seen Cabaret before?
I had seen it with Natasha [Richardson], and I thought she was great. I loved the production, the style and feel of the show, how the audience was right there.
How did you approach this famous character of Sally Bowles? Did you watch Liza Minnelli in the film version?
I had never seen movie, not that I can remember anyway. I think I was five years old when it came out. My first impression of the show was [director] Sam Mendes' vision of it.
Was it daunting to sing such classic songs as “Maybe This Time” and “Cabaret”?
I tried so desperately to make those songs part of this woman. I have never been one to believe that only one person can do a role. I mean, that is where classics come from. Or we wouldn't still be doing Shakespeare. That is what makes a revival so exciting, because you can take a part and make it your own. That's how I think of it: No one can do a part the way I can. Everyone is different. Maybe that's the same reason I didn't change my name or straighten my hair or get a nose job. Liza is Liza. I am not Liza, nor should I try to be.
Did any of the racier moments bother you? What about your wholesome image as Syd Hansen?
Being racy? That is the reason I wanted to do it! laughs I loved playing Syd, but I wanted to do something very different from her.
You have been quoted as saying that you didn't have a stage mother, but you had a stage father. Tell us about him.
When I was a child, my dad would bring the whole family to New York from Ohio, and we would see five shows in one weekend! Now for a dad who was an insurance salesman, this was amazing. He wanted to culture his kids in theater.
What shows do you remember seeing?
We saw shows like Sweet Charity, Les Miz, Cats, A Chorus Line… You can imagine how the “Tits and Ass” number went over with my parents [starts singing, “Tits and ass…”]. laughs My mom was, like, “Oh, honey, maybe we shouldn't have taken the kids to see this!” I have always loved musical theater, and I really loved Chita Rivera. I just saw her in Nine, kicking her leg up at whatever age she is. She is unbelievable!
Did your dad influence your decision to do the show?
You have to understand, my whole career, my father was like, “Honey, when are you gonna sing?” I mean, I made a movie with [Robert] De Niro, and he was happy, but he was like, “”Honey, when are you gonna sing?” When they offered me the part in Cabaret, I had just had a baby. I was nursing! I took my time in making my decision. And the whole time, my father was looking at me with puppy dog eyes. He didn't want to influence me, but I knew that he wanted to see me sing on Broadway. When I finally decided to do it, he was so excited. He was like, “Yes! Go get 'em, honey!”
Was your mother supportive of your aspirations as well?
My mom is one of those great mothers who instilled in all her kids the idea of being fearless and going after your dreams. I am the youngest of three sisters. They are the same way, fearless in their lives and fields. My family has lots of strong women, whether they are lawyers, doctors or actresses. It's all the same. So she encouraged me to go for my dreams as well.
How does theater work compare with TV work? Which is harder?
When you love what you do, it's not really that hard. In theater, the hours are so much shorter. I have my days off, so I can spend time with my kids. Then I go to the theater at night, do the show and go home. But we do have a tough weekend. I mean from Friday to Sunday, those five shows with two matinees are tough work. But I am used to working 17 hours a day on a set for a one-hour drama. Plus, in theater, being in front of a live audience is just so exciting. And theater is much more linear and satisfying in a way. You do the beginning, you do the middle and you do the end. In a film or TV show, it's all mixed up. I think Meryl Streep got it right when she said something about it being like a big puzzle, where you are putting the pieces together.
How do your kids like New York?
They are doing great. Jon Secada [Kanakaredes' co-star in Cabaret] has a little boy and girl, so they were running in the sprinklers of a New York park together yesterday. It was a riot.
How do you like working with Jon?
He is a sweet, wonderful man. He has a lovely wife. And we are similar in our family orientations. Even though he is Cubano and I am Greek, we look at family in the same way.
Did you know him or his music before the show?
I had never met him, but of course I knew his music.
Some die-hard fans feel Providence was canceled too soon. Do you agree?
Well, I think it's better to leave when people are still watching. I would rather go out while we are on top and people still care that we left. It was an amazing cast, and we all keep in touch. Mike Farrell sent flowers for my opening, and Concetta Tomei, who played my mother on the show, came to see me the other night.
Tell us something about working with Robert De Niro in the movie 15 Minutes.
De Niro was amazing. He's a great person who is truly deserving of his legendary status. He's a very warm person, and I feel lucky I got to work with him. It was one of the great things about having a seat on this roller coaster ride of show business. Hopefully I will do it for a long time.
So what do you want to do next?
I want to keep acting. I will probably do a couple of independent films next. And I have a production company. We just sold a script to FX, which I would executive-produce if it sells.
Would you do another TV show?
I would do another show, but mostly what I am looking for is good scripts. It doesn't matter if it's TV or movies or theater.
And I know you directed an episode of Providence.
Yes, I would love to do more directing and, of course, more Broadway. I just hope that era of the musical is coming back since the success of Chicago. You know, the big movie musical. I would love that. I would be perfect for that! laughs
What was the biggest challenge of this whole experience?
Probably being put in the show after only two weeks of preparation. Two weeks is a very short time to learn a show. That was another thing I had pondered when deciding to do it. The only day I got to perform with the whole cast was the night I opened in the show. It was tremendously strenuous work. The first time I ever sang “Maybe This Time” was when I went on the Regis and Kelly show. I thought, if I can sing this song for millions of people on TV, then I can sing it for 985 in the audience every night!
You are fearless!
Yes! laughs
INTERVIEWS By Joseph Manghise August 7, 2003 - 5:38PM
Although she is best known for playing Dr. Sydney Hansen for five seasons on NBC's family drama Providence, actress Melina Kanakaredes is currently gaining attention for her Broadway debut as Sally Bowles in Cabaret. Born and raised in Akron, Ohio, Kanakaredes made her acting debut at age eight in a community theater production of Tom Sawyer. She attended Ohio State University to study music, dance and theater, then transferred to Point Park College in Pittsburgh. After graduation, she moved to New York and landed her first job on Guiding Light in 1991. Kanakaredes has also appeared off-Broadway in the York Theatre production of Down by the Ocean in 1994 and on such TV shows as NYPD Blue, The Practice and Oz. In 1999, she landed the lead in Providence, which garnered good reviews and solid ratings, and moved to Los Angeles. Her film credits include 15 Minutes, Rounders and Dangerous Beauty. Kanakaredes, 36, has been married to chef Peter Constantinades since 1992 and has two children, Zoe, age three, and Karina, six months. She relocated all of them to New York so she could live out her dream of appearing on Broadway.
What a surprise it was seeing you sing and dance! Who knew?
Well, I hope it was a pleasant surprise! laughs
Did you always sing and dance? Were you trained as a singer?
I was always doing this-as a kid, as a young woman. I loved to sing and dance. I am a trained actress and performer. I have a bachelor of fine arts in theater. I used to take three dance classes a day when I was in college. I took singing classes. When I first got out of school, Broadway was what I wanted to do.
Did you keep up with the singing while you were doing Providence?
For a couple of years when I was doing the show, I didn't keep up with the singing, but last year I did a workshop of [John] Kander and [Fred] Ebb's Curtains, so that got me back into it.
So this is kind of a dream come true for you.
When I first got the part in Cabaret, I called my best friend, who I have known since grade school, and I said, “I can't believe I am going to be on Broadway.” And she said, “Come on, Melina, you got yourself on TV, but now go and do Broadway. This is what you were meant to do.”
Had you seen Cabaret before?
I had seen it with Natasha [Richardson], and I thought she was great. I loved the production, the style and feel of the show, how the audience was right there.
How did you approach this famous character of Sally Bowles? Did you watch Liza Minnelli in the film version?
I had never seen movie, not that I can remember anyway. I think I was five years old when it came out. My first impression of the show was [director] Sam Mendes' vision of it.
Was it daunting to sing such classic songs as “Maybe This Time” and “Cabaret”?
I tried so desperately to make those songs part of this woman. I have never been one to believe that only one person can do a role. I mean, that is where classics come from. Or we wouldn't still be doing Shakespeare. That is what makes a revival so exciting, because you can take a part and make it your own. That's how I think of it: No one can do a part the way I can. Everyone is different. Maybe that's the same reason I didn't change my name or straighten my hair or get a nose job. Liza is Liza. I am not Liza, nor should I try to be.
Did any of the racier moments bother you? What about your wholesome image as Syd Hansen?
Being racy? That is the reason I wanted to do it! laughs I loved playing Syd, but I wanted to do something very different from her.
You have been quoted as saying that you didn't have a stage mother, but you had a stage father. Tell us about him.
When I was a child, my dad would bring the whole family to New York from Ohio, and we would see five shows in one weekend! Now for a dad who was an insurance salesman, this was amazing. He wanted to culture his kids in theater.
What shows do you remember seeing?
We saw shows like Sweet Charity, Les Miz, Cats, A Chorus Line… You can imagine how the “Tits and Ass” number went over with my parents [starts singing, “Tits and ass…”]. laughs My mom was, like, “Oh, honey, maybe we shouldn't have taken the kids to see this!” I have always loved musical theater, and I really loved Chita Rivera. I just saw her in Nine, kicking her leg up at whatever age she is. She is unbelievable!
Did your dad influence your decision to do the show?
You have to understand, my whole career, my father was like, “Honey, when are you gonna sing?” I mean, I made a movie with [Robert] De Niro, and he was happy, but he was like, “”Honey, when are you gonna sing?” When they offered me the part in Cabaret, I had just had a baby. I was nursing! I took my time in making my decision. And the whole time, my father was looking at me with puppy dog eyes. He didn't want to influence me, but I knew that he wanted to see me sing on Broadway. When I finally decided to do it, he was so excited. He was like, “Yes! Go get 'em, honey!”
Was your mother supportive of your aspirations as well?
My mom is one of those great mothers who instilled in all her kids the idea of being fearless and going after your dreams. I am the youngest of three sisters. They are the same way, fearless in their lives and fields. My family has lots of strong women, whether they are lawyers, doctors or actresses. It's all the same. So she encouraged me to go for my dreams as well.
How does theater work compare with TV work? Which is harder?
When you love what you do, it's not really that hard. In theater, the hours are so much shorter. I have my days off, so I can spend time with my kids. Then I go to the theater at night, do the show and go home. But we do have a tough weekend. I mean from Friday to Sunday, those five shows with two matinees are tough work. But I am used to working 17 hours a day on a set for a one-hour drama. Plus, in theater, being in front of a live audience is just so exciting. And theater is much more linear and satisfying in a way. You do the beginning, you do the middle and you do the end. In a film or TV show, it's all mixed up. I think Meryl Streep got it right when she said something about it being like a big puzzle, where you are putting the pieces together.
How do your kids like New York?
They are doing great. Jon Secada [Kanakaredes' co-star in Cabaret] has a little boy and girl, so they were running in the sprinklers of a New York park together yesterday. It was a riot.
How do you like working with Jon?
He is a sweet, wonderful man. He has a lovely wife. And we are similar in our family orientations. Even though he is Cubano and I am Greek, we look at family in the same way.
Did you know him or his music before the show?
I had never met him, but of course I knew his music.
Some die-hard fans feel Providence was canceled too soon. Do you agree?
Well, I think it's better to leave when people are still watching. I would rather go out while we are on top and people still care that we left. It was an amazing cast, and we all keep in touch. Mike Farrell sent flowers for my opening, and Concetta Tomei, who played my mother on the show, came to see me the other night.
Tell us something about working with Robert De Niro in the movie 15 Minutes.
De Niro was amazing. He's a great person who is truly deserving of his legendary status. He's a very warm person, and I feel lucky I got to work with him. It was one of the great things about having a seat on this roller coaster ride of show business. Hopefully I will do it for a long time.
So what do you want to do next?
I want to keep acting. I will probably do a couple of independent films next. And I have a production company. We just sold a script to FX, which I would executive-produce if it sells.
Would you do another TV show?
I would do another show, but mostly what I am looking for is good scripts. It doesn't matter if it's TV or movies or theater.
And I know you directed an episode of Providence.
Yes, I would love to do more directing and, of course, more Broadway. I just hope that era of the musical is coming back since the success of Chicago. You know, the big movie musical. I would love that. I would be perfect for that! laughs
What was the biggest challenge of this whole experience?
Probably being put in the show after only two weeks of preparation. Two weeks is a very short time to learn a show. That was another thing I had pondered when deciding to do it. The only day I got to perform with the whole cast was the night I opened in the show. It was tremendously strenuous work. The first time I ever sang “Maybe This Time” was when I went on the Regis and Kelly show. I thought, if I can sing this song for millions of people on TV, then I can sing it for 985 in the audience every night!
You are fearless!
Yes! laughs
thank Hestella for post it! ...