Academy Award nominee Lesley Ann Warren chatted about her latest endeavors, which will include an event in Patchogue on Long Island.
Background on Lesley Ann Warren
Warren made her Broadway debut in “110 in the Shade” back in 1963. Two years later, she received critical acclaim for playing the title role in the TV musical production of “Cinderella.”
She had subsequent starring roles in the Disney musical films “The Happiest Millionaire” and “The One and Only, Genuine, Original Family Band.”
In 1982, Warren was nominated for the Academy Award for “Best Supporting Actress” for her acting work in “Victor/Victoria.” She is also an Emmy nominee, and five-time Golden Globe nominee, where she won a Golden Globe in 1977 for “Best TV Actress in a Drama Series” for “79 Park Avenue.”
“I get fanmail from all over the world, and that is so incredible for me,” she admitted. “I’ve been really blessed.”
Warren noted that playing Lula in “Pure Country” is another fan-favorite performance of hers. “It is so great to have such a wide array of characters that people love and are their favorites. They are all so different, and that is what is so incredibly fulfilling,” she said.
Warren on her career-defining moments
Warren listed the films “Clue,” “Victor/Victoria,” and “Cinderella” as career-defining moments for her. “What is great is that I have been able to do movies such as ‘Victor/Victoria,’ and then, I’ve been doing classic independent movies that have maintained an audience of love for many years such as ‘Choose Me’,” she said.
“I’ve been so blessed in getting to work with some extraordinary directors and I’ve never been pigeonholed in a way that would have been something that I wouldn’t want to do as an actress,” she explained.
Patchogue Theatre event
On Saturday, April 20th, Warren will be a part of a special event at the Patchogue Theatre for the Performing Arts on Long Island. She will host a screening of the cult classic “Clue,” which will feature a live shadow cast. “I am looking forward to it,” she said. “Back in the day, I used to dance and sing at that venue. Now, to be able to do a personal appearance for ‘Clue’ will be so much fun.”
“I’ve never done a shadow cast before so that should be fun,” she said with a sweet laugh. “I hope a lot of people come to the Patchogue Theatre, and it is filled to the rafters and we can all have a good time.”
Warren played the role of “Miss Scarlet” in the original film, which is based on the popular board game. “This movie is such a classic,” she said. “I get so much mail all the time about ‘Clue.’ People of all ages seem to be entranced and obsessed with that film. It just has a lifetime that appears to be forever. It’s the gift that keeps on giving.”
Warren was drawn to her character Miss Scarlet for several reasons. “I loved her toughness, and using her sexuality to get what she thinks she might want,” she said. “I just love playing characters that have anti-social behaviors because that is so much fun as an actress to explore.”
This comedy begins at a dinner party hosted by Mr. Boddy (Lee Ving), where he admits to blackmailing his visitors. These guests, who have been given aliases, are Mrs. Peacock (Eileen Brennan), Miss Scarlet (Lesley Ann Warren), Mr. Green (Michael McKean), professor Plum (Christopher Lloyd), Mrs. White (Madeline Kahn) and Col. Mustard (Martin Mull).
When Boddy turns up murdered, all are suspects, and together they try to figure out who is the killer.
Advice for young and aspiring actors
For young and aspiring actors, she said, “I was a big proponent of studying. I know some people feel differently but I spent many years studying dance, singing, and acting.”
“I auditioned for Lee Strasberg at the time and joined the Actors Studio and studied there. I studied with him in his private classes. I believe the foundation of that knowledge has carried me through in every genre, and in all the roles I’ve been lucky enough to do. So I would encourage people to study,” she underscored.
Dialogue-heavy
When asked how she handles being dialogue-heavy, she revealed, “I have a whole formula for that.”
“If I am doing something theatrical, I break the script down determined by how many days I have before rehearsal starts. Then, I divide the script accordingly and I learn a certain amount each day, and I add some the next day. Then, I go back and review what I learned the day before,” she elaborated.
“So, by the time I start, I have a strong familiarity with the script,” she said. “I do the same thing with movies but I only learn what it is the night before. I only really go over what I have to do the next day because movies are so different.”
“Movies are shorter amounts of work that you have to know each day as opposed to learning the whole play,” she acknowledged. “The brain is a muscle; it absolutely is.”
Future plans
On her future plans, she remarked, “I have two film offers, where one is in June, and one is in October/November. We are all concerned about the IATSE strike, and I hope we get to do them before a potential stroke.”
Stage of her life
On the title of the current chapter of her life, she said, “Fabulously Blessed.”
Regarding her favorite motto to live by, she shared, “My wish is to live with kindness, compassion, empathy, and generosity of spirit.”
‘Grand Son’ thriller
In 2018, she starred as Judy in the thriller “Grand Son,” which was directed by Robert Logevall from a screenplay by Abram Makowka. “I loved that movie,” she admitted. “I wish it had gotten more of a release.”
“I really did enjoy my character, Judy, because she was so different. The movie was so creative and visually, it was stunning,” she said.
The synopsis is: When twisted young charmer Tod’s (Rhys Wakefield) decadent Hollywood lifestyle is put into jeopardy, he hatches a diabolical plan to save it.
Superpower of choice
If she were to have any superpower, she stated, “It would be to protect all children and animals, and allow them to be in a peaceful environment and safe.”
“I think of success on a daily basis in terms of how I feel about my day, whether it’s the smallest task, and whether I can do it with joy. If I can… then I am successful. I seek to have peace on a daily basis, even though it may not always be possible. That’s my goal for myself,” she elaborated.
Message for her fans
For her fans, Warren expressed, “Thank you. I am so grateful to the fans, and the people that write me and post things. I have such deep appreciation for their continued love and support. I am ever-grateful.”
“Their outpouring of appreciation and love means so much to me,” she concluded.
To learn more about Lesley Ann Warren, follow her on Instagram and check out her IMDb page.
