Two-time Tony-nominated actress Johanna Day chatted about starring in “Pen Pals” Off-Broadway show.
Day is performing opposite Nancy McKeon (“The Facts of Life”) and their run begins on February 5th through February 9th. The play was directed SuzAnne Barabas and written by Michael Griffo.
‘Pen Pals’
“I love ‘Pen Pals’,” she exclaimed. “It is wonderful to reprise the role of Mags again. I was a little nervous yesterday because I had been really busy and I hadn’t been brushing up, but it was like riding a bike, and even better.”
Working with Nancy McKeon
On working with Nancy McKeon (who plays Bernie in the show), Day said, “It is wonderful. Nancy is so great! We get along really well. We delve deep, and we are constantly changing and bettering little things. Working with Nancy is just heaven.”
“It’s a very odd experience to do a play with someone you don’t talk to on stage with… literally. That was the first thing that was odd to me, but it turned out even more fun than I imagined it was going to be ,” she admitted.
Day on her Obie win for ‘Scene Partners’ with Dianne Wiest
Most recently, Day won an Obie Award alongside Dianne Wiest for their acting work in the play “Scene Partners.”
“That was very surprising,” she admitted. “I was very grateful; the cast was just amazing. It’s a tough play to stage in some ways due to all the technical stuff. I had it easy because all my scenes were basically with Diane, and I had one scene with two other actors. It was just great.”
The digital age
On being a part of the digital age, Day said, “A part of it is just fantastic, especially in regard to getting the word out for people, as well as people using it as a resource for information. On the other hand, it de-socializes us a little bit.”
Stage of her life
Regarding the title of the current chapter of her life, she revealed, “A brand new age… We will see what happens!”
Advice for young and aspiring actors
For young and emerging actors, she said, “All of our journeys getting into this business are so different. Personally, if you love it, then do it! Be realistic; it is really hard to make a living in it, and it is getting a little more difficult, but if you love it so much, nothing is going to stop you.”
“See all the theatre you can see, read all the plays you can read, and learn about theatre history. It’ll inform your body and your mind so much,” she acknowledged.
“If you absolutely love it, then do it because it will bring you more joy than anything in the world,” she added.
Success
On her definition of the word success, Day said, “I never cared a bout being famous though my ego really wants people to think I’m good. I would like to make a living on a consistent basis doing this. I want to work hard and do really good work.”
Closing thoughts on ‘Pen Pals’
For fans and viewers, she remarked about “Pen Pals,” “I want people to get the major significance of friendship, and that you can have serious differences and it can work, if you are open to them.”
“Also, this play showcases letter writing, which is not the digital age,” she said with a sweet laugh.
For more information on “Pen Pals,” check out its official homepage.
To learn more about Tony-nominated actress Johanna Day, follow her on Instagram.
