August 10, 2008: We talk to Julie Haggerty, now appearing Off-Broadway in Roundabout Theatre's The Marriage of Bette and Boo.

The Marriage of Bette and Boo is a dark comedy that takes a look at the complex marriage of Bette and Boo. Three decades of marriage, divorce, alcoholism, nervous breakdowns and death - all blended in a unique mix of irony, humor and farce - are played out in 33 quick scenes.

	THE MARRIAGE OF BETTE AND BOO LAURA PELS THEATRE - Harold & Miriam Steinberg Center for Theatre 111 West 46th Street New York, NY 10036

Question: How did you get your start in show business?
Answer: Well, my brother Michael started an off off-Broadway theater company called The Production Company, and that's where I started performing. My first play was Robert Patrick's Mutual Benefit Life, which Norman Renee directed. That was my first theater experience as an actor. I used to work at the theater cleaning up and helping take tickets and learning the theater from the inside. I learned basically everything I knew about theater from that group, who all went to Carnegie. I sort of sponged off of them; I took their knowledge and they were willing to share it with me.

Q: You made your off-off-Broadway debut in 1979-what is different about performing in an off off-Broadway or off-Broadway show today?
A: The off off-Broadway theater was my actual 1979 debut. It was a 60 seat theater, and it was behind an answering service, so sometimes during performances you would hear people answering the phone. To make an entrance Stage Right, you had to go up from the basement onto the street, then down some stairs to a back alleyway, and then you had to wait outside on the street until you heard your cue. One time that I had to enter from Stage Right it was raining, and I had to wait a long time for me cue, so I entered in my pajamas soaking wet!

It was a very special time. Young people doing their craft and making their dreams come true.

And that's still possible off-Broadway. This is a whole new dream coming true. I think that's sort of the magic about theater, there's a magic about theater that makes all of this happen, whether it be off off-Broadway or off-Broadway, like Roundabout.

Roundabout is a glorious theater to work for, and I mean that from my heart. We as actors feel so lucky and so spoiled to work for that theater--from top to bottom! There's not only a delicious company of actors for me to work with, but the stage managers, the guys backstage, the whole company-we're just having so much fun, and everybody cares so much. The stage hands, our hairdresser, the wardrobe crew-they are all such a part of the big backstage company, which is really special. Nick, our company manager is just there for us. I'm just in heaven working at The Roundabout, and I've wanted to work there for many many years, so for it to finally be true is beyond my dreams.

Q: Who has been most influential in your career as an actress?
A: Well, you know, I've go to tell you, what's so wonderful about the theater is that you're always meeting new people to watch and learn from. In The Marriage of Bette and Boo I've had the joy of watching Kate Jennings Grant, Victoria Clark, Zoe Lister-Jones, and Heather Burns. It's like a whole new influential inspiration for me because I watch them all work in rehearsals, and each of them brings something different from their unique backgrounds. I just admire all of these women. Victoria would just open up her mouth and out comes this beautiful voice! Heather and Zoe are these young women producing their own movies! Then gorgeous Kate carries the show with such humanity. I can't watch her anymore because it makes me cry-she just comes from her heart. I have four new heroes.

Q: What's your favorite memory from working on Airplane?
A: I just think the whole aspect of getting to do your first movie is pretty mind-boggling and wonderful and it was just an amazing experience. Before I did Airplane, I'd only done 2 off off-Broadway shows. The crew was bigger than any audience I'd ever had, so it was a little nerve wracking, but it was a great experience.

Q: What are some of the stage roles that you would love to play?
A: Gosh, there's so many! Blanch Du Bois from A Streetcar Named Desire would be fun. Disposable people I'd love to do. Miss Witherspoon, which also happens to be written by Christopher Durang. It could go on and on. When you get invited to the dance, and it's what you like to do, you go!

Q: Film or Stage? Do you have a preferred medium?
A: No, I really enjoy working when I work, but there is truly the magic of the theater. You can't match that participation with the audience and camaraderie of a company being together-that's magical.

Q: What attracted to you to the role of 'Soot' in The Marriage of Bette and Boo?
A: I love the play, and Soot was so special to me because of her strength and willingness to forgive. Olympia Dakakis, who originated the role said - and I agree with this - that this play is about forgiveness. Underneath everything, Soot has amazing capacity to forgive. She has her strengths, but they are very quietly hidden to continue going. She has a real backbone for loving, even with the dysfunction.

Q: Do you have any secret special skills?
A: I horseback ride, is that a secret special skill? I have three lovely wonderful horses, and I love them. They make the world disappear, just like when you are playing a great role. All you can think about is them. They are quite magical, like theater, so I think that transferred for me.

Q: What are your favorite shows on or Off-Broadway right now?
A: I haven't had any time to see them, so I feel a little grumpy that I haven't had time. There are so many magnificent things! Hopefully when we're done I'll get to see all these fabulous shows that are on right now.

Q: What do you love about working Off-Broadway?
A: Oh, I think I've already answered that - it's the magic of the theater!

More about Julie Haggerty:

JULIE HAGERTY (Soot Hudlocke). Hagerty's screen credits include Airplane, Lost in America, The Story of Us, A Midsummer Night's Sex Comedy, Beyond Therapy, What about Bob?, Noises Off, UTurn, The Wife, Mel, She's the Man and Just Friends. Stage: Hagerty received the Drama Critics Award for her role in Raised in Captivity and the Theatre World Award for The House of Blue Leaves. Additionally, The Odd Couple, Moon Over Miami, Born Yesterday, Front Page and A Cheever Evening. TV includes “Reunited,” “ER,” “Everybody Loves Raymond,” “The Norm Show” and “Murphy Brown.”