Ep332 - Maryann Plunkett: Theatre is Great if You're Shy

The Theatre Podcast with Alan Seales

For Tony Award winner Maryann Plunkett, she will always be a shy person. But thanks to theatre she's learned how to enter a room and own it. Currently playing as Older Allie in the Broadway adaptation of "The Notebook," Maryann delves into her approach to embodying the character, the collaborative process with her co-stars and director, and the importance of observing her fellow actors to create a seamless portrayal of Allie across three different ages. With previous experiences on Broadway, she notes that her last starring role in a Broadway musical was in 1987. She reflects on her decision to return to musicals, and how she resonates with “The Notebook”, seeing her role as a way to honor her mother who lived with dementia and showcase the importance of entering the world of those affected rather than dismissing their experiences. Maryann gets more personal as she talks about her family, how she met her husband on an episode of a television show, and their first kiss… which was actually scripted and caught on film. Growing up shy, she opens up about overcoming her struggles through theatre, and “the power and strength in living one's life in a way that one can be proud of.”

Maryan Plunkett is a celebrated actress and singer who has captivated audiences on both Broadway and the screen for decades. Her career began on the prestigious stages of New York, most notably with her Broadway debut as Sister Agnes in “Agnes of God”, but it was her portrayal of Sally Smith in “Me and My Girl” that truly launched her into the spotlight and earned her a coveted Tony Award for Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Musical in 1987. She has delivered powerful performances in plays, including but not limited to Arthur Miller's “The Crucible”, “Sunday in the Park with George”, replacing Bernadette Peters, “A Little Hotel on the Side”, “The Master Builder”, and “A Man for All Seasons”. She also spent 12 years doing Richard Nelson's “Rhinebeck Panorama”. Her TV and film credits include “Bull”, “Chicago Med”, “Little Women”, “Blue Valentine”, “Dr. Death”, and “Manifest”. She can now be seen as Older Allie in “The Notebook” on Broadway, which just nabbed her another Tony award nomination.

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