The First Supercouple
“Someone once said that doing soaps was like doing summer stock in an iron lung, and I thought that was pretty apt,” laughs Prinz, who even during her 12-year run as troubled Hughes daughter Penny made sure to keep one foot in the theater. Her latest project, Under The Bed, is a series of vignettes by Susan Sandler, who wrote Crossing Delancey. “She just got the idea of writing about all the seniors down here in Florida. We’re not connected in any way. Some are funny, some are short, some are very long,” explains Prinz. “I play in three of them, so it’s three different parts. The one I open with is a very short monologue about a very old lady who’s clearly lost her marbles [laughs]. The second thing I do is a comic one with two other actors, and it takes place on a gambling boat. It’s about how all the widows down here are looking for men, and all the men have their choices of whoever they want. But the one that is close to my heart is a 25-minute monologue called ‘My Tony.’ It’s a really wonderful piece and I’m having a ball with it. I’m a real estate tycoon, a very successful, rich, widowed Palm Beach lady with many homes all over the country.” The “My Tony” of the title is what in Palm Beach is called a “walker” — he’s a cute gay man who works as an escort. “It starts out because she’s phobic about flying and he flies with her and she kind of keeps him around and they just become fast friends and then more. You learn, through the monologue, about all the people in her life: her husband, her children, the betrayals, the disappointments, the highs, the lows, etcetera. It’s a very poignant piece, particularly at the end. I’m doing what I love, and that’s the most important thing.”
Rydell, meanwhile, is doing the same thing. Highlights of his directing career include On Golden Pond, For The Boys and the critically acclaimed TV movie JAMES DEAN. His new film, Even Money, had its first screening a few weeks ago. “It’s astonishing, the cast,” he says of the ensemble, which includes Basinger, Liotta, Danny DeVito, Tim Roth, Kelsey Grammer and Forest Whitaker. “I’m so proud; it’s a wonderful picture about gambling. Life is a gamble; how much are you willing to risk? So it’s a very serious film and powerful and emotional and I’m quite pleased with it and tonight’s the first screening.” Rydell, who would definitely hire actors with soap experience — “I find that attractive!” — credits his work on ATWT nearly 40 years ago with nourishing his abilities as a director, but he’s also stepped in front of the camera occasionally, most recently for some guest spots on EVERWOOD. “I read that there’s a soap, where to boost ratings, they’re trying to pull back some of the old stars,” says Rydell, referring to the appearance of GENERAL HOSPITAL’s Tristan Rogers (Scorpio) and Emma Samms (Holly). “Well, I’m waiting for my call,” he says. “I’m ready to do eight shows for them anytime they want. I could come on as Jeff’s twin brother. So if they have any ideas of that nature, please tell them I’m ready to fly East!”
For more information on Prinz’s play, go to www.caldwelltheatre.com.
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