Sunday, July 17, 2016

Spotlight On...Alicia Goranson

Name: Alicia "Lecy" Goranson

Hometown: Evanston, IL

Education: Vassar College

Select Credits: NY Theater: Poison, The Moonbath Girl (EST), Love, Loss, and What I Wore (Westside Theater), The Poor Itch (The Public), A Christmas Full Of Family Love (The Brick), The Fourth Sister (The Vineyard), An Adult Evening Of Shel Silverstein (Atlantic Theater Company), Good Thing (The New Group), Cat’s Paw (Soho Rep), Lydie Breeze, The Trestle At Pope Lick Creek (NYTW), Defying Gravity (American Place Theater).  Regional Theater: Are You There, McPhee? (McCarter Theater Center, NJ), The Guys (The Lakeshore Theater, IL), King Lear (NJ Shakespeare Festival), Iphigenia and Other Daughters (Portland Stage Company, ME). Film: Weightless, The Extra Man, Love, Ludlow, Boys Don’t Cry, How To Make An American Quilt.  TV: Inside Amy Schumer, Damages, Fringe, Law and Order: SVU, Sex and The City, Roseanne.  She is a member of Ensemble Studio Theater.

Why theater?: Money.  Just kidding, Playwrights.

Who do you play in Who Mourns for Bob the Goon?: Asuka Langly Soryu, Pilot of Evangelion.

Tell us about  Who Mourns for Bob the Goon?: Who Mourns Bob the Goon? is about a group of veterans who are in group therapy because they identify with comic book (and anime!) characters.  It's also about PTSD and how veterans assimilate to a new, post-war existence.    

What is it like being a part of  Who Mourns for Bob the Goon?: It has been fun, so far.  My character, Langly, is a real trip and a blast to play.  I love our ensemble and the play has a great pace to it.  There is also a fantasy element to the design that makes it unique.  

What kind of theater speaks to you? What or who inspires you as an artist?: As an actor, I usually prefer to do new works.  It's more exciting.  But in terms of what speaks to me as an audience member, it really depends on how the play comes together.  Collaboration is everything.  Growing up, I studied at the Piven Theater Workshop in Evanston, IL, which was an incredible blessing.  Byrne and Joyce Piven were the greatest teachers.  Chicago-based theater, in general, is so artistically-satisfying.  In New York, if Ivo Von Hove is directing something, I try to see it.  I have some roots in downtown theater, so I love New York Theater Workshop, The Public, Soho Rep, Elevator Repair Service, The Wooster Group, Thomas Bradshaw, Mac Wellman, etc.  And I'm a member of Ensemble Studio Theater, which consistently does solid, ensemble work.  I've also been lucky enough to have worked with some amazing actors (Jefferson Mays, Estelle Parsons, Lois Smith, Laurie Metcalf, John Goodman, Elizabeth Marvel, and so many more), who continue to inspire me.    

Any roles you’re dying to play?: I'm sure some brilliant playwrights are writing them now!  I'd love to do more Shakespeare.  And it would be fun to do another period piece and get corseted.  I haven't been corseted in awhile.    

What’s your favorite showtune?: I'm not a big musical theater gal, but "Maybe" from Annie gets me every time.

If you could work with anyone you’ve yet to work with, who would it be?: This is a very, very long list.  But, to make it short, I am crazy for the film "The Witch" and would love to work with Robert Eggers.  And Tilda Swinton, of course.  

Who would play you in a movie about yourself and what would it be called?: I guess I would play myself, and it would be called "Lecy: Life of A Cubs Fan."

If you could go back in time and see any play or musical you missed, what would it be?: It would have to be the production of Streetcar on Broadway with Brando as Stanley.

What show have you recommended to your friends?: Currently running? I haven't seen Hadestown at the New York Theatre Workshop but I hear it's fantastic.

What’s your biggest guilty pleasure?: Reality television (You're better off not knowing what I watch) and US magazine.  I also have a problem when it comes to going to sport events.  I have a basketball game addiction.

What’s up next?: Lunch.  Then, maybe a film?  Also, I've been writing my own TV show.