Michael McKean
Michael McKean in Our Town.
Right on the heels of his career-making role as Lenny on the long running television sitcom “Laverne & Shirley,” Michael McKean co-wrote and co-starred in what became one of the most iconic comic films of all time: This is Spinal Tap. McKean had secured his place in the pantheon of great American comedy stars at the very beginning of his career. Since then he has gone on to appear in dozens of films, including Clue, Plains, Trains & Automobiles, Best In Show, A Mighty Wind, and For Your Consideration, and countless television shows. In recent years, he has also taken to the stage in roles as disparate as Edna Turnblad in Hairspray, Hines in The Pajama Game, and Arthur Przbyszewski in this season’s Superior Donuts. Now he’s starring in the landmark production of Our Town at the Barrow Street Theatre.
It is a true honor to put an actor of his caliber on the couch!
Catch Michael McKean in Our Town at the Barrow Street Theatre (27 Barrow Street at 7th Avenue South) through July 4. Tickets are available through SmartTix at (212) 868-4444, online at http://www.smarttix.com, or in person at the Barrow Street Theatre box office.
Q: What do you consider to be your best asset?
A: My memory.
Q: What was your proudest moment?
A: Hearing our song, “A Kiss at the End of the Rainbow” performed on the Oscars by Catherine O'Hara and Eugene Levy.
Q: What is your favorite drink?
A: Root beer.
Q: What is your favorite food?
A: Peaches.
Q: What is your favorite condiment?
A: Tamarind.
Q: What is your current obsession?
A: Learning my lines.
Q: If you could give up one of your vices, what would it be?
A: Smugness.
Q: What is the one professional accomplishment you long for most?
A: Finishing our stage musical.
Q: What is the one thing you waste too much money on?
A: Accidentally ordering multiples of Amazon purchases.
Q: What is the one activity you waste too much time doing?
A: Arguing with the hopeless.
Q: What do you consider to be the single greatest threat to your health?
A: Insomnia.
Q: What is the single best trait you inherited or learned from your parents?
A: Love of movies, music, books, theater.
Q: What is the single worst trait you inherited or learned from your parents?
A: Impatience.
Q: What in the world most thrills you?
A: My missus.
Q: What current trend in popular culture most irritates you?
A: “Reality.”
Q: What was the single most embarrassing moment you've ever experienced on the job?
A: Going sky-high on a verse of “Think of the Time I Save” in Pajama Game.
Q: What is your favorite place in the world?
A: The “Walker Room”: TV/den/family room in our LA home.
Q: What is the most important trait you seek in a romantic partner?
A: A sense of humor.
Q: Do you prefer the company of dogs or cats?
A: Dogs.
Q: What would have to happen to make today the best day of your life?
A: A nice lunch; a good movie; tea and cards; an Italian dinner; a play; then home. Maybe see what's on TCM.
Q: What is your personal motto?
A: “Let us so live that when we come to die even the undertaker will be sorry.” -Mark Twain