Tonya Pinkins
Tony Award winner Tonya Pinkins is smack in the middle of rehearsals for the exciting new courtroom thriller A Time to Kill adapted from John Grisham’s novel by Rupert Holmes and directed by Ethan McSweeny which starts performances at the Golden Theatre on September 28th. But she did have time to join us “On The Couch”!
What do you consider to be your best asset?
My best asset is my will to keep going on in the face of sure failure and even after failure
What was your proudest moment?
My proudest moments would be the four home births of my children. The first water birth in Manhattan in 1987.
What is your favorite drink?
Coconut water
What is your favorite food?
I love to eat all parts of the pig but the oink.
What is your favorite condiment?
At the moment it’s white balsamic vinegar
What is your current obsession?
I am living for library books on my Kindle app on the iPad
If you could give up one of your vices, what would it be?
My vices are my virtues. I’d give up fighting for every injustice I see in the world.
What is the one professional accomplishment you long for most?
An award-winning best selling novel
What is the one thing you waste too much money on?
I don’t waste money on anything. Every penny I spend is worth it. Every massage, every electronic gadget, every meal out
What is the one activity you waste too much time doing?
I wasted too much time reading and writing legal briefs, trying to fight the uphill battle of keeping lawyers honest and holding the courts to the law
What do you consider to be the single greatest threat to your health?
The stress of wanting to leave the world better than I found it
What is the single best trait you inherited or learned from your parents?
That there is more than one way to skin a cat. So I keep trying to find the right one.
What is the single worst trait you inherited or learned from your parents?
If pushed, I can use words like sushi knives.
What in the world most thrills you?
Horse riding bareback, especially in the ocean
What current trend in popular culture most irritates you?
Kids not growing up and expecting their parents to support them forever
What was the single most embarrassing moment you've ever experienced on the job?
I was on set shooting an emotional scene on “Hostages” and Toni Collette had just called the shot because she heard a telephone ring far in the distance (I didn’t hear it) and the next shot I let out an explosive fart and they kept the shot.
What is your favorite place in the world?
A toss between Cappadocia, Turkey and Salvador De Bahia, Brazil
What is the most important trait you seek in a romantic partner?
Oh how I long for a man who is my equal
Do you prefer the company of dogs or cats?
Neither. We raised dogs as a kid and when you’ve lived with a Labrador, a german shepherd and have a dozen pit bulls, Doberman pinchers at one time, you never need to have any pets again
What would have to happen to make today the best day of your life?
All four of my children would be with me on vacation in Australia
What is your personal motto?
Brilliance lies in the moment that might not work