Tuesday, November 3, 2009

Night of the Iguana with Judith Chapman, Part Two

In Part One of our two-part interview with THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS star Judith Chapman (Gloria), the busy actress discussed her new play, "Night of the Iguana," that will be playing November 7 and 8 in Los Angeles. In Part Two, Chapman explains where she find the energy to do so many projects.

We Love Soaps: So I’m sitting here thinking, "Wow, here’s this person who portrays this wonderful role on YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS, and is out there in her spare time producing plays, and doing all this wonderful fundraising and charity work." Where do you find the energy?
Judith Chapman: I don’t know. Today is my first full cup of coffee I’ve had in months. I was just born with ungodly amounts of energy and organizational skills. I get if from my father. Whenever I go into a project or start directing or putting a show together, I always get everyone together and say, “I want you to know two things. My father is a retired air force general. And I was raised by nuns. Now let’s get to work.” So I don’t know, it’s a blessing and a curse. I’m always asking what is my next project? This one I’m not directing and it’s coming together a little late. I know it’s hard for people to come out from the East Coast but anybody who is [coming], punch in the “Y&R” code, get a $20 discount, and just have a fun afternoon or evening of theater and a great party.

We Love Soaps: And it is the same weekend that a huge fan event is taking plays for DAYS OF OUR LIVES [the "Day of DAYS" event].
Judith Chapman: That’s true! Maybe some of the DAYS OF OUR LIVES people [will come]. I loved Anjelica. [EDITOR'S NOTE: Judith played Anjelica Deveraux from 1989-1990].

We Love Soaps: What are your future plans for The Troubadours of Daytime?
Judith Chapman: Can we get through this one?

We Love Soaps: Okay, we can, as long as your promise to keep me posted here at We Love Soaps.
Judith Chapman: Absolutely. I was just thinking that the Palm Springs performance was such a success. You can see all the past people that were in it at YoungandtheRestless.com. We had Michelle Stafford, Daniel Goddard, Eyal Poddell, Greg Rikaart, Christian [LeBlanc], Vincent Irizarry and me. I was so happy when he [Irizarry] won the Best Supporting Emmy this year. I just loved working with him. I was so sorry when he left Y&R. I would love to do another show in Palm Springs if I had a good four to five months to prepare it. We would want to get a lot of press out early. So something will be up. Just the fact we’ve done three productions in less than two years, I think we’ve been and will continue to be pretty busy.

We Love Soaps: Looking back on the roles you’ve played in soaps, as well as the character of Maxine in "Night Of the Iguana," you seem to typically play strong women who march to the beat of their own tune, who live life on their own terms. Would you say that describes you as well?
Judith Chapman: Me personally? Absolutely. I really do. I’m not as brazen and brave as some of the characters I’ve played. Maybe the older I get I’m embracing it. But I’m so grateful because I had parents who said, “You want to do this? Okay, go for it.” I was never told, “You can’t.” I had a father and a mother who had very high expectations. My father just passed away, I gave the eulogy. One of the things I said was that, “My father gave each of us the strength, the freedom, and the courage to pursue our own dreams.” No matter what those were, he always said, “Carry on.” Those are the words I’ve chosen to live by. Carry on. My mother also said, “It’s not what you regret doing at the end of your life, it’s what you regret not doing.” Don’t look back with regret because someone says you couldn’t. Or because someone says [in a high voice], “I don’t think you should do that.” And you listen to them? [To miss] golden opportunities? I’ve had that philosophy all of my life.

We Love Soaps: I love that, I’m carry that with me after this interview is over.
Judith Chapman: Yes. “Carry on.”

EDITOR'S NOTE: Damon L . Jacobs will be at the show on Sunday, November 8th, at 7 p.m. To get your tickets, with THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS discount, go to roguemachinetheatre.com or call (323) 960-7774. Tickets are $60. Use code "YR" to get a $20 discount.

Damon L. Jacobs is a Marriage Family Therapist practicing in New York City, and the author of "Absolutely Should-less: The Secret to Living the Stress-Free Life You Deserve". He has started blogging again at www.shouldless.com.

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