Thursday, August 25, 2011

EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW: Molly Burnett Talks DAYS OF OUR LIVES, EMPIRE and Broadway!

Molly Burnett joined the cast of DAYS OF OUR LIVES in 2008 as Melanie and earned a Daytime Emmy nomination for the role in 2010.   She has shined in scenes with a number of soap veterans but especially with the fabulous Suzanne Rogers (Maggie).  In this new interview with WE LOVE SOAPS TV, Burnett shares her thoughts on the new DAYS and working on indie soap EMPIRE, and reveals her dream musical role.

WE LOVE SOAPS TV: There's been a lot of talk of a rebooted DAYS starting next month, and a lot of fan favorites from the past are returning. How does the character Melanie fit onto the canvas of this new DAYS?
Molly Burnett: She's sticking by her Dad, and Jennifer--especially with Jack coming back. And she's with Maggie and Victor, helping them set up their wedding. So that's some of what she's working on right now.

WE LOVE SOAPS TV: Is there anything else you can preview for us coming up for Melanie this fall?
Molly Burnett: She's working on being alone for a little bit. She's going to make a few mistakes... and they're going to drop some big family bombs, which is cool.

WE LOVE SOAPS TV: Melanie has been through a lot of emotional distress recently dealing with Carly's addiction issues and Maggie being shot. Are you ever relieved when you pick up a script and it's a more light-hearted day?
Molly Burnett: Sure! I love when the scripts are lighthearted and funny, and you can get a kind of banter going with whomever you're working with. That's absolutely fun.

WE LOVE SOAPS TV: For fans who may have stopped watching DAYS or haven't been watching consistently, why would you recommend the new DAYS to them now?
Molly Burnett: Well, it's going back to when you used to watch. When you'd sit with your family for an hour and watch your stories, stories that you could relate to... about falling in love, and so many positive things. It's going back to what it started out as, which I think is really great.

WE LOVE SOAPS TV: What would you say is the biggest lesson you've learned as an actress working on DAYS?
Molly Burnett: Oh my... be prepared. [She laughs.] Always be prepared. Absolutely, that's a good one.

WE LOVE SOAPS TV: Is there a story behind that lesson?
Molly Burnett: No, just... make sure you know your lines! Especially if you're going fast. You can just play more, when you know what you're supposed to be saying. And then you can work on the character.

WE LOVE SOAPS TV:Being on a soap is so much hard work, I don't think it even compares with other kinds of acting experience?
Molly Burnett: I don't think so either. There's definitely nothing like it.

WE LOVE SOAPS TV: We produce our own awards show every year, the Indie Soap Awards, and you were nominated this year for your guest appearance on EMPIRE. We know you taped again for the show's upcoming season. So you've had the chance to reunite with both Mark Hapka and Tina Sloan—what was it like working with them again?
Molly Burnett: It's great. I love Mark, he's one of my best friends. And for us all to fly to New York, and get to film with Tina, who's also a doll—well, I mean--the whole cast! The whole cast is great, and so sweet, and so welcoming. We all had such a blast.

WE LOVE SOAPS TV: You're a vocalist as well as an actress, and you appeared on TRUE BLOOD as a singer. Are there any other singing performances in the works?
Molly Burnett: I hope so. My gosh, I hope so! One of my goals later on in life is to be on Broadway, so I absolutely do hope that there will be singing in my future.

WE LOVE SOAPS TV:I think you'd be fantastic on Broadway! Do you have a dream role?
Molly Burnett: Oh, my gosh. Well...I'm going to New York tonight, actually, to see "Book of Mormon," and to see "War Horse" with my dad.

WE LOVE SOAPS TV:How wonderful! You're in for a treat. But "Book of Mormon" is a little bit bawdy.
Molly Burnett: Oh, well I'm coming off of knowing all the SOUTH PARK episodes, and "Avenue Q," so I know what to expect! So let's see, a dream role for me would be: Queenie from "The Wild Party."

WE LOVE SOAPS TV:The Toni Colette role?
Molly Burnett:Yes!

WE LOVE SOAPS TV: Perfect.
Molly Burnett: Thank you!

WE LOVE SOAPS TV: Well, Molly, we look forward to watching you in the new DAYS, and we also look forward to seeing you in the next revival of "The Wild Party"! Thank you so much for speaking with us this afternoon.
Molly Burnett: Thank you!

RELATED:
- EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW: Suzanne Rogers Talks About The New DAYS, Emmy Reform and More!
- WE LOVE SOAPS TV 2.83 DAYS OF OUR LIVES at the Daytime Emmys
- WE LOVE SOAPS TV 2.24 Molly Burnett & Shawn Christian
- FLASHBACK: The Complete Story of DAYS OF OUR LIVES 1973

Kevin Mulcahy Jr. is a Harvard alum who is currently working as a staff contributor at welovesoaps.com writing theater and web series reviews as well as other in-depth features. Read all his Web Series reviews here. To contact Kevin, email [email protected].

2 comments:

  1. Molly, have fun in New York. Love you on Days.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Molly is a horrible actress.

    ReplyDelete