In Part 5 of a series of interviews with The Playwright, Director, and cast of Calendar Girls at McLean Community Players meet Jennifer Greene.
Joel: Tell our readers where they may have seen you on local stages.
Jennifer: I’ve most recently performed with The Washington Revels’ Heritage Voices, which sings Civil War era music. I’ve also been a storyteller with Better Said Than Done.
Tell us about the character you play and how you relate to her. Does this character have any of your personality or character traits?
I play Ruth, who is an active member of her ladies’ organization. Although she’s not particularly good at knitting, baking or crafts, she does her best, with enthusiasm. She’s very much a people pleaser, and a very kind woman, almost to a fault. Ruth and I don’t share many similarities, but she does love her friends deeply, and so do I.
What has been the most fun playing this character?
Ruth grows and changes throughout the play, and really surprises herself and her friends. That is a lot of fun to portray.
What have been some of the challenges you have had preparing for your role, and how did your director help you with these challenges?
It has been a long time since I’ve been in a non-musical production, so getting into the flow of a narrative without song or dance breaks has been a challenge. Bob Sams, our director, has been very encouraging.
Which character in the show is most like you, and why?
I think I’m most like Cora. She’s a smart ass, and has a daughter she loves.
What do you admire most about your fellow cast members?
I admire the focus and hard work of this wonderful cast. It’s very much an ensemble show, with lots of short lines among six or seven players, so we all have to be putting our energy into each scene to make it work.
What do you want audiences to take with them after watching you perform in Calendar Girls?
That friends are the family we choose for ourselves. Good relationships require time, work, and energy, but ultimately, they are all that matter. I went through a tough time a while ago, and was deeply touched by how my friends came out of the woodwork to help me through it all.
If you were a Calendar Girl, what would your page look like, and which month would you be and why?
I would be July, because I love the warmth and sunshine of summer! I’d be floating in a lake, with a cool drink and a big hat.
What is your favorite line that your character says? What is your favorite line that another character says?
My favorite of Ruth’s is when she first heard about the nude calendar “ It’s not normally my kind of thing, but if it raises money for a good cause, I don’t mind buying one. She was in for a big surprise.
My favorite line from another character is after Chris sees a bizarre craft project: “You know, if more people did WI [the ladies’ group] there’d be half the need for hallucinogenic drugs.”
Calendar Girls plays from September 18- October 3, 2015 at the McLean Community Players performing at McLean Community Center’s Alden Theatre – 1234 Ingleside Avenue, in McLean, VA. For more information, call (703) 304-3176, or visit their website. Tickets are available at the Alden Box Office, through OvationTix at 1-866-811-4111, or online.
LINKS
Meet the Cast of McLean Community Players’ ‘Calendar Girl’: Part 1: Diane Sams.
Meet the Director and Cast of ‘Calendar Girls’ at McLean Community Players, Part 2: Kathryn (Katie) Johnston.
Meet the Director and Cast of ‘Calendar Girls’ at McLean Community Players, Part 3: Liz Weber.
Meet the Director and Cast of ‘Calendar Girls’ at McLean Community Players, Part 4: Jennifer Levy.
Meet the Director and Cast of ‘Calendar Girls’ at McLean Community Players, Part 5: Jennifer Greene.
McLean Community Players Presents Tim Firth’s ‘Calendar Girls’ September 18 – October 3, 2015.
