Currently appearing in Arlington, VA, in the Signature Theatre’s critically acclaimed production of the The Untitled Unauthorized Hunter S. Thompson Musical, an explosive rock musical about the titular Gonzo journalist, written by Joe Iconis (book, music, and lyrics) and Gregory S. Moss (book), Saskatchewan-born and NYC-based Lorinda Lisitza is a multi-award-winning singer and actress, with three MAC Awards, a Bistro Award, and a Nightlife Award for her work in cabaret, and the Patrick Lee Independent Theater Blogger Award for her one-woman show Triumphant Baby! (written for her by Iconis and Robert Maddock).
Lisitza – who notes that her favorite role of all is as a cancer survivor and encourages everyone to get a mammogram – has performed Off-Broadway at the WP Theater, Urban Stages, the Lucille Lortel Theatre, and the Triad, as a member of the former Jean Cocteau Repertory Theatre, where she starred to rave reviews as Mother Courage and in The Three Penny Opera, and in the York Theatre’s Musicals in Mufti series. As a vocalist, she has been a touring soloist for symphonies with Spot-On Entertainment, a recurrent part of The Town Hall’s popular Broadway by the Year and Unplugged concerts, and is a self-described “OG member” of Joe Iconis & Family, with whom she regularly plays to a devoted cult following (myself among them) in theaters (including her roles in The Plant that Ate Dirty Socks and Love in Hate Nation) and nightclubs throughout NYC (with upcoming dates in August at 54 Below, and in December for the annual Christmas Extravaganza). She also plays guitar and “a mean harmonica,” and has a wild sense of humor, delivered with spot-on comic timing. By my count, that’s already way more than Andy Warhol’s proverbial fifteen minutes of fame!
On her day off from performances at Signature, Lorinda answered our quick questions about the show and her personal favorites, to let our readers get to know her a little better both on and off the stage.
- What is it about Hunter S. Thompson?
Lorinda: It’s the spontaneity, the sensibility that anything can happen, not knowing what’s coming next. That’s what makes him such a great subject for the musical!
- What do you find most relatable about your character Virginia in the show?
There’s a line I say in the show, “I tried my best.” I really associate with that. She had obstacles; she was a widowed working mom with two sons in the 1940s, and she was an alcoholic. But she tried her best and raised Hunter to be smart, interesting, and curious.
- What do you love most about being a part of the Joe Iconis Family?
I love that we all work together, cheer each other’s success, and have each other’s back. It’s a very loyal and kind group that really enjoys each other’s company.
- What three emotions do you feel when you’re on stage?
Joy/happiness. Vulnerability (you have to be emotionally open). And the tiniest bit of fear; it keeps you on your toes and striving for perfectionism (even though there’s no such thing as perfection).
- Who or what has been the biggest inspiration in your career?
There are people that I’ve watched for years and love, like Joe Iconis and Lucille Ball, and I’ve been very inspired by what John Patrick Shanley wrote: that you should study other actors and steal from the best, and when you do, make sure to make it your own – and no one will know.
- At what age did you first realize you could make people laugh?
I don’t completely remember it, but apparently when I was two years old, I got up on stage at a farm auction, took the microphone, and sang “Delta Dawn,” and my Mom had to bribe me with a red wagon to get off the stage. I started performing publicly in kindergarten.
- What’s the most memorable reaction you’ve ever gotten from an audience member?
Playwright Michael R. Jackson was in the front row at a performance of Joe Iconis’s ReWrite. I played Miss Marzipan, who makes things in the shape of food. I made a marzipan ham, danced into his table on purpose, and knocked it over. The ham split (it looked like a vagina!) and Michael laughed so hard he completely lost it!
- Do you have one favorite Iconis song that you always enjoy singing?
Yeah! “Helen Sharp.” I also love “Ammonia” and singing backup on others, since the cast is so accomplished on stage and we’re all very connected. Of course we rehearse, but there’s some spontaneity, too; Joe always wants it to feel fresh.
- Is there a role or show you’d like to play in the future?
I had some goals in the past and I did them all at different stages – Medea, Mother Courage, and Happy End. Now that I hit my 40s, I like originating something new.
- If you weren’t an actor, what career path would you have pursued?
Maybe a counselor or a social worker, talking and spending time with people to help them.
- What’s your favorite pastime when you’re not working?
I like to tinker in the kitchen. I make pierogis, do pickling, and bake rolls, buns, and bread, then I usually give them away to my friends.
- What three words would you use to describe yourself?
Silly. Particular. And, I hope, kind – I try.
- If you were interviewing yourself, what question would you ask?
Hmmmm. I think I’d ask what events over the last few years have shaped you and is that good, or would you work on lightening your load and being less anxious?
- Do you have a dream for the future?
Right now it’s very simple. I want to stay in remission (I had stage 3 breast cancer during the pandemic), to continue working, and to enjoy the company of my friends. Having that close a view of mortality makes you appreciate what’s really important in life.
- What’s the biggest lure of being famous?
For me, it’s to be constantly able to do the things I love with the people I love, with work that pays enough for me to exist and to give me that freedom!
Thanks, Lorinda, for a fabulous 15 minutes! It was great catching up with you; I look forward to seeing you with Iconis & Family at 54 Below in August and to The Hunter S. Thompson Musical coming to NYC (fingers crossed)!
The Untitled Unauthorized Hunter S. Thompson Musical plays through Sunday, July 13, 2025, at Signature Theatre, 4200 Campbell Avenue, Arlington, VA. For tickets (priced at $47-114, including fees), go online, or find discount tickets at TodayTix.
Joe Iconis & Family plays August 18, 20-23, 2025, at 54 Below, 254 West 54th Street, cellar, NYC. For tickets (priced at $57-112, including fees), go online.
SEE ALSO:
Hunter S. Thompson Musical’ at Signature Theatre is a gonzo high (review by Deryl Davis, June 19, 2025)