Local actor makes return to Chicago theater
Even after all his roles in Hollywood movies, TV shows and on stage, Kevin Anderson hasn't forgotten his beginnings at Viking Junior High in Gurnee. Playing the King in the school's production of "The Ugly Duckling" opened up a new world to Anderson.
After graduating from Warren Township High School (where he worked a summer as a costumed character at Great America) and then from Goodman School of Drama, Anderson tackled roles in Chicago, New York and London, earning drama awards and Tony nominations along the way. He's appeared in Hollywood films with Julia Roberts ("Sleeping with the Enemy") as well as with Al Pacino, Jack Nicholson and Vanessa Redgrave.
He's been a member of Chicago's Steppenwolf ensemble and has worked on Broadway, off Broadway and most recently starred as lead character Andy Dufresne in a stage adaptation of Stephen King's "Shawshank Redemption" in Ireland.
He returned to Chicago in mid-June to begin rehearsals for "A Guide for the Perplexed," a drama penned by Joel Drake Johnson that opens July 9 at Victory Gardens Theater in Chicago.
Anderson plays Doug, a petty criminal recently released from prison who reluctantly moves in with his sister's dysfunctional family.
I caught up with Anderson, who lives in Los Angeles, during a break in rehearsals to talk about the world premier play, the Chicago theater scene and pizza.
Q. You haven't performed in Chicago since 2004's "I Never Sang For my Father" with John Mahoney. How has the theater scene changed in those years?A. It's unbelievable; not only that the theater scene has grown, but that the city of Chicago has grown. I'd like to get out to see more productions, but when I get embedded in a project we have so little time.Q. What are the differences between acting on stage and acting in front of a camera?A. In the last handful of years I've really only done theater. The hardest thing to adjust to is the work day. In theater you know what time to be there, you know how long the play is going to last. With film or TV you work grinding 12-hour days, five days a week. It's a major investment in time and energy.Q. You've played some iconic roles; is it easier to play a part that has been played so many times, or take a new character and make him your own?A. When I get a part that I like, whether it's been done before or not, I just try to do the best I can; I want to give the audience their money's worth and tell a story that will move them.Q. What drew you to "A Guide for the Perplexed?"A. I just think it's a real great story. It's a great part, a great play. (Victory Gardens artistic director) Dennis Zacek cast me for my first paying role (as Hero) in "A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum." I have a real fondness for Victory Gardens and the staff.It's funny how I've just been in a play where I've been in prison ("Shawshank Redemption") and now I play Doug, a guy who's just gotten out of prison. He's been in five, six years, and he has some anger issues. He's a reformed alcoholic who's staying with his sister, her controlling husband and their gay son. Their marriage is on the rocks; it's a very dysfunctional family; they're all in various crisis points in their lives. Ironically it's this guy who gives the most, who becomes the catalyst for change.Q. When you're not at rehearsal, where will we find you?A. I have favorite places that I go to first. Bacino's (at Lincoln and Webster) for deep dish spinach pizza, I went the first night I was in town. My nephew took me to D'Agostino's (Addison and Southport); they do incredible thin crust.When I want to go out and have a great steak and a martini and fill myself 'til my gut hurts, I go to Gibson's.False10065Kevin Anderson, right, as Doug in "A Guide for the Perplexed," shares a moment with Andrew, played by Bubba Weiler. The world premier play opens July 9 at Victory Gardens Theater in Chicago.Courtesy of Michael BrosilowFalse <p class="factboxheadblack">If you go</p><p class="News"><b>When:</b> July 9 through Aug. 15</p><p class="News"><b>Where:</b> Victory Gardens Theater, 2433 N. Lincoln Ave., Chicago</p><p class="News"><b>Tickets:</b> $20-$48; (773) 871-3000 or <a href="http://victorygardens.org" target="new">victorygardens.org</a></p>