EDGE Interview: Kathleen Turner Takes on an Iconic Sondheim Character

EDGE: For those unfamiliar with the show, how would you describe it?

Kathleen Turner: It's a period piece that takes place before the turn of the century. The brilliant Julia Murney plays Madame Armfeldt's daughter, Desiree Armfeldt. Desiree is an actress who is touring the country. Mike McGowan plays Fredrik, a lawyer who was Desiree's love years ago and now suddenly has returned, and then there's Fredrika, my granddaughter who lives with me. There is an entire cast of people, and all the relatives go on and on.

EDGE: How would you describe the character of Madame Armfeldt?

Kathleen Turner: My character, Madame Armfeldt, was a great courtesan. She was the lover of kings and princes and had a very good life.

EDGE: Do you see yourself in her?

Kathleen Turner: Yes, in some ways. She does not suffer fools. She says what she wants and what she intends. She is also gracious and loving, and I like that.

EDGE: You have been in great shows and played fantastic characters. Is there a character you truly loved playing?

Kathleen Turner: Martha, of course, from "Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?" What a wonderful and complex character to play.

EDGE: You played God once in a regional theater production of "An Act of God." If you were God, what changes would you make?

Kathleen Turner: I'd make at least half, if not more, of the governing bodies in this country and the world women. Then, I would boot out all these old men in politics who do the same thing repeatedly and expect a different response. Wouldn't all that be fun?

EDGE: What experience are you hoping the audience walks away with?

Kathleen Turner: I want to realize they had just experienced some of the best of Sondheim's music. They will be thrilled with it. It entwines you. You have these melody lines, melodic lines that twist and turn and then layer on top of each other. It's so gorgeous. I'm so happy with the show, the music, and the fantastic cast.

EDGE: After this show, what is next for you?

Kathleen Turner: This fall, I will again be teaching full-time at Pace University. I'm a professor and I've always taught masterclasses at different universities. In the past, I would only do a week here and a week there, but I finally decided I wanted to have more consistency than just a week with the students. I wanted to work with them for a semester, so that's where I will be. I am very excited for the new school year to begin and get to spend more time with my students.

Kathleen Turner appears in "A Little Night Music" at the Ogunquit Playhouse, 10 Main Street, Ogunquit, Maine, through August 18. For ticket information, visit the Ogunquit Playhouse website.