1. New York, Paris, London… Adelaide. Don’t exactly roll off the tongue. How did they manage to lure you to the other side of the earth?
I love Australia! I have been three times. Sydney, Melbourne the Gold Coast. In fact when my daughter was three we took her there and now she is 17 and headed back with us.
2. What can we expect from your show?
It is a solo show. IN-PROGRESS (there will be a little ipad and teleprompter assistance). Hoping to maybe put it up on the NYC stage.
I am known for many things: Big bold family movies, some over the top comedies. I starred on Broadway as Mae West in Dirty Blonde, I was Peggy in the animated TV show King of the Hill for 14 seasons. I did a few sitcoms, including Veronica’s Closet, and lately a few hour TV dramas, including Numb3rs and The Big C. Oh, and of course HBO’s VEEP.
When I turned 50 and moved back to New York City after 17 years in Los Angeles, I wanted to do something different. I wanted to challenge myself. Doing a show like this is scary! Because I am simply being me. Telling some stories from my life, telling the truth, sharing some of my thoughts, posing questions and musing philosophies (for instance, I’ll be doing a piece in my show about gay marriage because marriage equality is still a work in-progress in Australia).
I am a feminist, I am a mom, I am an actress and producer, director and wife. The show is funny but it is a good helping of all the things I really am… not necessarily who folks think I am based on my film, stage and TV career.
3. Australian audiences will know you better for your work in films and TV. How long has cabaret been a passion?
It isn’t a passion. I’ve actually never done cabaret before. When they asked me to perform in the festival – I was clear.. I don’t have a cabaret show! I don’t sing! I’m not Liza! I’m not Kristin Chenoweth (although she IS one of my dearest best friends!). They asked: “What are you working on?” I told them about this in-progress, solo piece and they said: “Bring it!”.
I hope I was clear! I hope folks wont be disappointed that I’m not singing New York, New York or Popular at the top of my lungs! No songs. I am hoping they will have a fun 70 minutes though!
4. What do you enjoy most about performing before a live audience?
I love it. It’s like getting a shot of adrenaline. I like feeling the audience out and joining them in their vibe. I love the non-addicting crystal meth I get from their feedback!
5. Do you have a favorite all-time cabaret performer? Who might that be and what do you admire about them?
Bette Midler. Come to the show and you’ll hear why!
6. When and how was your love of singing born?
I don’t sing. OMG I am so nervous folks think I will be singing! I won’t be at all. I have sung in movies as characters but I don’t sing.
7. What are your abiding memories of Australia?
I love Melbourne it reminds me a lot of New York – multicultural, diverse, artistic- and slightly bohemian, which I am! And the Gold Coast was gorgeous! What’s not to love! (Except the 24-hour plane ride!)
Australians are a rare and interesting breed of folks. They say what they mean and they don’t follow the crowd. I like that. It’s comforting.
No hidden agendas!
And from the interactions I’ve had with the folks from the Adelaide Festival and from the reports of friends who’ve performed there — I expect it will be an hilarious high-energy, artistic romp. I’m all in!
Kathy Najimy performs at the Adelaide Festival Centre as part of the Adelaide Cabaret Festival on June 19. For tickets and information, click here.
