Souvenir

You are from Arizona and have chosen to return here to perform in this Tony-nominated performance. What about Arizona is special to you and what do you think will be special to Arizona about SOUVENIR?

What is special to me about Arizona – well, it’s where my roots are – both Tucson and Phoenix. I spent a couple of summers at the University of Arizona’s high school fine arts summer session in Tucson so I spent some time down there, as well as up in Phoenix where I was born. I got my start there, I learned about music in the first place, about acting in the first place in Arizona. I had wonderful, wonderful mentors throughout my public school education in Arizona that got me on the track that has led me to here. Not to mention the fact that when I go back there, it’s just the most beautiful place. As far as what about SOUVENIR will be special to Arizona audiences, it’s a very funny play, but it’s also rather touching and I think all audience members see a little bit of themselves up there.

You last appeared at ATC (then called Arizona Civic Theatre) in THE DYBBUK in 1976. Do you have any special memories about ATC in the 1970's?

Well, that was a pretty extraordinary experience – that’s a great piece of literature and the part was like nothing anyone has actually before or since allowed me to play. It’s a very dramatic piece and a very dramatic character and I was afforded the opportunity to really stretch myself there. I had the most wonderful cast – they had a top, top notch cast of theatre artists – the person who comes to mind is Joseph Wiseman – he’s probably the best known in that cast. That was an extraordinary opportunity to really stretch myself as an actor and that happened because Arizona Civic Theatre (I thought it was Arizona Theatre Company at that time, too) allowed me to do so, gave me that opportunity.

Hear Judy Kaye talk in-depth about SOUVENIR and her distinguished career here:
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Souvenir