Shelley Lynn Johnson in ZOMBIE VIXENS FROM HELL at the Phoenix Theatre.
What most excites you about this production?
It is exciting to be creating a new character. It’s the reason I love working on new plays. There’s nothing better for an actor than having the creative opportunity to be the original actor in a role.
What is the greatest challenge you face with this show?
Treading the balance between the light humorous aspects of the character and the serious, scary threat and high stakes that underlie the action of the play.
What kind of research are you doing to prepare?
Our director suggested that for style – we watch the movie “HIGH SPIRITS.” It’s an English film with a wonderful combination of humor and a real ghost story. Our story is very different but it is a good reference for how to combine humor with the ghostly. If it’s done right, an audience will go with crazy stuff like touching a ghost or even marrying one!
What have been some of your favorite previous roles (or productions you have been involved with)?
I’ve been doing theatre a long time and have so many favorites. The best are always where the entire production just clicks: amazing material, a great cast and production team. Good theatre is a complete team effort.
Recently I was in A BRIGHT ROOM CALLED DAY. It was a fantastic production, wonderful cast – and I loved my role “Die Alte”. Other highlights have been Mom in SISTER CITIES, Mom in ZOMBIE VIXENS FROM HELL (another new character I got to originate in a great production & fantastic cast) Mammy O’Dougall in CRIPPLE OF INISHMAN, Desiree in A LITTLE NIGHT MUSIC, any of the roles I’ve done in Shakespeare (especially Paulina) and getting a kiss from Terrence McNalley after a performance of MAN OF NO IMPORTANCE.
It is exciting to be creating a new character. It’s the reason I love working on new plays. There’s nothing better for an actor than having the creative opportunity to be the original actor in a role.
What is the greatest challenge you face with this show?
Treading the balance between the light humorous aspects of the character and the serious, scary threat and high stakes that underlie the action of the play.
What kind of research are you doing to prepare?
Our director suggested that for style – we watch the movie “HIGH SPIRITS.” It’s an English film with a wonderful combination of humor and a real ghost story. Our story is very different but it is a good reference for how to combine humor with the ghostly. If it’s done right, an audience will go with crazy stuff like touching a ghost or even marrying one!
What have been some of your favorite previous roles (or productions you have been involved with)?
I’ve been doing theatre a long time and have so many favorites. The best are always where the entire production just clicks: amazing material, a great cast and production team. Good theatre is a complete team effort.
Recently I was in A BRIGHT ROOM CALLED DAY. It was a fantastic production, wonderful cast – and I loved my role “Die Alte”. Other highlights have been Mom in SISTER CITIES, Mom in ZOMBIE VIXENS FROM HELL (another new character I got to originate in a great production & fantastic cast) Mammy O’Dougall in CRIPPLE OF INISHMAN, Desiree in A LITTLE NIGHT MUSIC, any of the roles I’ve done in Shakespeare (especially Paulina) and getting a kiss from Terrence McNalley after a performance of MAN OF NO IMPORTANCE.
Shelley Lynn Johnson in A BRIGHT ROOM CALLED DAY by Tony Kushner with Custom Made Theatre Company.
This play is about ghosts - have you ever encountered the supernatural yourself?
Not personally, although I grew up in PA – and many places in and around Lancaster County are reported to be haunted by ghosts from as far back as the revolutionary war. I was in Gettysburg a couple of years ago, right before the July 4th weekend when the battle originally took place. The town and battlefield are said to be one of the most haunted places on earth and I could absolutely feel it.
What is the scariest movie or play you have seen? Why?
THE SHINING. (SILENCE OF THE LAMBS is right up there) I think it’s because the threats are so real but can’t be dealt with by “normal means.” The psychological pressure is unbelievable, but there is comparatively little actual blood & violence onscreen.
What do you hope audiences will take from this production?
I hope audiences love our show. It’s great fun, and has really scary moments. Who could ask for anything more - especially in October!
Not personally, although I grew up in PA – and many places in and around Lancaster County are reported to be haunted by ghosts from as far back as the revolutionary war. I was in Gettysburg a couple of years ago, right before the July 4th weekend when the battle originally took place. The town and battlefield are said to be one of the most haunted places on earth and I could absolutely feel it.
What is the scariest movie or play you have seen? Why?
THE SHINING. (SILENCE OF THE LAMBS is right up there) I think it’s because the threats are so real but can’t be dealt with by “normal means.” The psychological pressure is unbelievable, but there is comparatively little actual blood & violence onscreen.
What do you hope audiences will take from this production?
I hope audiences love our show. It’s great fun, and has really scary moments. Who could ask for anything more - especially in October!
SHELLEY JOHNSON (MRS. CUTTER) Last seen with Wily West as a crazy lady in “Love in the Time of Zombies” – she is excited to be originating a new role. A busy singing actor, she has performed numerous leading musical and non- musical roles with many Bay Area companies. This past Spring she was narrator for “The Play of Daniel” – a liturgical play sung in Latin with the San Francisco Renaissance Voices. Last year she was “Mom” in Zombie Vixens from Hell with Virago Theatre and the mysterious “Die Alte” in A Bright Room Called Day with Custom Made Theatre. Favorite productions include leading roles in Sister Cities, A Delicate Balance, Cripple of Inishmaan, Winter’s Tale - & musical favorites A Little Night Music, Man of No Importance, Fiddler on the Roof, and A New Brain. Other acting work includes standardized patient simulation in medical schools and recording poetry on Voetica.com. Shelley is also a stage director and acting coach specializing in coaching singers on stage presence and role & audition preparation. Visit her website: www.actingforsingers.com
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