Actress Andréa Burns chatted about starring in the new Off-Broadway show “A Walk on the Moon,” which is being performed at the Laura Pels Theatre at the Harold and Miriam Steinberg Center for Theatre in New York.
Sheryl Kaller directed the show from a book by Pamela Gray with music and lyrics by AnnMarie Milazzo.
On being a part of “A Walk on the Moon,” she said, “It has been a wonderful return to my roots. The story takes place on a bungalow colony in the Catskills, a treasured summer vacation spot for Jewish families from NYC from the mid 1950s to early 1970s.”
“My grandfather actually ran one of his own, named ‘Burnsie’s Cottages’ that hosted many families over the years. I have some sweet memories of being there as a little kid, so it’s a been a treat to inhabit this world as an adult. I am basically channeling my grandmother, hopefully spreading as much Jewish joy as possible,” she elaborated.
“This beautiful show is, at its essence a coming of age story for adults,” she noted. “I play Lillian, the practical, sharp-eyed matriarch of the community who can read people like others read books. A single mom herself, she is devoted to the well being of her family.”
“Lillian starts the story mothering all of the adults in the play (and their kids), but with some tough love, eventually leads them to owning their responsibilities and stepping into true adulthood,” she added.
Burns also recalled her time in “The Notebook” musical. “My experience in ‘The Notebook’ was deeply inspired by the artistry of its composer Ingrid Michaelson, and its astounding leading lady, Maryann Plunkett who played Older Allie,” she said.
“The way both of these women, (Ingrid with her music, Maryann with heartbreaking acting skills) led an audience into to deep catharsis about the devastation of dementia, not to mention lost loves, was a breathtaking to witness each night. I’m so proud to have breathed the rarified air of both of those artists,” she explained.
For young and aspiring artists, she said, “Young artists get one thing for free: energy and passion. My advice for them is to channel it into sharpening two types of skills: Hard Skills and Soft Skills.”
“Hard Skills are training your voice and body to be strong and flexible. You will often asked to evolve the art form- even higher demands will be placed on your generation of artists. You want to be in shape for this. Soft Skills: be a good listener. It’s the hallmark of acting excellence. It’s also a muscle that can be built…. as well as kindness. The Soft Skills have contributed as much to my decades- long career as the harder, more tangible ones,” she elaborated.
Regarding her definition of the word success, she said, “Success, for me, is collaboration, innovation, generosity and joy. When I find myself in rooms where all four are present- I’m winning. If I’m in a room where even only one is present, I’m still grateful. As Sondheim wrote, ‘Art isn’t Easy,’ but I’d always rather be in a room making art with creative people than not.”
To learn more about Andréa Burns, follow her on Instagram.
