|
|
|
ATWT fan Ree recently had the opportunity to sit down and chat with Alice Haining (Angel Lange, 1988 to 1994). Here's what's up with Alice. The first question I must ask that everyone will be wondering is, what have you been doing since you left ATWT? I did a lot of work in the theaters. I did some small plays in New York City and some new plays in regional theaters around the country. I've gone most summers to the Eugene O'Neill theater to work at the National Playwrights Conference where I've worked on new plays by both American and foreign playwrights. Lots of commercial auditions, but none that have made it to television…..I haven't had any auditions for Soap Operas. I'm often asked (by aspiring actors or die-hard fans, I don't know which!) how to get on ATWT. How did you do it? My agent sent me up for an audition and I got the part, which was only supposed to be a recurring role for a short period of time. You were fortunate to be on ATWT during Douglas Marland's reign He's become an ATWT legend. Can you share what it was like working with him? Angel was only supposed to be a very short term role, but when Douglas saw that I had been cast in the role, he remembered some of my work that he had seen on other soaps. He called me into a meeting with him, and told me that he very much wanted to write an incest story and he thought I had the ability as an actress to do it justice. He didn't want to write it if I had an objection to playing it. We discussed what kind of form this story would take, and we felt very confident that we could work together as a team. So we did it, he wrote the story that he always wanted to write, and I got to have one of the most meaningful experiences in my acting career. He and I both were very disappointed that neither one of us won an Emmy for that work, but we were very proud that ATWT won an Emmy for best Day Time Drama for that year. Douglas died shortly after that and it was wonderful that he got the recognition that he did. He was very, very proud of that storyline. Who did you enjoy working with the most on ATWT? There were so many wonderful people there, Jim Rebhorn who played my father was a fabulous actor and very gentle and professional to work with under difficult circumstances. Kathleen Widdoes who was my mother-in-law (three times!), is a truly great actress and a dear friend. We had many difficult emotional scenes together, and it was always good working with her. Do you keep in contact with Steve Bassett (ex-Seth)? Do you keep in touch with anyone from the show? Steve and I have not been in close touch, although whenever we bump into each other, it's always great to see him. He's another one of the fine, dedicated actors I had the privilege to work with there. And as far as other people I'm still in touch with besides Kathleen, Renee Props (ex-Ellie) and I are close friends, and Tamara Tunie (Jessica) and I were at the O'Neill together last summer and were able to hang out together. Do you watch ATWT or any other soap operas? Are you aware that, as far as we know, Angel is living in New York and happily married to Seth still? No, I don't watch ATWT or any other soaps and the last I heard, Angel and Seth are happily married and live in NY. Too bad, because if there were some problems, maybe we could come back on the show! Is it true that you married on the show on the same day as your real wedding anniversary? Yes, it's true! You're happily married and enjoy gardening. Are you still out there auditioning? It's a really tough business (I hear!). No, I'm not auditioning for anything but commercials. I'm just not interested in pursuing acting as a career right now, although occasionally I'll do a project for people I know. Are you recognized as Angel still? Not very often anymore, but occasionally someone surprises me. And a lot of people just think they went to school with me somewhere! ATWT fans really enjoy hearing about what past ATWT actors and actresses are up to. Thanks so much for taking the time to fill us in! |
|
|