Articles
Interview with the Diva: a conversation with Rita Moreno
originally appeared in Callboard magazine, August 2002
by David Ortmann
With a stamina and staying power possessed by few performers, Rita Moreno has enjoyed an entertainment career that spans six astonishing decades and is the only woman to have won the Academy, Tony, Grammy, and Emmy Awards. On July 30, 2002, she'll return to the Plush Room at San Francisco's York Hotel, in a cabaret show where she has traditionally charmed audiences with her rare breed of charisma, style, and good, old fashioned talent!
I sat down with the busy lady on her day off from filming the hit series OZ to hear her opinions on life, low-impact aerobics, what it takes to be a successful theater artist, and her continuing love for her growing family.
David M. Ortmann
Despite the fact that you're a diva, you always appear so natural onstage, without the wigs, overdone cosmetics, and the trappings designed to detract from the fact that-hey, we're all getting older. As someone who is aging beautifully, what your views on aging gracefully and how do you keep yourself in such great shape?
Rita Moreno
We need to accept our age for what it is and everything naturally flows from that acceptance. I have no hesitation to say how hold I am and this helps keep me honest. It's an unfortunate offshoot of my profession to feel that aging is something to hide. It's so sad to have to lie.
I am proud to say that I'll be seventy in December. I try to do aerobics three times per week, but I have bad knees from all those years of dancing in high-heels. I'm trying to avoid surgery, while also trying to find a way to do aerobics, but very low impact.
DMO
Have you tried using a small trampoline?
RM
No, but I hear that's the way to go.
DMO
Yeah, I use mine almost every day. Thirty bucks at Sears.
RM
I am writing that down. And you like it?
DMO
Absolutely. Best cardio workout ever.
RM
(laughing) So, it may be time for me to get a trampoline. It's funny, speaking of my knees, I was doing a benefit in New York recently. you know a bunch of old divas like me, Rue McClanahan, Polly Bergen, and Lainie Kazan. Well, I had my knees, Lainie just had a hip replacement, and Polly's had knee surgery. I said to Rue we sound like a bunch of old folks, swapping stories about our infirmities. But onstage, we were fabulous. and in high-heels!
DMO
You have a daughter who is also an actress. Tell us what it's like sharing your profession with your child.
RM
Fernanda [Fisher] has been very creative from the time she was small-always drawing or painting, always creating something, and it's just wonderful having the opportunity to share theater with her. We've done some plays together like "The Glass Menagerie," "Steel Magnolias," and "Gypsy." It's funny, I remember the first show we did-Fernanda must have been about seventeen or eighteen-was "The Taming of the Shrew" where I played Bianca's much mmmmmmuch older sister Katherine who was in desperate need of marriage.
But, now with her two children I think it's more difficult to find the time to act as much as she would like. Lately, she's been dedicating time to jewelry design. About two months ago she went to a gem show, made the initial investment, and began creating some really gorgeous pieces. In fact, she just had her first show, which was a wonderful success. I am very proud of her.
DMO
Tell us about how you began in theater.
RM
When my mother and I came to America it was literally sink or swim. Neither of us spoke English very well. She went to work in a sweatshop-a sewing factory-, which is what a lot of Latina women did in those days and still do today. I began performing as a Spanish dancer when I was only five years old and I haven't really stopped since. All my life, I've never made living at anything but performing.
DMO
How does it feel to be the only entertainer to have won all four major awards: the Oscar, Tony, Emmy, and Grammy?
RM
Well, I am the only woman. Marvin Hamlisch is the fella. He's won all four also. But, I am very grateful. Professional recognition is a wonderful thing.
DMO
What advice would you share with aspiring theater artists?
RM
Performers really need to study their craft and understand that doing so is a continual process. If a person is just on a quest for stardom, then good luck! I hear some young people say they want to be famous and drive cars like P. Diddy, and have beautiful women on their arm. Fine. But all that comes with work. Hard work.
We can never stop learning. Perfecting our craft involves a continual process of mastering. Even those who achieved fame like Glenn Close and Kevin Kline still have acting coaches, teachers they continue to work with. Helen Hunt has an acting coach she swears by. Success comes from hard work.
The inevitable reality for a lot of people is that sometimes you just can't afford it! I know people who work two or three jobs and take classes at night or whenever. It's doable, but you must be passionately committed and have a clear intent for why you want what you want.
DMO
What are your future plans?
RM
In July I'm working with the San Francisco Symphony on "Candide." I am playing The Old Lady. She's described only as being "strangely glamorous." (laughing) We should have a lot of fun with it because it's an amazing story. The "Candide" performances are July 18, 19, 20, 2002.
Sometime after the Plush Room shows I'll begin work on "Casa de los Babys" a new film by John Sayles, who did "Lone Star."
DMO
Do you still do New York shows?
RM
No. I just don't want to be away from home that much anymore. My family is too important to me. I love them and want to spend as much time as I can with them. I just want to be home.