Gabby Awards

Interview: Oscar Winner Olympia Dukakis at the Chicago Gabby Awards

PatrickMcD — Tue, 07 Jul 2009 21:44:30 -0600

CHICAGO – The highlight of the Gabby Awards, the June 19th ceremony in Chicago honoring Greek Americans, was Oscar winner Olympia Dukakis receiving the Lifetime Achievement Award.

In an emotional and memorable acceptance speech, Dukakis remembered her early childhood experiences and the lessons of her immigrant Greek parents. She also recalled a moment during the presidential campaign in 1988 of her cousin Michael Dukakis, where the two of them shared happy tears thinking of where they had both come and the family that allowed them to get there.

Olympia Dukakis at the Gabby Awards, Chicago, June 19, 2009.
Photo credit: Joe Arce of Starstruck Foto for HollywoodChicago.com

Olympia Dukakis is a longtime stage veteran who broke through in a big way at the age of 56 in her Oscar-winning turn as Cher’s mother in “Moonstruck” (1987). She followed that with significant film roles in “Steel Magnolias” (1988) and “Mr. Holland’s Opus” (1994), plus playing the key character (Anna Madrigal) in the mini-series “Tales of the City” (1993).

HollywoodChicago.com talked with Ms. Dukakis at the Gabby Awards, and her fiery spirit showed throughout in discussing her career and point of view.

HollywoodChicago.com: What was different about the scene on Broadway in the 1960s, when you were first starting out, as compared to the later eras, all the way up to today?

Olympia Dukakis: It was a lot more egalitarian back then, a lot more collaborative. People really believed that their work could make a difference and change things. There was theater in the streets, in the bars, in the coffee shops. There was kind of a belief in life.

HC: As an acting instructor of high academia and regard, what type of honesty in a performance can still turn your head?

OD: Being honest is good. But practicing informed honesty is better. To be vulgar about it, a dog pissing in the street is honest (laughs). So it has to be honesty with an informed sensibility and – having made such a vulgarity – a refined sensibility (laughs).

Olympia Dukakis Speaks Her Mind, Chicago, June 19, 2009.
Photo credit: Joe Arce of Starstruck Foto for HollywoodChicago.com

HC: Your cousin was a presidential candidate and you are described as an activist and feminist. Why do you feel the descriptive feminist has fallen out of favor with women in the last 20 years?

OD: There was a reaction and backlash that happened after the first wave with everybody, especially men. It became popular to denigrate women who felt they wanted to do something to raise the consciousness of other women and men.

I think what has happened now, in viewing the world and how badly women are treated in other countries, that it has really brought us back to a more sensible place regarding the concept of feminism.

HC: What kind of perspective did you gain in the process of writing your memoir, “Ask me Tomorrow, A Life in Progress”?

OD: That was one of the most difficult things I’ve ever done. They kept asking me to do it, three times in all. I felt like Julius Caesar, twice he refused and the third time his vanity was hit. So he finally said yes, and that is what he got killed for (laughs).

It felt that way to me. But the publisher persisted and I began to think that maybe I do have something to offer. But the writing of it was very difficult for me.

I did gain perspective about my life, I remembered things. For example, when I was 12 years old I began to carry a knife. I had forgotten that and why I did it. It simply was necessary on the streets of my neighborhood, to fight my way to and from school.

HC: Where did your personal best moment as an actor take place? Was it part of your stage or film work?

OD: I have had wonderful moments on stage and some great film roles. It’s hard to compare them because they are so very different. I loved them both because they are two unique experiences, two different ways to communicate. I enjoy them both.

HC: Finally, as an instructor and mentor, what is your best one sentence advice to student actors?

OD: Patience, or get out.

Olympia Dukakis has three films scheduled for release in 2009 and 2010.

By PATRICK McDONALD
Staff Writer
HollywoodChicago.com
pat@hollywoodchicago.com

Interview: Melina Kanakaredes at Chicago Gabby Awards on ‘CSI: NY’

PatrickMcD — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 13:05:00 -0600

CHICAGO – The Greek actress with the hard-to-pronounce name (kan-uh-kuh-REE-deez), was a presenter in Chicago at the Gabby Awards, honoring Greek Americans, between seasons portraying a forensics expert on her hit TV show, “CSI: NY”.

Melina K. first made a splash as Dr. Sydney Hansen on the TV series, “Providence” and has supplemented her career with stage work, including a turn on Broadway as Sally Bowles in “Cabaret.”

Melina Kanakaredes at the Gabby Awards, Chicago, June 19, 2009
Photo credit: Joe Arce of Starstruck Foto for HollywoodChicago.com

HollywoodChicago.com caught up with wondrously upbeat Ms. K. after the Gabby awards, where she talked about a variety of subjects including life as an actress, and writing for CSI.

HollywoodChicago.com: You have now played the two most popular professions in television drama – the doctor and the cop. How fairly do you think these two professions are portrayed within the dramatic limits of television?

Melina Kanakaredes: I call it entertainment. Can a crime be solved in 43 minutes? Absolutely not. Can you stick your finger into a girl’s heart and she lives? I don’t think so.

That being said, when a woman plays the role of a forensic detective and that year the enrollment for young women in the sciences and forensics goes up over fifty percent, then I know I’ve done something really cool.

HC: You’ve taken on the iconic role of Sally Bowles in the stage version of Cabaret. How do you relate as a person to the struggles of that character?

MK: I think we all have the ability to lose track. But dreams are still important, because if you stop dreaming and stop trying to achieve something, then you lose. And I think Sally was the biggest dreamer ever.

And I loved the interpretation that came out in the latest staging of the play. It wasn’t the top hat style, it wasn’t all fabulous and nor was Sally’s life. Her desires, her struggles, her need to escape…all worked for me.

Melina K. Posing Appropriately Before a Greek–style Column at the Gabby Awards, Chicago, June 19, 2009
Photo credit: Joe Arce of Starstruck Foto for HollywoodChicago.com

HC: What are your three favorite monikers that show business professionals have tried to convince you to change your name to?

MK: My ultimate favorite was Lina Kane (laughs). Then there were the variations like Melina Lynne, which sounded like a country singer, and Melina Karedes, which still sounded Greek, but I still said no.

HC: Your pride in your Greek heritage is manifested in both your professional and philanthropic work. What does that heritage do for you to give strength and balance in your hectic life?

MK: I think a foundation of family is what is most important. I was born in a family that came from Greece and the history is so amazingly rich. And although we all take credit for that history and it’s been thousands and thousands of years, it is an inspiring thing no matter what you do in life. Not only are your parents there for you, but your cousins, brothers, sisters, neighbors that become aunts and uncles…it’s insane the support.

You can go off and do anything you desire, and you can fall, but there is always twenty hands to catch you. In my life, there is also twenty legs to kick me in the butt if I become all high and mighty (laughs). It’s a grounding force of love.

HC: How do the production team, writing staff and actors strive to keep the ‘CSI: NY’ franchise fresh?

MK: Well, for example, giving an actor the opportunity to write an episode is pretty amazing and I got that opportunity last season. It was the 24th show of the 5th season and for me it provided a fresh perspective.

Although I’ve been doing the show as an actor and have directed before, writing was an incredibly new experience. And it gave me the chance to put in a little Greek flair, I put in a weapon buried in Alexander the Great’s hidden tomb.

The freshness is when all the talent in the room thinks outside the box and I was a beneficiary of the executive producer doing so.

HC: What type of film character would be a dream role for you? What type of characterization have you not been considered for that you would like to try?

MK: My dream role right now is a comedy. I am the biggest klutz known to man. I think I’m funny, and I love comedy – I was a musical theater girl, musical comedy and have done physical comedy. I would love to do something in that arena.

The sixth season of ‘CSI: NY’ starring Melina Kanakaredes, Gary Sinise, Carmine Giovinazzo, Hill Harper and Eddie Cahill will premiere in Fall, 2009.

By PATRICK McDONALD
Staff Writer
HollywoodChicago.com
pat@hollywoodchicago.com

Interview: Nia Vardalos on Her Life as Greek Goddess, Gabby Awards

PatrickMcD — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 15:23:26 -0600

CHICAGO – In making a Chicago appearance at the Gabby Awards, which honored prominent Greek Americans, actress Nia Vardalos justifiably follows through on the heritage displayed in her hit “My Big Fat Greek Wedding.”

HollywoodChicago.com was on the Red Carpet at the event, and got to briefly interact with vivacious Ms. V, who also was promoting her current film, “My Life in Ruins” with her co-star Alexis Georgoulis.

Nia Vardalos at the Gabby Awards, Chicago, June 19, 2009.
Photo credit: Joe Arce of Starstruck Foto for HollywoodChicago.com

HollywoodChicago.com: You are one of the notable graduates from Chicago’s Second City troupe. What lesson or lessons from those years has sustained you in your career?

Nia Vardalos: There is no crying in comedy (laughs). You’ve got to be tough, and the Windy City sure teaches you that when that wind takes you, push back.

Nia Vardalos on the Red Carpet at the Gabby Awards, Chicago, June 19, 2009.
Photo credit: Joe Arce of Starstruck Foto for HollywoodChicago.com

HC: One of the legends of “Greek Wedding” is that you pioneered a type of hyper-local marketing, literally building an audience town by town, screening by screening. Do you think that type of promotion is less possible now or can it still work?

NV: I think it is less possible now because the theater owners gave us a long time to hold ‘My Big Fat Greek Wedding’ and now you have less of a chance to do that. We now have to urge people to go to a film early in the run, but when you’re up against goliath films it’s a little more difficult.

But at the same time you can’t stop making little movies. We do what we can. We put them out there, if people find them, great, if not there is always the DVD release.

Nia Vardalos and Patrick McDonald, Chicago, June 19, 2009.
Photo credit: Joe Arce of Starstruck Foto for HollywoodChicago.com

HC: You are a notable columnist for ‘The Huffington Post’. What do you find most different in blogging versus doing screenplay or stage writing?

NV: You know what I love about blogging? It’s actually less difficult because nobody edits you on The Huffington Post and on Anderson Cooper, no editing. I wrote a piece for Arianna [Huffington] titled ‘The List’ and a second piece for Anderson Cooper called ‘What’s the Big Fat Deal’. They are not like a studio, that’s for sure. It was like my first screenplay, nobody edited it.

HC: You are probably one of the most representative members of the Greek heritage. How has it informed through your career and your philosophy?

NV: Not to compare myself, but like Robert DeNiro and Martin Scorsese, I like to explore my heritage. My next movie, ‘I Hate Valentine’s Day’ has nothing to do with a Greek holiday, but I figure since I’ve got this nose (laughs), I want to tell Greek stories.

Nia Vardalos current film is ‘My Life in Ruins’. Check local theaters for showtimes. Read the HollywoodChicago.com interview with “My Life in Ruins” co-star Alexis Georgoulis.

By PATRICK McDONALD
Staff Writer
HollywoodChicago.com
pat@hollywoodchicago.com