Out on Stage: October 2007 Archives

I love anyone who cusses this much in an interview because that means she's being herself. I'm talking about Rosie Perez and her interview in the new issue of Out Magazine.
A few excerpts:
The star of such films as "Do the Right Thing" and "Fearless" is returning to the Broadway stage for the revival of Terrence McNally’s "The Ritz." Perez plays the role of Googie Gomez, originated by Rita Moreno. Googie is a talentless chanteuse who wants to be thought of as a rising star à la Bette Midler.
OUT: Hi, Rosie. So how are you approaching Googie’s very bad singing?
PEREZ: It’s just so difficult for me! [Laughs] I’m really channeling three people -- Ethel Merman, one of my cousins (I can’t say her name because she’ll kill me and she’s so clueless she’ll never guess it’s her when she sees it), and Boy Shakira.
OUT: Have you talked to the original Googie, Rita Moreno?
PEREZ: I called her and said, “I’m asking for your blessing. I’ve got big shoes to fill.” She said, “Bullsh*t. You can do this. Just remember that Googie is a real person and you’ll win...and change your f***ing cell phone message. It’s f***ing rude.” And she hung up on me! I don’t think it’s rude at all. It says, “This is R.P. Please don’t leave a long, irritating message, and I’ll get back to you when I feel like it. Have a blessed day and God bless you.” Don’t you hate when people ramble on and on?
OUT: I read that you choreographed "In Living Color." Did you work with the immortal J. Lo?
PEREZ: I’m the one that hired her, even though she tells everyone Keenan [Ivory Wayans] was. He didn’t want her because she was overweight and didn’t dance that well, but I said, “She has star quality.” He said, “Your job depends on it.” And I thought, Oh, sh*t.