Name: Michael Urie
Career: Actor
Home: New York
Hails from: Houston by way of Plano, Texas
Favorite City: Amsterdam
Relationship Status: Partnered
Claim to Fame: Played Marc St. James on ABC dramedy Ugly Betty
Current Project: Angels In America at Signature Theatre Company
Spotted on a typical New York Saturday night: The role of Prior in Tony Kushner’s Angels In America. When not in a show, I’m a homebody. Also love a nice dinner out.
Michael, It’s so great to connect with you. How is this production of Angels in America?
It’s like a dream come true. Such an incredibly deep role, and phenomenal production. I’m honored to be a part of it.
Tell us about the show
Angels is a rarity in that it’s about so many things; AIDS, religion, race, politics–its got it all. An acting teacher once told me that there are only two emotions: love and fear. And really just love.” That’s especially true in this play.
Is the story still relevant in 2011?
It’s relevant as a reminder of a period of time and how far we’ve come FROM that time. It’s also a reminder of how stagnate we are as a society in that AIDS is still an issue. At one point my character says of those dying that “we will be citizens,” which meant something very specific in the mid-nineties, and still means that, but certainly brings up a very new meaning as well. These words are timeless.
How did you prepare for playing Prior?
I knew from research that I needed to lose weight in order to appear like I was infected with HIV. I also knew that I needed to be incredibly healthy in order to get through this marathon show eight times a week, so I spoke to a nutritionalist and changed my diet. I’m skinnier than ever, but also healthier than ever. I also immersed myself in the research, read books, watched movies, talked to people. I was six when this play takes place, so i needed to learn a lot.
Is this a dream role?
This is one, but I didn’t know it. When i was in high school, Roy Cohn was a dream role, then Joe Pitt, then Louis Ironside. It wasn’t until this audition came up that i realized how much of a dream doing Prior was (or could/would be). Other dream roles are Tom in the Glass Menagerie, Hamlet and I would love to tackle Kostya in The Seagull again.
I really miss Ugly Betty. You guys must have had a great run.
It was four fabulous years. We were such a family. I was very sad to lose it, but so happy to have kept in touch with everyone. Tony, Judith, Vanessa and America have all been to Angels.
You and Becki Newton keep in touch
Yup. I miss her terribly, she’s in LA being a mommy. Someday we will get another TV show together–I know it.
Great! Any favorite spots for dinner before the show?
Lenny’s. Great fresh veggies and meats. Also big fan of the Food Emporium on 42nd St.– the lemon chicken is NOT bland (mine is). Juice Generation for their chili and suppa duppa greens juice.
And afterwards? Where’s a good place to grab a drink near the theater?
The preferred bar of the Angels In America family is Landsdowne on 10th and 44th!
Where do you shop for food in New York City?
Whole Foods market
Best find of 2011?
El Centro on 9th St. Mmmm, cheesy corn on cob. Can’t wait to go back after this Angels is over.
Photo Credits: Joan Marcus
