Lily Rabe Has Character

While the theater awards season has yet to really begin, it seems inconceivable that Lily Rabe will not be remembered at awards time — repeatedly — for her magnificent portrayal of Portia in the Public Theater’s production of Shakespeare’s The Merchant of Venice. Regardless of what happens, though, the USA Network has wisely chosen Rabe as one of the 12 honorees (and only actor) for their 3rd annual Character Approved Awards, “which pay tribute to the visionaries and real ‘characters’ from a cross-section of creative disciplines who are changing the face of American culture.”

As part of the honor, Rabe — the daughter of the late actress Jill Clayburgh and playwright David Rabe — will be featured in a multimedia campaign including a one-hour television special, Character Approved: Honoring 12 Cultural Trailblazers, directed by acclaimed documentarian Phil Griffin, which will premiere on the USA Network on Tuesday March 8 at 11pm. TheaterMania recently spoke with Rabe about the documentary, her thoughts on playing Portia, and her plans for the future.

THEATERMANIA: How did you find out about being chosen for the award?
LILY RABE: They sent a letter a few months ago, saying they would like to include me in this incredible company of people. It was very flattering, and I said yes, and then the actual process evolved over time. I could tell USA was so passionate about this. It was also wonderful that one of the things they do for each of us is give $10,000 to the charity of our choice, and I was able set up a fund in my mother’s name at Columbia for research for chronic leukemia, which she died of last year. Her doctors are doing incredible research.

TM: Were you prepared mentally for the documentary? It must be hard to talk about what you do.
LR: I wasn’t sure how in-depth the interview would be, but it turned out to be one of the most in-depth interviews I’ve ever done. Phil is intelligent, and thoughtful, and insightful, so he was a great person to do this. Still, I think it’s impossible to talk well about the craft of acting. I had such a strong experience at Merchant and that helped. I love the mystery and magic of doing theater, and sometimes I don’t want to talk about it, because I think it takes a little bit of that magic away.

TM: The production closed about two weeks ago. Is Portia still with you?
LR: She is absolutely still in my system. You know, we started rehearsals for the Shakespeare in the Park production last April, so she was with me for a long time. And while I was ready on some level to have the show close — although that day was emotional and bittersweet — unlike with other jobs, I didn’t have the feeling of being done with her.

TM: How do you think you personally changed from playing Portia?
LR: Someone said doing Shakespeare makes you a better person, and I’m not sure it’s true, but just by saying and hearing those words every night about things you don’t want to face, like being disappointed in love, you learn so much about people. One thing about Portia is that she’s a lot stronger than she believes she is, and I think I realize now we all have the capacity to do more and survive more than we tend to believe that we do.

TM: Did you read any of your reviews while you were doing the show?
LR: No, and I still haven’t read any of them. I do have them in a box — someone collected them for me, and I will save them and read them someday. The only thing I ever listened to either of my parents about was not reading reviews while you’re doing a show. But I did get the overall vibe, and I am so thrilled and grateful that the show and my work was received the way it was.

TM: Are you enjoying not being on stage every night?
LR: I wish I was better at downtime. When we were closing, everyone was practically screaming at me to take a vacation. So I planned one and then some film and TV work came along, so I really haven’t had a free day. Downtime is a skill I’d like to hone. But I’m happy to be working in other mediums; I wouldn’t have wanted to go directly into another play — although I plan to be in a rehearsal room again very soon. I’m playing Nora in A Doll’s House at Williamstown this summer. Like Portia, she’s been on my list for a while.

TM: Are you doing anything for fun right now?
LR: I have been going to see theater practically every night; I saw Diary of a Madman, Other Desert Cities, Timon of Athens, Three Sisters, Good People and The Hallway Trilogy. Because of my parents, going to theater has always been a part of my life!