Interview: Theater Treasure Marylouise Burke on Treading the Boards at 85

One of the stage’s beloved treasures, Marylouise Burke has partnered time after time with Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright David Lindsay-Abaire on such shows as Fuddy Meers and Kimberly Akimbo, earning her awards and audience praise.

The pair’s latest outing is the new Broadway comedy The Balusters, opposite Anika Noni Rose, Richard Thomas, and Margaret Colin. She plays Penny, the longtime secretary of the sometimes-contentious Vernon Point Neighborhood Association.

TheaterMania recently spoke with Burke about her 40-year association with Lindsay-Abaire, the larger meaning of the play, working with this starry ensemble and director Kenny Leon, and her thoughts about still working professionally at the age of 85.

This interview has been condensed edited for clarity.

This is your fifth play with David. Did he write Penny for you? And what is your professional and personal relationship?
I hesitate to say that he wrote the role for me, but certainly, it’s a good fit. It’s such a pleasure to work with him, and I would say that’s been true from our first meeting when I got cast in his play A Devil Inside at Soho Rep. We have a good creative connection and have always worked well together. And since then, a real friendship has ensued, which has been a nice organic development both personally and professionally. I adore him.

How much do you relate to Penny?
She is delicious. She’s written so beautifully, as is the whole play. What I love about Penny is that while it’s not that big a role, she is fully drawn out. She’s funny and serious at the same time. David does that so well, especially in this play, where he finds a perfect balance in all of his characters. Also, this a much maturer play than some of his earlier work. I’ve watched him grow over the past 40 years, and I’m thrilled to be part of such a rich, gorgeous achievement.

Besides the play being very funny, what do you think audiences should take away from the show?
I think it’s an interesting mirror to use to look at society. It shows how all people are so complicated; they are not just good or bad. These people, like all people, are just surviving. We need to remember that.

You’ve worked with many great actors over your career. Is there something special about this group?
Yes, it’s kind of a perfect ensemble, where everybody is doing their job beautifully. Not only is there no tension; there’s a lot of mutual respect as well as respect for the material. There is not a weak link in this bunch, and we’re all so proud to be able to accomplish this kind of theater together.

What is Kenny Leon like as a director?
He’s so smart about the interpersonal stuff and creating special moments, as well as having a great visual eye. He is also open to questions from us, which is great. And he’s put together quite an ensemble and encouraged us to be a community. So, it’s really been a wonderful experience.

You came to acting somewhat later in life and did your first stage play when you were about 40. Did you ever imagine you would still be doing it 45 years later!
Honestly, I don’t know how I got from Steelton, Pennsylvania, to Broadway. And I can’t believe I am 85. I think my biggest surprise in life was that I got to do it professionally as well. I didn’t go to a professional training program. And eventually, I just knocked around off-off Broadway for a lot of years. It was an odd path to the career I ended up with, and I am just so grateful how the opportunities lined up. But holy cow. I got there. And I am doing it—eight shows a week. I am so fortunate to be healthy—even if staying healthy is not as easy as it was. It’s all so wonderful!