One On One With Joanna Gleason

I totally forgot to post my interview with, actress/director, Joanna Gleason from the last issue of Frontiers Magazine.

I hope you enjoy it.

A New Lease on a Lush Life The Gay Men’s Chorus brings back Billy Strayhorn

By Tony Miros Few people had as much influence on the American pop/jazz musical landscape as pianist, arranger, and composer Billy Strayhorn. From Duke Ellington’s classic “Take the A Train” to the ultrasophisticated number “Lush Life,” this legendary artist was a musical pioneer and genius; and because of his being out in an era when gay artists weren’t tolerated, he’s been an inspiration to generations of Americans who have had to fight adversity and discrimination in this country since the beginning of the civil-rights movement. Which is why it seems fitting, in these troubled times, that the Gay Men’s Chorus of Los Angeles will present a star-studded concert titled Lush Life: The Music of Billy Strayhorn.

Frontiers took a few minutes to talk with the show’s director, Joanna Gleason, about the show, Strayhorn’s enduring music, and the message it sends out to today’s gay youth about overcoming adversity and accepting who you are.

FRONTIERS: What is it about this show that you think will be of interest to gay audiences?

JOANNA GLEASON: It’s a show about a not-so-recognizable composer who was unabashedly gay during his time. Not only was he gay, he was also a black man. This show illuminates those things about him to the audience as well as his beautiful music, his upbringing, all of his voice, without being preachy. I’ve done a lot of teaching, primarily with young gay men who are struggling with their sexuality, and it is important to show them the infinite possibilities life has to offer. Strayhorn wrote “Lush Life” when he was around 19. That speaks so much. It was his way of expressing himself.

F: Tell me what it’s like to work with the show’s two featured artists, Billy Porter and Tierney Sutton.

JG: We haven’t worked together yet, but I’ve been a great fan of both of them for quite some time. They are both sensational talents. There’s a lot of staging and choreography in this production. The musical arrangements by Alan Broadbent are fantastic, and all the jazz numbers featured, which Tierney is so good at—well, this is going to be a very classy show.

F: You have had an amazing acting career. Tell me what it is about directing that you enjoy the most.

JG: Looking around a room, seeing an incredibly gifted group of people, and making an environment for them to bring out their best. As a director you bring your vision and combine it with theirs. The best part is when they bring something wonderful to the table—something that I would never think of—and how it adds that much more to the production.

F: Has working as an actress with such directors as Woody Allen, Mike Nichols, and Paul Thomas Anderson helped you as a director?

JG: Yes, it has. I’ve been very blessed to work with those directors. Paul Thomas Anderson was so young when he directed Boogie Nights. It was amazing to watch him work. If you keep your eyes open [on a set] you can learn a lot.

F: Your father is the legendary game show host Monty Hall, and your husband is actor Chris Sarandon. Tell me what its like being surrounded by such talented people in your personal life.

JG: I’ve been very blessed. Both my parents were very supportive and very hands-on. There was very little mention of show business in our house growing up. It’s just what Dad did. Chris and I have worked together in many different plays and independent films. We really enjoy working together. We’re always there to help one another. But work is work and home is home. We’re all deeply connected and we laugh a lot.

F: You’ve worked with the Gay Men’s Chorus of Los Angeles for 12 years—tell me how that started.

JG: In 1995, Chris and I moved back to L.A. The artistic director of the chorus at that time, Jon Bailey, asked me to do an evening of Cole Porter songs as a soloist. I had never done anything like that before, so I agreed to do it as long as it was with a group of men singing along. Following that I did a Christmas show with them, a Sondheim show… It’s become a real love affair between us.

F: What would you like people, who see this show to walk away with?

JG: The depth of the beauty of this man, the great contribution he made to American music, and the sophistication he did it with.

Author's note - Unfortunately Lush Life: The Music of Billy Strayhorn ran Apr. 20–22 at the historic Alex Theatre in Glendale. For more information about the Gay Men's Chorus of Los Angeles click HERE.