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Gilliland and Smith caught in the 'Act'

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Contributed by: Cheryl Games on 4/20/2007

Richard Gilliland and Yeardley Smith star in the American premiere of Frank Salisbury's suspense-filled comedy, "Balancing Act", now playing at the Falcon Theatre in Burbank.

In the play, New York executive Eugene Ormsby (Gilliland) is skipping the country after embezzling a small fortune from his employer. Before he can catch his flight, by-the-book accountant Beth Washburn (Smith) arrives at his doorstep, fearing that someone cooked the books. Eugene is left to silence this last liability, one way or another.

Falcon regulars will recognize Mr. Gilliland as the scene stealing 'Oliver Pemberton' from last October's "I Remember You", starring Tony Danza, and Ms. Smith from her candid one-woman show "MORE", in 2005.

But it is outside the theatre where audiences have undoubtedly seen (or heard) Smith and Gilliland's work before. Ms. Smith has provided the voice of Springfield's precocious 'Lisa Simpson' for nearly twenty years on "The Simpsons", as well as appearing in several box office hits, including "As Good As It Gets" and "City Slickers". Mr. Gilliland is no stranger to playing or lending his voices to memorable characters. He has appeared in everything from "24" to "Joan of Arcadia", from "Designing Women" to "Murder, She Wrote", and from "Kim Possible" to "Batman the Animated Series". We caught up with Richard, a Texas native, to find out how he balances work and play in the Valley.

How much of you is in your character Eugene?

RG: "There is always a good deal of oneself in characters they play. I have to draw on my experiences and how I might communicate a given dialogue were I in the same situation as the character. Then I mix that with an interpretation of those traits I do not share with the character and end up with a cocktail resulting in the man. In this case Eugene Ormsby. He's not as good a liar as I am, so I have to factor that in as well."

This is your second show at the Falcon Theatre. What do you think of Valley audiences?

RG: "I think Valley audiences are fantastic. I've lived in the Valley for most of the 34 years I've been in Los Angeles, and I'm thrilled when people actually come to see live theatre with so many other distractions and instant media at their disposal. The Falcon is, I think, serving a tremendous need for some focused entertainment in the Valley. Its intimacy and location are perfect for a couple of hours of live fun. Anything we can do to get folks away from their computers and American Idol is a great service, as far as I'm concerned."

Speaking of television, you've done quite a lot of TV and film work. Do you prefer stage over the screen?

RG: "Actually, I think I do. I didn't used to feel that way as much, but I do so enjoy getting out there on that stage with real, live, breathing people waiting to be transported somewhere. There is nothing like it. It's a great workout, physically, vocally and mentally. As long as I'm able to do it; as long as they let me do it, I'll do it. Also, though film and TV are challenging in their own ways, you have to do everything in little pieces that are put together in the editor's kitchen for the final result. You don't get that flow and grow that the theatre offers to an actor. Unfortunately, TV and film will always pay far better, unless you're Nathan Lane."

Working in Burbank at the Falcon Theatre, do you have any favorite Valley restaurants or watering holes?

RG: "I love Mo's right down the street from the Falcon. Great salads and burgers and wonderful, friendly people working there. I'm also quite fond of Gindi Thai, right on Pass and Riverside. Amazing food, great service."

Don't miss these two Falcon favorites as they take center stage and square off in a suspense-filled comedy with danger, sex and corporate accounting. Balancing Act plays at the Falcon Theatre in Burbank through March 6. Call the Box Office for tickets at (818) 955-8101.

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