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2012 February 14

Meet La Nina

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Jeffrey Costello and Costello Tagliapietra Jeffrey Costello and Costello Tagliapietra
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Do you read the reviews?
I don’t! I did that once. It was a bad idea.
But they’re posted outside the theater! 
I keep my head down when I’m walking in. Don’t get me wrong—it makes me happy that people are enjoying the work. 
In the Times, director Walter Bobbie said, “It’s that moment, you know when it happens, when the next Meryl Streep walks through the door. Nina’s performance started a brush fire.”
That’s the Holy Grail! I don’t even know what to say! Thank you. Really, the only one that I read before we closed off-Broadway was John Lahr’s piece from The New Yorker. My mother said, ‘It’s Thanksgiving. Read about why you should be grateful, if you don’t already know.’ I said, ‘Believe me—I know!’ That’s why I can’t read the reviews—they’re overwhelming. 
Do you feel pressure, or just humility?
I’d be lying if I said I didn’t feel pressure. But I can’t focus on that, it’s completely paralyzing, and I don’t have time for paralysis. It means a lot to me, and 
it’s better to be humble than 
anything else. 
What’s the scoop on the show?
Very simply, it’s about an audition. The playwright/director (played by Hugh Dancy) has been desperately searching for a lead in his show, Venus in Fur, an adaptation of a 19th-century erotic novel. At the end of the day, the seemingly worst woman comes in hours late for her audition. She’s pushy, and somehow, she convinces him to audition her. And it goes from there!
What’s your character like?
She’s un-describable, she really is! She’s sort of like every woman, in the sense that she touches upon quite a range of emotions in an hour and 45 minutes. 
How was your first read with Hugh?
You either have it or you don’t—meaning chemistry. We finished the first read, and we just smiled at each other. The whole room just kind of got brighter.
How will Broadway change things?
Moving to the Lyceum, which has so much history and energy, is a whole other beast. Talk about ghosts in the theater! I thank them for letting me 
be there. 
Which actresses do you admire?
Certainly Glenn Close and Meryl Streep. I’m very obsessed with Maggie Smith—I’m doing master class watching Downton Abbey!
Did you know Anna Wintour was coming to the show?
Yes. I had seen her the evening before when she threw a dinner party for Christopher Bailey at her place. I was invited with Hugh. She told me she was coming the next night, which made me even more nervous. Afterwards, she came backstage with Michael Kors, and she kept saying, ‘That was so intense.’ And I was like, ‘I know! You’re in my dressing room!’
DvF came, too. 
I kind of want to be her.
Why are all the fashion people 
so obsessed?
The costumes are stunning. During our first meeting, Anita Yavich, who designed the costumes, talked about my dress as an X-ray into the character’s transformations.
Last season, you were nominated for a Tony for Born Yesterday. 
I was so scared, and then I said, ‘Why not just go for it and enjoy the ride?’ I did, and I had such an amazing time. 
I hope I think that way more often! 
What did you wear?
Badgley Mischka. I didn’t know that the designers were going to fit me for it, but when I walked in, they were both there. I was so starstruck. 
Ever been to a show?
No. I love New York during Fashion Week, though. It’s like Christmas every time. But this week, I’m going to Michael Kors. He was so lovely!
How did you like the Costello Tagliapietra boys?
They were very kind to me, and the clothes were stunning. I wish I could have tried everything on and put it in a bundle to take home.
Where will you be in 10 years?
I would like to keep working! Other than that, I don’t know. Maybe have 
a baby?

(NEW YORK) Guess who’s a favorite to take home the Tony for Best Actress? Nina Arianda’s turn in David Ives’ Venus In Fur is the performance that the theater-obssessed crowd can’t stop talking about. The play, which co-stars Hugh Dancy, just reopened on Broadway, and the 27-year-old actress required a dress for the occasion! The Daily tagged along to a fitting with Jeffrey Costello, left, and Robert Tagliapietra.
BY EDDIE ROCHE

Do you read the reviews?
I don’t! I did that once. It was a bad idea.

But they’re posted outside the theater! 
I keep my head down when I’m walking in. Don’t get me wrong—it makes me happy that people are enjoying the work. 

In the Times, director Walter Bobbie said, “It’s that moment, you know when it happens, when the next Meryl Streep walks through the door. Nina’s performance started a brush fire.”
That’s the Holy Grail! I don’t even know what to say! Thank you. Really, the only one that I read before we closed off-Broadway was John Lahr’s piece from The New Yorker. My mother said, ‘It’s Thanksgiving. Read about why you should be grateful, if you don’t already know.’ I said, ‘Believe me—I know!’ That’s why I can’t read the reviews—they’re overwhelming. 

Do you feel pressure, or just humility?
I’d be lying if I said I didn’t feel pressure. But I can’t focus on that, it’s completely paralyzing, and I don’t have time for paralysis. It means a lot to me, and it’s better to be humble than anything else. 

What’s the scoop on the show?
Very simply, it’s about an audition. The playwright/director (played by Hugh Dancy) has been desperately searching for a lead in his show, Venus in Fur, an adaptation of a 19th-century erotic novel. At the end of the day, the seemingly worst woman comes in hours late for her audition. She’s pushy, and somehow, she convinces him to audition her. And it goes from there!

What’s your character like?
She’s un-describable, she really is! She’s sort of like every woman, in the sense that she touches upon quite a range of emotions in an hour and 45 minutes. 

How was your first read with Hugh?
You either have it or you don’t—meaning chemistry. We finished the first read, and we just smiled at each other. The whole room just kind of got brighter.

How will Broadway change things?
Moving to the Lyceum, which has so much history and energy, is a whole other beast. Talk about ghosts in the theater! I thank them for letting me be there. 

Which actresses do you admire?
Certainly Glenn Close and Meryl Streep. I’m very obsessed with Maggie Smith—I’m doing master class watching Downton Abbey!

Did you know Anna Wintour was coming to the show?

Yes. I had seen her the evening before when she threw a dinner party for Christopher Bailey at her place. I was invited with Hugh. She told me she was coming the next night, which made me even more nervous. Afterwards, she came backstage with Michael Kors, and she kept saying, ‘That was so intense.’ And I was like, ‘I know! You’re in my dressing room!’

DvF came, too.
I kind of want to be her.

Why are all the fashion people so obsessed?
The costumes are stunning. During our first meeting, Anita Yavich, who designed the costumes, talked about my dress as an X-ray into the character’s transformations.

Last season, you were nominated for a Tony for Born Yesterday.
I was so scared, and then I said, ‘Why not just go for it and enjoy the ride?’ I did, and I had such an amazing time. I hope I think that way more often!

What did you wear?
Badgley Mischka. I didn’t know that the designers were going to fit me for it, but when I walked in, they were both there. I was so starstruck.

Ever been to a show?
No. I love New York during Fashion Week, though. It’s like Christmas every time. But this week, I’m going to Michael Kors. He was so lovely!

How did you like the Costello Tagliapietra boys?
They were very kind to me, and the clothes were stunning. I wish I could have tried everything on and put it in a bundle to take home.

Where will you be in 10 years?
I would like to keep working! Other than that, I don’t know. Maybe have a baby.

 

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