Catherine Russell in PERFECT CRIME

[Necromancer07707]

Posted: 2/18/05 at 10:38pm

I was curious as to how people felt about Catherine Russell in PERFECT CRIME. I saw the show last week, and I personally felt it was a so-so performance except for Russell's presentation of the character. Then again she's had since 1987 and a total of 7384 performances to perfect her role. Any comments?

[MargoChanning]

Posted: 2/18/05 at 10:45pm

While her run is certainly quite impressive and admirable and my hat's off to her for doing it, it's truly BEYOND me why any actor would want to do that iffy little play eight times a week for 18 years -- sounds like pure hell on earth to me, but hey, good for her.

[melissa errico fan]

Posted: 2/18/05 at 10:48pm

God, most actors are bored with a show after one year. Eighteen...god!

[harris007]

Posted: 2/18/05 at 11:08pm

I agree the show is so-so but she is amazing

[parker russel]

Posted: 2/18/05 at 11:09pm

I think that catherine Russell is a genius! She is 100 % the reason that show has stayed open. There are very few actors in the world who can claim to have worked for 18 years straight. She holds the World record for most consecutive performances by an actor in a play. No one else on the planet can say that. everything else a side she is a great actress and Perfect Crime still plays to mostly full houses. I would kill for a career like hers......

[Necromancer07707]

Posted: 2/18/05 at 11:44pm

When I went the house wasn't even half full. I got tickets an hour and a half before the show opened and I got second row...

[MargoChanning]

Posted: 2/19/05 at 12:02am

Just like the old saying in retail and real estate, the three reasons Perfect Crime has run for 18 years is because "Location, Location, Location." It's playing right ON Broadway at the Duffy Street Theatre across the street from TKTS. If the play had been on a theatre even two blocks away from that site, it would have closed 17 years ago. Thinking back over all the people I know who have seen it over the years, I have yet to hear anyone afterwards say they really enjoyed it (though most say she is fine). I mean, it's hardly "Death of A Salesman" or "Medea." Again, I don't mean to be rude but why do a mediocre play for 18 years other than the steady paycheck? What actor doesn't want to try a different role every once in a while? Is this why she went into acting? Even playing the same character on a soap opera for decades still means you're learning new lines every day. I don't get it.

Updated On: 2/19/05 at 12:02 AM

[alterego]

Posted: 2/19/05 at 12:08am

Maybe she has a mortgage to pay.

[Necromancer07707]

Posted: 2/19/05 at 12:57pm

Actually the play has been in the Duffy for 11 years, so it managed to last for a good 6 years before. And Russell is a teacher as well as an actor. But still, I don't really see why she keeps going.

For Christ's sake, she even took the ticket out of my hand when I walked in the door!

[newsieboy23]

Posted: 2/19/05 at 5:49pm

I think she's amazing in the show. Playing a role that long is pretty difficult actually. Finding a way to keep the performance fresh, and re-adapting to new cast members all the time must be crazy. I read an article about how she's only missed 4 performances EVER... all for weddings of her sisters. Thats something to be applauded.