Corine Cohen Talks to Christine Pedi The Star of A Broadway Diva Christmas Julia Miles Theater December 4 – 31, 2005 Opposite photo by Wendy R. Williams

Corine: Christine, you are best known for your "Liza" impersonation in the smash hit Forbidden Broadway. Was that one of your favorites?

Christine: One of my favorites.  It changes depending on the material and whether or not I've been doing the character to death.  Bernadette is my newest and current favorite...it just makes me laugh when I hear her voice coming out of my mouth.  We couldn't be more visually & vocally different...except of course that we're both nice Italian girls.

Corine: Yes, you are! I saw "Wonderful Songs", your one woman dedication show to Comden and Green. It was incredible! Any plans to bring it back?

Christine: Thank you so much for that! I just might bring it back.  I'd really love to record it, adding a few more songs that didn't make it into the show. I've spent some lovely afternoons singing for Betty in her apartment lately.  She's a brilliant audience and it's been an honor.  I'd love her to contribute liner notes to the cd...If I ever get the $$$ to make it!

Corine: Any producers out there? Give Pedi a Call Tell me about Divas. What will you be singing?

Christine: As of today: “The Man with the Bag,” A very unusual take on “Santa Claus is Coming to Town” that is fused with elements of “Yes Virginia There is A Santa Claus” and “Roxie” from Chicago. “Count Your Blessings” with (blended with) a gorgeous Cy Coleman Christmas Song "Twelve Days of Christmas" (or should I say "Twelve Divas of Christmas"...you'll love this one).

Corine: It sounds like fun. I heard you are going to be in a reading with Jennifer Simard and Jackie Hoffman. Can you tell me more about it?

Christine: The play is Dalliance in Vienna, a show I did at the American Theatre of Actors two years ago thru the Genesius Guild.  I play a suicidal woman from 1900 Vienna who storms a very elegant party to kill herself in front of the lover who spurned her leaving her a broken woman with a past and no future...but all done in the funniest way possible of course!

Corine: Sorry I missed it. What is the one role you dream of playing? I can see you in Wonderful Town (Donna Murphy's role)

Christine: I've outgrown a lot of the ladies I've always wanted to play but happily I'm now approaching the right age for Mama Rose, Auntie Mame, Mrs. Lovett and Miss Hannigan.  Lily Garland from On The 20th Century has always been at the top top top of my list.

Corine: What are 10 things that people should know about Christine Pedi?

1. She wants the lead in a half-hour sitcom filmed in New York City!

2.  She is blind as a bat, so chances are if it appears that she’s ignoring you or looking right through you….well, she is but that’s because she can’t see you. Extreme hand gestures and reintroducing yourself are greatly appreciated.

3. She can sing like a real girl…...  not just (like) the high belting, chain smoking, alcoholic, diva bitch goddesses she's been doing for years in Forbidden Broadway.

4. She’s not mean, she doesn’t do impressions and parody because she digs poking fun at people... it’s just a freakish ability.  I hate being mean to people, especially people in my profession so I am careful not to offend to deeply...Really, I try!

5. Her dear cousin Tom Pedi (who passed away about ten years ago at eighty-three) was the first actor in the family. He was in the original Death of a Salesman (and played) Harry the Horse in the original Guys and Dolls, Rocky The Bartender in the original Iceman Cometh and had a long and successful career in theater and film his whole life. He was a generous soul who exuded warmth and humor and people still mention him to me with tenderness and appreciation. He is my role model.

6.  She loves to cook and sew and do all manner of crafty homebody chores...needlepoint, baking cookies...I'd love to star in Martha Stewart the Musical….nah, I could never be that mean.

7.  She has the most supportive parents (that) anyone in show business could hop for and her nieces and nephews are the most exceptional, funny sweet and loving children...also smart and gorgeous.

8.  She has a lot of closet space in her apartment ... (she said that to make you jealous)...a lot.

9.  She makes the best guacamole. No, yours is not the best….hers is….sorry ….hers is.

10.  She can never remember a name or a face.

Corine: You kill me. And yes, I am jealous about your closet space not to mention your talent! Who do you admire most?

  Christine: The people who have tranquility during times of stress and anxiety (which in NYC at least is every day).  The ones with the ability to keep centered and focused and not dwell on the negative...to move past roadblocks and not carry them on their shoulders and hold on to a burden which need not exist.  How can I be like that?

Corine: What was your favorite version of Forbidden Broadway?

Christine: Impossible to say since there have been oh so many versions...NYC, LA, London, Tokyo...and the casts are always brilliant and NICE.  So many of my dearest friends are from Forbidden.  Perhaps that's ultimately the best and longest lasting gift that Forbidden has given me.

Corine: What is your favorite restaurant in New York?

Christine: I'm still on a constant quest for the answer to that one.  Regrettably, if frequency of visits indicates anything, then my answer would be STARBUCKS...but I'm filled with shame about that.  I must stop.  I'm addicted and it's a ridiculous way to throw away ten bucks a day. 

Corine: Starbucks is a restaurant? (Laughs) If you could change anything about the World what would it be and why?

Christine: I'd eliminate bullies. Can’t stand them.  They are the highest form of cowards. From the brats that push you down in the schoolyard all the way to the most intolerant, fanatical terrorists, they're all bullies. Hate them all. They fill me with rage and frustration.

Tickets for A Broadway Diva Christmas are $70, and are available by calling (212) 239-6200 or by visiting www.telecharge.com. Visit www.abroadwaydivachristmas.com for more information.

The Julia Miles Theater is located at 424 West 55 th Street

Corine Dana Cohen, a freelance writer, has written for Hampton Jitney Magazine, Nyctourist.com, Theatermania.com, Planetout.com and City Info Magazine. Corine was the host and Producer of an interactive kiosk show called Corine's Pix and currently has a theater talkback series where she takes groups to shows and does a live talkback. Corine is one of the Associate Producers of the Drama Desk Awards as well as a voting member. She also produces a theater talkback series where she takes people to shows and interviews cast members on stage after the performance. For more interviews you can go to Corine's site: http://www.corinescorner.com