Peggy Pope is a show biz veteran whose name and voice are instantly recognizable from years of appearances on stage and screen. She recently performed her one-woman show in February at Don’t Tell Mama’s to wide acclaim, and is gearing up for an encore performance on March 26 at 3pm.

New York Cool recently caught up with the non-stop actress-singer and asked her about her life in the spotlight. Her responses are filled with candid honesty, winning charm, and a breezy sense of humor.

Pope admits she was very shy as a result of a “disastrous childhood,” and show business became one way to overcome her timidness. “When I was 15, I thought maybe I could cure myself by becoming an actress. When I got on stage and found out how much fun it was to say things I wouldn't dare say in my life, I realized this was what I wanted to do.”

She has had many career highlights over the years.  “I really enjoyed playing a hooker called Evelyn Landis who specialized in Chinese Basket Jobs in ‘Muzeeka’ by John Guare. I won an Obie Award for that performance. Danny Arnold -- the writer, director, producer of ‘Barney Miller’ -- treated actors like royalty, and taught me the concept of ‘less is more’ before it was a concept. Being on Broadway with Helen Hayes and Jimmy Stewart in " Harvey" was a highlight, as was playing the part Miss Hayes played and getting standing ovations for it years later at the Guthrie Theatre. Most everything I've done has been a high point -- even the commercials.”

Photo by David Rogers

Film audiences will also recall Pope from p laying the Atta-Girl role in “9 to 5.” “It was just like working in an office. Luckily for me, 90 percent of the population works or has worked in an office, and they identified with that expression. I was a kind of boozy Greek Chorus saying it to Dolly, Jane and Lily when they slammed out of the office in fury and frustration with the boss.”

Working on the classic TV sitcom "Soap" was a wonderful experience, according to Pope. “The show ’Soap’ had an amazing cast -- hard working, brilliant, generous, serious actors. I was surrounded by talented people doing perhaps their best work on a zany, ahead-of-its-time show.”

She learned a lot from working on stage with Jimmy Stewart in " Harvey," the story about one man’s friendship with an imaginary life-sized rabbit. “I learned from Jimmy Stewart how you can go on stage without changing anything about yourself and be riveting. He was so real it was scary, and yet you felt totally taken care of when you were acting with him. On opening night, I was very nervous. Jimmy had to hand me a calling card, and I dropped it. I just stood there in terror. He leaned down, picked it up and handed it to me again. I dropped it again. He leaned down and handed it to me again. The audience thought it was part of the show, and the next day I got a nice notice in the Times.”

Pope considers doing commercials as the most challenging field she’s worked in. “It's many people telling you what to do, and you have to keep translating whatever they say into acting terms. Once I was up for the part of an angel in a commercial, and I read it so well that when I was finished one of the multitudes of producer-sponsors said, ‘Do you think you could just sort of fly around the room a little so we could see that?’ That was a challenge I could not meet.”

The actress is eager to share a few secrets to having a long career in Hollywood. “ It's different for everybody, but it’s important to realize how much you need to be there. There's a saying it's 98 percent hard work and 2 percent talent. You can make friends easily and keep them through the years if you behave on the set and are fun to be around. Parties help. Playing tennis is good. Aging is frowned on.”

Pope’s current cabaret show is billed as a 2nd Farewell Appearance. Pope has a simple explanation for the curious title. “It’s b ecause I've done the first one already, and haven't done the third one yet -- that's next! The first show was about four years ago, at which time I didn't know anything about cabaret. But it went well anyway, because I can make people laugh.”

Woody Regan and Peggy Pope
Photo Mary Blanco

Her one-woman show does have a male presence -- Woody Regan serves as Pope’s accompanist, collaborator, and sometimes co-performer. “ Woody is a miracle. He can play anything easily, and knows all the songs. He's a joyous person and great fun and can do anything you ask him for. He can act and sing and tap-dance, and be moving and funny as well. Once he said to me, ‘I just want to make myself available.’ I want to go over and give him a hug every now and then.”

Don't Tell Mama is the only place Pope’s ever performed cabaret, but her supporters have made it a dream location. “Woody introduced me to Sidney Meyer the manager, who is very important to cabaret. I think he was primarily responsible for bringing cabaret back when it needed to be revived. The piano is grand and always tuned. Bobby Kneeland is a magician with the lights -- I never looked so good. The sound is good. The place doesn't cost a lot. It's a friendly atmosphere. The room is convivial. What's not to like?”

The music for the show includes standards such as “Tonight, Tonight,” “In The Mood,” “Where Would I Be Without You,” “Coney Island Baby,” and “Since I Fell For You.” The intermissionless program also includes a hilarious version of “I Will Survive.” Pope says she chose most of the songs herself. I find songs on the radio, in the library at Lincoln Center, and in reviews of other cabaret shows I see. Some were suggested to me, but they are all songs I love to sing. That's the main thing.”

Pope has one last bit of advice for aspiring actors and singers. “ Don't look back!”

For more information: www.peggypope.com

Miss Peggy Pope's 2nd Farewell Appearance
Saturday, March 26 @ 3pm
Don't Tell Mama, 343 W 46th St. between 8th & 9 th Aves., NYC
www.donttellmama.com
Reservations 212-757-0788 (after 4pm)
NO COVER!
2 Drink Minimum, Cash Only