FOXY LADY: MARG TALKS TO MODERN LUXURY ABOUT THE LITTLE FOXES
Modern Luxury – DC Edition
September 2016
Stage Craft
FOXY LADY
By Jennifer Barger
In her 13 years on TV’s CSI, actress Marg Helgenberger played a strong, soulful cop (and former Vegas showgirl). She’ll be tackling a similar fierce, complex character this fall at Arena Stage, when she portrays the scheming yet somehow sympathetic Regina Hubbard in Lillian Hellman’s family saga, The Little Foxes. It’s the sort of meaty project Helgenberger relishes. “It’s a tricky part because Regina can seem too cool and unlikeable at times,” she says. “But I’m trying to look at her as a woman living in a society where she has no rights. She’s just trying to get what she wants.”
How do you make this play and the role relevant?
I think it’s about shining a light on this era in history, whether it’s via the servant characters or via Regina. It’s important to just show how their hands were tied in many ways, and how difficult it was to be a woman.
Even though Regina is kind of unlikeable, are you excited to play her?
So many actresses want to play her. It’s such a juicy part! I think if you’re playing Regina, you can’t think about how monstrous she can be; you just think about her motivations.
How do your stage and TV work differ?
Stage work is a whole other animal! In television, everything happens so fast. In the theater, the rehearsal process is tougher and more full-bodied. You have to learn so many lines. The character has to be so deep within you.
You’ve spent time in Washington before when researching cyber security for television roles. What are you looking forward to doing during your off hours in DC?
It’s such an East Coast city and so different from Los Angeles. There’s so much to do. I love that all the museums are free and that you can walk everywhere. And I like that it’s a such a friendly city.