A Q&A with Lamb Susan DiLallo and Lamb Gary Shapiro
What do you like most about being in the arts? The thrill of hearing an audience laugh at something I wrote. The applause. The joy of creation — especially the joy that comes from the hours (weeks? months?) of struggling and wrestling with the question “now what?” And — the icing on the cake — the many writers and actors I’ve met over the years. We are a delightful, delicious, wonderfully neurotic breed apart.
What kind of work do you to and what projects/shows are you presently working on? I’m a librettist and lyricist. I love writing musicals that make people laugh and cry. Creating characters fascinates me because people fascinate me. Latest projects: a country music jukebox musical called Fancy, based on the Reba McEntire song, crafted with 23 all-time country/crossover hits. We had lab performances a while back. Mychildren’s shows, Angelina Ballerina, is being revived this fall by Vital Theater Company. Currently working on a 4-character play and a book of essays. Have co-written novels with James Patterson. The latest, The House Next Door (a romantic thriller) will be released in February 2019.
Where did you grow up and live before NYC? (or talk about growing up as a native New Yorker) I’m a native New Yorker. Grew up in Washington Heights (now re-named and re-invented as the much fancier and expensive Hudson Heights). Our class trips were to places like Circle in the Square and museums and The New York Times. Bottom line: I grew up middle class with incalculably rich New York experiences. I was blessed.
What was your first (or early) interest in the arts. Been writing since I was 8 years old. On the staff (sometimes editor) of various school newspapers and literary magazines.
What has been the most memorable experience in the arts (or anything else)? The arts: Having shows produced in New York and all over the world. I love everything about the process — from the cretion to the collaborations, the casting, the rehearsals. Even the angst is thrilling. Winning awards has been a wonderful affirmation, too. As far as ‘anything else’: I’d have to say, the day I gave birth to triplets. (“Triplets? I never knew anybody who had triplets! ” My standard answer, when they were little: “Actually, there are thousands of us. But we don’t get out much.”)
How did you learn about the Lambs? Through an LPTW email.
What activities or hobbies do you do in your spare time? Poke around flea markets…buy and sell on eBay…read a lot (mostly fiction, non-fiction and memoirs)…and boxing.