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Home , Steve Zahn

18 | DECEMBER.14.2012 | FRIDAY WEEKENDER: COVER STORY LEXINGTON HERALD-LEADER | LEXGO.COM | 19

FILMOGRAPHY Steve Zahn Since the last time Steve Zahn A ‘CHRISTMAS’ STAR appeared onstage, in the 1994 off- Broadway production of ’s Actor Steve Zahn, a well-known face on movie and TV screens, calls Lexington home and is appearing this weekend subUrbia, he has built a long movie and TV résumé from the silly (the Diary onstage locally in a holiday show written by his wife and produced by the theater troupe they help co-direct. of a Wimpy Kid movies) to the serious (the drama with Christian Bale, directed by ). Here’s a selected list of his film By Rich Copley car, shoot the last scene I have IF YOU GO show really is a combination of highlights. [email protected] in the movie, then go to Treme ‘Smackdown for the Christmas all of us.” in the afternoon and shoot into Zahn concurs, “It really is — MOVIES Actor Steve Zahn was on Crown’ the night. the absurdity, the clean dances, (1994). Played closeted the phone with the assistant What: The Rep’s production “After that, I have no clue. I the insane humor ... .” gay man Sammy Gray alongside Winona director for one of his film of an original, Kentucky-based have a couple days more work “What am I, the absurd or Ryder, and Janeane projects, trying to work out musical by Robyn Peterman- on Treme before we break for insane?” Peterman-Zahn asks. Garofalo in the Gen-X comedy-drama. some scheduling. Zahn featuring her husband, film That Thing You Do! (1996). Played Christmas. But that’s a tough “You’re the insane humor,” “They said, ‘We’ll call you actor Steve Zahn. Lenny, guitarist in a 1960s band. With week.” Zahn replies. “I’m the back,’ and I said, ‘Yeah, well When: 7:30 p.m. Dec. 14-16 Tom Hanks, Liv Tyler and Charlize Zahn says he thinks the absurdity.” Theron. I’m standing here in a dance Where: Lyric Theatre and effort is worth it to be back “Just checking,” Peterman- SubUrbia (1996). Reprising his rehearsal in a Christmas tree Cultural Arts Center, 300 E. Zahn says, laughing. stage role, he played Buff, one of a outfit, with about 50 girls onstage. This will be his first Third St. stage role since he was in “It’s so fun to do this show group of who hang out in front dancing around me, so I don’t Tickets: of an Austin, Texas, convenience store. the 1994 production of Eric $12-$22. Available at with people,” Zahn says, “and know if I’ll have time to talk to the Lyric box office, by calling Directed by Richard Linklater. subUrbia then it’s fun to take notes from (1998). you,” Zahn says, laughing. Bogosian’s at Lincoln (859) 280-2218 or visiting Played Robyn.” Zahn, who lives in Center in New York. Lexingtonlyric.tix.com. unreliable criminal Glenn Michaels; with Peterman-Zahn grins, “I get George Clooney and Jennifer Lopez. Lexington, is a busy film actor Zahn, 45, who grew up in Learn more: Thereptheatre.com, to boss you around.” You’ve Got Mail (1998). Played currently shooting the HBO , points out that he Despite the fun, Zahn bookstore staffer George in the email series Treme and the feature got his start as a stage actor acknowledges some nerves rom-com with Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan. film with and met Peterman-Zahn on a Stuart Little (1999). Voice of alley a Central Kentucky Christmas about getting onstage again as a Matthew McConaughey and Writer-director Robyn Peterman-Zahn, left, and choreographer Diana national tour of cat Monty the Mouth, with Michael J. Fox variety show sometime between “film actor,” which he identifies Jennifer Garner. But he is Smackdown in 1991. The couple moved and Geena Davis. Evans Pulliam, center, watched a recent rehearsal. the 1950s and the present himself as, correcting people (2000). squeezing in some time this to Lexington in 2004 to raise day. (Additions to this year’s Hamlet Played courtier who call him a “movie star,” Rosencrantz, with Ethan Hawke and holiday season to play a featured clear were Actors Equity, the their two children. Professional show include references to new (“There’s a difference,” Zahn fellow Central Kentucky resident Sam role in The Rep’s production of stage actors union of which theater, which would require football says.) Shepard. Smackdown for the Christmas Zahn is a member, and Zahn’s the actor to be in a major city (2001). coach Mark Stoops.) “When I did theater before, Crown. It runs Friday through crazy-busy filming schedule for like New York or Chicago for an Played Ray, ’s baby The plot, such as it is, I was just a guy that walked Sunday at the Lyric Theatre and Treme and Dallas Buyers Club, extended period, doesn’t work centers on the competition for daddy; directed by Penny Marshall. out onstage, and the slate was (2003). Cultural Arts Center. both of which are being filmed into that life. a prize called the Christmas National Security Played clean, and I could morph and be cop Hank, with Martin Lawrence. The show is an original in New Orleans. “I get offered plays all the Crown between The Bobbies, whoever I wanted,” Zahn says. Daddy Day Care (2003). Played musical by Zahn’s wife, It turned out, Equity, which time, but the thing is, I’m a dad a girl group, and The Billies, a “Now it’s different, where I have Marvin, one of the day care proprietors, Lexington native Robyn has rules about what shows its now,” Zahn says. “There will boy group that has a troubling to be really good, because there with Eddie Murphy. Peterman-Zahn, daughter of members may act in, needed come a time when I can do a Sahara (2005). Played Al Giordino, David Hasselhoff fixation. are people saying, ‘Let’s see clothier John Peterman. The only paperwork to get Zahn a play and commit to something part of an explorer group with Matthew Most of the music comes from how good “movie guy” is.’” Rep is co-directed by the couple guest artist contract. long-term and just have Monday their renditions of Christmas McConaughey and Penélope Cruz. Peterman-Zahn says “movie (2005). and choreographer Diana Evans “It didn’t cost a lot of money,” off.” standards that are sometimes Chicken Little Voice of Runt guy” is elevating the level of the of the Litter, with Zach Braff. Pulliam. Zahn says. “It was just red tape.” So with a little longing for simultaneously comic and whole show. Management (2008). Played Mike, But all that did not Filming has been more of a the theater in his heart, Zahn is sweet. “To watch him do this with a hapless hotel manager who becomes necessarily mean Zahn challenge. Take this week, the enjoying this brief opportunity obsessed with . Weaving in and out of the such uninhibited joy, I love it,” would get onstage in a local week Smackdown opens. to be onstage and “hitting my A Perfect Getaway (2009). Played action is One-Man-Christmas- she says. “He’s raising the bar production, a rarity for the “I have Monday on the light.” Cliff, a newlywed with who Show-Man, a ghost of a for everyone.” smattering of film actors who Zahn, who works nowadays in movie, Tuesday on Treme, The theater directors say character who is looking for discover they are being stalked by killers. Zahn is happy to do it. Cast includes Justified star Timothy have called Central Kentucky Wednesday on the movie, One-Man-Christmas-Show-Man A Christmas movies and TV, began his acting a production of “I’m more excited about this Olyphant. home. Another actor was Thursday on Treme, then is an ideal role for an actor who Carol career on the stage. at the beginning and than the (Treme) episode I’m scheduled to play the part of fly here and hopefully be at can’t commit to a demanding slowly gets into the show at working on now,” he says. TV One-Man-Christmas-Show-Man Peterman-Zahn adds, “His the theater to do the tech rehearsal schedule, because the hand, including some rap and a Somehow, Zahn will fit all of but had to bow out because of health was far more important rehearsal,” Zahn says. “I’ll do character is a featured role and Yo u’re a Comanche Moon (2008). Played dramatic recitation of it in before Christmas. health issues, which have since than our show.” the tech rehearsal, do the show sort of lives in his own world, Mean One, Mr. Grinch. Gus McCrae in CBS’s western mini-series resolved with no long-term Zahn says, “We were like, with Val Kilmer. Friday, Saturday and Sunday. At not interacting with many other “He and I work together in a Treme (since 2010). Plays DJ and problems. ‘What do we do?’ and Robyn 9:30 p.m. Sunday, get into a car characters. shorthand anyway, and it’s been Rich Copley: (859) 231-3217. musician Davis McAlary in the post- RICH COPLEY “At the time, it was really said, ‘Well, can you do it?’” with a driver. Drive all night to Smackdown, which The Rep fun,” says Peterman-Zahn, who Twitter: @copiousnotes. PHOTOS BY | [email protected] Hurricane Katrina HBO series set in New scary,” Zahn says. The two biggest hurdles to New Orleans and sleep in the debuted last year, is set up as is directing the show. “This Blog: Copiousnotes.bloginky.com. As One-Man-Christmas-Show-Man in Smackdown for the Christmas Crown, actor Steve Zahn wears a tree costume. Orleans.