‘Golden Girl’ returns to stage



February 20, 1996

‘Golden Girl’ returns to stageExperienced actress Bea Arthur
replants thespian roots with latest theatric role

By Kristin Brainerd

Daily Bruin Contributor

When Bea Arthur heard plans to turn the classic play,
"Pygmalion," into a musical titled "My Fair Lady," she thought it
would never make it.

When she learned that the 1970 film, "M*A*S*H," would become a
TV series, she balked.

"I have a history of thinking in advance," she says. "I always
try to see where projects and ideas will lead."

Luckily for Arthur, however, her predictive powers have proven
considerably more accurate with respect to her own career choices.
From her Tony-award-winning role in "Mame" to hit television
series, like "Golden Girls" and "Maude," to her newest venture,
"Bermuda Avenue Triangle," Arthur’s foresight has reaped
success.

Ask Arthur which has been her favorite role so far, and she will
respond without a second’s hesitation. "This," she answers,
referring to the new play, "Bermuda Avenue Triangle," now playing
at the Canon Theater. "I’m allowed this bizarre, outrageous comedy,
as well as moments of very deep emotion," she explains.

Arthur seems almost giddy to talk about the play, continuously
heaping praise on her co-stars and the work’s authors – Joe Bologna
and Renee Taylor. "I love the outrageousness of the play," Arthur
says. "Joe and Renee write dialogue you have never heard
before."

Once "Golden Girls," ended, Arthur knew she did not want to
start another TV series. "I wanted to return to the spontaneity of
the theater," she says. When Bologna and Taylor’s script came
along, Arthur’s precognitive force kicked in and told her accept
the role.

Yet, despite this and her many other successes, Arthur claims
she never had a great calling to be an actress. What she wanted,
she says, was the spotlight.

"I always wanted to be a starlet – a pretty little blonde
thing," she admits.

And while the spotlight has stayed close at her heels, Arthur
knows success does not always come easily. "The hardest part is
starting out and sticking with it. You really need to have a lot of
faith in yourself," she maintains.

Back in the late 1940s, Arthur started her own career at the New
School in New York. Here, the Maryland native and her classmates,
including Tony Curtis and Walter Matthau, enjoyed the opportunities
of New York’s theater community.

"We were all young and inexperienced," she reminisces, "and here
we were performing ‘Lysistrata’ and many other very classical
roles. It was really a wonderful time."

Arthur played many parts before she finally joined the cast of
"Threepenny Opera," in 1954, and began the role that she considers
as her big break.

"A lot of actors see their first role like a first kiss. They
want it to be absolutely perfect," she says. "What’s important,
though," Arthur continues, "is to just get out there and work in
front of an audience. That is what makes the better roles come
along."

Arthur says she does not know where her life will lead once
"Bermuda Avenue Triangle" closes, although she does not expect that
to be a decision that will come anytime soon. The show, Arthur
explains, will probably move to Broadway next April, and then
possibly go on to London.

Arthur does have one idea on the back burner, though – a
one-woman show. "I don’t know if I take myself that seriously," the
actress says with a laugh, "but the idea has always tempted
me."

Arthur maintains, however, that these days she does not spend
much time contemplating future projects. "I’m so in love with what
I’m doing right now," she says, "I haven’t really been thinking
beyond this."

STAGE: "Bermuda Avenue Triangle" is at the Canon Theater in
Beverly Hills through March 31. For more info call (310)
859-2830.

Bea Arthur chose to star in "Bermuda Avenue Triangle" because
she wanted to rediscover the "spontaneity of the theater."

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© 1996 ASUCLA Communications Board

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