Leslie Price is a familiar face to Birmingham theatergoers, having appeared in shows such as “Fiddler on the Roof” at Leeds Arts Council and “The Sweet Delilah Swim Club.” Next up for her is this weekend’s reading of “Wife After Death,” a production of the Cahaba Theatre Group at the Clubhouse on Highland. Before that show, Price answered some questions about moving to Birmingham, her theater work here and much more.
Tell me a little about yourself.
I am originally from Tampa, Florida. My husband, two kids and I moved to Birmingham in 2010. My husband and I recently celebrated our 26th wedding anniversary.
What’s your first memory of being on stage?
I was on the stage crew for “Annie” in high school. After the radio scene, no one picked up the tossed papers from the stage. I ran out to grab them before the lights came up and slipped on one of the papers. At least I got a good laugh from the audience.
What have been some of your favorite roles and shows?
Last April, I was in a bucket-list show, “Fiddler on the Roof,” at Leeds Art Council. It was my first musical, although I can’t sing. I also had a lot of fun as the red-headed best friend Bridgette in “The Holiday Channel Christmas Movie Wonderthon” at ACTA. But my most favorite role and show was Sheree in “The Sweet Delilah Swim Club” at South City Theatre.
Tell me about “Wife After Death.” How did this one come up for you?
I have been wanting to do a show with The Cahaba Theatre Group, but my schedule never panned out until auditions for “Wife After Death” were announced. After reading the summary of the play and finding my calendar open, I knew the timing was perfect, so I went for it.
How different is a reading like this as opposed to a full production?
This is my first time doing a readers series show and there are so many differences. There isn’t a lot of line memorization or blocking so you really get to focus on the character and the words.
What can people expect from the show?
The dry British humor is so much different than American humor. And there are several surprising revelations during the show.
Who is your favorite playwright?
I love doing shows by Hope, Jones, Wooten.
Do you have a favorite show?
There are so many fabulous shows out there, it’s hard to name just one.
What’s a performance (on stage or screen) that sticks out to you as an audience member?
Terrific New Theatre presented “Sunday in the Park with George” late last year. The show was simply beautiful, and watching Caleb Clark as George was amazing.
What is a role you wish you will or could have played?
After “Fiddler on the Roof,” I added Miss Hannigan to my bucket list.
Any great advice you’ve been given by a director or anyone else about being on stage?
To have faith in myself and believe in myself.
Do you have any pre-performance rituals?
I like to sit on the stage for a minute or two, close my eyes and drown out any sound around me and just breathe.
Tell me about a time something went wrong on stage.
In the last show of “Arsenic and Old Lace” at Leeds Art Council, a castmate came out on stage and walks up to me wearing a shirt he had not worn before. It had words, although I don’t remember what they were, but in a quick second, I read it and was taken by what it said. I had to pause for a second and compose myself to finish my lines.
Tell me something people might be surprised to know about you.
Long ago and far away, I was once a mobile disc jockey in the Tampa area. When a kid asked me for 50 Cent, I handed him two quarters. I knew then it was time to retire.
What kind of music do you listen to when you’re not performing?
I always have and will always be a Duranie. I also love Mumford and Sons, Tori Amos, Tears for Fears and Ed Sheeran.
What’s the last TV series you binged?
I am currently binging “The Handmaid’s Tale” to get ready to watch the final season in April.
What’s next for you?
Nothing until after June. I am on the board of directors for Central Alabama Pride, and May and June are pretty busy for me with Pride events.
“Wife After Death,” a production of the Cahaba Theatre Group at the Clubhouse on Highland, Sunday, April 6, at 2:30 p.m.
