Mia Farrow on Her First Tony Nomination, Returning to Broadway in ‘The Roommate’

by

Even with my long-standing success as an actress spanning over several decades, I must admit, I approached my role in the fall’s Broadway production of “The Roommate” with a hint of apprehension.

Farrow stated that he doesn’t consider himself extremely self-assured. He believes that confidence, no matter the field, is often misguided.

She admitted having self-doubt, yet she’s managed to cope with it. She moves around radiating a high level of confidence,” she went on.

Farrow’s self-assuredness proved beneficial when she earned her first Tony nomination for portraying the initially timid homebody Sharon in Jen Silverman’s play, staged at Broadway’s Booth Theatre from September to December 2024. Farrow shared the stage with Patti LuPone, who played a cunning Bronx con artist residing in Sharon’s Iowa farmhouse. This collaboration exposed Sharon’s world, including her unexpectedly zealous involvement in criminal activities.

Previously gracing the big screen in the iconic film “Rosemary’s Baby”, Farrow also had a stint on Broadway, starring in the 1979 production of “Romantic Comedy” alongside Anthony Perkins. This was followed by two more Broadway readings and regional productions. Her participation in the play was partially motivated by her son, journalist Ronan Farrow, who lent his voice to a voicemail in the play, where Farrow’s character receives a call from her on-screen son. Farrow intends to bring Ronan to the Tony Awards on June 8 and other Broadway shows, such as “Oh, Mary!”, before these events occur.

She shared her thoughts on getting back on stage, her preferences for upcoming projects, and her intention to watch the other Tony-nominated performances with The Hollywood Reporter.

What did you think when you heard you were nominated for a Tony Award? 

To be honest, I didn’t even think about the possibility of being nominated. It wasn’t that I anticipated not getting nominated and felt let down beforehand; instead, the idea of a nomination never entered my mind at all.

Following my conversation with the show’s publicist, a realization struck me: I am a Tony-nominated actor, standing shoulder-to-shoulder with the elite in the field I hold in such high regard. The magnitude of being included in this group was overwhelming. My initial thought was, “I need to tell someone.” But then I realized, you can’t simply call someone and say, “Guess what I got.” It’s not possible.

My thoughts then turned to my mother, actress Maureen O’Sullivan, who would have been overjoyed and immensely proud. She has always been in my corner, and she would have been the one I would have wanted to share this moment with. This wave of emotion hit me hard because I miss her, and this moment, aside from having my children, would have been one of the biggest moments of my life. I couldn’t help but cry because I missed her and knew how proud she would have been of me.

Since then, any gatherings related to the play or this honor have given me the opportunity to meet the people I admire so much and be recognized as part of their group for a brief time. This experience has meant the world to me, and I feel deeply honored.

Had you been looking to come back to Broadway? 

I’m someone who truly enjoys solitude and recently got a new puppy. My old friend Jack O’Brien, an exceptional director, presented me with a script he thought I should read and potentially star in. Interestingly, I had encountered this very script six years ago while at the Long Wharf Theatre with Brian Dennehy, but it wasn’t feasible for me back then. However, revisiting the script reminded me of its exceptional qualities. Coincidentally, Jack O’Brien also sent the script to my son, Ronan, whom he’s known since Ronan was young. Excitedly, Ronan urged me to take on this role, praising the quality of the script and the strong scenes it offered.

As a gamer, I knew Jack had extended the role to another actor initially, not mine, but the one meant for Patti. However, that actor declined, and then he mentioned, “I’m forwarding it to Patti LuPone, who’s been a friend of mine for years.” That sparked excitement within me, thinking “Wow, if she takes this role, it would be amazing!” So I crossed my fingers tightly, hoping for the best.

Was it the character you were drawn to?

Indeed, the rehearsal phase has become merely three weeks long these days, which is regrettably too short for a production of such intricacy to truly polish it up for opening night. I chose not to extend invitations to the premiere, as usual, fearing potential disappointments and other complications. Yet, I couldn’t help but think that an extra week or two would have been beneficial. Patti and I were still in the midst of uncovering our characters during this period, a journey that continued almost until the very end. However, we eventually found ourselves in the comfort zone where our characters intertwined beautifully, thanks to Patti’s exceptional talent. The experience was akin to walking a path as my character, Sharon, who initially held a narrow view of herself. But with Patti joining me on this journey, doors began to open, and I discovered aspects of Sharon that I hadn’t known before. Through this process, we found a meaningful life and love, all while navigating the profound words penned by Jen Silverman. By the end, I almost wished for more time, as we felt we had reached our peak performance.

Based on the initial interviews in the play, it seemed like you had some doubts about your own acting capabilities.

In simpler terms, I’m not particularly self-assured, but I’ve come to accept my doubts. Confidence, I believe, is often misguided, regardless of the situation. If you don’t share this feeling, it might be envious of you. To those who aren’t, my best wishes. For those who are, you’ll understand what I mean. Despite my self-doubt, I’ve learned to put on a brave face and project confidence. After all, what exactly do we have to be confident about? I hoped for success in the play, and while I didn’t read reviews, Patti did, and she said “We did well. The audience liked us.” There were some concerns about the play, but that was a hard hit because I admire Jen Silverman’s work, and her writing. However, many people seemed to enjoy the play. It was incredibly well-received by the audiences, with laughter and gasps throughout. There wasn’t a single night without a standing ovation for the play, for our performance. All in all, it was a wonderful experience, one of the best I’ve had on stage.

Just in terms of performing, or the audience?

Every evening, it was both a joy and an honor, as well as a source of terror beforehand, but once the performance began, delivering it to the audience brought immense joy and honor.

Performing for the audience each night was a mix of pleasure, duty, and fear before the show started, yet the act of performing itself turned into an enormous source of joy and pride.

Did the terror go away? 

The nerve-wracking moment comes just before you take the stage, and it’s hard to say if every performer shares this sensation. However, the apprehension does lessen, but I believe a certain level of fear is fitting for the challenge at hand. There are countless things that could potentially go awry, and with all that dialogue, it was a 90-minute monologue just between us two. The task was immense. Lots could have gone wrong, but there was also excitement and the “I can’t wait” sensation. Our final words before stepping onto the stage were, “Let’s enjoy this.

Do you want to do more Broadway now? 

I’m quite eager to take on new challenges, as I don’t want to settle for anything less exceptional than my recent work. Ideally, every performer at any stage aims for projects that demand a lot from them. However, it’s not always possible, and we often find ourselves in situations where we’re asked to do less, just to make ends meet. But when a project comes along that truly pushes my limits and requires me to explore areas I haven’t before, I feel incredibly grateful. Such opportunities are truly meaningful, even if they don’t always provide the financial security.

Did you recently catch John Proctor Is the Villain on Broadway? Are you planning to check out more shows within its category, or are you interested in seeing shows overall?

I found Sadie’s co-stars and the entire team to be amazingly kind and inviting. As a big admirer of Sadie, I appreciate every member of the cast equally.

I’m looking forward to watching Cole Escola’s performance in “Oh, Mary!”. I hold them in high esteem, and I have nothing but respect for their talent. Ronan will be accompanying me, though this won’t be his first time seeing it – he expressed a keen interest in revisiting the show. Given all the positive buzz surrounding the production, I don’t want to miss out. I’m particularly eager to catch a glimpse of Jonathan Groff and Audra McDonald, as there are still things I haven’t seen from them yet. Initially, I planned on watching George Clooney’s show, but since it will be broadcast live on television, I figured it would be better to wait for the telecast instead. I hold George in great esteem for his public service with that production; he doesn’t need Broadway, but given the play’s content and its contemporary relevance, it seems fitting that he’s been nominated as well. Kudos to George Clooney!

Do you know what your next role will be? 

I’ve been offered to participate in a project with some genuinely excellent individuals, including skilled actors. However, I’m holding off for now, seeking a project that resonates deeply with me, where I can offer meaningful input and derive personal growth as both an actor and an individual. Essentially, I’m looking for a journey of significance. If the right opportunity arises, I would be thrilled to return to the stage. Interestingly, I’ve found that performing live on stage brings me more satisfaction than working in films or television. It feels more fulfilling because it allows me to present my work from start to finish, and the privilege of interacting with a live audience is unmatched.

This interview has been lightly edited for length and clarity.

Read More

2025-05-31 17:25