Long Day's Journey Into Night: Jillian Barron

Hello all, Threepenny Theatre Company is back in the month of February, presenting Eugene O'Neill's great American family tragedy, Long Day's Journey into Night, running February 6th through February 22nd at TheatreWorks. As always, the show is set-you-own-admission with a suggested price of $15 dollars.

We're coming at you hot with three interviews this week and the final two next Monday and Tuesday, Today's interview is not a member of the Tyrone family proper, but she's certainly a familiar face to people who saw #blessed last fall, where she played Dana, the maid. This time she's playing Cathleen... the maid. Say hello, once again, to Threepenny's favorite smile, Jillian Barron.

Jillian - Cathleen

Welcome back to the blog, Jillian. Who are you playing this time around?

I'm playing Cathleen.

Long Day's Journey Into Night is a much different show than #blessed. What was it like transitioning from that show to this show and from one maid to another?

*Laughs* Yes, very different maids! Cathleen is not as outspoken as Dana was and it's interesting the differences between playing the same type of character in a drama instead of a comedic farce.

What are your thoughts on performing in Long Day's Journey Into Night?

I'm super excited to be performing with the other actors and actresses in this show. This play is absolutely fantastic, and I know not many venues are willing to put on this play because of its material and its length and the depth. It's difficult to find people to carry the show along and keep you intrigued, and I think Matt's done a great job, and I'm so excited to be a part of all of that.

Have there been any special challenges as you've worked on this character?

Yes, I've had to learn an Irish accent, and that has been very challenging *laughs*. 

What's it been like working with your cast mates?

Oh, it's been great! I don't get to spend as much time with them as they do with each other, since I'm not involved in as many scenes as they are, but the time I do get is fantastic. They're so much fun to work with and really easy to work with. There's no drama. It's been great.

Long Day's Journey Into Night is a very dark play, darker than a lot of shows Memphis audiences are used to. What do you think are the merits of putting on a show like this?

I think it's good in that it is a genre that Memphis audiences rarely get exposed to. It's something new for them to take in and process and deal with, which I believe is important. It brings up so many questions and issues that you don't have to face, necessarily on a regular basis, I mean at least I hope you don't have to face them on a regular basis. But I think it's good, I think it helps you to reexamine human nature, but in a safe environment and at a safe distance, because it is a play. You don't have to deal with it one-on-one in a real situation. You get to deal with it through these characters. Which I think is fantastic.

Any last words to the audience coming to see Long Day's Journey Into Night?

Don't drink too much water *laughs*. It's a long play... and bring chocolate to eat afterwards *laughs*

Thank you Jillian. Check into tomorrow as we interview the only man to appear in every single Threepenny production.