Theater Chat with Victor Kuehn

By Dan Tingley

This month I was able to sit with another great actor. He has been in television, movies and the stage. I have been lucky enough to see this man on stage. He is very powerful and convincing. Today I am talking with Victor Kuehn. We sat and talked and I found him charming, handsome and very funny.

LETS US START WITH BASIC INFORMATION

“Well, I work for Sanner Office Supply. I have been married over 30 years to my beautiful wife Karen. I have an 18 year old daughter named Shannon. I was born in Rockford, Ill. and graduated from Cathedral Prep. I graduated from West Virginia University and moved to Erie in 1970. I majored in marketing.”

WHEN DID YOU WANT TO BE ON STAGE?

“I took theater classes in college with Dr. Jon Whitmore. It looked like a lot of fun. I did a skit in class of Come Back Little Sheba. I enjoyed it and the class and instructor loved it.”

WHAT WAS YOUR FIRST PLAY?

“ It was a western. I don’t remember the name but I only had one line. It was awful. My first lead was in Wait Until Dark and I loved it.”

DO YOU LIKE COMEDY OR DRAMA?

“Both are great but I prefer drama.”

WHAT ABOUT MUSICALS

“ Never! I can do ballroom dancing but I don’t sing. I also can’t do accents at all.”

WHAT WAS YOUR FAVORITE PLAY?

“ It would have to be Nuts. I played Arthur and I loved the role.”

WHAT WAS YOUR WORST?

“ My worst? That would be that western where I played a cowboy. It was poorly directed, poorly written and I was inexperienced.”

DO YOU FIND THE MOVE FROM PLAYS TO MOVIES DIFFICULT?

“No, I started in the theater. In movies, there is a lot of waiting. You also lose that reaction from the audience.”

IS THERE A PLAY YOU WOULD LOVE TO DO?

“Painting Churches was a great play. I was cast as Gardner Church. It was a three cast play and I loved it.”

WHAT CHARACTER WOULD YOU LIKE TO PLAY?

“ Gardner Church. It would be one of my favorites.”

WAS THERE A CHARACTER THAT TOOK YOU OUT OF YOUR COMFORT ZONE?

“In the play Shadow Box, I played the husband Joe. He died of AIDS. It wasn’t a good fit for me.”

WHAT CHARACTER DID YOU RELATE TO THE MOST?

“That would be either Arthur Kirk or Gardner Church.”

WHAT BOUNDARIES HAVE YOU SET FOR YOURSELF AS AN ACTOR?

“ Well, no singing or dancing. As I said before, I can’t do accents and I won’t take off any clothes.”

IS THERE SOMETHING COMING UP YOU WANTED OUR READERS TO KNOW ABOUT?

“ Thank you for asking. I have Sensuous Senator coming up in May at All An Act theater where I play Senator Douglas. I also did a movie in Cleveland and hopefully it will come out by the end of this year.”

WOULD YOU LIKE TO DIRECT?

“I wouldn’t want to direct the stage. I would love to direct a movie documentary.”

WHICH DO YOU PREFER DOING, MOVIES OR PLAYS?

“ I love the theater. I love the live element. The feedback you get from an audience.”

HOW DO YOU PREPARE FOR A PLAY?

“ I like to read and re-read a script to death. I want to be off book before the first read through. I want to start developing the character as soon as I can. I also want the other cast members to know that I won’t let them down.”

DO YOU HAVE ANY HOBBIES?

“I love acting and I love golf. I mean, I really love golf. I started playing when I was 9 years old. I also like watching movies.”

THIS IS MY LAST QUESTION.WHICH DO YOU PREFER BOXERS OR BRIEFS?

“I only wear briefs.”

I enjoyed talking with Victor. He is very serious and intelligent. I’ve always known he was a talented actor. Now I know how funny he can be. Erie readers need to watch for Victor. He is exceptional on stage and remember readers he will never do accents or remove his clothes. I say, never say never.