Confessions of a Prairie B.I.T.C.H: Interview with Actress Alison Arngrim
“Confessions of a Prairie B.I.T.C.H.” is a new play by award-winning actress-and former child star — Allison Arngrim. Inspired by the ongoing SAG-AFTRA strike, Allison has decided to present a revised version of her solo comedy show that adheres to strike regulations and still tells her life story via stand-up comedy and multi-media storytelling. Allison is also candid about the realities of being a child star, especially in the 1970s and 1980s. The show will debut on September 28, 2023, at The Laurie Beechman Theatre.
Allison recently discussed her show and the life that inspired it via an exclusive interview.
Meagan Meehan (MM): How did you get interested in acting and how did you break into the industry at such a young age?
Alison Arngrim (AA): My entire family was in show business! My mother was the voice of Caspar the Friendly Ghost (and Gumby! And Sweet Polly Purebred and Davey of Davey and Goliath!). My father was a former Broadway actor who became a manager and worked for Liberace! Imagine what dinner conversation was like! I started working at age 5 in commercials and TV; until I was about 7, I literally believed everyone was on TV.
MM: What are the most memorable things about being a child star?
AA: Being introduced to public speaking at a relatively young age. They don’t really prepare you for that or mention that to parents who are thinking of putting their kids into show business. It’s not just the acting. If you’re a kid and you’re lucky enough to get a movie or TV show, you WILL be interviewed, somewhere by somebody. You WILL be asked to “say something” at the Christmas Parade, or the Toys for Tots charity gig, etc., etc. One minute you’re in the 5th grade, and the next you’re apparently running for office. This can be disastrous for many people. In my case it turned out to be one of my major skill sets.
MM: How did you delve into playwriting and what do you most enjoy about solo shows?
AA: It started with standup but became more and more about my real life and adding more and more things until it turned into a real show. Part of it was building up to the writing of my autobiography, “Confessions of A Prairie Bitch”. As I began to tell the real stories, behind the scenes, I was writing the “long version”, which morphed into the book. With a solo show the good news is, it’s all just me. The bad news? It’s all just me! LOL. There are no other actors to lean on for support in a scene.
MM: Is it tough to perform a show about your actual life experiences?
AA: Yes and no, LOL. One the one hand, it does put some pressure on me. What do I want to reveal? On the other hand, with my crazy life, the show kind of writes itself.
MM: What is your take on the writer’s strike? For instance, are you surprised that it has gone on for this long?
AA: I’m surprised that there’s actually a decent offer already! I’m hoping this bodes well for SAG AFTRA and the AMPTP comes back to the table to negotiate with us too. This is one of the longest strikes in history in our industry — and I remember the big one back in the early 80s. I think it’s a sign of how far afield producers and studios have gone in their belief that they don’t need writers or actors. That AI is somehow going to magically fulfill all their needs with no humans involved. It’s not a very positive trend. If we don’t nail down serious protections now, I fear we will pay dearly later.
MM: How long did this play take to complete and how did you reimagine it for the strike rules?
AA: I could say it’s technically taken years, as I’m always adding stuff. For the strike, we’re skipping certain videos of course, but we’re adding several crazy videos and some audience interactive things!
MM: What is your favorite part of the play and why?
AA: Definitely the question-and-answer segment! I have NO IDEA what they’re going to ask!
MM: What other people or themes might inspire future plays?
AA: Yes, I’m fascinated with ex child stars and also twins. Which technically goes together because so many really young child stars start work as a set of twins playing babies. I’m friends with a few people who had that experience. That’s just a whole strange dynamic, a whole other world. You share a job with someone who is exactly like you — maybe it works out, maybe it doesn’t. Some twins absolutely love hanging out together, others really just don’t. How does working on a show together in that bizarre way, playing the SAME character, affect that whole relationship??
MM: How do you hope your career evolves over the next five years?
AA: Ha! At my age, I hope I’m alive and have a job!
MM: What are your ultimate goals for the future and is there anything else that you would like to mention?
AA: Next year is the 50th Anniversary of Little you know what on the what. It’s going to be BANANAS. Tons of reunion parties planned. Also, I just finished a film — under the fabulous independent Film SAG Interim Agreement — called “Buster Brooks.” Can a naive young man and his beloved pet rooster make it in Hollywood and become a star in time to save the family farm?
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CONFESSIONS OF A PRAIRIE BITCH: STRIKE EDITION! Will be performed in New York City on Thursday, September 28 at The Laurie Beechman Theatre (407 West 42nd Street). Tickets available at www.SpinCycleNYC.com.
CONFESSIONS OF A PRAIRIE BITCH: STRIKE EDITION! plays Rochester, NY on Saturday, September 30 at The Theater at Innovation Square (131 Chestnut Street). Tickets available at www.theaterais.com.