Dan Butler, Actor
Primary Stages
Olive and the Bitter Herbs, 2011
Career Highlights
The Only Thing Worse You Could Have Told Me...
Off-Broadway
"Frasier", 1993-1999
Bob "Bulldog" Briscoe
Terrance McNally's The Lisbon Traviata, 1989
The Silence of the Lambs, 1991
Manhunter, 1986
Original Hannibal Lecter film
Q&A:
Nickname: None I can think of at the moment, but I had a slew while growing up.
Pre-show ritual: Showing up
Book you are reading: Mary Oliver poetry. In between books right now. Just finished an old biography of Eugene V. Debs and have my eye on both The Greater Journey, David McCullough's new book and Reading My Father by Alexandra Styron for the next, maybe both.
Highlight of the year (so far): Taking part in the Sundance Theatre Lab in Banff, Canada this past spring.
Your perfect day: Working on something new, creating with bright, fun, jazzed people, the added plus being that one of the collaborators would be my husband, Richard. Free time in nature for a walk, a swim, gardening, playing with our animals, reading, reflecting. A good meal with friends, lots of laughter, good conversation, and good wine. Appreciation and gratitude would be the hallmarks of the day.
Favorite theater urban legend: I like believing that the ghosts of actors that have trod the boards of the theater you're in can be invoked for support to help buoy your performance, in the embrace of those who have come before you. This is particularly potent in the older theaters.
Title of Autobiography: Hell Yes, Why Not?
Favorite place in NYC: Poet's Walk in Central Park
If you could meet anyone dead or alive, who would it be and why?: A toss-up between either FDR or Eleanor Roosevelt. They're both such fascinating, dynamic, free-thinking individuals who took setbacks and forged them into assets, who dared to introduce progressive ideas and legislation, who brought the ideas of service to one's fellow man to a new level, and who brought our country through one of the darkest periods of its history with aplomb and great heart.
Hidden talent: Making the sound effect of dialing an old rotary telephone.
Last show you saw and LOVED: Scottsboro Boys
A guilty pleasure: Dark chocolate
