Theater Interview: CATHY MORIARTY (appearing in “I’ll Eat You Last: A Chat with Sue Mengers” – The Bent in Palm Springs)

A RAGING CAREER — NO BULL

Palm Springs’ The Bent is presenting John Logan’s one-woman play I’ll Eat You Last: A Chat with Sue Mengers starring Academy Award-nominee Cathy Moriarty as the ruthless Hollywood powerhouse talent agent Sue Mengers. Fans, theatregoers, entertainment industry peers, and critics alike will be treated to another of Moriarty’s stellar performances, this time as she appears live on stage for nine performances in December at Riverside County’s only queer theatre.

Moriarty’s rise to fame began with her first feature film role at age 19 in Martin Scorsese’s Raging Bull opposite Robert DeNiro as she portrayed Vicki LaMotta, the wife of legendary boxer Jake LaMotta. It was Moriarty’s appearance which caught the eye of super-agent Sue Mengers, who helped kickstart the career of the young actress whose popularity then skyrocketed as demands to showcase her acting talents were many. Moriarty has since starred in numerous box-office hits from many genres, only some of which include Casper, The Mambo Kings, Matinee, and Kindergarten Cop. Her huge queer fanbase began with her brilliant performance as transgendered Montana Moorehead in Soapdish, and was cemented by her hysterical performance in the 1999 gay teen comedy But I’m a Cheerleader.  Known for her distinct, deep, and raspy voice, even somewhat similar to that of Mengers, she has been a staple in many animations and cartoons that we all adore.

Jason Mannino of Stage and Cinema caught up with Moriarty prior to her arrival in Palm Springs

How did you arrive at the decision to come to Palm Spring and join The Bent for this production?

It all happened quickly. I got the play one morning with my agent letting me know they needed an answer by 5 p.m. that afternoon. Initially, I didn’t think I would do it. When my agent asked if I would like her to pass, I paused realizing that I was interested. Something drew me to the project, which it turns out is my love for Sue. Also, I know I can bring some vulnerability to her. Anybody that met Sue knows she was the boss and that she loved her job very much. I think I get her. People feared her, but she wasn’t all bulldog. Everyone was champing at the bit to be repped by her. At the time, I didn’t have a clue how important she was.

Cathy Moriarty in Raging Bull

I’ll Eat You Last is such a vivid portrayal of Sue Mengers, a powerful Hollywood talent agent. What is your approach to embodying a legendary (even notorious) Hollywood figure?

Generally, I do not love playing real people, especially ones that I have known. During the filming of Raging Bull I never got a chance to meet Vicki LaMotta. They told me that Raging Bull was shot through Jake’s eyes and they didn’t want her to influence my work. We even sent letters that were never delivered. When she came out to LA, they flew me to NY so that we wouldn’t be in the same city. I didn’t understand. When I finally flew to meet her in Florida, I learned from her that she knew and understood. I was playing Vicki LaMotta, but not really. I was playing Jake LaMotta’s version of Vicki.

I don’t think anyone really knew Sue except Streisand, who I got to meet when I was 18. But I knew her enough to bring her to life. I am drawing a lot from my own intimate experience with her. I intend to create my own version (as opposed to repeating [Bette] Midler’s). Sue was really a lovely, lovely woman who worked her way to the top. She was relentless. She moved quickly.

When Sue was younger her father killed himself. She moved on quite quickly without a lot of empathy or remorse. She doesn’t spend much time discussing her childhood or upbringing and neither does the play. There are a few paragraphs about her father and mother. You would never know she was born in Germany and didn’t speak English when she came to America.

Sue fought tooth and nail to create Sue Mengers. I give her a lot of credit. She was unique and eclectic. There is no one like her.

I feel comfortable with her. I am ready to put it on its feet!

During the research/development phase have you learned anything about Sue that surprised you?

It wasn’t until I started reading the play that I learned that what she really wanted to be was an actress until she realized she was not good enough. That was a surprise – learning that she went to acting school and looking her best. She was beautiful and knew it and absolutely used it.

Sue Mengers represented you early in your career. What was your real-life experience/perspective of her and how does that align with what is in the play?

I have not met John Logan but his play really does feel like being in her living room. I continued spending time with Sue after she retired and was no longer my agent. I always loved her because Sue was just Sue, and there was no one else like her. She was an icon, a joy and will always have a special place in my heart.

The play is so well written and Steven [Rosenbaum] is a brilliant director. Terry [Ray] and Steve have put me at ease and I am so looking forward to working with them.

Cathy Moriarty in Neighbors

You’ve had such a memorable career, from Raging Bull to your work in Soapdish and beyond. What are some defining moments that have shaped your journey as an actress, including, of course, when you were nominated for an Oscar early in your career?

I started doing dinner theater at 15 and did HS productions. I wanted to go to acting school but I was 1 out of 7 kids my Irish immigrant parents had in 9 years so that wasn’t happening. I wasn’t headed to Yale.  My parents didn’t consider acting a profession but I let them know I wanted to play a nurse not BE a nurse.  I went to the “Raging Bull School of Acting” where, at 18 years old, I was a sponge learning from DeNiro, Scorsese, and Pesci. They were kind enough to teach me and guide me. I learned so much from them.

Being nominated for an Academy Award early in my career certainly had benefits but when you get nominated on your first movie at 19/20 years old there are risks in being pigeon-holed. Raging Bull was so dark; I wanted to demonstrate that I could do comedy to avoid that. I loved John Belushi and Dan Aykroyd; I joined the cast of Neighbors. Working with them was like getting a free Master’s degree in comedy. This set me on my path for versatility and depth.

Forty-five years later I am still working. So, I guess I don’t suck!

Ha! Absolutely not. Outside of the production at The Bent, what are you looking forward to in the time you will be in Palm Springs?

Wonderful vintage shopping, trying new restaurants. The puppies are joining me. I definitely want to get to Joshua Tree. My youngest daughter is coming with me and working on the play as well. We are only off on Monday and Tuesday so we will take advantage of those days. I am looking forward to the peace and quiet and creating a new family at The Bent. It will be nice to get out of the rat race for six weeks. Another new adventure I didn’t think I’d be doing at my age.

What is next on the horizon for you? Any roles or projects you’re excited to take on?

I just did St. Nick of Bethlehem, which is a family Christmas film now playing in a few theaters. Beyond the Rush is currently making the festival rounds and was just at FTL Film Festival. It is a good movie about mental illness, addiction, and substance abuse with a great cast including Eric Roberts and John Savage. Out of Tune is another film I recently did that will come out in April, 2025.

And we are very excited to have you joining us in Palm Springs. Thank you for spending time with us.

I’ll Eat You Last: A Chat with Sue Mengers
The Bent Theatre
in association with The Palm Springs Cultural Center
Camelot Theatres, 2300 East Baristo Road in Palm Springs
Fri and Sat at 7; Sun at 2
December 6-22, 2024
for tickets ($75), visit The Bent