| From the new issue of Phangoria: Exclusive interview with Cordy's Shaft o' Light!! By Wwolfe |
| Disclaimer: Characters and situations related to ANGEL are the property of others. No copyright infringement is intended or implied. But it won't matter if you sue, because Wwolfe isn't some kid that'll fold like a house of cards, he's the legal counsel for the DarkSide, the Devil's Mouthpiece, the real lawyer from Hell. So go ahead. Do your worst. If you dare. Bwa Ha Ha! Archive- Please email request. Feedback- Absolutely. ******************* [The following interview appears in the June issue of Phangoria magazine.] Question: People are buzzing about your breakthrough performance in the "Angel" season finale. But they want to know, "Where did this shaft of light come from??" Cordy's Shaft o' Light: Well, you could say I've got show biz in my blood. My dad worked for years as a klieg light outside Grauman's Chinese Theater. He was at a lot of the really big movie premieres back in the Fifties and early Sixties - "A Star Is Born", "Ben Hur". When I was little, he let me work sometimes as a flashlight guiding the stars down the red carpet. It was an exciting way to grow up. Q: So being a shaft of light is really a family tradition. CSo'L: Oh, definitely. Even my grandfather. He worked as a spotlight for the LAPD back in the Thirties. Did a lot of third degrees. Q: So how about you? When did you realize you wanted to carry on the family tradition. CSo'L: Oh, early on. By junior high, I was working as a footlight for the school drama productions. I also picked up some extra money in high school working as the spotlight shining from the news helicopters during high speed freeway chases. Q: Wow! CSo'L: Talk about action! Still, I knew acting was what I wanted, so I applied and was accepted at Julliard. Q: So you've got some legitimate training then. CSo'L: Oh, I think that's a must for anyone interested in a serious career. I mean, there are literally thousands of shafts of light walking the streets of this town looking for work. The ones that make it are the ones who have that training to call on when they need it. Q: So was it at Julliard that you found yourself as an actor? CSo'L: Well, it was a start. To be honest, I thought at the outset that I'd concentrate on the technical side of the business. You know, at the time there was still this whole mind set that a shaft of light couldn't have a long term career as an actor in Hollywood. Q: That's so unfair. CSo'L: Tell me about it. But one day Meryl Streep and I were doing lines from "Macbeth"... Q: You know Meryl? CSo'L: Oh, sure. We go way back. We used to do a lot of improv work together freshman year. Q: Wow. CSo'L: That's one talented lady, let me tell you. Anyway, we were doing the "Out, damn spot" scene, and halfway through it, Meryl rose right out of her seat. Q: Sounds like she was really impressed by your work. CSo'L: No, I mean she really rose out of her seat. I'd somehow managed to levitate her about ten feet straight up. Q: Didn't she mention that in her "Actors Studio" appearance? CSo'L: I think she did, yeah. It was a little embarrassing, though, because I lost my concentration and she plopped right back down to the ground. Q: Ooh, that had to hurt. CSo'L: Yeah, big ouchy for Meryl. But it got me thinking - hey, maybe this acting gig's the one for you. Q: So how did you get your start? CSo'L: I don't make a big deal out of it, but I played a light saber in... Q: No way!! You worked with Lucas?? CSo'L: Yeah. And, you know, hat should have been my big break, but it was the classic case of "Too much, too soon." I let the attention go to my head and I wound up wit an ego the size of a solar flare. I pretty much made myself unemployable in no time flat. Q: That must have been rough. CSo'L: Yes, but I like to think of it as a learning experience. Anyway, long story short, one night I found myself working at a McDonald's opening out in the Valley and I thought, "Shaft o' Light, it's time to straighten up and fly right." Q: So what did you do? CSo'L: I got back to my roots in the legitimate theater. I must have appeared with every regional troupe in the country at one time or another during the second half of the Eighties. Then, of course, I got my big break when I was cast as the chandelier in "Phantom of the Opera." Q: I loved you in that. CSo'L: Thanks. And can I just say, Andrew Lloyd Weber is a genius, I don't care what anybody says. Q: So how did you hook up with Joss Whedon? CSo'L: We were at a sci fi convention and I happened to mention what a fan I am of his work. And it turned out he was a fan of my work, too, so when he was setting up "Firefly," he gave me a call. Q: But that fell through? CSo'L: Well, he and I both agreed I just wasn't right for the role. But he promised me he'd keep me in mind for another part. And unlike most folks in this town, Joss kept his word. Q: What was it like working on "Angel." CSo'L: A really great place to work. A lot of camaraderie on the set, good professional people in charge. And whenever things got slow, Boreanaz would entertain us with his Irish accent. What a hoot! Q: I bet. So what's next on the schedule for you? CSo'L: Well, Gary Sinise and I are working on a new two-man show with the Steppenwolf Theater in Chicago. It's about Paul on the road to Damascus. Gary plays Paul. Q: Does it have a title? CSo'L: As of today, it's titled "Now That's What I Call an Epiphany!!" But we may change that. Q: Well, it's been a sincere thrill meeting you. CSo'L: Thanks. Same here. And, without giving away any secrets, your fans may not have seen the last of me on "Angel." Q: That'd be great. CSo'L: Also, keep an eye out for me on the second season of "Enterprise." I play a transporter beam. Q: You bet. Thanks again. CSo'L: And remember my motto. Go towards the light! 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