By Jae-Ha Kim
Chicago Sun-Times
April 19, 2002
Phoning from his Oak Park home, John Mahoney apologizes for his squeaky faucet, which can be heard rattling in the background. “These old houses make so much noise,” says Mahoney, who is known to millions of TV fans as Martin Crane on NBC’s sitcom “Frasier.” “But I love them. They’re just wonderful to live in.”
This weekend, Mahoney is narrating “The Soldier’s Tale” at Symphony Center. The play is a collaboration between The Chicago Symphony Orchestra and the Steppenwolf Theatre.
“It’s a fully staged version of Stravinsky’s account of a young soldier’s battle with the devil for his soul,” says Mahoney. “It’s just great. The music is magnificent and just to be on stage with probably the greatest orchestra in the world in wonderful. It pumps you up like you wouldn’t believe to hear the music and be on stage. I’ve never been on Symphony [Center] stage before.”
That’s because he spends most of the year filming “Frasier” in Los Angeles. When he returns to Chicago, he usually busies himself doing plays at the Steppenwolf. He starred in “The Drawer Boy” last year at the Steppenwolf and is traveling to Ireland this summer to perform it there.
“I’ll have some time in Ireland to relax as well, since I’ve already done the play and know it,” he says. “We have four weeks of rehearsals and I’m hoping to get out and enjoy Ireland a bit.”
Gonna plan on trying to trick the natives with an Irish accent, John? “No, I can’t do that anymore,” Mahoney says, laughing. “‘Frasier’ is too popular there now. People scream out, ‘How ya doing, Marty?’ all the time. They yell at me from cabs and across the street. I feel like one of the Beatles when I’m in Ireland! In America no one really cares. They’ll look at me in recognition, but they’ve seen me for 100 years around here.”
Well, Mahoney, 61, hasn’t been around for quite that long. But he insists his co-stars are much more famous than he is-especially the dog.
“Eddie didn’t appear for a few episodes and we got a letter saying that if Eddie didn’t reappear, he wasn’t going to watch the show anymore. Eddie’s the real star. … We’ve worked together for nine years and he’s more of an actor than he is a dog.”
Speaking of the little Jack Russell terrier, we asked Mahoney about the dog’s diva tendencies.
“I love him,” Mahoney says. “He’s different though. He’s like a toy dog more than a real dog. He’s so highly trained that he’s not particularly affectionate. If I pick him up and hug or squeeze him, he just sits there and puts up with me. We’ve worked together for nine years and he’s more of an actor than he is a dog.”
Pressed for some dirt on the canine star, Mahoney admits, “Well, I’ve had a couple bad experiences with him. he nipped me, but I don’t blame him. One time i tried to pick him up from behind and dogs don’t like that. But it didn’t hurt because he doesn’t have a lot of teeth left. His trainer got him from a pound and he had tried to chew his way out of there a few times.”
HERE’S WHAT ELSE MAHONEY HAD TO SAY:
Favorite restaurant: Charlie Trotter’s. They take really good care of [the entire “Frasier’] cast there. I haven’t eaten in the kitchen yet, but that might be too much excitement.
Favorite Chicago food: Pizza. I really miss it when I’m in Los Angeles. Who wants a pizza with pineapple or smoked duck on it? I love Uno’s downtown and La Bella Pasteria in Oak Park. I fantasize about their pizzas!
Last good book you read: I’m a big fan of Carl Hiaasen. I like all those Florida mystery and thriller writers. His Basket Case was great. I’m alsoreading a lot of playing trying to come up with something interesting to do for Steppenwolf next summer.
Last good movie you saw: “A Beautiful Mind.” It was just great. Beautiful Mind.” It was just great. Regardless of what his behavior may be like offscreen, I thought Russell Crowe was great in it and that his performance was worthy of an Academy Award.
Favorite play you’ve done here: “Orphans.” It sort of opened the door for my career. Gary Sinise directed it and eventually brought it to New York, and that was my first time in New York with a production. We kind of took the town by storm, and then agents and casting people were pursuing us. Besides that though, the play itself was so powerful. It really was one of the best parts I ever had. I really have to thank the success of my career on that play.
Favorite nightspot: Because I live in Oak Park, I don’t go to Chicago clubs much because I don’t drink and drive. But I love Philanders in Oak Park. I can walk there and they have jazz every night. It’s a great place. I go there all the time when I’m home.
Favorite/most memorable Chicago experience: When the Chicago Film Critics Association gave me the Commitment to Chicago Award in 1997. I thought they should get an award for their commitment to me. It was a very proud experience to be honored by an organization like that.
Sport you participate in that would surprise your fans: I water ski.
Favorite vacation spot: I’ve been lucky enough to travel all over the world. But when I have a few free days, I like to go to my vacation home in Wisconsin.
First Chicago play your TV colleagues flew in for: They all came to see “Talking Heads,” which I directed for Steppenwolf. They fell in love with Chicago then.
The last word on Chicago: Home. Everybody loves it. The cast [of “Frasier”] finds any excuse to come visit. Can you blame them?
