For Ana Gasteyer, life has come full circle in the most theatrical way possible. The 59-year-old actor, singer, and comedian — beloved for her iconic roles on Saturday Night Live and in Mean Girls — is now making waves in the theater world with her Tony-nominated performance in Schmigadoon! as the sharp-tongued Mildred. Her journey, filled with ups, downs, and twists, mirrors the very stories she loves to read about in the books she holds dear.
Key Takeaways
- Ana Gasteyer shares her love for books alongside her Tony nomination for Schmigadoon!
- Her career, spanning decades, is a mix of comedy, music, and theater, rooted in her Northwestern University days.
- She reveals favorite reads, including Shy by Mary Rodgers and Long Island Compromise by Taffy Brodesser-Akner.
- Gasteyer highlights the challenges and joys of balancing theater and family life.
Ana Gasteyer’s Tony Nomination: A Career Milestone
Gasteyer’s first-ever Tony nomination for Best Featured Actress in a Musical is a “cool moment” in a career spanning more than 25 years. Reflecting on her work in Schmigadoon!, she says, “I’m doing a job that synthesizes all the things I love, which is comedy, musical theater, and staying home in New York.” Her Broadway role has been a homecoming of sorts, combining the rigor and discipline she’s always admired about live theater.
“Usually when you’re doing film and television, you do the project and then you plug the project and there’s sort of press mode and regular mode,” Gasteyer explains. “But when you’re in theater, you’re sort of talking about what you’re doing all day and then you go and do it every night. So it is sort of like having two days in a day.”
Her Early Career: From The Groundlings to SNL Stardom
Gasteyer’s journey began at Northwestern University, where she initially enrolled as a voice major. Though she had dreams of a singing career, meeting the “comedy people” changed her trajectory forever. “I sang my way in,” she recalls. “I got rejected everywhere else, but I dropped out of music within a year because I met the comedy people, and it changed my life.”
That life-changing decision led her to The Groundlings, the renowned improv troupe in Los Angeles, ultimately launching her into the cast of Saturday Night Live. During her six-year stint, Gasteyer created memorable characters like Bobbi Mohan-Culp, and her impressions of Martha Stewart and Celine Dion remain iconic.
For SNL’s 50th anniversary, Gasteyer reunited with Will Ferrell to reprise their roles as Bobbi and Marty. “It was such a joy machine because the characters are so fun to write,” she says. “Paula Pell is one of my favorite comedians on earth, and to work with her and write with her is nothing short of a gift from the universe.”
A Family Bonded by Books
Gasteyer’s love for reading is a family affair. Her daughter, Frances, is a playwright and “voracious reader,” and her mother, a ceramic artist in her 80s, is an avid user of Audible. “We have a Libby account and an Audible account, and we’re all sort of connected through books,” she shares.
Among the books she treasures is Mary Rodgers’ memoir, Shy, co-written with Jesse Green. “I love the way it’s constructed,” says Gasteyer, who first read the book while starring in Once Upon a Mattress. She hopes to adapt the memoir for television, drawn to the late ’50s aesthetic and the fascinating life of Mary Rodgers, daughter of composer Richard Rodgers.
Another favorite is Long Island Compromise by Taffy Brodesser-Akner, which captures the hilarity and pressures of American family life. “It’s very American,” Gasteyer notes. “It captures the idea of being a scion but also the pressures of that, and it’s very relatable.”
What This Means for You
Ana Gasteyer’s story is a testament to the beauty of embracing change and chasing your passions. Whether you’re navigating a career pivot or simply exploring creative outlets, her journey highlights how following your interests can lead to unexpected successes.
Her love for books also underscores the importance of staying curious and continuing to learn. Whether you’re diving into memoirs like Shy or exploring fictional sagas like Long Island Compromise, books offer a window into different worlds and perspectives.
Finally, Gasteyer’s family dynamic reminds us of the value of shared hobbies. Being connected through books can be a meaningful way to strengthen relationships and spark conversations that span generations.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is Ana Gasteyer’s role in Schmigadoon!?
- She plays Mildred, the resident sourpuss in the magical, musical town of Schmigadoon.
- What books does Ana Gasteyer recommend?
- She recommends Shy by Mary Rodgers, Long Island Compromise by Taffy Brodesser-Akner, The Forgotten Girls by Monica Potts, and Everybody by Branden Jacobs-Jenkins.
- Has Ana Gasteyer written any books?
- No, but she has expressed interest in adapting Shy into a television series.
- What is her connection to Saturday Night Live?
- Gasteyer was a cast member on SNL for six years, known for her impressions and recurring characters like Bobbi Mohan-Culp.
- Does Ana Gasteyer’s family share her love for reading?
- Yes, her daughter Frances is a playwright and avid reader, and her mother is a frequent consumer of Audible audiobooks.
