New Gregory Sierra Interview: An old pro returns to stage - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

catlover79 · 11-21-2009, 12:56 PM

http://www.ocregister.com/news/sierr...akespeare.html

November 16, 2009 4:22 PM
An old pro returns to stage
By CLAIRE WEBB
THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

LAGUNA WOODS- Laguna Woods Village resident and former "Barney Miller" television actor Gregory Sierra makes a return to the stage in the Old Pros' production of "See How They Run" on Nov. 20.

The New York native has an acting background in Shakespeare, although he is most widely known for his role as Det. Sgt. Chano Amenguale on "Barney Miller," the 1970s cop comedy series. Sierra, who plays the policeman in the British farce, joins director and actor John Perak and several others for a play of mischief, mayhem and mistaken identities.

"First play I've done in over 40 years," said Sierra.

The play written by Philip King, also starring Sheila Bialka, Carol Shallin, Al Bravin, David Dearing, Mary Lee Lindquist, Ben Holtman and Odette Derryberry, is very active since many members of the cast run and jump around on stage.

"I think I've lost 10 to 15 pounds. It's great," Sierra said.

"It's easier to do when you are 25 rather than 65," director Perak said of all the action. But he said the cast has managed to make it funny regardless.

Sierra grew up in New York City, as a Puerto Rican boy in a primarily Irish neighborhood, and began his acting career a little bit by accident. He said he was waiting for a Doo-wop album he had done with a group to come out, and a friend asked him to go with him to an acting class. He said the teacher asked them to do some improvisation together, and soon the class was cheering.

"I thought really?" Sierra said of his reaction, and so his career in acting began.

He came to Los Angeles in 1969 with his then wife, and began pursuing television and film roles. It was during this period he landed several parts, many he said with no lines, before being cast as Chano Amenguale on "Barney Miller" and Julio Fuentes on "Sanford and Son."

"The things that I have been able to do give me a great deal of pleasure," he said of his career thus far.

Sierra performed with The National Shakespeare Company and in the New York Shakespeare Festival. He said he played Macbeth and Romeo and would have loved to have played Richard III.

"I would have been happy if I continued to do that for the rest of my life," he said of Shakespeare. "You name it, I would have loved to do it."

He said something unique to Shakespearean actors is the ability to get straight to the reality of a situation in a play and express it beyond the words themselves. Although, he said for any person the words, such as in Macbeth, are powerful.

"The music of it," Sierra said. "Whoa man that is heavy stuff. Whether you live on the street or not, it's just incredible. It's language that's just beyond beautiful."

He agreed to play the part of the Bobby he said because he wanted a smaller role (the Bobby only appears in Act 3) when delving back into the acting waters. Although Sierra was originally a Spanish speaker when he was young, his Shakespeare skills helped to transform him into a Bobby with a cockney accent. He said he had never heard of "See How They Run," so he got some DVDs of British shows to help his street accent evolve.

"A lot of it is in the script itself," he said of the slang, such as saying 'wot' instead of 'what.'"

Before the production

Sierra said he basically has just hung out in the community for the past four years. He was asked to speak at an Old Pros club meeting, where he spoke about his acting background, from there he was approached to do the play. But since rehearsals started in October, he said he has really enjoyed the process.

"Any role is demanding if you put yourself through a process," he said. "Because you expect something of yourself."

Perak said Sierra has been a charm to work with throughout the process and his background definitely lends itself to this type of comedic role.

"The fluidness of his movements," Perak said, is a defining characteristic of his acting. "And Shakespeare of course is full of comedy."

"It's just great," Sierra said of working with the cast and crew. "I'd forgotten what a family felt like."

"See How They Run" opens Friday, Nov. 20, at Clubhouse 3. For more information call 949-951-5881 or visit www.theoldpros.com. Reserved seats are $10 and $15.

MickeyMac · 11-21-2009, 02:19 PM

Nice!

and I know this put a smile on somebody's face

catlover79 · 11-21-2009, 02:47 PM

But of course! To find an actual interview with him is rare!

Marvo301 · 11-21-2009, 05:30 PM

Great interview. What a nice and genuine man! (No wonder someone around here likes him so much!)

catlover79 · 11-21-2009, 06:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Marvo301

Great interview. What a nice and genuine man! (No wonder someone around here likes him so much!)

Mr. Television · 11-21-2009, 08:42 PM

Great interview. Thanks for posting it Monika.

He always came across as just a down to Earth man. I wish there were more celebrities like him.

catlover79 · 11-21-2009, 11:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Clint Eastwood Fan

Great interview. Thanks for posting it Monika.

He always came across as just a down to Earth man. I wish there were more celebrities like him.

You're welcome - I'm glad I came across it. You're right, Sonny - he's not Hollywood at all. No affectations - too bad more people in general can't be more like him.

Theda Bara · 11-23-2009, 03:59 AM

He looks amazing. I am disappointed that I missed this play.

catlover79 · 11-24-2009, 03:28 PM

It would be awesome if he were to reappear on TV. I can definitely see him in something like House or Bones - or on Gary Unmarried, playing a pal of Gary's dad (Max Gail!).

catlover79 · 12-01-2009, 01:17 PM

I emailed the author of this article, and she wrote back. Here's what she said:

Re: Gregory Sierra article
Mon, November 30, 2009 11:37:30 AM

Monika, Thank you for your email. I am glad you enjoyed the article. He was in fact a wonderful interview, although very modest and a little uneasy talking about himself. Thanks for reading and please continue to do so!

Claire Webb
Community Reporter
Orange County Register

MickeyMac · 12-01-2009, 07:01 PM

^

Wow thats awesome!

catlover79 · 12-01-2009, 09:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MickeyMac

^

Wow thats awesome!

Marvo301 · 12-02-2009, 12:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by catlover79

I emailed the author of this article, and she wrote back. Here's what she said:

Re: Gregory Sierra article
Mon, November 30, 2009 11:37:30 AM

Monika, Thank you for your email. I am glad you enjoyed the article. He was in fact a wonderful interview, although very modest and a little uneasy talking about himself. Thanks for reading and please continue to do so!

Claire Webb
Community Reporter
Orange County Register

Wow!, who knew there was such a thing as a modest actor? Yet another reason to respect and appreciate Gregory Sierra!

catlover79 · 12-02-2009, 12:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Marvo301

Wow!, who knew there was such a thing as a modest actor? Yet another reason to respect and appreciate Gregory Sierra!

Refreshing, isn't it?

Marvo301 · 12-02-2009, 12:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by catlover79

Refreshing, isn't it?

Yes , it certainly is!

11-21-2009, 12:56 PM	#1
catlover79 God Bless Val Forum Addict Join Date: May 29, 2006 Location: Bewitched in Ohio Posts: 70,382	New Gregory Sierra Interview: An old pro returns to stage http://www.ocregister.com/news/sierr...akespeare.html November 16, 2009 4:22 PM An old pro returns to stage By CLAIRE WEBB THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER LAGUNA WOODS- Laguna Woods Village resident and former "Barney Miller" television actor Gregory Sierra makes a return to the stage in the Old Pros' production of "See How They Run" on Nov. 20. The New York native has an acting background in Shakespeare, although he is most widely known for his role as Det. Sgt. Chano Amenguale on "Barney Miller," the 1970s cop comedy series. Sierra, who plays the policeman in the British farce, joins director and actor John Perak and several others for a play of mischief, mayhem and mistaken identities. "First play I've done in over 40 years," said Sierra. The play written by Philip King, also starring Sheila Bialka, Carol Shallin, Al Bravin, David Dearing, Mary Lee Lindquist, Ben Holtman and Odette Derryberry, is very active since many members of the cast run and jump around on stage. "I think I've lost 10 to 15 pounds. It's great," Sierra said. "It's easier to do when you are 25 rather than 65," director Perak said of all the action. But he said the cast has managed to make it funny regardless. Sierra grew up in New York City, as a Puerto Rican boy in a primarily Irish neighborhood, and began his acting career a little bit by accident. He said he was waiting for a Doo-wop album he had done with a group to come out, and a friend asked him to go with him to an acting class. He said the teacher asked them to do some improvisation together, and soon the class was cheering. "I thought really?" Sierra said of his reaction, and so his career in acting began. He came to Los Angeles in 1969 with his then wife, and began pursuing television and film roles. It was during this period he landed several parts, many he said with no lines, before being cast as Chano Amenguale on "Barney Miller" and Julio Fuentes on "Sanford and Son." "The things that I have been able to do give me a great deal of pleasure," he said of his career thus far. Sierra performed with The National Shakespeare Company and in the New York Shakespeare Festival. He said he played Macbeth and Romeo and would have loved to have played Richard III. "I would have been happy if I continued to do that for the rest of my life," he said of Shakespeare. "You name it, I would have loved to do it." He said something unique to Shakespearean actors is the ability to get straight to the reality of a situation in a play and express it beyond the words themselves. Although, he said for any person the words, such as in Macbeth, are powerful. "The music of it," Sierra said. "Whoa man that is heavy stuff. Whether you live on the street or not, it's just incredible. It's language that's just beyond beautiful." He agreed to play the part of the Bobby he said because he wanted a smaller role (the Bobby only appears in Act 3) when delving back into the acting waters. Although Sierra was originally a Spanish speaker when he was young, his Shakespeare skills helped to transform him into a Bobby with a cockney accent. He said he had never heard of "See How They Run," so he got some DVDs of British shows to help his street accent evolve. "A lot of it is in the script itself," he said of the slang, such as saying 'wot' instead of 'what.'" Before the production Sierra said he basically has just hung out in the community for the past four years. He was asked to speak at an Old Pros club meeting, where he spoke about his acting background, from there he was approached to do the play. But since rehearsals started in October, he said he has really enjoyed the process. "Any role is demanding if you put yourself through a process," he said. "Because you expect something of yourself." Perak said Sierra has been a charm to work with throughout the process and his background definitely lends itself to this type of comedic role. "The fluidness of his movements," Perak said, is a defining characteristic of his acting. "And Shakespeare of course is full of comedy." "It's just great," Sierra said of working with the cast and crew. "I'd forgotten what a family felt like." "See How They Run" opens Friday, Nov. 20, at Clubhouse 3. For more information call 949-951-5881 or visit www.theoldpros.com. Reserved seats are $10 and $15. Attached Images
	__________________ "Jesus loves you and He approves this message." "I'm alive. I'm feeling good. I'm trying to live every moment as much as I can." - Valerie Harper, March 2013 Last edited by catlover79; 11-21-2009 at 01:51 PM.

11-21-2009, 05:30 PM	#4
Marvo301 I'm NOT a Blockhead! Forum Celebrity Join Date: May 17, 2002 Location: The Great White North Posts: 21,456	Great interview. What a nice and genuine man! (No wonder someone around here likes him so much!)
	__________________ Only a life lived for others is worth living. Albert Einstein A life isn't worth living unless it has impact on other lives. Jackie Robinson Be always at war with your vices, at peace with your neighbors, and let each new year find you a better man. Benjamin Franklin

11-21-2009, 08:42 PM	#6
Mr. Television 23 Years at Sitcoms Online Forum Icon Join Date: Jun 06, 2003 Location: Somewhere you're Not Posts: 62,132	Great interview. Thanks for posting it Monika. He always came across as just a down to Earth man. I wish there were more celebrities like him.
	__________________ Sonny

11-21-2009, 02:19 PM	#2
MickeyMac Member Forum Star Join Date: Jun 18, 2008 Location: Kalamazoo, Michigan Posts: 19,006	Nice! and I know this put a smile on somebody's face

11-21-2009, 02:47 PM	#3
catlover79 God Bless Val Forum Addict Join Date: May 29, 2006 Location: Bewitched in Ohio Posts: 70,382	But of course! To find an actual interview with him is rare!

11-23-2009, 03:59 AM	#8
Theda Bara Member Forum Veteran Join Date: Apr 27, 2006 Posts: 7,154	He looks amazing. I am disappointed that I missed this play.

11-24-2009, 03:28 PM	#9
catlover79 God Bless Val Forum Addict Join Date: May 29, 2006 Location: Bewitched in Ohio Posts: 70,382	It would be awesome if he were to reappear on TV. I can definitely see him in something like House or Bones - or on Gary Unmarried, playing a pal of Gary's dad (Max Gail!).

12-01-2009, 01:17 PM	#10
catlover79 God Bless Val Forum Addict Join Date: May 29, 2006 Location: Bewitched in Ohio Posts: 70,382	I emailed the author of this article, and she wrote back. Here's what she said: Re: Gregory Sierra article Mon, November 30, 2009 11:37:30 AM Monika, Thank you for your email. I am glad you enjoyed the article. He was in fact a wonderful interview, although very modest and a little uneasy talking about himself. Thanks for reading and please continue to do so! Claire Webb Community Reporter Orange County Register

12-01-2009, 07:01 PM	#11
MickeyMac Member Forum Star Join Date: Jun 18, 2008 Location: Kalamazoo, Michigan Posts: 19,006	^ Wow thats awesome!