I know Mama Rose is a great role and I love having a chance to do it.

The first big lead that I had on Broadway was in a show called La Strada.

Animals speak with pure affection. It's important to me to get something going in NY so we can get to be a no-kill city, and give the animals homes and more attention and love.

In my career, there have been three things that were challenging: playing gay; playing a Jewish woman; and playing Anton Chekhov. The scariest part was playing Chekhov!

When I grew up in the '60s, your hair had to be straight and you had to be skinny and have no boobs, and it was like not my era.

I love Some Enchanted Evening, and If I Loved You. And as I sing them more and more, I find new favorites.

I think my manager of 30-some odd years now, Tom Hammond. He's as fine a person as you could ever meet. And he's had great theatrical taste and has influenced me that way.