By showing hunger, deprivation, starvation and brutality, as well as endurance and nobility, documentaries inform, prod our memories, even stir us to action. Such films do battle for our very soul.

I am first, and foremost, an actor. That's what I am. To me, a song is a mini-drama. My musical ability informs the actor as well because it gives me a sense of timing that non-musicians don't have. So, one hand washes the other.

Every actor wants to direct and produce, but I made a conscious decision when I was in college to understand the 'business' of 'show business.'

Must we be put to shame by much smaller and poorer countries, by Ireland, France, Austria or Sweden, who have understood that a nation's support of its arts is a matter of both national pride and cultural survival?

When something is moving you get that intake of breath and that stillness from the audience.

In my world, history comes down to language and art.

The play is always fresh to me. It's not the audience's fault that I've said the words before.