Growing up, I watched a lot of TV. As I say in my debut book, "Television, music & movies were some of my best friends."

One of my all time favorite TV shows was/is Melrose Place (Yes, I still re-watch/stream the classic series).

Little did I know that one guest starring role on one episode of one of my favorite television shows, would make such an impression on me.

As I was gathering my questions for Actress Eileen Barnett, & discovered she played Dr. Levin's Wife in Season 2 of Melrose Place, I immediately knew who she was. 

When I connected Eileen to her recent guest starring role on Season 5 of HBO's Hacks, I was even more excited to feature her because that scene just made me laugh so much!

One of the most intriguing credits Eileen has is that she was in the original Broadway production of Stephen Sondheim's Company, not as an actress on stage, but as a pit singer, the performers who are essential to a theatrical show, but you never see on stage.

As Eileen prepares to return to NYC with her latest cabaret show, Back Again...For The Very First Time!, I am thrilled to dive into her illustrious career both on the theatrical stage, in television & everywhere else you have seen her!

In this interview, Eileen answered my call to share:

• The NYC homecoming behind Back Again...For the Very First Time!
• Why cabaret feels more life-affirming than ever right now
• What it was really like performing under the stage in Broadway’s Company
• How silver hair helped open a new chapter on screen 
• Theatre vs TV, the thrill of live rooms, and a favorite memory
• So much more

Connect with Eileen: Website, Instagram

Back Again...For The Very First Time! is a joyful evening of music, stories, and reflection. 

After years of memorable performances on Broadway, in regional theatre, on television, and in concert halls across the country, Actress and Singer Eileen Barnett returns to New York.

Fresh from recent appearances on the hit television series Hacks and Matlock, and a new show with Elizabeth Banks and Ted Danson, Eileen invites audiences into an evening that celebrates not only a remarkable career, but the unexpected turns, surprising opportunities, and enduring
love of performing that continue to shape her life.

The program features songs by Stephen Sondheim, Randy Newman, William Finn, Ahrens & Flaherty, Lerner & Loewe, Rodgers and Hart, and others whose music has accompanied Eileen throughout her artistic journey.

Woven throughout are personal stories, creating an intimate portrait of an artist whose passion for storytelling is vibrant as ever.

Back Again...For the Very First Time! will play ONE NIGHT ONLY at The Laurie Beechman Theatre in NYC on Tuesday, October 6, at 7:00 p.m. Click Here for Tickets!

1. This fall you are returning to NYC to perform your new cabaret show, Back Again...For the Very First Time!. What made now the right time to come back to New York? A quick answer is, if not now, when????? I’ve been doing my cabaret show in LA for a long time.

Last year I had come through a difficult loss and performing my show was such a joyful experience. Also, this last May I entered a new decade! It freaked me out a little. And I thought, “Well, I might go on a trip... or have a party.” And then I thought, “I should do my act.” And I did!

I bought a new ensemble and added new songs. It was such a great time, that I decided that I needed to bring it to NYC and to anywhere else that I could.

I love singing, and as long as I don’t sound like “church lady” I want to keep singing.

2. According to press notes, you say Back Again...For the Very First Time! is "A celebration of the people, music, and moments that have defined an extraordinary life in show business." What was the moment, song or person who catapulted the idea for you to create this show? As you mentioned, I’ve done a lot of theatre, which I love, and TV, which is fun, but I love doing cabaret because I have all the control.

Not that I’m a control freak, but I get to choose the music and the stories that I want to tell the audience. I have a director and a musical director that I collaborate with, but it’s basically my show. For me, doing cabaret is life affirming.

Eileen Barnett Singing
Photo Courtesy of Eileen Barnett's website

3. Press notes also state, "Barnett invites audiences into an evening that celebrates not only a remarkable career, but the unexpected turns, surprising opportunities, and enduring love of performing that continue to shape her life." What is one unexpected turn that you don't talk about in the show, you were grateful for happening because it led to something amazing? I’ve reached a point in my life where I think it is important to let people know that even though I have been around for decades, I still have something to say and I hope to say it in an entertaining and thoughtful way.

A few years ago I stopped dying my hair, and went natural! It took me a long time to make that decision. I think it’s hard for most women, whether you’re in the public eye or not. I wish I had done it sooner! My TV career has really taken off, and I know it’s partly because of my silver hair!

Life and creativity don't have to stop as we get older. I feel like I’m in my prime. And of course, Marilyn Maye is an inspiration. I hope I can go as long as she has.

4. You were in the original Broadway production of Company, but not on stage. You actually performed underneath the stage in the orchestra pit as a pit singer. What is it like to be a pit singer & perform the show from underneath the stage? What is your "view" of the show like as compared to being on stage or in the wings? Well, when we were in the pit, all we could see was the conductor. We could hear the fabulous performers on stage, but we couldn’t see them.

Sometimes one of us would sneak out to see Donna McKechnie do that famous Tick Tock dance. We didn’t stay in the pit the entire show. We would go in and out and when we weren’t singing we would hang out in the costume room. All the members of the cast would come by, so we really felt like we were a part of the cast.

It was my first job in NY. And even though we were under the stage, being a pit singer in a Sondheim show had caché!

Eileen Barnett, Stephen Sondheim & the Vocal Minority
Broadway's Original production of Company
Photo Courtesy of Eileen Barnett's website

5. You have also performed in numerous productions of JACQUES BREL IS ALIVE AND WILL AND LIVING IN PARIS. If you were alive and well and living in Paris, what would you be doing? I’ve only actually been to Paris once. And there’s so much I didn’t get to see. I think I would explore, go to museums and do some serious shopping.

6. Since you will be returning to New York with Back Again...For the Very First Time!, what is the first thing you are going to do in this magnificent city, outside of rehearsal? I’ll be staying with my best friend, who was also a pit singer, so being with her will be so wonderful. I don’t get to see her enough, so I treasure the time I get to spend with her.

I arrive on a Saturday, so Sunday I will go to the theatre with my musical director to see SHMIGADOON. Whenever I come to New York, I see as much theatre as I possibly can.

Eileen Barnett & Joe Mantegna
On the set of Criminal Minds
Photo Courtesy of Eileen Barnett's website

7. In addition to being a stage actress, you have also had an incredible career on camera. What do you get from performing on television that you don't get from theatre & cabaret? You get to meet such wonderful actors/stars. Working with Kathy Bates and Ted Danson was just thrilling.

It’s always interesting to see how these incredibly successful people work. And they work just like all the rest of us. They want to run lines. They are mostly down to earth and delightful.

And did I mention, the money is pretty good.

8. You have guest starred on some of my all time favorite television shows (Webster, Melrose Place, Brothers & Sisters) & one of my new favorites (Hacks). I'd like to ask you:

• On all 4 shows, you were a guest star in later seasons (between Seasons 2 & 5). What was it like to come onto a TV set as a guest star when the core casts have already bonded in previous seasons? It’s always a little nerve wracking to come on a set as a new person. Some sets are friendlier than others. For the most part, the series regulars are gracious and helpful and try to make you feel comfortable. As does the crew. I think most actors on a series are grateful to be there. And I have to say that I’m a lot more relaxed than I used to be coming onto a new set. I guess it comes with age and my silver hair.
• Do you have a favorite memory from these shows that you can share? I got to work with Elizabeth Moss on a show called IMPERFECT WOMEN. I cannot tell you what a lovely human she is. So supportive and funny and gracious and helpful. I was so happy that I was able to hug her and tell her how much I admired her work.

Eileen Barnett, Photo Credit: Gene Reed

More on Eileen Barnett:

Eileen Barnett is a talented Los Angeles-based actress, singer, and voiceover artist known for her exceptional performances on stage, film, and television.

She never intends to retire. Oh, and if she could rescue every dog that needed a home, she would.

Eileen began her professional career in Chicago, her hometown. She got her Equity card and worked in summer stock all through her high school years.

After attending the University of Iowa, she went to New York, where she started working almost immediately.

Her first job was in Stephen Sondheim's COMPANY. She was a pit singer in that award winning musical, and even though she was under the stage in the orchestra pit—it was a start.

From there she appeared off-Broadway in a Kurt Weill revue and toured in several productions of JACQUES BREL IS ALIVE AND WILL AND LIVING IN PARIS.

Hollywood was a logical next step. She started doing guest starring roles on television and soon became a contract player on the daytime drama DAYS OF OUR LIVES as one of its resident villains.

Some of Eileen's television credits include CRIMINAL MINDS, BLACKISH, MAD MEN, HARRY'S LAW, WORKAHOLICS, ER, BROTHERS AND SISTERS and THE GILMORE GIRLS. When shoulder pads were in fashion Eileen had a recurring role on KNOTS LANDING opposite Michael York. A more complete list of her credits can be found on IMDB.

Eileen returned to New York to star in Tommy Tune's Tony Award winning musical, NINE. She played opposite Sergio Franchi as his wife, Louisa Contini. She also starred as Vi Moore in the national tour of FOOTLOOSE.

In Los Angeles theatre she played the mother in the Havok Theatre Company's production of KISS OF THE SPIDER WOMAN, which won an Ovation Award for best musical. She also appeared in Horton Foote's THE YOUNG MAN FROM ATLANTA.

At the Colony Theatre Eileen appeared in the Los Angeles premier of PUTTING IT TOGETHER, and in JACQUES BREL.... At the Rubicon Theatre she was in yet another production of JACQUES BREL followed by the role of Golde in their production of FIDDLER ON THE ROOF. She appeared in RADIO GALS at the Pasadena Playhouse and won a Drama- Logue Award for her role in that production as well as for her role in THE BEST LITTLE WHOREHOUSE IN TEXAS.

Other California appearances include Billy Barnes' MOVIE STAR, QUEEN OF THE STARDUST BALLROOM with Tyne Daly, and Judith Viorst's LOVE AND SHRIMP, which also played at The Ballroom in New York with Bonnie Franklin and Mariette Hartley. She enjoyed a long run of Neil Simon's RUMORS opposite Bernie Kopel.

As a member of the Musical Theatre Guild, Eileen performed the role of Fosca in MTG's West Coast premiere of Stephen Sondheim's PASSION, for which she won a Robby Award.

She has had leading roles in many of this amazing company, most recently as "Big Edie" Bouvier Beals in GREY GARDENS. Other leading roles include LADY IN THE DARK, A NEW BRAIN, LITTLE WOMEN and RAGS. She also has produced several of MTG's productions and sits on their Board.

Eileen has performed her cabaret act on both coasts. She has recorded two CD's—EILEEN BARNETT LIVE AT THE CINEGRILL and a children's recording BROADWAY WITH A BEAT.

She lives in Los Angeles with her three dogs, Guido, Lily and Mikey.

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