TV Jots

Broadway Veteran Back on TV

One of the recurring yet unforgettable characters on USA Network’s latest hit dramedy, the Hamptons-set medical series Royal Pains, is Ms. Newberg, played by stage veteran Christine Ebersole.

We first meet the colorful and wealthy resident during the pilot when Mark Feuerstein ’s main character Dr. Hank Lawson resolves her problem with a “flat tire,” which turns out to be a deflated breast implant that leaves her with a lopsided chest right before an important gathering.

Ms. Newberg is also notable for being the first person in the elite Long Island enclave to retain Hank’s services on an as-needed basis — or probably more like “as-wanted” when it comes to demanding Ms. Newberg — with a lucrative ongoing contract.

Christine Ebersole is currently appearing alongside the likes of Angela Lansbury and Rupert Everett in the Broadway revival of the Noel Coward farce Blithe Spirit. She’s also the proud owner of two Best Actress Tony awards in the musical category, the first for 42nd Street and the second for Grey Gardens.

So, of course, it was a huge thrill when Ebersole recently agreed to answer questions about her current television role. Keep reading to learn what she revealed.

Is there anything you could tell us about the upcoming stories involving your character and any other characters on the show?

CHRISTINE EBERSOLE: [On the July 16th episode], I give a bark mitzvah to my dog. My dog has a bark mitzvah, and all the guests come down with a mysterious ailment … then hijinks ensue. This is comedy at its finest.

How did you get the role of Ms. Newberg on Royal Pains, and what about the series convinced you to accept the role?

CHRISTINE EBERSOLE: Well, I was offered the role. I didn’t have to audition, which is always nice. And what drew me to the role is I think she’s a very outspoken and kind of larger than life character, and [I get] to play somebody rich. That’s always fun.

And the great thing about doing the show is the locations that we get to visit are really just extraordinary. I get to see all these beautiful things. And to be a part of a comedy and to be working with the people that I’m working with is just a really rarified air.

So, it didn’t take much convincing when I read the script. I saw that it was such an intelligent, funny script, and with really well developed characters. And so it was kind of an easy decision.

Do you have any experience dealing with concierges doctors?

CHRISTINE EBERSOLE: No, but I can say that, you know, because I’m 56, when I was in the ’50s, that’s when doctors made house calls. Doctors did make house calls back then. You didn’t have to be rich to get them either.

So, in a way, this is sort of like the old days, but now it’s just only afforded to the rich. But you also have to remember that Hank Lawson is very sort of reluctant to be a concierge doctor because his job is to really service the people. I mean, all people, not just rich people. So, that’s why he’s sort of reluctant.

But that’s what I think is great about the series is that it also shows you, you know, his humanity in terms of those people that can’t afford that kind of thing. He serves them, as well.

You mentioned that your character is going to be having a bark mitzvah for your dog.

CHRISTINE EBERSOLE: I know. It’s so funny. It’s such a great episode. And the dogs are so cute in their little yarmulkes.

So, you could say Ms. Newberg’s a little bit eccentric.

CHRISTINE EBERSOLE: She’s very eccentric, yes.

Where do you draw inspiration from for the character of Ms. Newberg? I know you’ve had a lot of Broadway roles. Do any of those help you out with this character?

CHRISTINE EBERSOLE: Well, I think there are people in life that are sort of wealthy, eccentric, that you sort of draw from your imagination, and I think that’s really kind of what acting really is. It’s imagination, and I can certainly draw on a couple of people that I know personally that I won’t mention any names, but people that are very wealthy and sort of eccentric.

And I think money allows that sort of eccentricity because you can do things that other people normally can’t do, like have a bark mitzvah for your dog and have hundreds of people come over, and sit poolside, and have the rabbi read from the Torah. So, yes, I think it’s from life. It’s just sort of drawing from life and my imagination.

Ms. Newberg is kind of mysterious to us so far. Is there anything you can tell us about her personal life beyond the fact that she has a dog and a lot of money?

CHRISTINE EBERSOLE: You know, these kinds of things you find out sort of piecemeal because when they draw up the characters, they don’t— You don’t necessarily always have all the information about the back story on the character, and these things sort of unfold as the episodes are presented.

But I did find out that I have a 22-year-old granddaughter [played by Kerry Bishé of the Fox/Ron Moore movie Virtuality], and I’m a dowager, I believe. In other words, I believe I’m a widow, and my husband was Jewish and had a lot of money. So, we had agreed to raise all the children Jewish, and I guess the dogs are included.

How do you enjoy filming in the Hamptons?

CHRISTINE EBERSOLE: You know, [it's] fantastic. Can you imagine? I mean, it’s such a fun fantasy fulfilled where you have a location of a house that sits on the ocean, and it’s just this big mansion with a private beach, and it’s mine for the day, you know. So, it’s pretty great.

It’s always a treat to watch you perform. We get you at night in the show Blithe Spirit and then on TV in Royal Pains. How are you balancing that schedule?

CHRISTINE EBERSOLE: Well, it’s pretty intense because I think really pretty much for the last month, I’ve been working literally seven days a week. So, my next day off is June 22, which is my daughter’s 13th birthday. So, I’m really looking forward to that.

I go do the show at night, finish around 10:30, and then go to the hotel. Get there by 11:00, and then get picked up at 6:00 to be taken out to Long Island to work all day, and then come back in and do the show at night.

So, it’s been pretty intense, but all great stuff. So, I’m very, very grateful that I’m able to participate in these different venues. But it doesn’t come without its challenges. I haven’t had a day off, so I’m really looking forward to June 22nd.

You were, a long time ago, on Ryan’s Hope. Do you have any anecdotes or anything interesting that you remember from being on that show?

CHRISTINE EBERSOLE: Well, it’s a funny pattern, I think, that’s been set with me because when I was doing Ryan’s Hope, I was doing Oklahoma. So, I would get up and shoot the soap opera all day long and then go and play Ado Annie on Broadway at night. And that was 30 years ago, so I’m still doing the same thing.