Catherine Russell (American actress)
Catherine Russell | |
|---|---|
 Catherine Russell at the 2016 Broadway in Bryant Park | |
| Born | 1956 (age 68–69) |
| Alma mater | Cornell University (AB) New York University (MA) |
| Occupations |
|
| Years active | 1980–present |
Catherine Russell (born 1956) is an American stage actress, professor, general manager, and producer.
She is best known for never having taken a sick or vacation day in the late Warren Manzi's Off-Broadway play Perfect Crime since its opening in 1987.[1] Russell holds the world record for the most performances as the same character, playing Margaret Thorne Brent in that play.[2]
Biography
[edit]Russell grew up in New Canaan, Connecticut.[3] In 1970, at the age of 14, Russell appeared in The Diary of Anne Frank.[4]
She earned her Bachelor of Arts at Cornell University in 1977 and an MA from New York University in 1980.[5]
Theater
[edit]Russell made her Off-Broadway debut in 1980 as Nicola Davies in Stephen Poliakoff's City Sugar.[6] She has since appeared Off-Broadway in productions such as Miss Shumann's Quartet, A Resounding Twinkle, The Award And Other Plays and Creeps.[6]
Russell has played the character of Margaret Thorne Brent in the late Warren Manzi's Off-Broadway play Perfect Crime since its opening in 1987.[1] She has missed only four performances, the last in 1995 to attend her brother's wedding.[7] In 2008, Russell was awarded the Guinness World Record for most performances as the same character.[2] She celebrated her 15,000th performance in that role in December 2024.[8]
Russell's understudy is Andrea Leigh, who also serves as assistant stage manager on the production.[9]
Russell is the general manager of The Theater Center which she built in 2005.[10] There she was a lead producer of The Fantasticks from 2006 to 2017.[11]
Academia
[edit]Russell teaches educational theater as an adjunct faculty member at NYU Steinhardt since 1981 and has taught writing at Baruch College since 1980.[5][12][13][14]
Personal life
[edit]Russell was married to Patrick Robustelli, who owned a Times Square pizzeria, until his death in 2019.[15]
She identifies as a Christian Scientist.[16][15]
Her favorite play is Three Sisters by Anton Chekov.[17]
References
[edit]- ^ a b "Catherine Russell Hits 25 Years". Backstage.
- ^ a b "Most Theatre Performances – Same Role (Female)". Guinness World Records.
- ^ "Catherine Russell Hits 25 Years in Warren Manzi's 'Perfect Crime'". www.backstage.com. April 17, 2012. Retrieved February 3, 2025.
- ^ Tarleton, John. "The Many Roles of Ms. Russell: Baruch Adjunct Steals the Show". PSC CUNY. Retrieved February 3, 2025.
- ^ a b "Catherine Russell | NYU Steinhardt". steinhardt.nyu.edu. Retrieved February 3, 2025.
- ^ a b "Catherine Russell". Roger Paul Inc. Retrieved February 3, 2025.
- ^ "Coffee and love: Actress shares secrets to nearly 30 sick-free years". TODAY.com. November 3, 2014. Retrieved February 3, 2025.
- ^ Bahr, Sarah (December 7, 2024). "How Catherine Russell, of 'Perfect Crime,' Spends Her Sundays". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved February 3, 2025.
- ^ Gans, Andrew (April 17, 2021). "Perfect Crime Resumes Performances Off-Broadway April 17".
- ^ "Catherine Russell | NYU Steinhardt". steinhardt.nyu.edu. Retrieved February 3, 2025.
- ^ BWW, Team. "Catherine Russell (Actor, Producer): Credits, Bio, News & More | Broadway World". www.broadwayworld.com. Retrieved February 3, 2025.
- ^ "Catherine Russell - Faculty Profile". www.baruch.cuny.edu. Retrieved February 3, 2025.
- ^ Tarleton, John. "The Many Roles of Ms. Russell: Baruch Adjunct Steals the Show". PSC CUNY. Retrieved February 3, 2025.
- ^ "Catherine Russell | Catherine Russell Off Broadway | New York". Catherine Russell OB. Retrieved February 3, 2025.
- ^ a b Bahr, Sarah (December 7, 2024). "How Catherine Russell, of 'Perfect Crime,' Spends Her Sundays". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved February 3, 2025.
- ^ "'Tell Me Something I Don't Know' van Stitcher op Apple Podcasts". Apple Podcasts (in Dutch). Retrieved September 5, 2017.
- ^ Tarleton, John. "The Many Roles of Ms. Russell: Baruch Adjunct Steals the Show". PSC CUNY. Retrieved February 3, 2025.
