Megan Mullally will always be Karen Walker in the public imagination. How could she not, after winning two Emmys and four SAG Awards for creating the character of Will & Grace’s martini-soaked socialite? This summer, the former Northwestern University student—whose credits also include The Righteous Gemstones, Reservation Dogs, Bob’s Burgers, Parks and Recreation and more—is aiming to create another character for the ages in Iceboy! Or The Completely Untrue Story of How Eugene O’Neill Came to Write The Iceman Cometh, a world-premiere musical at the Goodman Theatre. Mullally stars as Vera Vimm, a 1930s stage legend whose life is upended by a thawed-out Neanderthal with a knack for stealing focus. It’s a premise with just the right amount of lunacy for Mullally, who has spent a career turning the bold, the strange and the razor-sharp into her natural habitat. As Mullally prepares to take the stage with hubby Nick Offerman—who plays Eugene O’Neill, natch—she gave CS the scoop on why she’s so excited for the role. June 20-July 26, 170 N. Dearborn St., goodmantheatre.org
What drew you to this project?
It’s funny and weird and iconoclastic. The premise is hilarious, the characters are great and unexpected, and the songs are like jolly, gorgeous, witty little [earworms].
What are you most looking forward to about being back on stage in Chicago?
Well, I haven’t been onstage anywhere since 2014, so I may have to be airlifted out midway through the first preview. But if so, I’m glad it was in Chicago.
What’s a favorite Chicago memory from your early career?
When I did theatre in Chicago in what feels like the early 1700s, I just jumped from show to show. I was really lucky. For six years, there was rarely a time when I was out of work. I felt like a king coming home with that $450 a week.
What’s it like performing onstage with Nick?
Nick and I met doing a play in Los Angeles back in 2000, and we’ve done a few since. Basically, my goal every night will be to make him break onstage. It’s one of my special skills.
