Before Marilu Henner became a household name on Taxi, she had a thriving career in musical theater. This week, we spoke to the always busy Marilu about the original “down and dirty” version of Grease she never imagined would inspire a smash hit, happy memories of Joe Allen and other theater district haunts from her early years on Broadway, and the painful lengths she had to go to in order to keep a straight face opposite Danny DeVito. We were also fortunate enough to discuss her personal challenges as chronicled in the best selling 2016 book Changing Normal: How I Helped My Husband Beat Cancer, and how the whole concept of “changing normal” is so relevant to this moment.
"How to Become a Broadway Legend with Marilu Henner"
The Aurora Teagarden Series on Hallmark
Marilu Henner is a five-time Golden Globe nominated actress, television personality, and New York Times best-selling author. Born in Chicago, she started dancing as a toddler and began teaching dance at her family’s Henner Dance School as a teenager. While attending the University of Chicago in 1971, she was cast in the Kingston Mines production of a gritty new musical play about 60’s teenage life called Grease. This led to a move to New York a year later, where, in addition to the Broadway company of Grease, Ms. Henner appeared in the WWII era set musical Over Here! starring the Andrews Sisters and a cast of future stars including Treat Williams, Ann Reinking, and John Travolta. Other Broadway credits include Pal Joey, Chicago, Social Security, The Tale of the Allergist's Wife, and Getting the Band Back Together. In 1978, she landed her breakthrough role as Elaine Nardo in the seminal sitcom Taxi. She continued her role on the Emmy-winning series for five seasons and went on to appear in numerous popular films including Johnny Dangerously, The Man Who Loved Women, L.A. Story, and Noises Off. In 1990, she returned to series TV, and found success for four seasons as Ava Evans Newton in Evening Shade opposite longtime friend and collaborator, Burt Reynolds. On September 5, 1994, she published her autobiography, By All Means Keep on Moving, and has subsequently published eight additional titles. As a health and wellness advocate, she has successfully inspired millions of Americans to improve their lives through diet, exercise, and good mental health practices. She also continues to be a sought-after television presence with recent appearances on hit television series like Grey’s Anatomy, Two and a Half Men, Brooklyn Nine-Nine, The Neighborhood, Bob Hearts Abishola and the Hallmark Channel’s Aurora Teagarden Mysteries.
Cocktails at Table 7- Inside New York’s Joe Allen is produced and hosted by Jason Woodruff, Dana Mierlak and Sean Kent, with music by James Rubio and logo and artwork design by Christina D’Angelo. The Producers would like to extend a special thank you to the owners of Joe Allen, Orso and Bar Centrale Restaurants.