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 "Syringes, Christopher Durang and Poetic Villains, Oh
My! - Part 1"
07/01/2000
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Jeff Ricketts has a long history of playing bad guys. As
Weatherby, one of the Watcher's Council members on Buffy and Angel, he received a syringe to the neck during his manic pursuit of Faith, Buffy's reformed nemesis. Jeff followed up his appearances on Buffy and Angel this year with an appearance on Charmed, starring as one of the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse ("Famine") and on the Huntress as a scary prison inmate. Obviously having recovered from a sedative strong enough to stop a Vampire Slayer, he sat down for an interview with me recently in L.A.
Jeff enjoys being cast as "theatrically sophisticated poetic villains." The highlight of his New York theatre career was starring as Faust in Faust Gastronome. Picture a trippy world where Faust is recast as a master chef. "I actually cooked during the show," Jeff enthused. My head was spinning at the thought of it.
"At one point during the cooking segment, Faust gets up on a cooking table feeling sick. He drops his pants and defecates (fake of course). The last thing that comes out of his rear end is Adolph Hitler. The critics enjoyed it. I ended up in a crock pot at the end," said Jeff matter-of-factly. The show toured and was a hit in England, Scotland and Wales.
Did you really show your butt to the audience?
"Yes," Jeff said as if it were just another day at the office.
How do actors pull this off (no pun intended)?
"It took some negotiating on my part. I found it interesting and terrifying. Most of us who do theatre tend to be a bit exhibitionist," said Jeff thoughtfully.
Jeff developed his acting chops and no small amount of courage though
studies with Richard Schechner, founder of the Wooster (Acting) Group which featured William Dafoe and Spaulding Gray. Formed on Wooster Street in New York City during the late 60's, it became the touchstone of experimental theatre in New York.
Will we see you back on Buffy and Angel in the coming season?
"I hope to return to Buffy or Angel. Although I got a big dose of a sedative, I think Weatherby will be terribly hung over. Now I will have to break into prison to get her (Faith)," Jeff laughed.
"Working with Eliza Dushku (Faith) is a gas. She is so exactly how you want to be at 19 - real carefree. The really great by product of this (appearing on Buffy and Angel) is that I've forged this friendship with Amber (Amber Benson who plays Tara) and she's really a powerful actress and a rising star in her own right." He revealed that Amber is signed for 16 episodes next season.
Jeff and Amber will be starring in a short series of 3 plays written by Amber in late July in L.A. Jeff was impressed with Amber's witty and mature writing style. "It's Christopher Durang meets the Carol Burnett Show. Outrageous imagination, very dysfunctional characters."
At present time, they are currently searching for a theatre and dates for the performances. I will keep you posted on the details of show dates/times and how you can reserve tickets. Also, we will continue the interview with Jeff in my next column. Jeff relates funny stories about Charmed, his audition for Buffy and Angel and what's really up with
Weatherby.
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- by Ariel Penn
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