“I think her sexuality is often overplayed and over-appreciated. It's such an unimportant part of this story,” Johansson says one recent morning during rehearsals.
“I mean, it comes with the circumstance, of course, and the settling and the words—that's already there. There's no need to drape yourself all over the stage and roll around in a satin sheet.”
If that puts a dent in the box office, so be it, says the four-time Golden Globe nominated star of “Lost in Translation” and “The Avengers.” Quips Johansson: “There's always the half-price ticket line.”
The new production is led by director Rob Ashford and co-stars Benjamin Walker as Maggie's drunken, disinterested husband, Ciaran Hinds as Big Daddy and Debra Monk as Big Mama.
“It's really a beautiful play, really a perfect play, I think,” she says, smoldering even though she wears a demure dark pantsuit and stripped top. “If the play fails, it's our fault.”
Johansson arrives for her morning interview already tired, having woken before dawn to appear on the “Today” show. “If I have any more coffee, I'll explode into another stratosphere,” the actress warns.
