1000 QUESTIONS
Susan Egan

Edited by Brian Dunning

   

Susan Egan as Megara in Disney's HerculesSusan Egan has starred in more Broadway shows than you can wave a baton at, including Beauty and the Beast, for which she received a Tony nomination; Cabaret, State Fair, and Bye Bye, Birdie. On the small screen, Susan spent two seasons as a regular on the WB's Nikki, and has appeared on NYPD Blue, Arli$$, and The Drew Carey Show. Susan Egan as Belle in Beauty and the BeastHer charming voice has graced animated characters in movies such as Miyazaki's Spirited Away, Disney's Hercules and Lady and the Tramp II. And, just to be sure that she covers all four corners of the entertainment industry, she sings some of her favorite Broadway numbers for you on her debut solo album, So Far.

Susan gives back by serving as Artistic Advisor at her alma mater, the Orange County High School of the Arts.

Although she declares her knowledge of technology to be "painfully limited," Susan now answers our 1000 Questions:

0001. In all of history, what is your favorite invention?

Susan Egan as Lin in Spirited AwayOther than duct tape, which isn't truly technology oriented but can apparently save our lives should we be attacked, I would have to say ... recording technology. That music and speech can be stored on wax, or tape, or microchip -- I am grateful. How I wish I could hear Shakespeare's voice, or Beethoven's first performance, or our founding fathers battling it out in Philadelphia.

Funny that technology can actually make something or someone MORE human to us through our ability to hear their voice.

0010. What do you hope will be invented next?

Just last night I was telling a friend that I can't wait to be able to beam (or email) her the programs I record on Tivo. Have I mentioned that Tivo is my best friend? It's right up there with the GPS in my car!! I LOVE that! "You have now arrived at your destination ..." If only that little voice could make me eligible for the carpool lanes on the freeway!

0011. What do you hope will never be invented?

Too late ... da bombs are here.

0100. What popular invention do you consider the most ridiculous?

I LOVE that little thing that foams the milk for my coffee every morning -- I will not let you call it silly, and I will guard it WITH MY LIFE.

0101. When have you suffered at the hands of technology?

Long lonely hours on hold. My world shaken to the core when my DSL fizzes. Self-abuse when I don't "save" often enough and the power goes. Therapy bills to survive the preceding.

0110. When has some technology suffered at your hands?

You mean like when my pager fell in the toilet?

Thank GOODNESS I don't use a pager now -- but the cell phone is nervous each and every day!

0111. If your personal computer suddenly came to life, what would it say to you?

You poor, sweet ignoramus. Don't you know what I'm CAPABLE of?

Or it might just hum the Jeopardy theme with a subtle air of sarcasm.

1000. If you found yourself sitting at a Unix terminal as Earth's last hope while, outside, aliens were wiping out humanity, what would you type?

It was a lovely dance, thanks.