Lenk starring in shows on Broadway stage, TV screen
From joking on the “Ozark” set with Jason Bateman, to getting show notes from Stephen Sondheim, Katrina Lenk’s career has hit a sweet spot.
The actor is in the enviable position of starring in the popular Netflix show and the hit Broadway musical “Company” simultaneously.
Lenk plays Clare Shaw, the head of a familyowned pharmaceutical company with some shady dealings on “Ozark,” which recently began airing the last seven episodes of the series.
Lenk said shooting the final season of “Ozark” took an entire year due to pandemic delays, but she was grateful to have a job when Broadway shut down. Once theater started up again, the Tony-winning actor returned to star in “Company” as Bobbie, a single woman surrounded by married friends and contemplating commitment on her 35th birthday. Before he died in 2021, Sondheim was on hand to help update the revival — changing the main character
from male to female.
This interview with Lenk has been edited for clarity and length.
Q: What was it like joining the cast of “Ozark”?
A:
I had been obsessed with the show before and was a big fan so then to get to step onto the casino set or drive past Marty and Wendy’s
house was super surreal.
But it was a fantastic vibe on set and very professional. Everyone knows what they’re doing, and it’s very friendly and open and relaxed, and celebratory as well, because everyone knew this was the last season, so nothing was being taken for granted. It was really wonderful.
Q: How was working with “Ozark” stars Jason Bateman and Laura Linney?
A:
They’re wonderful and warm and generous, and you feel like instantly one of the family. Jason’s cracking jokes and just keeping the feeling sort of light on set. And he’s kind of how you would imagine he would
be, just great.
Q: Stephen Sondheim came to the opening of “Company” less than two weeks before he died — how was that?
A:
We got to hang out with him a little bit afterwards, and he was just smiling and so happy and pleased, and I think thrilled with the show and also just the response to his show. What a thing to be a part of, for us to share this with him and for him to hear all of the appreciation for his work in the audience … And he said to us afterwards something like, “This is a kind of a once-in-a-lifetime night. This is an experience to cherish. When things are getting rough — and they’re not always going to be like this — when things are hard and you feel like, ‘Why am I doing this?’ or just kind of feel downtrodden, remember this. Cherish this.” Wise words.
Q: Did he ever give you notes on your performance?
A:
During the process, he did come to rehearsals a couple of times, and when he would give notes, he was very specific. Even a small little thing, then you would do the note and then, of course, he was right, and that just opened up all kinds of other things from just a tiny, detailed note. He was always so interested in improving whatever was there and his own work. He was involved in the slight changes that we did in the script and the modifications. He was part of the whole production … he was a collaborator in this revival, which is a really wonderful thing.
Q: What’s the biggest difference between working in theater and TV?
A:
Something I still haven’t quite figured out how to master is the waiting that is required. When you are on set, you get there for your call and sometimes you might be there for five, six hours before you get to do the work. On stage, you get there at this time, and you’re going to be in rehearsal, so managing energy during the waiting and also managing the energy during takes — like knowing when to be fully there and when to ease up so that you can be there later.