All the Way from Scotland, Chelsea Grace Takes Her Place in Larry and Lucy at the Theater For the New City

Before the pandemic, Chelsea Grace answered a casting call for the Edinburgh Fringe Festival and got the female title character part in Larry and Lucy. Unfortunately, the full power of Covid-19 cancelled the play. But the world falling back in place has Peter Welch’s play taking root, and only an ocean standing in the way, Grace is finally bringing Lucy to life from April 2 -17 at the Theater for the New City.

“This is my American debut,” said the Scottish Actress. “I’m very excited.”

So her sense of direction on point, Grace can’t say that about the two main characters. But the two lost souls on the playbill is what attracted her to the part. Lucy is addicted to opioids, and Larry’s long career as a street muralist has reached its limit. Despite the deficiencies, they provide a roadmap for each other. “The world has a funny way of bringing people together who touch certain things in your life,” said Grace, and make a difference.

Of course, Lucy’s home of Kansas is a long way from Scotland, and there’s isn’t much of a crossover. “I don’t know a lot about Kansas, and I had to look up the accent,” said the actress.

She got acquainted by going to YouTube and found the transition easy. “It was pretty neutral accent,” she revealed.

As for her co-star, getting to know Larry Fleishman across a generational gap was definitely on the plus side. “Even though he’s older than me, he’s got such a young spirit. It’s quite gleeful. It’s quite fun, and he’s got so much energy for his age,” she said. “He gives me a run for my money.”

The actress has to dig deep to keep up with the show’s creator too. “Peter (Welch) has his hands in so many different pies. The fact that he’s the producer, the writer and is acting is baffling to me. But he’s got it all under control. I am very impressed,” said Grace.

His writing also gives the characters the chance to let loose, according to Grace. “There are a few moments where we get to ad lib. They give us room to improvise,” she said. “So as an actor, it’s very exciting.”

But Welch has left the director’s chair to Joe John Batista, and Grace appreciates his balancing act. “He definitely has a clear vision but still gives you the freedom to play,” she said.

The same goes for the Theater for the New City. “As soon as you walk in the door there’s instant character,” Grace said. “There’s something in the walls that makes you want to perform, because you know so much has gone on here before you arrived.”

Not as long a track record herself, Grace still has been around. Her first part was in a school production of the Pied Piper, and the returns were pretty good. “My teacher said, ‘can you show some of the other students how to do it,” she remembered.

The seven year old was completely taken aback. “I was like, 'am I good at something. Is this the thing,' and since then, I’ve been hooked,” she beamed.

The stage has been pretty addicting too. “I love how audiences respond. The fact that you can go every night and do the same show every night and get a different feel from each audience is a lot of fun,” said Grace.

On the other hand, New York City always goes according to planned, and that must mean the Scottish native has found that the unfriendly stereotype holds up. “I couldn’t find a more wrong sentiment,” she said. “Everyone I've met has been so accommodating.”

So the receptiveness makes New York a pretty good place to take in the message in terms of the nation’s opioid problem. “People hear opioid, and they think of someone who lives on the street or has a tough life. But Lucy comes from a good family, she’s had opportunities, and she still struggles,” said Grace.

Nonetheless, she will return to Scotland, and after the success here, she hopes it’s also waiting for her there. “I hope when I get back I have a group of people waiting and saying - girl done good, girl done good,” she concluded.

There's a suggested donation of $10.

Click For Tickets