Well, truth be told, ASU Gammage and I have been dating for a while. Back in 2010, I performed “Wong Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest” at the Beyond Series. A few years later, I performed “The Wong Street Journal.” So when I was invited to go steady for three years as ASU Gammage’s artist-in-residence in 2022, I knew our connection was real and worth the commitment. 

2. You’re known as the “Food Bank Influencer.” How did that come about?

I stumbled upon World Harvest Food Bank in my neighborhood in Los Angeles in the fall of 2019. They use a nontraditional model that lets people “shop” their donations without having to show proof of income. It’s a model that gives people a sense of choice and, more importantly, dignity. I’d always thought food banks were for “other people who were in need.” But so much of now using a food bank to get my food and directing others to it as a resource has made me confront the moments of my life when I was actually food insecure. Choosing cheaper, unhealthier filler foods or choosing to skip meals — this is actually what food insecurity looks like. I also couldn’t stop talking about this place to people because it was so fun, and it was a fascinating way to understand our broken distribution systems that waste 40 percent of the food produced. 

I found myself making videos for World Harvest the way beauty influencers do “haul videos” of fancy things they shop for. I figured I’d use my undeniable good looks at 45 years old to influence for the food bank!

During the pandemic, World Harvest became a vital part of the ecosystem of mutual aid that my group, the Auntie Sewing Squad, was doling out. We sent a lot of stuff from our food bank to both border communities for asylum seekers as well as to the Navajo Nation. Some of the Navajo organizers were so impressed by the food bank that they asked how they could set one up. Part of my wanting to research and create a show about food banks comes from trying to answer the question of how to help get more food banks like World Harvest started.

3. Where did your interest in food come from?

I never considered myself a big food aficionado until I was hit with an existential depression, which kicked off around the November 2016 election. I found myself unable to watch anything too intense. I was just getting through the days by watching YouTube haul videos or “unboxing videos.” That was as much plot as I could take, videos where people opened boxes and showed what was inside. Somehow, this led me down a rabbit hole of watching people challenging themselves to live on $10 a week in groceries. Then I found myself watching budget cooking videos and wowed by how far people could stretch if they really got creative, although some of the videos were sad in how unhealthy the meals were. 

I wondered if it was possible for me to live on a small budget for groceries but also stay healthy and decided to see if I could live on $50 of groceries a month as a personal experiment. This was close to impossible, but when I found World Harvest, I found the only way I could pull it off and eat healthy. When the pandemic lockdown hit, grocery stores became my museums and art spaces. My only great stimulation in this time was food and how to cook it — but also thinking about how much emotion is tied to food and our ability to access it. 

4. What’s the biggest misconception about food banks?

One is that they are in the charitable sector. They aren’t part of the government. Yes, there’s definitely government entities that will point people toward food banks and sometimes work in tandem with them to give away their food, but food banks are there to supplement what government programs like SNAP cannot. And SNAP doesn’t cover people as much as it should. Should SNAP benefits disappear, food banks have nowhere near the capacity to fill the need that SNAP fills in.  

Also, I think we associate food banks with those canned food drives where people gather their dented, expired cans from the back of their pantries and give them away. I think that’s why there’s such a lack of dignity around going to a food bank, because we associate it with someone’s unwanted, rotting food. But most of the foods that food banks give away are much better than the worst of what we think people donate. There are also gaps in food manufacturing that push food out for sale too late and a grocery store won’t sell it because the food is close to the “best buy” date — which most of the time is just a suggestion. So some pretty good stuff can come through the food bank. And as the working poor grows in size, there is more of a reliance on food banks. 

5. You weigh in on a lot of social issues with your work. Why is humor effective in dealing with big problems?

We need humor to survive and to give us some sense of control over the uncontrollable. And these are some pretty scary times.

6. You’re an elected representative of Koreatown, Los Angeles, and turned the experience into a rally campaign show. How do you stay motivated — and motivate others — in 2024?

I don’t know if it’s motivation as much as the house is on fire and you can either feel compelled to do something about the fire or just let yourself burn up with it. 

7. Sewing is a signature of your work. How did you learn to sew?

My mother and home economics classes. With refreshers as an adult on YouTube and a few classes here and there.

8. You’ve been spending a lot of time in the Valley through your residency. What do you like to do here?

The coolest thing about being at ASU is getting to know this community the way you never could as a tourist. I was invited to be part of a cabaret that the ASU Gammage staff was performing for each other. The most hilarious act was the box office staff doing deadpan readings of complaints and comments they had received over the years. It was comedy gold. I’ve also been hanging out with the Pitchfork Pantry, the student-run pantry. Those student leaders are incredible.  

9. Any favorite spots you recommend?

I don’t know if this is my favorite spot, but there’s a place in Tempe called Angie’s Lobster that does a $10 lobster roll with fries and soda! I know it sounds like an invite for food poisoning to eat lobster in a landlocked state, but I survived and don’t understand how they can be profitable.

10. What are you looking forward to next?

When I gave a graduate lecture last year called “Sex, Lies and Food Banks,” I was surprised when the CEO of St. Mary’s Food Bank came. Because they are the first food bank in the country, I had thought that they were too “big time” to ever take an interest in me, so I never thought to reach out. But they heard about the talk and have invited me to meet with them and see what they do. That’s exciting to me.  

Kristina Wong will perform, teach and connect communities throughout the 2024-2025 academic year. She will bring a new show to ASU Gammage in April 2025. To learn more, go to asugammage.com.

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1. How did you become a fashion designer?

Early on, I would reimagine what I would see celebrities wearing. I would sit with a sketchpad and reimagine what I would see people on “The Sonny & Cher Show” and other shows wearing. That was the beginning of the design process for me. I went to a high school that had a fashion department and when I discovered that I could actually make a career out of it was probably the aha moment. 

2. What is the secret to a great red carpet look?

I think it’s finding the silhouette that will enhance the beauty of the wearer. For me, it’s about fit, which is so important with a red carpet gown. Everything has to be flawless — fit, and also color. Finding the right color for the red carpet creates something very beautiful. Because when the woman — or the gentleman, for that matter — steps out of the car, if the color pops, the paparazzi will go nuts.

3. What trends are you seeing in evening wear these days?

There’s a lot of cutout work happening in evening wear. The sides are cut out, or you’ve got cutouts in the back of the gown. Sometimes the side panels are cut out. Beads are always important. That’s been a big trend, and sequins in all scales, going from the smallest sequins to very large, oversized, almost 60s-looking sequins.

4. Is there anyone you would love to get the call to dress?

I would love to dress Uma Thurman. I dressed Charlize Theron before her Dior contract; I’d love to dress her again. And I’d love to dress Michelle Obama again.

5. What does seeing your fashions elevated to that level mean to you as a designer? 

It’s amazing. I’ve dressed royals and politicians. These folks can be dressed by any designer in the world. So when they select something of mine, it’s humbling and thrilling at the same time. 

6. You’re known for giving back and helped start the Black Design Collective. Can you talk a little about that?

That organization was started by TJ Walker, the founder of Cross Colors; Angela Dean, a designer of note dressing a lot of entertainers, musicians and artists; and Ruth Carter, a two-time Oscar winner with 40 films to her credit. These are my friends. We were sitting around the table one day, talking about some of our successes in the fashion and costume industry, but also how we would like to give back to the next generation. So, we started the Black Design Collective. It is a nonprofit that seeks to champion the importance and impact that Black designers have made in the world of fashion. In addition to that, it helps with scholarships for the next generation. We do workshops for designers to build viable businesses — how to market your brand, how to work with trademarks and funding. Over the course of the pandemic, I’m proud that we were able to help our designers and members access over $2 million in funding, grants and loans. None of our folks were put in the position where they had to go out of business. Everybody actually thrived during the pandemic and came out of it very strong because of the funding we were helping them secure.

7. Is there any next-gen Black designer you think the world should know about?

There’s a gentleman named Charles Harbison that I think is really exceptional. And then there’s also Sergio Hudson, who I think is really talented. I would say those are my top picks.

8. You recently visited Phoenix for Holiday Prelude, benefitting The Phoenix Theatre Company Guild and Phoenix Youth Symphony Orchestras. What do you like to do while you’re in the Valley?

Enjoy the food and restaurants. And you know I love the weather.

9. What’s giving you joy these days?

Being with my family. My son is currently in Paris, but my daughter lives in Los Angeles. My wife and I have a place that we enjoy in the Sequoia Mountains. It has rivers that run through the property. We’re there as often as possible to take in the spring when the poppies are out, and in the winter, when the rivers and waterfalls turn to ice. In the summertime, we go down the river in rafts. It’s a beautiful spot. So, as often as we can get there, we go. I actually design there. I’ll sit on the back screened porch. Sometimes, I’ll bring my team there, and we will sit and create by the river. It’s wonderful.

10. Do you have any fashion advice for our readers?

Everybody needs a great-fitting pair of jeans. Because jeans are one of the cores of a wardrobe, they need to fit well. You can dress a jean up with a beautiful top or a beautiful pair of heels or with a ballet flat or runner. It’s a great piece to have. I also have a thing about white cotton shirts. Every woman should have a beautiful white shirt or blouse. That blouse can go with, of course, a pair of jeans. It also is amazing when you mix it with dressy pieces. You can wear a white blouse with a ball skirt, a beaded pant or so many things. And then I think you should have a trench. That can be a multicolored trench, which might be a little harder to find, but they’re out there, or a beautiful classic khaki-colored trench. They are great to mix with evening pieces, jeans and with day pieces. Finally, a great little black dress, something modern and clean with not a lot of goop on it, makes an excellent backdrop for pretty jewelry.

To learn more, visit kevanhalldesigns.com. 

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My family wasn’t musical, and they weren’t sure what to do with me. They thought, well, he seems musical. Let’s sign him up for lessons. So, I found my own way, but I was drawn to it from the beginning.

2. When did you have an inkling that music would be more than a hobby?

I don’t think most creative people think about a future; they just do what they love to do. I didn’t think I was special at it, and neither did my teachers. Most of them had trouble with me because I didn’t follow the rules. Essentially, I’m a songwriter more than a pianist, but that’s not something you know when you’re 10. I eventually learned that my talent is songwriting, not being a classical pianist. I just had music going around in my head all the time. I was drawn to improvisation and creating my own style.

3. When did you start exploring the writing aspect?

When I was a teenager, I was enamored with singer-songwriters of the ’70s and started to play from songbooks by pop artists. I was also enamored with jingles. I loved them — they were happy and had great melodies. So when I was in my late teens, I made a tape of five or six jingles, took them to ad agencies and started a jingle business when I was 19 or 20. 

4. How did that lead to performing?

In the ’80s and early ’90s, I started to do national things, like for McDonald’s. It was a really fun job, and it honed my craft. I would go to New York and hire singers. I was also on the speaking circuit, doing motivational speaking for ad agencies like the Phoenix Ad Club. That’s when I started thinking, gosh, I’m totally comfortable in front of people. I’m basically riffing, and people think it’s entertaining. I didn’t plan to have the career that I have now.

5. Today, you’re well-known for your holiday albums. Why is Christmas music special to you? 

The style of music I do is very emotional and lends itself to celebration, inspiration and familiarity. What makes it unusual is that most of the time, when you hear, say, “The Christmas Song,” it’s somebody singing — there aren’t a lot of unusual instrumental interpretations. When you hear my Christmas album, there are a couple of vocals here and there, but for the most part, it’s interpretations of traditional songs. You can put it on while you’re trimming the tree, and it’s not the 100^th version of somebody singing “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas.”

6. You’re coming to the Musical Instrument Museum for six shows in December and have been playing there since its inaugural year. Why do you like performing at MIM?

It is, without a doubt, my favorite place to play for a variety of reasons. One, the multiple shows in an intimate setting is a completely different experience from the rest of my tour. My Christmas tour is very theatrical, but these shows are intimate. Plus, the sound in there is unbelievable. It’s become a tradition because it’s very conversational. Christmas is over, so it’s more of a New Year’s vibe.

7. You’ve supported causes like music education and food banks. Can you talk about your charitable work?

One big one that I have been working with is the Entertainment Community Fund. It exists to support entertainment workers who might be struggling. Not just actors; it can be stagehands, lighting designers, anybody in the theater or concert community. I’ve done two albums with Broadway stars singing my songs, and all the proceeds go to them. The other big one recently is Playhouse Square Foundation, which is the big theater complex in my hometown, Cleveland. It’s one of the biggest theater complexes outside of Broadway, but they had a hard time during COVID. I also do things with the Berklee School of Music. They have a campus in Valencia, Spain, that’s more of an international community. I do some coaching and speaking to raise money for them.

8. What is something that surprises you about your work?

I think I’m constantly forgetting about the reach of music and what it’s done. A lot of time, you’re just creating and don’t realize the impact of it. It’s one of the reasons that I love to perform so much.

9. What would people be surprised to learn about you? 

Contrary to the stage persona, I am extremely shy. I’m not comfortable in groups of people. I often do meet-and-greets before a show, and I’m very quiet and mild-mannered. But on stage, it’s completely different. I feel like that’s where I belong.

10. Looking ahead to the holiday season, which songs are you most excited to play? 

I actually like the winter songs the best. Like “Winter Wonderland,” “Sleigh Ride” and “It’s Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas.” Many people say, “Oh, Holy Night,” and that’s beautiful. But I like the happy ones.  

Jim Brickman will perform Dec. 29-31 at the Musical Instrument Museum in Phoenix. For information and tickets, go to mim.org.  

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You’re from Columbia, Mo. How different is it living in the Valley? 

I never knew I would miss the color green so much! But there’s a huge Missouri crowd out here and a lot of people from Mizzou (the University of Missouri). The people here are awesome, and our fan base is just like Mizzou, so there are a lot of similarities. I love both places and call them both my home, which I’m blessed to be able to do.

You’re known for being a little bit sassy and spicy, both on and off the court. Has that always been a part of your personality? 

I come from a family of strong females. They’ve always said, “Put your shoulders back and be yourself. Be the hardest worker in anything you do, but also enjoy it and have fun.” I think people are thrown off by my competitiveness, because I’m not going to back down. I don’t care who you are or what you look like; I’m going to stand up for myself and my team. It’s funny because, at this level, everyone’s a competitor, so I don’t take it personally. But yeah, I’m a little spicy sometimes.

What does it feel like when you are on fire during a game?

When I’m in the moment, and knocking down my shots, it feels good, because I like to get the crowd involved. It comes naturally that my celebrations are fiery. I yell, pump my fists and slap my teammates on the butt. Sometimes I high-five fans, depending on where I’m at. Getting the crowd into it is a big deal, especially at this level. So, heck yeah! It feels great seeing your work pay off.

You had a career year last season with the Mercury. What’s your outlook going into the upcoming WNBA season? 

In my first two to three years, I just had to put my head down and work. There wasn’t a lot of opportunity, and I had to stay ready. I think that perseverance and resiliency to keep working hard and keep getting better paid off, and I had one of my best seasons last year. For me, it’s the tip of the iceberg. I know there’s so much more in my tank.

You are a fan-favorite among the “X-Factor.” What’s special about the Mercury fanbase?

The X-Factor is hands-down the best crowd you can play in front of in the WNBA. They’re just as feisty as we are. They’re rowdy, they yell at the refs more than we do, and they’re involved and supportive. Everyone you ask says Phoenix is the hardest place to play because of the X-Factor. Playing in front of them is an honor; you just want to put on a show for them.

This season you joined the Phoenix Suns broadcast team. What was that experience like?

It’s been so much fun. Tom Leander, K-Ray (Kevin Ray), Eddie (Johnson), TC (Tom Chambers), Annie (Ann Meyers Drysdale) and the entire production team have been amazing and have embraced me. I could talk to a wall for five hours, but I am new to doing the pre-, half- and post-game shows. I’m learning a lot, and it’s so much fun to talk about the Suns. They’re a phenomenal team, especially with KD (Kevin Durant) back. I think this is what I want to do when I’m done playing, so getting my foot in the door while I’m playing is a blessing. A lot of people don’t get that opportunity, so I’m running with it.

Describe your personal style.

I would say it’s a little bit edgy. What I’m trying to go for is sporty and edgy, but elegant. I do want to show a little skin, but not too much. I want to make it sporty so you could wear it to a nice dinner or sporting event. I’m in a stage of my life where I don’t care about impressing anyone. I want to make sure I like what I’m wearing, I’m comfortable and I’m confident.

What are your favorite things to do in the Valley during your free time? 

Being at the pool or anywhere near water. I love to hike. I have a dog named Brutus and we go on so many hikes. You can catch me doing anything outdoors. I found a little farmers market, and I think it’s fabulous and so much fun — I’ve met a lot of Mercury fans. I also love concerts and am going to Country Thunder this year.

What charitable causes are you passionate about ?

My number-one is Ronald McDonald House. I got exposed to it at the Ronald McDonald House in Chicago during the McDonald’s All American Games, and I fell in love with the whole thing. It was the first time I had heard about it, and it opened my eyes. I’m so grateful for the platform I have been given. I’m healthy and think it’s super important to give back to those kids and families going through things that people can’t even imagine. My sister, family and I put on a game every year and donate to the Ronald McDonald House. I also love the Boys & Girls Clubs here in the Valley. My mom used to work for the Children’s Trust Fund of Missouri, and hearing stories about kids that don’t come from good homes or don’t have the funds to get things they need, I think it’s our responsibility to give back.

What would readers be surprised to learn about you? 

I feel like I’m an open book, to be honest, but I think people would be surprised that I can actually sing!

To learn more and purchase tickets, visit mercury.wnba.com.

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You’re 74 and still rocking strong. Any tips to share?

I got sober 40 years ago, and I never smoked cigarettes. That has a lot to do with longevity. Plus, if you love what you do, it’s not really a job. 

When you started out, did you think your career would last this long? 

Nobody thought in those days that anyone would get past 30. It turned out 27 was the expiration date for most rock stars. We all took our cues from the Beatles and the Stones. McCartney is still touring, and so is Ringo. They’re well into their 80s. No one can explain Keith Richards. 

You’re known for your stage antics, but you’re a famously nice guy. What else would readers be surprised to learn about you?

Most people know I am a Christian. I have taught Bible study. I am a ninja with throwing knives and was inducted into the International Knife Throwers Hall of Fame. And I NEVER get nervous before a show.

You are famous for your signature rocker style. Do you have a stylist, or does your wife Sheryl help with the shopping?

I am my own stylist. I help Sheryl with her shopping. 

How has your style changed over the years?

My offstage style motto is: “You Get Older, But You Don’t Have to Be Old.” You’ll never see me wearing baggy pants, suspenders or comfortable shoes. 

You are changing the lives of local youth with your Alice Cooper’s Solid Rock Teen Centers. Why did you start them?

I felt that God was directing Sheryl and me toward teenagers. My thoughts are that every teenager has talent. Let’s find it through The Rock Teen Center’s fine art programs (guitar, drum, bass, keyboards, dance, art, voice and technical production). When they find that talent, it can break a potentially negative cycle and steer them toward a better lifestyle and amazing opportunities. Some teens don’t know they’re a guitar player until they pick up a guitar. 

I share with them that when I was 15 years old, I didn’t know what to do with myself. My friends and I started  the band. I learned to sing, write songs and perform onstage by trial and error. Thirty gold albums later, well … you know. 

What does it feel like to share your love of music in a safe, nurturing space?

Music is THE international language. I can talk to a 70-year-old classic rock guy or a 17 year old about music. Everyone has different tastes, and I love turning young guitar players on to Jeff Beck, Mike Bloomfield and Frank Zappa and having them listen to some of the greatest solos ever played. 

If you could have dinner with one musician, dead or alive, who would it be?

Paul Butterfield. He was the greatest blues harp player ever.  I learned how to play harmonica by listening to his first two albums. 

What would you like your own legacy to be?

The man who married hard rock to stage theatrics and made it work for six decades. I would be the Ziegfield of rock ‘n’ roll. 

Is there anything you’d like our readers to know about you or the Solid Rock Teen Centers?

The Lord Jesus Christ changed my life in such a positive way. He gave me the talent I have and turned me from a drunken wreck to a new life so that Solid Rock could be a reality and become a positive force in the lives of teenagers. I’m still the greatest villain in rock ‘n’ roll, but for all the right reasons. 

To learn more, visit alicecoopersolidrock.com.

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When I was on “Top Chef,” I did it as a personal challenge. It had nothing to do with television. Almost 15 years later, it is my job to be on television. I lived the journey and know how hard it was, but it looks very easy from the outside.

As 2023 kicks off, do you have any culinary intentions for the year?

As I age, my food does change. I try to learn my body. Like, how much protein do I need? Which vegetables? How much can I cheat? I mean, everybody is trying to figure that out. For me, I’m trying to have a more balanced life. 

Are you experimenting with any new foods or techniques?

I travel a lot, so I am playing with what I can make if I don’t have a microwave. A lot of hotels don’t have microwaves, so I take these electric kettles and granules of dry chicken or beef broth. Then I ask, what can I make in this electric kettle? Can I do a soup and make it interesting? Can I get things off a salad bar, take my electric kettle, put in these little granules, and make something?

You’re an active advocate for children’s physical and mental well-being. Why does that speak to you?

I did theater from 12 to 17. The empowering lesson from theater was to dare to be you. When somebody called me weird when I was 12, I could say thank you because I was doing theater, where it was a good thing to be out of the box. When you don’t have that, a single word from somebody can change your whole perspective, your whole childhood. Also, it’s important to be your own advocate physically, so you are physically able. I grew up at a time when we were playing outside.  

You’re on the board of the nonprofit GENYOUth. How did you get involved with them?

I moved to New York when I was on “The Chew,” and all of my charities were in D.C., because I live there. I wanted to work with a nonprofit in New York, and when I found out what GENYOUth was about, I was like, yes. In terms of food and children advocating for themselves, it checks a lot of boxes for me.

You’re coming to the Valley with GENYOUth for Super Bowl festivities and Taste of the NFL. Are there any places you’re looking forward to visiting?

Generally, when I go to a new city, I look up the restaurants and must-do things before I go. I make a whole list on my Google Calendar and map the places and do the whole thing, so when I go, I have a list I can share. I’m still working on my list. 

You’re all about cooking with love. Do you have tips for making it easier for home cooks to do that after a busy day?

Make prep part of a meditation. If you focus on the dice or the cut instead of trying to get through it, it makes you more present. You say, “OK, I’m going to make these onions the same size.” That makes you present and not thinking, “I want to get this on the table.” If you’re just prepping, you’ve lost.

What makes a meal memorable to you? 

I know this sounds hokey, but you know the Dog Whisperer? I feel like I’m a food whisperer. I can taste someone’s emotions in the food. When I go to a restaurant, it could be technically good, but if it’s not hitting my heart, it doesn’t land. I use this judging on baking shows. I know if somebody is clicking from a technical space versus being really into it. I don’t care what that baker says; I can feel it.

What are you looking forward to this year?

I have a show dropping on Discovery Plus on Feb. 1. It’s called “Chasing Flavor” and it’s a travelogue show, domestic and international. I’m also looking forward to my line of cookware coming out on QVC at the end of March.

What would people be surprised to learn about you?

I enjoy paper quilting! I take handmade papers and cut them out like a quilt, but instead of sewing, I have a canvas. I can get a quilting magazine, look up a pattern, and do it on paper with glue instead of sewing. I love it.

To learn more about Carla Hall, visit carlahall.com. For info about GENYOUth, go to genyouthnow.org. To purchase a ticket to Taste of the NFL, visit TasteoftheNFL.com. 

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Well, it is old. In fact, it’s 50 years, but I love it. I love the association and am proud of that show and that character. I always take such delight when people remember it and talk about what it meant to them. The longer it goes on, the more I value those comments.

From “The Waltons” to more recent roles in “The Americans” and “Ozark,” your career has enjoyed a lot of longevity. Do you have tips for staying relevant?

I’m an actor for hire. I’ve been lucky and had an opportunity to play lots of different roles. The one thing I would say is that I have always fought hard to maintain the amount of time I spend on stage. The theater is so important to me, and that’s been very rewarding.

You’re currently in the national Broadway tour of “To Kill a Mockingbird.” With all of the theater closures due to COVID, what’s it like to be back on stage?

It’s wonderful to be on stage and in the room with an audience. There’s nothing like it. I love the different cities I’ve gotten to know, the audiences in those cities, and the beautiful theaters that we get to play.

You’re playing Atticus Finch in the production. What does that role mean to you?

Atticus is a sort of iconic character, and that’s great. But what makes it a joy and important for me is Aaron Sorkin’s adaptation and the way he’s adapted the role for the stage. Every night for three hours, I have a wonderful piece of writing to bring to life. That’s what makes this particular iteration of Atticus so vital to me.

You’re in Philly now and will be touring through next July. Do you like being on the road?

I love the road. I mean, it’s very intense work. You’re not at home, and a lot of the time, your day off is the day that you’re traveling from one city to another.  As you get older, the road’s challenges become a little more acute. I just become more monkish and quiet — especially with a big role like this.

What does it mean to be touring with this show, in particular?

Bringing a play like “To Kill a Mockingbird” around the country nowadays is very gratifying and exciting. This particular material and the particular themes it addresses are so sadly pertinent to bring around the country.

You’ll be coming to Gammage in December. Have you spent a lot of time in Arizona?

Well, I met my wife in Arizona. I met her in Scottsdale while I was there doing “Love Letters” about 30 years ago. So I have profoundly fond and romantic memories of Arizona. 

What do you like to do while you’re here?

My wife has many relatives living in the Phoenix and Scottsdale area, so when we come to Tempe, it’s always family time, which is great. 

What else are you working on these days?

I’ve been involved with the revival of “The Waltons” on The CW.  A new version of our “Homecoming” Christmas movie was made with a new cast and I was asked to do the on-camera introductions and narration. I’ve just done the narration for a new Thanksgiving special, and there’s going to be another Easter special. I’m very involved in that and excited to be carrying that forward.

Is there anything you’d like Frontdoors readers to know about you or this production of “To Kill a Mockingbird”? 

I don’t like to tell people to go see a show. But I’m telling people to go see it. It’s a fantastic cast. It’s wonderfully entertaining, as well as an important piece of theater. I think it’s an opportunity for families to experience it with middle- and high school-aged children and remember how meaningful this particular novel was in their lives. I think that folks in Arizona will love it, and I’m so excited to be coming there.

For more information, visit asugammage.com/mockingbird.  

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Your family is well known for giving. Why is giving back so important to you?
We have been very blessed and feel that “to whom much is given, much should be required.”

Do you have a favorite memory of family philanthropy?
The year I agreed to chair the Heart Ball, I asked my daughters and sons-in-law how they felt about it because it is a huge job and takes away from the family. All of them were so supportive with their time and treasures.

As a grandmother, do you have advice for ways to get the next generation involved with philanthropy?
It is so important to start when they are very young, so they can realize how good it feels to help someone else. Start those habits early!

What philanthropic projects are you working on these days?
I’m currently working on the Ladies of the Court Legacy Luncheon for the O’Connor Institute, honoring the distinguished legacy of the first woman appointed to the Supreme Court. And always the Barrow Women’s Board because we are so blessed to have Barrow here in our Valley.

What do you like to do in your free time?
I love to read and am trying to improve my golf game!

Do you have a favorite restaurant?
Since I hardly cook anymore, we have a lot of favorites! Hillstone, Tarbell’s and Chelsea’s Kitchen are all about two minutes from our home.

Favorite place to shop?
We are so blessed to have great shopping in our Valley. I love Neiman Marcus and Saks because they are both so generous in donating and helping our community.

Favorite trip?
When our six grandchildren turned 11 or 12, we took each one on a trip. Just the three of us, and every trip was very special. I can’t wait for COVID to get over so we can travel again.

Do you have a secret talent?
Organizing things!

What would Frontdoors readers be surprised to learn about you?
I grew up on a ranch in western Colorado and went to a one-room school for eight grades.

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