By Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

Published: Thursday, April 12, 2012, 5:19 p.m.

Laurie Klatscher makes frequent appearances on Pittsburgh stages.

A graduate of Carnegie Mellon School of Drama, Klatscher has starred recently in "Lost Boy in Whole Foods" with The Rep, the professional company of Point Park University, and "Precious Little" at City Theatre. She's married to actor and director Gregory Lehane, who teaches at Carnegie Mellon University.

For the past several decades, she has performed roles for Pittsburgh Irish & Classical Theatre, the Pittsburgh Public Theater, the Jewish Theatre of Pittsburgh and the Pittsburgh Opera, as well as in productions of "Candide," "Dog Face" and "Closer" with Quantum Theatre.

She also has a role in the upcoming film "The Perks of a Wallflower," which was filmed here last year.

Through April 22 she's performing in Quantum Theatre's "The Electric Baby" at the Waldorf School in Friendship.

The production has special meaning for her because she's once again appearing on stage with her son Nick Lehane, which they last did 13 years ago, when they worked together in David Mamet's "The Cryptogram" at City Theatre when Nick was 11.

Now 24, and pursuing his own acting career in New York City, Nick Lehane also can be seen in "Warrior," which was filmed in Pittsburgh.

The star who would play me in the movie version of my life and why:

Emma Thompson. I think we share a vibe of decency and normalcy, but we're also passionate, subversive and whacko.

Childhood hero and why:

My sister. Terry was always kind, protective, super-smart and welcomed me into her life, even though she is five years older.

The superpower I wish I had in real life and why:

I wish I could control water. I would stop tsunamis. My basement would always be dry, my yard watered and my birdbath filled.

Choose one:

A. Andrew Lloyd Webber

B. Richard Rodgers

C. Stephen Sondheim

D. John Kander

B. Richard Rodgers was part of the soundtrack of my childhood, but Stephen Sondheim sings to my grown-up soul. I worship him.

I can't live without my: iPod, cell phone, DVR, or laptop?

I'm so sorry to hear that! Oh, was that a question?

My favorite reality show:

"Project Runway." They actually make things.

Favorite brunch food:

Eggs Florentine and anything involving maple syrup or avocados

Something I would do over if I could and why

When I was sent by Lincoln Center to deliver a book to Katherine Hepburn, she said: "Oh, is this what you do• Deliver packages?" All I could muster was a "yes." I wish I'd had the courage to say: "Well, actually, I'm an aspiring actress." Would she have invited me in?

Pick one:

A. Pirates

B. Penguins

C. Steelers

D. Other

E. I hate sports

A: Circa 1979. "We are Family!"

My favorite Pittsburgh athlete:

Willy Stargell, of course.

If I had to give up theater I would:

Travel more, and spend more time gardening and writing songs.

Top thing on my "Bucket List" to do before I'm gone:

Travel to India with my husband.

My favorite thing about Pittsburgh is:

The beautiful combination of nature and architecture. And the extraordinary group of theater artists and professional companies we have.

Three people I'd love to have dinner with:

Alice Waters, Muddy Waters and John Waters

Celebrity crush:

Claire Danes, because of her brilliant recent work in the TV series "Homeland" and the HBO movie "Temple Grandin."

The oldest thing in my refrigerator is:

I'm not telling, but it predates this millennium.

When I was 10, I wanted to be:

Julie Andrews in "Mary Poppins" and "The Sound of Music."

The best play I've ever seen:

"Nicholas Nickleby" blew me away.

TV marathon I could watch all day and why:

"Law and Order" — it's fun to see old friends playing guest roles.

Favorite Pittsburgh-area landmark:

The Cathedral of Learning. We live in North Oakland so I see it every day, in every season and time of day.

In high school, I was:

Plotting ways to get out. I graduated a year early and never regretted it for a moment.

The movie that always makes me cry:

"Sense and Sensibility"

My most treasured fashion accessory is:

A pair of red, knee-high boots by Camper, purchased at Pavement in Lawrenceville.

My most embarrassing junk food:

Popcorn. The embarrassing part is the sheer quantity I can consume in one sitting.

My first job:

Working in my dad's Hallmark card and gift shop in Downey, Calif.

My worst job:

Modeling a beaver costume for a health-care company. That's all I'm going to say.

Life would be better without:

Fracking

Opening nights are:

One night only, thank goodness.

1. Kovacevic: Matt Cooke 1, Ottawa Senators 0
2. Penguins rout Senators, return to Eastern Conference final
3. Alfredsson ponders his future
4. Letang dazzles with dynamic play in Game 5 win
5. Penguins notebook: Tickets for Eastern Conference final on sale today
6. Penguins’ fans as young as five months brave cold to watch Game 5
7. Zoning change of Herminie parcels causes controversy
8. Pirates waste strong Burnett start, fall again to Brewers at Miller Park
9. McKeesport man gets jail term for heroin sale
10. Marine restores pride of Memorial Day parade on streets of Lawrenceville
11. Steelers hope new blocking scheme kick-starts running game

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