Janet Varney On Her Upcoming Plan 9 From Outer Space Live Stage Reading at Sleepy Hollow International Film Festival

The 411 Interview: Janet Varney

Janet Varney is a comedian, Emmy nominated actor, writer, and producer who has appeared in such movies and TV shows as The Legend of Korra, Entourage, Judy Moody and the Not Bummer Summer, Burning Love, Take My Wife, You’re the Worst, and Stan Against Evil. Varney will be appearing at the upcoming Sleepy Hollow International Film Festival and performing a live stage reading of the Ed Wood cult classic Plan 9 From Outer Space alongside Scott Adsit, Jeffrey Combs, Frank Conniff, Bobcat Goldthwait, Jean Grae, John Hodgman, Jonah Ray, Rob Zabrecky, and Dana Gould (the show is set for Friday, October 11, 2019 at 9:00 pm at the Tarrytown Music Hall in Tarrytown, New York). In this interview. Varney talks with this writer about what it takes to prepare for a live stage reading of a movie script, how the project came together, the enduring legacy of Plan 9 From Outer Space, and more.

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Bryan Kristopowitz: How did you get involved with the Plan 9 From Outer Space live stage reading at the upcoming Sleepy Hollow International Film Festival?

Janet Varney: Dana Gould started doing these live reads of Plan 9 a few years ago, and I’m very lucky to say that he’s had me be a part of it since he first adapted this bizarre, ridiculous and very special script, adding his own amazing “narration” to comment on the script.

BK: What Plan 9 character will you be playing during the reading? Will you be playing more than one character?

JV: I’ll let that stuff be a fun surprise!

BK: How do you prepare for a live stage reading?

JV: Definitely don’t want to rely on reading something “cold” since I have anxiety about missing a cue or misreading a line, so I always go over it beforehand.

BK: Is it daunting to interpret something like Plan 9, considering its sort of ultimate cult movie status?

JV: I think what Dana has done with the script and the live show is so funny in its own right, I think people who love or hate this movie will have a fantastic time!

BK: When did you first see Plan 9 From Outer Space?

JV: Must have been in high school, MST3k era?

BK: Can you say something about The Sleepy Hollow International Film Festival and their involvement with this particular show?

JV: I’m excited they’re doing it!

BK: Why do you think Plan 9 continues to endure?

JV: You know, every time I’ve read the script or seen the movie— and at this point it’s many, many times, it still continues to make me laugh. I think it’s really difficult to put so much love and passion into a film – as Ed Wood clearly did— so that even the stuff that is absurd and kind of makes no sense is just so lovable, you can’t help but have affection for it.

BK: If someone decided to remake Plan 9, would you want to be in it and who would you want to play?

JV: Whoa, in a heartbeat! I’d do whatever was asked of me, role-wise!

BK: Who is cooler, Frank Conniff or Dana Gould?

JV: Eeeeeeeeeek! Equally cool!

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A very special thanks to Janet Varney for agreeing to participate in this interview and to david j. moore for setting it up.

The Sleepy Hollow International Film Festival runs from October 10-13, 2019 in Sleepy Hollow and Tarrytown, New York. Check out the festival’s official website here.

The live stage reading of Plan 9 From Outer Space is October 11th, 2019, at the Tarrytown Music Hall in Tarrytown, New York. Check out the Tarrytown Music Hall official website here.

Check out Janet Varney’s official website here.

Janet Varney photos courtesy of Dolly Avenue. Plan 9 From Outer Space live stage reading poster courtesy of the Sleepy Hollow International Film Festival.