Writer/performer Ned Van Zandt comes to the Edinburgh Fringe this year with a journey of survival, sobriety and the power of Art.
Where: Dairy Room at Underbelly, Bristo Square
When: 6 – 25 Aug
Ticket link: https://www.edfringe.com/tickets/whats-on/del-valle-a-true-tale-of-sex-drugs-rock-and-roll-and-redemption
Ned tells us more about his eventful life!
What’s your show about and why should audiences come along?
The tag line is: “A drug-addled actor finds himself locked up in Del Valle — a Texas state prison — where the Junior Grand Dragon of the Aryan Brotherhood recognizes him from his appearances on TV’s All My Children, and offers him protection in exchange for acting lessons….
A journey of survival, sobriety, and the power of Art.” It’s about my life.
I’ve lived through some incredible things (Addiction, Hollywood, Sid & Nancy – her murder at the Chelsea Hotel) And I have survived and thrived. Audiences should come along because it’s entertaining, original and funny.
And it’s only an hour. .
Reading about your life, you’ve done a lot and met pretty much everyone. What’s been your absolute highlight?
Some absolute highlights: Appearing on Broadway in Howard Davies’ production of The Iceman Cometh. which transferred from London.
Working with director Hal Ashby on the film Coming Home. Having Meryl Streep grab my hands and tell me I was “wonderful” after she saw me perform in the play Good Television Off Broadway at the Atlantic Theater.
But I think the absolute highlight came in 2008 . I was newly sober, just out of rehab, living in Hawaii. I was working as a waiter in a coffee shop in Waikiki. I’d been out of the acting business for almost 10 years and was pretty down on myself.
A TV movie was auditioning for small local-hire roles for the Hollywood film which was to be set in Hawaii. I went in and read for a small part.
The director then had me read for one of the leads and I got it. It was a new beginning for me.
How did you make a start as a performer? Do Fringe festivals inspire you?
I was in a talent show in second grade at the American School in London. I performed the song “Dite Moi” from the Rodgers and Hammerstein musical South Pacific. After that, I was hooked.
I got my professional start and Actors Equity Union card at age 10 playing Winthrop in The Music Man at theaters in Texas. I moved to New York City at 18 to go to N.Y.U. drama school and make a go of it.
Fringe Festivals do inspire me. I was inspired to write my play after seeing some terrific solo shows at Los Angeles and NY Fringe Fests.
What are you looking forward to the most in Edinburgh?
I’m most looking forward to seeing my great pal Miriam Margolyes. She is back this year performing her one woman show Margolyes & Dickens: More Best Bits at The Pleasance.
Miriam and I met in London in 1975 when we were performing in two of playwright Robert Patrick’s plays which were simultaneously running on the West End. She was in Kennedy’s Children. I was in The Haunted Host. We became lifelong friends.
I’m also looking forward to seeing my friend Laura Benanti who is bringing her solo show Nobody Cares to The Underbelly where I’ll also be performing.
I have other New York friends returning to The Fringe in 3 Chickens Confront Existence. They were a hit at last year’s Fringe and are returning for an encore at The Underbelly.
Where can we see your work after Fringe?
Let’s find out.
You can follow me on Instagram @nedvanzandt Website: nedvanzandt.com