When we catch up with actress Zoey Deutch over Zoom, she has two performances of the Thornton Wilder play Our Town ahead of her. In the play set in the fictional town of Grover’s Corners, Deutch has made her Broadway debut as central character Emily Webb. People think she’s portrayed Emily as charming, likable, and vulnerable.
She’s performing eight times a week alongside co-stars Jim Parsons and Katie Holmes, so it’s good that she’s basically been doing her holiday shopping all year. She tells the Cut that the secret to gift giving is keeping a running list of things people like or want. Her secret to a good holiday party? Ina Garten’s hosting rules, “I don’t have nearly as good tips as Ina Garten, so I refer to her.” And for food, don’t make things too complicated.
How hard was it to step into the role of Emily?
The play hasn’t been on Broadway in over 20 years, so getting to be in this production and stepping into Emily Webb’s world and holding her heart in mine is something I’ll forever be grateful for. There are no props in the play because, for Thornton Wilder, so much of the play was about how life exists in memory and the imagination. At the time, it was a pretty avant-garde concept. It makes actors use their imaginations and invites the audience to interact and imagine what they’re doing. When Katie Holmes, who plays my mom, is cooking breakfast, no matter how specific her pantomimes are you might see your mom and the breakfast she made for you as a child, which is so cool.
Do you have a pre-show ritual?
I like to pick a seat to sit in. It helps me remember, visualize, and put in my physical body how the performance and my voice need to carry to every corner and seat of the room. I usually order broth from Springbone; I might be their No. 1 customer. I then chug a spicy turmeric shot from Juice Generation and might also be their No. 1 customer.
What are you wearing for the New York winter and holidays?
Theory’s standard, classic crewneck cashmere sweater. I live in that one. I have it in gray, black, and white. They’re so warm and comfortable and easy to layer. That’s my vibe all year round, not just the holidays.
Do you have any rules for throwing a good party?
Ina Garten did an episode of The Daily and she’s giving her hosting tips and she said, “The most important thing of hosting is how you make people feel when they enter your home.” Having a lay of the land and knowing where to put their things and drinks so they don’t feel confused. They know their place and where to go and that they’re welcome. I don’t have nearly as good tips as Ina Garten, so I refer to her. Flow of the space is important, making sure there’s a bar, food, and that not everyone congregates to one area. The No. 1 thing is good food.
What’s your favorite party food?
When I’m at a party, the less complicated and trying to be fancy the food is, the more comfortable I feel. I know it’s different, but it’s like when you’re on a plane and they give you something where you’re like, What is this? Why are you giving me smoked salmon with foam? Why isn’t there just pasta or pizza?
Where do you get your best culture recommendations from?
I love Esther Perel’s podcast. Everything from her is great — her books, her podcasts, her advice.
Is there something you’ll never watch no matter what? Like horror or reality TV?
I love reality TV when I’m working. For some reason, I have a hard time watching TV or movies while working. I never was a Real Housewives person, but I’m finally doing it. I’m watching The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City, and let me tell you, it is living up to the hype. I would’ve said Real Housewives before — it was intimidating, I didn’t know where to start. Never say never; there’s nothing I would never watch.
Are you reading anything else right now?
I had three chapters of Red Tent left for about a year and a half that I finally finished last night. I’m about to start Eighth Day, by Thornton Wilder. The estate put a bookshelf full of all his writing in the theater so I could have all his writing in my apartment. It’s fun to live in his world and his brain while I’m doing the play. You can see parallels and recurring themes of his interest.
What music (or playlist) do you listen to when you’re alone?
I love the radio. I know every lyric to every song, but I don’t know the names or who it’s by.