Steve Lichtenstein has played the smart, powerful, edgy underdog lawyer, judge, doctor, father, and shady businessman. With these roles of course, underneath there is a great sense of ironic humor, kindness and passion. During the pandemic he didn’t stop. He played Roy Cohn in Angels in America both parts, Mel Edison in Prisoner of 2nd Avenue, Frank in Lovers and Other Strangers, and Boss Finlay in Sweet Bird of Youth.
Recent film projects include Like Daughter Like mother which has been screened at many film festivals and won awards for Best Film. Steve received a Best Supporting Actor nomination at the Uptown Manhattan Film Festival for his role as Ronald the powerful quirky dad and widower in the film. He can also can be seen in the festival award winning short Sure-Fire which has garnished much attention all over the country. Steve is currently in pre-production on a short film called Aaron With 2 A’s in which he is the co-writer, creator, executive producer and star of the film. His new production company is called Baby Boo Boo Productions LLC.
FMM: Tell us about your new film, Aaron with 2 A’s. What intrigued you about this role?
I am super, uber excited about my own short film project. The title is Aaron With 2 A’s. I am the Executive Producer/Creator/Co-Writer/ Lead of the film. I never thought in a million years that I could have these many slashes. The film is being directed by Michael Goldburg. It also stars Pamela Jayne Morgan and Anthony Robert Grasso among an incredible cast and crew. The producer is Randi Sloane, and my co-writers are Mark Resnik and Montana Rock. It is about an older man who is an underdog following his dreams and choosing to live his life to the fullest if he can only get out of his own way. What drew me to Aaron is my own journey and seeing how an underdog who shifts his attitude can change everything. 3 years ago, I wrote a monologue and started to find a story I wanted to tell. I came up with an idea and got together with Mark Resnik. We started to flesh it out and once I knew the message I wanted to tell, it morphed into a very personal, yet universal and dynamic story that I think will impact and inspire people. Hopefully, they can see some part of themselves in it and see that they can follow their dreams no matter how old or the risks. It is quite an amazing thing to have people believe in your vision and want to join. The film takes a lot of effort by a lot of people who believe in the story and message. It has taken hold of me deeply and rooted itself in my being. This and a couple of other recent projects I’ve done have taught me that to make any film is an unbelievable accomplishment that takes a belief in the vision, dedication, hard work, fun, and fortitude. I admire all the dreamers who inspire me. We shoot May 22-24.
The project has been delayed due to COVID-19 for over a year. So it feels like we’ve waited an eternity. Although I’d like it to, the film will not solve the world’s problems…but it is an important film because it brings inspiration, hope and joy into the world at a time when we can all use that!!! I hope that people will take the journey with us and donate to our go fund me drive. Film Making isn’t cheap. I hope people will be part of making this dream come true. We also have pages on Facebook and Instagram. Please feel free to visit, like and comment on posts. Aaron With 2 A’s go fund me link is:
FMM: You have played the powerful, edgy underdog lawyer, judge, doctor, father, and shady businessman. How have you evolved your craft?
This is really my brand and essence and speak to the types of roles I have and can play. I can throw in a shady congressman or political type as well with a chip on his shoulder. How have I evolved? Greatly! Seriously, this is a two-fold question. First as an actor/producer/writer and second as a person who has lived a lot of life. Acting is about behavior of people and bringing your own different sides to breathe life into a character to tell a writer’s story. I have been acting for over 20 years and another 16 years of hiatus. In those years it was about life, joy, community service, human rights, death, marriage, divorce, a kid, and creating. I have been fortunate for the past 9 years to study in New York with some of the world’s best teachers, mentors, and coaches including Anthony Robert Grasso, Deena Levy, Jean Louis Rodrigue, and Kristof Konrad (AlexanderTechworks), and Larry Moss. I am continually learning how to free myself up and use physicality in my acting. Script analysis is key to find the clues and given circumstances the writer has given you. Always honor the writer. I have also worked a great deal on Frame of Mind. It is about attitude, abundance, being grateful and not beating up on yourself. I am so grateful to my current wife for her helping me evolve as a husband. My son is 27 and is creating his own film making career and inspires me as well.
When I think of the journey I have been on, well…it’s incredible. Professionally, I have expanded in the last few years doing some things I never thought I’d be doing. Producing and writing as well as acting. I am so lucky in so many ways. I am still learning, growing and curious. I hope I never stop evolving in this wonderful craft.
FMM: What role has challenged you the most?
The Role of father and husband. Particularly staying in mostly for the entire year with my wife and we are still married I am happy to report. This bodes well for our future. Oh, you mean in the profession. Mostly, I think it’s always the last one I took on. I think it’s Roy Cohn in Angels in America which is probably a good segue into the next question. There are a few reasons for this. I first played this role in a workshop with Anthony Robert Grasso in London about 2 and a half years ago. I worked a monologue in an embodying the body workshop with Jean Louis Rodrigue and Kristof Konrad, about one and a half years ago. Both experiences put me on the right road so to speak. Then recently I was fortunate enough to play him in a full online production. I had studied Roy Cohn by watching as much as I could find about him and watching his physicality to. Given that most people see him as an evil, hateful man I had to go deep down in myself to find commonalities in myself and justifications for his behavior. We both had very hard childhoods. Part 2 of Angels was the most challenging. We had a little over a week and 3 long rehearsals. Playing the arc of someone who is dying and layering that takes a lot out of you. The role itself takes a lot of energy and stamina. The feedback that I/we got was quite amazing.
FMM: Tell us about your role as Roy Cohn in Angels in America. What led you to this project?
So, what led me to this project was always the beautiful writing of Tony Kushner. He gives you so much and such a great guidepost of the piece. It always excited me. So many themes and messages about our society. And even though it’s about Aides, there are more themes that apply to us today. Roy was a very complex person with so much hidden and denied on the inside. I love characters who are that are complex. During COVID-19 I have been given the great opportunity to delve into and perform many large roles that I have wanted to, as part of what was the Weekend Play Readings. The title does not do the group justice. We put on some amazing productions with professional actors, props and costume changes and a good amount of rehearsing. It has been so successful that Insomniac Productions has been born and will bring these pieces to staged productions in the future.
FMM: You have played Mel Edison in Prisoner of 2nd Avenue, Frank in Lovers and Other Strangers, Boss Finlay in Sweet Bird of Youth. What did you enjoy most about these characters?
Who wouldn’t want to have the honor of playing roles from the genius of such playwrights as Neil Simon, Tennessee Williams, Renee Taylor and Joseph Bologna, and Tony Kushner? This kind of work is one way to keep developing my craft. All these Characters are so rich and complex. The plays are about impactful universal messages to society. Most of the roles allows you to extend yourself and explore the human flaws. The imperfect side of humanity. These roles are what I began my acting journey for! All of it is a joy. The challenge, the energy, and the playing-off behavior. That’s why we do it!
FMM: What are your strengths as an actor?
I think my strengths are being able to dig deep into a character and myself. I can do comedy and drama. I have a large range of work. Always looking to be specific with my choices and asking why. I take adjustments very well and am willing to try various things. I always bring my A game and am prepared. I am mostly always present. I try to personalize places, people, things, and images. I look to find my physicality and rhythm. I am always looking to learn and grow. I can never get enough rehearsal. I am probably better at crediting others than myself…
FMM: Where would you like to see your career in 2021? Who would you like to work with?
Anthony Hopkins if you’re reading this, I am available to do a film later this year…I am going to complete Aaron With 2 A’s, submit and get it into Festivals. I see myself being in episodics by the end of the year. I would like to be in another film and begin on a new project by my film company: Baby Boo Boo Productions LLC. Who wouldn’t I like to work with? So many I’d like to work with. I am lucky to have worked with the actors and directors I have worked with. Of course, I would love to work with Mark Ruffalo, Paul Giamatti, Tom Hanks, Morgan Freeman, Meryl Streep, Olivia Coleman, Viola Davis, etc… But I do get to work with Anthony Robert Grasso and Pamela Jayne Morgan on my film.
FMM: Your son is a Filmmaker. Tell us about his work.
I am extremely proud of what my son has accomplished over the past several years. Currently, my son Jeff Lichtenstein is 27 years old and works for Martini Media Solutions. He has done production, post-production work including editing and directing corporate videos for Visa, Capitol One, and Google etc… He is currently producing and editing the documentary called Ever Forward. He also has made videos to aid in public service working with Story of Our Schools, which helps boost the work of schools in the community. His latest project that the company has been working on is an episodic talk show called Hustle and Grind. It is a show that helps entrepreneurs find their way. His is the DP, producer and does the editing as well. He has a feature that he has written and intends to produce and direct it in the future. Moving forward he is looking to go to graduate school I film and continue pursuing the career. He put together the 2 minute video on the GoFundMe site for Aaron With 2 A’s.
FMM: What is in the works for you within the next few months?
So much…. Now, that I am done with the play, I will be focusing on my GoFundMe campaign for Aaron With 2 A’s, do a lot of prep work on the production side with my production team, which includes my producer Randi Sloane, and then prepping as the actor and finally doing it!!! That will happen May 22 through May 24th. I have also been consistently auditioning for various film and TV roles. So, god willing, and my management team, that will also keep me busy. Oh, I almost forgot, I will also be taking weekly class as well and getting my website re-done. I do want to shout out to my wonderful agents at SW Artists and my wonderful management team at Dream Maker Talent Management. I am so grateful for what they have done for me and their belief in me.
Steve Lichenstein’s reel
