Q&A with Lori Funk, 'Diane' in BUFFALO HEIGHTS - June 15-30

TIC's revival of comedy Buffalo Heights is an official selection of the Planet Connections Theatre Festivity on the Lower East Side this June 15-30. We sat down with brilliantly funny Lori Funk to get her thoughts on the show!
Get your tickets at www.tictheater.com. We open this Thursday, 6/15 and tickets are selling fast!

Buffalo Heights takes place at your character, Diane Matthews' alma mater, Buffalo Heights High. Tell us about your HS days, and hers. 
Photo attached. Eeeks. I was voted "Most Respected" and "Most Likely to Succeed," and, like Diane Matthews, I was the valedictorian of my class.
 
My extra curriculars were : German Club, Forensics, Math Team, Mixed and Concert Choir, Choir Accompanist, National Honor Society.

My yearbook 'ambition quote' (a lot of this is 'inside joke' material) : "To marry Dana Carvey and appear on Saturday Night Live with him to sing 'Choppin' Broccoli.' To unite Danielle and the boy. To go to Bradley. To become a scrub woman with Heidi. To have as many clothes as Lori M. Smith. To find Lori Peterson's other two. To ride in Liz's convertible. Finally, to become the next Mary Smits and earn $700,000 a year for smiling a lot."
 
Ha! Glory days, I tell ya. Glory days.
 
Meatballs or sticky buns?
I'm a sweet and salty kinda gal. So, I would say a bite of meatball, followed by a bite of sticky bun, followed by another bite of meatball. And on and on. And on. My favorite snack in high school was Fritos dipped in Betty Crocker Rainbow Chip frosting. I'm telling you: don't knock it till you try it.
 
What language did you take in high school? Favorite word in that language, and why?
When I attended Waupaca High School many moons ago, two foreign languages were offered. They were Spanish and German, and I chose German. Each student was able to pick the name they were to be referred to as during class. I could have chosen any number of 'sexier' German names : Emma, Ilse, Gisela. Instead, I chose Waltraud (pronounced 'Vall-troud.' At first, I did it to be weirdly obnoxious. But, then, I really respected the name. It had strength. It was unique. It was fun. And, it makes for a good story. ;)
 
Venue: LATEA Theater @ the Clemente Center, 107 Suffolk Street, 2nd Floor, NYC
Trains: F, J, M, Z to Delancey/Essex Stations
Get your $18 tickets below:
6 shows (90-min run time, no intermission)
Thur 6/15 @ 7 PM
Sat 6/17 @ 1:15 PM
Mon 6/19 @ 9 PM
Sat 6/24 @ 3:30 PM
Sun 6/25 @ 9:30 PM
Fri 6/30 @ 7:15 PM
 
Synopsis: new teacher Fran arrives at Buffalo Heights High School full of enthusiasm, but her lesson plans are soon overshadowed by a power-hungry junior, Piper Matthews. When Fran encourages charismatic stoner Conner to run against Piper in the school body election, a nasty rumor whips the school and city of Buffalo into a frenzy. Armed only with a book of French poetry, an unopened pack of cigarettes, and a chant about sticky buns, Fran must do battle with the rumors and her critics.
Venue: LATEA Theater
 
Production team & cast: written by Adam Harrell, directed by Jake Lipman, stage managed by Erin Cohen, scenic design by Michael Lounsbery, sound design by Philip Rothman, featuring Lori Funk*, Jake Lipman*, Brittany Anikka Liu*, Maria Maloney*, Jordan P. Schroeder, and Patrick Truhler*
Themes: LBGTQ rights, freedom of speech, justice, election politics