Critics like to say that Vakhtangov Academic Theater lead actress Nonna Grishayeva should have been born in the 19th century. And indeed, she has won praise for her performances of Liza in Alexander Pushkin’s "The Queen of Spades," Shilavina in Alexander Ostrovsky’s "Bez Viny Vinovatye" (Guilty Without Guilt) and Maria Antonovna in Nikolai Gogol’s "Revizor" (The Inspector General). In fact, it’s almost easier to compile a list of famous Russian plays in which she hasn’t appeared.

Although Grishayeva agrees that she would have fit in perfectly in the 19th century, her acting in modern plays has also been attracting attention of late. Her roles in "Den Radio" (Day of the Radio) as DJ Nonna and in the musical "The Witches of Eastwick" as Alexandra Spofford are two of the most talked-about theatrical events this year so far.

LifeStyle’s Dmitry Mozheitov met Grishayeva in the quiet cafe Nash Fashion on the Arbat to discuss theater, musicals and movies.

Nonna, how did you get the role in "The Witches of Eastwick" musical? Is it true that Alexei Kortnev recommended you?

That’s not exactly true. Kortnev and I are in the cast of "Den Radio," and it was the guys from Kvartet I who mentioned us to the musical’s producers when they were looking for actors.

Was it difficult for you to take on the role of Alexandra Spofford?

Not really. It was much harder to learn the intricate three-voice cues. It was really difficult. My character in the musical has a lot in common with me, although I’m not exactly that way… What’s really hard about the musical is its complicated music and tons of special effects – and not just sound effects, but stage props, too.

But this was the first time you sang on stage?

Of course not. I’m a laureate of the Andrei Mironov actor’s singing contest and the Petersburg Engagement international contest. I sing or dance – or both – in almost every production produced in the Vakhtangov Theater. And every director who puts on a production in the Vakhtangov and finds out that I can sing and dance only offers me these kinds of roles.

Of the following three art forms – theater, cinema and television – what do you think fits you best and is most interesting?

Theater. The guys from Kvartet I told me: "We came to see the musical and we saw you standing there dressed in a magnificent costume and singing amazingly beautiful songs. And it was obvious you were enjoying yourself." It’s true! The pleasure I’m getting from working on "The Witches of Eastwick" can only be compared with the feeling I got as a child when I first appeared on stage.

Do you remember your first appearance on stage?

Of course I do. It was the children’s musical "Veronika," and I played Veronika. It was staged in the Theater of Operetta in Odessa. I was 10 years old. It was an unforgettable feeling!

How do you cope with unexpected situations on stage?

These kinds of situations happen all the time. I remember a funny incident that happened with the Kvartet I guys during a performance of "Den Radio." The guys from another band, Neschastny Sluchai, decided to play a trick on them. There is a scene in the play where the guys eat some pastries and get stomachaches afterward. So, the guys [from Neschastny Sluchai] put some extremely spicy sauce on the pastries. The guys [from Kvartet I] were supposed to eat these pastries on stage. They managed to eat them, trying hard to keep from laughing from the pain. There have also been quite a few funny situations connected with "Witches," with something not going right or some little mistake. I’ve been surprised at myself: When some prop hasn’t come out at the right moment you could assume I would panic. But, instead, I felt this strange calmness. I took a breath and said to myself: "No problem. I’ll play it as it is." Very strange kind of composure. I didn’t expect it from myself.

You have a very intense work schedule. How do you manage to stay in shape?

This season I’ve declined a number of offers to act in movies and on TV – simply because I understand I have no time for that. Of course, I can spend my nights filming. But what effects will that have on my body, my health? Now I find myself torn between three theaters: On April 4, I’m busy with "Den Radio" in DK Zuyeva and from April 3-14, I’m doing "The Witches of Eastwick" in the Kinoaktyora Theater, and when I’m done with these two plays I’m doing something in the Vakhtangov Theater. I really wish it were all just one musical showing at the Vakhtangov Theater. I just wish I could combine it all! I’ve never had to think about staying in shape. My figure is a gift from God. I’ve never been on a diet; I just do a bit of daily training in a ballet studio.

Have you ever thought of recording an album?

There was such an idea, but there also has to be material, a composer and lyrics. If a person offered me to sing something I liked I would be happy to do it. Friends keep on asking me: "When?" I don’t know. I don’t want to sing something stale. Take, for example, the Vakhtangov Theater’s adaptation of "Esmeralda" from "Notre Dame de Paris." We did it three years ago and we were the first to do it. It was completely different then – now it’s everywhere. I want to do something new.

Things are going well for you in the theater. Why haven’t you fallen in love with cinema?

I don’t want to do anything below my standards. I’ve got a wait-and-see attitude. There are lots of offers but I’m waiting for a better one.

Why do you say I haven’t fallen in love with cinema? The relationship is only beginning. I acted in the TV series "La dame de Monsoreau" and in the movies: Marina Kaznina’s "Tainaya sila" (The Mysterious Force), Artur Aristakisian’s "Mesto na zemle" (A Place on the Earth) and Stanley Tong’s "Jackie Chan’s First Strike." In the last film I played the girlfriend of Jackie Chan’s main enemy. I’m proud of my work in these movies. So, as you can see, my life is turning out fine… I worked on "La dame de Monsoreau," "Tainaya sila" and "Jackie Chan’s First Strike" while I was pregnant. And it was all during one pregnancy.

Has your daughter been following in your footsteps?

Well, so far she has only had starring roles in the productions staged in her kindergarten. She has not worked on any movies so far. I wouldn’t mind her becoming an actress, but my mother is against it. "One actress in enough!" she says. "I can’t survive another one. My granddaughter will be a linguist!"

But my daughter is already ready for acting. She can’t just say: "I don’t want to eat this porridge." She has to say: "Oh, how I don’t want to eat this porridge!"