Camryn Manheim — The Bare Magazine

It wasn’t often that the supremely talented beauty Camryn Manheim got glammed up playing Lieutenant Kate Dixon for 3 seasons on Law and Order. So we were thrilled when we got a chance to snap a little diary of her in NYC when she attended the opening of the Metropolitan Opera. Camryn shares some highlights of getting dolled up for a night at the opera, her “Momtourage,” the latest on her gifted son Milo Manheim, interpreting/sign language, bare essentials and who her dream job costars would be. Scroll on down!

The Bare Magazine: It's not often you got to dress up in the 3 seasons you were on Law & Order. How was it getting dolled up for the opening of the Metropolitan Opera in NYC?

Camryn Manheim: I have played a lot of cops and lawyers in my career. I never get to dress up in fancy clothes and have a glam squad. At first, when I was invited to the Metropolitan Opera for opening night, I declined because I didn’t have a gown to wear. But one of my friends told me I was being silly and I should go and look for one.

When I found this gorgeous gold and navy blue frock at Macy’s by Betsy & Adam, I called my favorite makeup artist to see if she was available. That’s when all the pieces fell into place. I felt like Cinderella going to the ball. At two o’clock, you’re in jeans and a T-shirt, and by four o’clock you look like a movie star. It’s been a long time since I’ve worn gold shimmery makeup to go with my gown. I don’t dress up that often, so when I do, it is very special and magical.

Bare: How was the opera and the evening - take us through it!

CM: I have never experienced anything quite like the opening night of a new opera. When we got there, everyone was dressed up in black-tie attire. I think some people mistook the Met Opera for the Met Gala because there was some extra special outfits that night. My date and I walked the red carpet, schmoozed with friends and celebrities and then we were escorted to our seats, third row center.

I have never been in the opera house before. It is exactly what you would imagine. It is magnificent and grand. The opera was visually stunning and beautifully acted. After a ten minute curtain call, we were brought to a beautiful hall where there was a candlelit dinner for several hundred people. It was so elegant and glamourous.

Bare: What do you love most about your visits to NYC? What do you love most about getting back to LA?

CM: When I’m in New York, I feel like I’m in college again. I ride my Citi Bike all around Manhattan. In the three weeks I was there, I went to the US Open, saw McNeal, Suffs,The Witness Room, Jerry Seinfeld & Sebastian Maniscalco at Madison Square Garden, John Oliver & Seth Meyers at the Beacon Theater, went to an Unsung Hero Gala for the American Theater Wing, saw the screenings of a Brian Murphy series, Monsters, A Very Royal Scandal, and the brilliant new FX series, Social Studies. On top of that, I saw a play at The Skirball Center called Counting and Cracking, which was probably one of my top three most memorable theater experiences of all time. And then, I got to go to the Metropolitan Opera for the very first time.

My life in LA is much different. My family and my home are there. I have more grown-up things to take care of there. But on the weekend I’m usually hanging out with friends or playing poker, Codenames, or Mah Jongg.

Bare: You're an avid theatre supporter and lover. You mentioned your son Milo will be appearing on stage in LA. Can you give us some deets and other things he's got going on? -- we are huge fans of you guys!

CM: I brought Milo to see the Broadway play American Idiot when it premiered on Broadway. That was back in 2010. He loved that musical. He went backstage and wanted to meet all the actors. Now 14 years later he’s performing in it at The Mark Taper Forum in Los Angeles. He also just wrapped the second season of School Spirits which will be on Paramount+.

Bare: You started working as an actor professionally in your 30's. People may not know you taught sign language and interpreted as a way to make money before that. Can you share a bit about the experience?

CM: I've never been very good at learning languages. I failed French and Spanish twice in high school, so I took sign language so I could get into college. For some reason, it just made sense to me. And I kept taking it all through graduate school. I was fluent when I graduated and I got hired as an interpreter. It was such an amazing job to have. One day you’re in a classroom interpreting for a history class, the next day you’re interpreting for someone who’s at a job training session, and the next day you’re in an emergency room. It was the perfect job for me as I was auditioning for acting jobs.

Bare: If you could describe a dream project with dream costars and director what would that be?

CM: Part of that dream came true when I worked with the Swedish director, Lasse Hollstrom. I loved his work. What’s Eating Gilbert Grape, My Life as a Dog, and The Cider House Rules. He was directing a movie called An Unfinished Life with Robert Redford, Morgan Freeman, and Jennifer Lopez. I asked my agents to push for an audition. Working with the stellar cast and Lasse was a dream come true. And I’m dying to work with Emma Thompson and Olivia Colman. I think they are just extraordinary actors.

Bare: You have some longstanding friendships with some amazing artists and fierce women. What are your key tips on having an amazing enduring friendship?

CM: I've never been married, so my friendships are key to my existence. My friends are my chosen family and I spend a lot of time nurturing them. I have my “Momtourage” who are the people I raised my son with. I have my theater friends, my college friends, my game playing friends, my childhood friends.

The thing about living in LA, is you have a lot time in traffic, which is the best time to check in and connect with people. I rarely listen to podcasts because I’m calling people across the country depending on the time zones. Late at night when people in NY and LA are sleeping, I call my friends and family in Europe.

Bare: What would you say are your current five Bare essentials (they can be anything or anyone).

CM:

- My son: He is the best thing that ever happened to me.

- My friends: I’d be lost without them.

- My pursuit of joy: Even in the darkest times, I try to find some joy. It is the air that I breathe.

- My cats: I am a bonifide “Cat Lady.” They are pure joy to me. This is Geoff.