Welcome back, Katie Holmes! It’s always a treat having you on the show. And now, you’re back on Broadway in the iconic Our Town. How are things going?

Katie Holmes: Thank you so much for having me! It’s been incredible. We’re doing eight shows a week, and it’s been such a dream to be back on stage. Our Town has been performed countless times, but our director has really made it “Our Town for our time,” and it’s been such an amazing experience. The cast is wonderful, and we’re all really close.

Katie Holmes: We have a pretty big cast—28 people in total! We’re all sharing dressing rooms, which makes it even more fun. I share mine with some amazing actors like Michelle Wilson, Julie Halston, Jim Parsons, Zoey Deutch, and Safiya Harris.

Host: Wow, that’s quite the group! And I’m sure with such a tight-knit group, you have a great backstage dynamic. I have to ask—what do you do in between shows? Eight shows a week must take a lot out of you!

Katie Holmes: (laughs) It does! I’m a big fan of naps. My first thought when I walk into a new place is, “Where can I nap?” So, I’m always on the lookout for a good nap spot. (laughs) I actually found a couch in the basement backstage, and I claimed it for myself. I took a little nap there, and I might even have a picture of me napping!

Katie Holmes: (laughs) Oh, yes. This is me, just napping away while the team was working. I set my alarm so I wouldn’t miss anything, but I really needed that rest before the show!

: I love how you just owned it and napped in the middle of everything. But hey, it’s all about staying refreshed. Do you have any pre-show rituals?

Katie Holmes: Absolutely! Before each show, I go to Starbucks on Eighth Avenue. The staff there is amazing—they wish me good luck every time I go in. Then I head to the stage and rehearse my lines a couple of times. At home, I run through my lines about three times. One time, though, I didn’t do it enough, and I blanked on a line during a scene. It was so embarrassing!

Katie Holmes: Well, I got totally flustered! I said the whole line except the last word, and I just couldn’t remember it. So, I made something up on the spot, but it didn’t even make sense. I was so red with embarrassment. Jim Parsons, who’s usually on stage with me, was watching, and it made it even worse. He could tell I was freaking out!

Katie Holmes: Well, I just started saying the lines super fast to cover it up—like, really fast. (laughs) I couldn’t get off stage fast enough! But after the show, Jim gave me a big hug and said, “I’ve never seen anyone say their lines so quickly!” (laughs)

: That’s amazing! Only on Broadway do you have moments like that. But you’ve got the talent to pull it off! And speaking of your performance, I’ve heard that you do some miming during the show, like making breakfast, right?

Katie Holmes: Yes! I have to mime making oatmeal in one scene. But after doing it for so many shows, I started getting a bit bored of it. So, one night, I decided to switch it up and mime making quiche instead! (laughs) It was a big jump from oatmeal, but I needed to make it more interesting for myself.

: Quiche?! That’s a bold choice! But I get it—sometimes you have to spice things up. What did the rest of the cast think?

Katie Holmes: (laughs) They loved it! Now, every night, I’m switching it up. One night I’m making pancakes, the next it’s quiche or oatmeal. I just have fun with it! I think it’s important to bring a little of yourself to the character, and making breakfast is a perfect way to do that.

Katie Holmes: Well, today I asked one of the cast members what they wanted for breakfast, and she said, “Oatmeal.” I couldn’t believe it! After all the quiche and pancakes, she went back to oatmeal! (laughs)

: That’s too funny! It’s like your Our Town breakfast menu is full of surprises. I also love hearing about your family. You’ve mentioned before that your mom still sends you care packages. Is that still happening?

Katie Holmes: Yes, she still does! She’s always sending me little things, and during the pandemic, she started making beautiful quilts. Recently, I did a collaboration with the brand A.P.C., and they saw her quilts and asked her to make one for their capsule collection! It sold out very quickly.

: That’s amazing! You really have the best mom. And I have to say, I got a care package from her once, too. It was one of the best things I’ve ever received!

Katie Holmes: (laughs) She is the best! And I love that she’s been able to share her creativity with others. She’s always been so supportive, and I’m so lucky to have her in my life.

: We all love your mom! Thank you so much for being here, Katie. Our Town is playing now at the Barrymore Theatre, and everyone should go see it!