Lindsay Crouse was in the bathtub of her Chicago hotel suite Wednesday morning when the telephone call came.
”I thought, `Oh, gosh, it`s bad news that will ruin my day, and by getting out of the tub to answer, I`ll make my cold worse,` ” she said.
John Malkovich, meanwhile, was at a studio in Queens, N.Y., taping a production of Arthur Miller`s ”Death of a Salesman,” with Dustin Hoffman, for telecast later this year on CBS-TV.
Thus, two young members of Chicago`s theater community learned of their supporting-role Oscar nominations for ”Places in the Heart.” Malkovich, a member of Steppenwolf Theatre, plays an embittered blind man in the film. Crouse, a member of the newly formed New Theatre Co., portrays a mother with a philandering husband.
Malkovich was on the set when a production assistant came up and broke the news. ”It`s a nice honor, and it`s flattering that people appreciate your work,” he said. ”I`m not sure what to say about it. I can`t imagine it changing my life, but then I wouldn`t want to belittle it either.”
Malkovich said he discussed the nomination with Hoffman, who is well known for his criticism of acting awards. ”Dustin told me I didn`t have a chance against the guy (Noriyuki `Pat` Morita) from `The Karate Kid,`
” Malkovich said. Reached late Wednesday in his New York apartment after about 10 hours on the ”Salesman” set, Malkovich added, ”It looks like I`m celebrating by watching De Paul (University) lose to Dayton.”
Malkovich will be returning to Chicago in late February to direct a new play, Lynn Siefert`s ”Coyote Ugly,” which opens March 27 at Steppenwolf.
”I thought I had a 50-50 chance for a nomination,” said Crouse, who is in Chicago rehearsing for the March 14 opening at the Goodman Theatre Studio of Anton Chekhov`s ”The Cherry Orchard,” adapted by her husband, playwright David Mamet.
”I never quite understand the Academy Awards. But I`m very happy, of course. I loved making this film, and I loved the part. I have a special feeling for that character, her situation and her marriage. I think she did a great thing to keep her family together, and I admire her. It was a beautiful ensemble cast, and there was definitely a special feeling on that set.”
Crouse wasn`t sure Wednesday if she`d be able to attend the March 25 Oscar ceremonies. ”It depends on `Cherry Orchard,”` she said. ”But it happens on a Monday, which is my night off, and it would definitely be something to do.
”Winning would be velvet, but the nomination is enough.”
