MAN WHO WOULD BE KING PICKS GUINEVERE

April 24, 1998

Chicago Sun-Times

By Bill Zwecker

Guess what part William Petersen is dying to play? Would you believe King Arthur in "Camelot"? The actor had fun ribbing Goodman Theatre Artistic Director Robert Falls Wednesday night as key Goodman supporters began celebrating next Tuesday's groundbreaking for the theater's new Loop home. At an Arts Club of Chicago kickoff party, Falls was somewhat skeptical about a "Camelot" production at the Goodman, but he good-naturedly quipped, "And you know who Billy wants as his Guinevere?" "Sinead O'Connoer?" Petersen exclaimed. "Who cares if she can act? I can act around her. But can she sing...What a voice!".... If a Goodman "Camelot" ever would happen, "I'd have to direct it, just to make sure I'd get that dark, warped perspective into it," Falls said with a wonderfully wicked laugh....Petersen, by the way, has been one busy boy - having made five films in the last year. He just finished playing President John F. Kennedy in the controversial HBO Frank Sinatra film "The Rat Pack," starring Ray Liotta as Ol' Blue Eyes. Petersen said the story shows "how Sanatra wanted everything Kennedy had...class, power, position, and Kennedy wanted everything Sinatra had; women. fun and excitement."

The actor then rushed off to a rehearsal for "Flyovers," his next play at Victory Gardens Theatre. "I make movies in Hollywood to make money. I come back to Chicago to act."