Carrie Preston, Michael Emerson join praise for ASF's retiring Greta Lambert

News of Greta Lambert’s retirement from Alabama Shakespeare Festival’s staff, and her plans to step back from acting work for a while, has struck a chord with longtime colleagues, friends and fans.

That includes Emmy Award-winning actor and director Carrie Preston (“True Blood,” “The Good Wife,” “Claws”), who in 1994 was an actor at ASF’s production of "Hamlet." More recently in 2019, Preston directed “Buzz” at ASF, with Lambert in the cast.

“You’ve heard of Alexander the Great, the Great Wall of China, Catherine the Great, Great Gatsby, even the Great Outdoors … Well, ever since I was a teenager, in our house, it was always and will forever be the Great Greta Lambert,” Preston said in a release from ASF. “When I was a kid, I knew I wanted to be an actor, but I didn’t know until I saw Greta Lambert on stage that I wanted to be that kind of actor."

“Seeing Greta in Hedda Gabler, with her every restless move, her command of the language and stage was something I’d never seen before (and) how that could be crafted and executed, almost like a dance, that a character could and should be constructed like a house, from the foundation up. I didn’t know how to do that, but I knew I wanted to try,” Preston said.

Preston's husband, Emmy Award-winning actor Michael Emerson ("Evil," "Person of Interest"), also acted at ASF. That's where they met during "Hamlet" in 1994.

Emerson said his first impression of Lambert was of a "warm and sociable person, gentle and funny, a good hostess who welcomed us into what was her home and took care of the people around her. And as time went on, it turned out that this is what she offered to an audience, as well — a warm invitation into the world of the play where you would be looked after, put at your ease, entertained. It's a world where you’re in good hands since Greta has such a formidable set of actor tools: her natural beauty, her lovely voice, command of movement, intelligence, timing, humor, heart, and mystery, empathy, a true mastering of a difficult craft.”

Time as a student, co-star, and director working with Lambert has solidified what success in the craft means to Preston.

“Our job is to take humanity, plus words, plus emotions and distill them down into laser-focused moments that allow an audience to experience the human condition in a way that resonates with them, and then repeat," Preston said. "Greta repeats, and repeats and repeats, always striving to rise up to her own level of expertise — and beyond.”

Lambert is currently portraying Prospero in ASF's production of "The Tempest," which runs through March 12. Tickets are available at asf.net, or by calling the box office at 334-271-5353.

More praise for Greta Lambert

Alabama Governor Kay Ivey: “Whether on or off the stage, Greta Lambert has been a leader in the advancement of the arts in Alabama for over 35 years. Not only has her career at the Alabama Shakespeare Festival bolstered Alabama’s theatre program and brought educational opportunities to our K-12 students, but Greta has provided lively memories, joy, and inspiration for Alabamians, along with visitors from across the nation. I wish Greta the best of luck off the stage and a ‘break a leg’ as she continues her acting career.”

Montgomery Mayor Steven Reed: “For nearly 40 years, Greta Lambert has been a pivotal part of the art, entertainment and unrivaled experiences that embody the Alabama Shakespeare Festival. Her time, talent and dedication have helped position ASF as one of the South’s premier cultural experiences. On behalf of our entire community, we thank Greta for her service and wish her all the best!”

Former ASF acting company member Greg Thornton: “Superlatives abound and where to begin? Luminous, inspiring, heart-rending, a shining presence, the best of stage partners. It was and continues to be a privilege to stand in the room and on the stage with Greta. You know at every turn, she will deliver the goods, and then some. How lucky are we to be in her company.”

Former ASF acting company member Steven David Martin: “When I first met Greta, she was rehearsing Kate in 'Taming of the Shrew.' I was playing Tranio, so I didn't really have any scenes with her, but I was smitten from the start. I can truthfully say, I have never worked with a more talented actor. Greta is an intoxicating mixture of intelligence, beauty, instinct, wit, sensuality, and heart. On stage she is always present, always engaged, always giving of herself for the good of the play. Offstage she is a complete, delight, warm, funny, generous to all. She is a gift to the theatre, and I count my blessings that I had so many opportunities to work with her and learn from her.”

Former Montgomery Advertiser features writer and editor Rick Harmon: “She’s pretty much been there since the beginning of the theater in Montgomery. She created some wonderful roles. In ‘Fair and Tender Ladies,’ I can remember going. I had read the summary and I thought, you know, this is one of the ones you’re going to have to just sit through because you’re the reviewer. One of the things that bothered me about it was often when roles require someone to be both a young person and an old person, it just doesn’t work. Her performance (as Ivy Rowe) made that one of the best productions I’ve ever seen at ASF. I think, just by her performances, she managed to take plays that would have been good and made them great... There are many performances she has given that I will remember forever. They were just that good.”

Montgomery Advertiser reporter Shannon Heupel covers things to do in the River Region. Contact him at sheupel@gannett.com

This article originally appeared on Montgomery Advertiser: Carrie Preston, Michael Emerson join praise for ASF's Greta Lambert