What’s Up, Katie Finneran? The Pregnant Promises, Promises Star Dishes on Wedding Bells and Babies

It’s been quite the summer for Promises, Promises star Katie Finneran. The actress picked up her second Tony Award in June (for playing tipsy barfly Marge Macdougall) and got married to actor Darren Goldstein (Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson) on August 22. That same week, the couple announced they’re expecting their first child. Broadway.com caught up with Finneran, who’s now four and a half months pregnant, to chat about motherhood and Marge before she departs Promises on October 10.

Congratulations on the wedding and pregnancy! Tell us about your whirlwind few weeks.
It’s been so crazy, but it all went without a hitch! We just got back from Miami for the third leg of our wedding tour [after ceremonies at City Hall and Tribeca restaurant Trattoria Cinque] We’re definitely married now [laughs]. In Miami, we read the same vows we read in New York, people made speeches…lots of Irish wedding singing! It was really fun.

What made you decide to wear your Tony dress again at the New York ceremony?
My friend Jeff Mahshie designed it. He was going to design some fancy wedding dress, but that dress is so chic and sophisticated, I decided just to wear that. Surprisingly enough I still fit into it! We added a little bit of chiffon to my cleavage area because that’s becoming very robust lately.

Do you know the baby’s sex yet?
We think it’s a boy, but we’ll find out for sure next week. We’ll love whatever comes our way. Whenever we have a sonogram the baby’s dancing like crazy…just flailing arms and legs all over.

How did your Promises, Promises castmates react to the big news?
Every day I have someone’s hand on my belly! Brooks Ashmanskas thinks it’s his [laughs].We’re still having such a good time. Every week I have something new…an elastic belt, or the little flounce they put on my blouse that I call “the baby curtain.” It’s fun having the support of these people. I’ll miss the show and this loving community so much. It really is the best job on Broadway.

How are you holding up in the show?
I get more tired, but it’s a perfect role because I’m not onstage until the second act and then I sing a song and I’m off. I’ve had to change the way [co-star Sean Hayes] jumps on me. Before he used to have a running start, now it’s sort of a one leg, two leg thing. It’s no big deal. I’m very strong, and we’ll know when it’s not right anymore. Hopefully my belly won’t get too big. We’ll do our best to cover it up so I don’t look like a drunken nymphomaniac who’s pregnant…that sort of changes the story a little bit! She’d be drinking for two!

Your replacement has yet to be announced. Any advice for the actress who takes over as Marge?
Just take it and run with it. Do your own thing, or steal whatever you want from me. When you look at the script, it really could be anything, and I encourage them to have a great time because the audience really loves this character.

As you leave Promises, Darren will be opening in Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson.
They just started rehearsals, and he’s already sore from dance practice. [Director] Alex Timbers is such a great guy. Darren and I met doing Beyond Therapy with him. I’m so excited for the show because it’s so fun, sexy and exciting…it’s the cool kids on Broadway. I can’t wait to bring the baby to the theater every night. We’ll get some little baby leather jeans!

Besides whipping your two Tony Awards out in a hilarious sketch at this year’s Broadway Bares, what have you done with the trophies?
That’s the sweatiest, sexiest backstage I’ve ever been at! It was so hot back there, but such a great time. I’ve just got them on a bookshelf. It’s funny, because of the [recent Tony statue size change] one is bigger than the other.

Do you expect to stay away from Broadway for long after you become a mom?
I love the theater so much, and it’s where I feel most comfortable. I love the people and the community. I don’t feel like I need a break from the theater ever. Whatever happens, I’m game.