Scoring a ‘Major’ Part

Shanna Reed, who plays liberal journalist Polly Cooper on CBS’ sitcom “Major Dad,” has no problem with the fact her character is a widowed mother of three who falls in love with a 20-year career Marine, Maj. John D. MacGillis, played by Gerald McRaney.

“My stepfather, who’d been a Marine, proposed to Mom, who had six kids,” she says. “And I think he is so opposite from my mom, and still is. I mean, they’re great people, but I would have never put them together. So, in approaching the role of Polly Cooper, I use a little of my own background in the emotional coloring of my character.

“Television-wise, doing ‘Major Dad’ is essentially my big break. This is my acting highlight. I love comedy and I love performing in front of an audience. I also like the spontaneity, the last-minute changes and the rehearsal process in television. It’s living on the edge.”

Reed gave up a career as a hoofer on Broadway, where she performed in Bob Fosse’s “Dancin’ ” as well as in the role of Sheila in “Chorus Line.” It was while on the road with “Chorus Line” that the Kansas City native decided that she had better hone her acting technique, “because it was like dancing: you better get your technique before you think you can go out and do it.”

So while performing in New York in “Dancin,’ ” she studied at Sandy Meiser’s Neighborhood Playhouse. “Part of my thinking at this time was: What do I do when I can’t dance anymore? A natural form of expression is acting, so I studied it.” And got a role in the short-lived soap “Texas,” which then led the actress to other roles, among them a recurring role in “The Colbys” and guest spots on “Cheers” and “Newhart.”

But getting “Major Dad” is proving to be very satisfying. “For once in my life, I’m not looking to the future. Before, I was always ahead of myself; you have to be in this business. You have to plan for the next audition, the next job, the next scene in class, etc. This is such a challenge to me and I’m loving it so much, I just can’t imagine what’s next.”

She adds with a laugh: “After I got the call for this job, after a month of waiting, I immediately thought: Thank God I don’t have to audition anymore!”