'Brady Bunch'-er Eve Plumb is Miss Abigail

If only Jan Brady had known Miss Abigail, maybe she wouldn't have had to invent her imaginary boyfriend, George Glass.

Eve Plumb, who played romantically challenged middle sister Jan on the classic sitcom "The Brady Bunch," is all grown up now and dishing out advice for the lovelorn in the charming Off-Broadway comedy "Miss Abigail's Guide to Dating, Mating and Marriage" at Sofia's Downstairs Theater on 46th Street. The show is a mix of scripted comedy; audience participation, which includes cards with questions about love from audience members; a game-show segment with the very un-"Brady"-like title "Love, Lust or Stalking," and some improv.

Plumb, 52, who is also an accomplished artist, recently chatted with Newsday's Daniel Bubbeo about "Miss Abigail" and, of course, Marcia, Marcia, Marcia.

What was it about this show that appealed to you?

People think actors just sit around and read scripts and consider their next production. I was lucky enough to get to audition for this. At the same time, I had auditioned for a couple of other things that I thought I was going to get. Then I got this audition and I figured there was no way I was going to get it. I was surprised when they said I had the part.

Whose idea was it to show the slide of you as Jan Brady in that awful brunette wig?

It was [co-author] Ken Davenport that wanted to do that. Jan in that hideous wig is not one of my most favorite pictures. Ken said find me an ugly picture of yourself as a kid and we'll use it. As I was such a beautiful child, not to mention all of my pictures were in L.A., that was what made us use the wig picture.

What's been the most unusual experience you've had with some of the audience members coming onstage?

Sometimes people have had a few drinks. We had a gal on one day who wouldn't leave Manuel Herrera alone when he was playing Paco during "Love, Lust or Stalking." I finally poked her in the arm and had to stick her in her spot.

Are the questions you read actually from audience members?

A couple of them are from the audience and a couple of them aren't. We've been deciding whether to do real questions or just write stuff. They usually give me a couple of questions to look at before the show. A stage manager reads them and sees what ones we can do. Some of them are things that aren't appropriate, or people ask about "The Brady Bunch," so we try to be careful.

Has there been anything you've learned from doing this show that's helped you in your marriage?

When we do the 10 Commandments for Couples. Those are very true, especially No. 2: "Women, be good listeners."

Can you tell us something about your art and what inspires you?

I started many years ago painting off and on. I'm self-taught and after talking with other artists, I began trying new techniques. I've decided to focus on still-lifes, like coffee cup scenes and tabletops. I'm always looking for a good strong light and an interesting composition. It's oil on canvas.

Now that you're in New York, any plans for an exhibit?

My art is not necessarily New York art. New York art is very conceptual and modern. . . . Mine is nonconfrontational art.

So many of your "Brady Bunch" co-stars have done reality shows. Would you consider doing one?

I think I'd rather not. My life isn't interesting enough for a reality show. Watching me paint or take the subway to work is not a reality show.

Last year a lot was made about a canceled "Brady Bunch" reunion because of a "feud" between you and Maureen McCormick after her book came out. Did that get blown out of proportion?

You know, I had no idea what was happening. I was out of town when those stories broke, so it was a mystery to me.

On a different "Brady" note, whatever happened to Fluffy [Carol and the Brady girls' pet cat]?

I'm not sure, but if you ask Susan Olsen, she might know.

If Jan Brady ever came to Miss Abigail for dating advice, what would you say?

Be old enough to date. [Laughs.] As you travel the rocky road of romance, remember to have patience and keep at it.