You just wrote a screenplay. What is it about?
I wrote my first screenplay when I was 14 years old. It was a full 90 page script. I remember putting a note on my parents' door, asking them not to bother me because I was writing a script. Looking back, the dialogue was choppy. It was horrible! I didn't know what I was thinking. I have taken classes since, and I am on the third draft of my current screenplay (Working Title, "Brighton Beach"). "The Troop" took 60% of my day and the other 40% was about furthering my career. I am producing five other screenplays and am starting my own Production Company.
You are an avid movie buff. You literally see every movie that comes out?
Definitely a movie buff! When I was 12 or 13, my parents took me to see "Wag The Dog" with Robert De Niro and Dustin Hoffman. After that, I was looking up everyone in the movie. IMDB was like a Google for movies back then. It was not as great as IMDB is today. Instead of playing with my friends, I would be on my computer 24/7 looking at biographies. From that day on, I knew every movie coming out, every movie that won an Oscar.
Being a film buff also helps me know what I am talking about in a meeting. My producer, Jay Kogen, from "The Troop" was naming actors from the 40s, 50s and 60s. I knew who he was talking about. He asked me how old I was.
What was the last movie you saw?
"Noises Off..." with Carol Burnett. I ordered it on Netflix. "Transformers" is next up in my queue.
Ok, so let's take a look at the current nominees for the 82nd Academy Awards. Who do you think will take Actor in a Leading Role?
Jeff Bridges. It's his time. He was absolutely brilliant in "Crazy Heart."
Actress in a Leading Role?
Sandra Bullock.
Actor in a Supporting Role?
Christoph Waltz.
Actress in a Supporting Role?
Mo'Nique.
Best Picture?
"The Hurt Locker."
What was the first musical you saw on Broadway?
Beauty and the Beast.
Favorite Broadway show?
One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest and August: Osage County. I saw that three hour play three times!
Which song do you listen to most on your iPod?
"Forever" by Drake, Kanye West, Lil Wayne and Eminem. I have a friend who got me the instrumental version.
Favorite artist?
Frank Sinatra. I have every single one of his songs. I also listen to a lot of Jay-Z and Kanye West.
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Del Rio's first performance in In The Heights was on Monday, February 15th and his current contract runs for three months. Love for In The Heights runs in the family--Del Rio's sister, Noemi, is currently part of the ensemble of the show's national tour.
"The Troop" airs on Nickelodeon on Saturdays at 9pm. To learn more about Del Rio's clothing line, visit: www.lavec.com.
In The Heights is currently playing on Broadway at the Richard Rodgers Theatre (226 West 46th Street). For more information or to order tickets, check out: www.intheheightsthemusical.com.
