DEBUT OF THE MONTH: HOW TO SUCCEED's Rose Hemingway - Previews Begin!

Each month, Broadway World is shining the spotlight on stage actors making their Broadway debut as part of its "Debut of the Month" series.

This month, BroadwayWorld is showcasing actress Rose Hemingway, who is set to make her Broadway debut in HOW TO SUCCEED IN BUSINESS (WITHOUT REALLY TRYING), beginning previews this weekend.

Rose Hemingway has appeared in the Donmar Warehouse's production of the musical Parade directed and choreographed by Rob Ashford at LA's Mark Taper Forum. Additionally Rose has toured North America as Sophie Sheridan in the tour of the hit musical Mamma Mia!

Hemingway took a few moments to chat with Broadwayworld.com about this big role and her hopes for the future.

BWW: So are you ready to be a Broadway starlet?

Hemingway: Oh god what a loaded question! (Laughs) I guess. I am as ready as I'll ever be!

How did you react when you first learned that you had gotten the role in How To Succeed?

It was one of those things where I sort of gradually learned that I got the role; it wasn't official-official until the summer. So it was kind of strange since I kept keeping myself from celebrating. Every little thing that I would hear I would try to stay very calm and not get excited until it was absolutely official. And then when it was the first thing I did was to dance t the overture with my husband. He put the song on his iPod and we started dancing around the living room all excited.

Has your life changed in any significant way so far?

I think it has, at least a little bit. I have done some really neat interviews and photo-shoots and stuff like that, and obviously being in rehearsals. I mean, it is everything I ever wanted and it is suddenly here. There is a lot of pressure, a lot of nerves, so everything feels like a new moment. But in the best way possible. I couldn't be happier.

Have you always been aiming for Broadway?

Well I think that Broadway has always been my main focus, I was always a musical theater person my whole life. But you know, I used to stand in front of my parents' mirror and narrate TV commercials too so I would definitely love to try some of those things at some point as well.

How are rehearsals going?

They have been great. I have to say, I am already so proud of the show. I mean, we still have a ways to go but already it is amazing. The dancing is incredible and the music is just beautiful. It is going to be a great great show. It has been amazing to work with the cast; it is just such an incredible group of people.

How has it been working with Daniel Radcliffe and John Larroquette?

Sadly I am nit in very many scenes with John so we have not had much chance to work with each other, we have one scene with a few lines and that is all. But he is lovely. And Dan, Dan is incredible He is a wonderful person, and he has such great energy and he comes to work every day ready to get things done and to work and to learn, he's got this infectious energy around him and that is a lot of fun. We're buddies, so we have a good time.

Are you friends off-stage as well?

Well we just met through the show; we first met at the reading. But yeah we are friends; he and my husband are buddies.

Any good stories or rehearsal anecdotes you care to share?

Gee, not really? I mean, it has been pretty normal so far! Nothing crazy has gone wrong... I wish I had something good and juicy for ya' but there's just been a lot of working!

Well don't worry that's probably the best answer.

Right? That's definitely a good thing!

As a newcomer acting with some heavy hitters do you feel that you have more or less pressure than your co-stars?

Well, you know I think it's not really more or less, I feel the pressure, but I feel lucky to be surrounded by these people who are more established. It is a learning opportunity to have people around you like this. It is a strong cast and to have that around you is a lucky thing... I feel very blessed to be surrounded by people with lots of experience. But I do feel pressure for sure; I think I would feel that no matter what since it is my Broadway debut. To get a leading role as my first show, it is huge. It is like I won the lottery. So it feels that way sometimes. So I just take what I have and try to do everything to the best of my ability. If anything it is great to have such strong support, and a show that you are so proud of and to be a part of, from the cast to the creative's.