THE FRIDAY SIX: Q&As with Your Favorite Broadway Stars- Neil Haskell

Welcome to the FRIDAY SIX: Q&As With Your Favorite Broadway Stars. Want to know what hooked them to a career in the theater? Their dream roles? Their Broadway crushes? Read on!

In this week's edition, we caught up with Neil Haskell, who is starring as 'Steven' in Bring It On- currently in playing at the St. James Theatre!

What is the first Broadway show you ever saw?

The first Broadway show I ever saw was Thoroughly Modern Millie. It was also my first time ever being in NYC.

What is your most unique pre-show ritual?

As Campbell starts singing “Born to Do” me and a few cast mates backstage do a choreographed series of head isolations, head rolls, hip rolls, chest rotations and a few timely hand claps… as simple and strange as it sounds, by doing the same thing before each show gets me focused on the show and helps me get out of my head.

What is your most memorable "the show must go on" moment?

It occurred during the gypsy run of my very first Broadway show, The Times They Are A-Changin. About 2/3 of the way through the show, I sprained my ankle mid song, while jumping up and down on a trampoline. I heard a pop, and a rush of heat through my body. I looked down and my ankle was immediately swelling. I finished that number and when I got off stage I checked it again and it was more swollen and now turning purple. I was pretty scared about it, but I didn’t really know the protocol for injuries at work, as it was my very first performance on Broadway. I ended up finishing up the show, flips and all, without anyone really noticing. After the show, I immediately put ice on it, but I ended up being out for the first 2 weeks of previews. It was pretty heartbreaking but I was able to come back for the rest of the run of the show.

What is the one role you want to play before you die?

I want to play Eddie in Movin’ Out. It was the 2nd Broadway show I ever saw, and it changed my entire idea of dance as a career. It would be a dream come true if it came back as a revival.

Who is your Broadway crush?

Celia Keenan-Bolger. I just saw her for the first time in Peter and the Starcatcher.… think she’ll read this?

Where can people stalk you online?

On Twitter: @NeilHaskell, or my Facebook Fan Page

More Articles by This Author...