THE FRIDAY SIX: Q&As with Your Favorite Broadway Stars- Paul Whitty!

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 next edition, we caught up with Paul Whitty, who is starring as 'Billy' in ONCE- currently playing at the Bernard B. Jacobs Theatre!

What is the first Broadway show you ever saw?

I sat front row mezzanine at the Palace Theatre and saw Beauty and the Beast. I was 14 years old, my first time in New York City, my first Broadway show, and to top it all off I got a backstage tour and stood on a Broadway stage for the first time. I can honestly say it was the moment I decided I wanted to do this for the rest of my life.

What is your most unique pre-show ritual?

My ritual definitely changes depending on the show. For "Once", since I play the owner of a music store, I'll sometimes walk around the stage and take an inventory of all the instruments. I think it's important to make all of the objects that you deal with on stage personal. I even have a name for the piano, but that's my little secret...

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

I was playing Lord Capulet in an outdoor production of Romeo & Juliet, and I had to wear painter's stilts. One performance as I made an entrance I tripped and fell onto some pavement. My hands were all scraped and bloody, I was in a daze and terrified, but I still managed to keep playing the scene and took off the stilts in the process. It was the only time I ever got exit applause for that scene.

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

That is a really hard question. To be honest, I want to play all the parts! I would love to tackle Hamlet, but what actor wouldn't. I'd also love to play Jamie in Long Day's Journey Into Night.

Who is your Broadway crush?

Cristin Milioti. My character has an actual crush on her, but I love watching her do her thing every night on that stage. She is inspiring.

Where can people stalk you on the web?

I'm on Facebook, but if you post anything about Once on my wall, be warned that my mother will comment on it. She's very proud.