THE FRIDAY SIX: Q&As with Your Favorite Broadway Stars- Robert Cuccioli

What is the first Broadway show you ever saw?

The first Broadway show I saw was in 1973 with my parents. "Irene". I had no aspirations at the time to become an actor and quite honestly that didn't turn me either.

What is your most unique pre-show ritual?

I don't have any "unique" rituals, such as chanting in odd languages or saging fellow cast members before each show. But I am a creature of habit, in that my pre-show formula is always the same. What time I go to the gym during the day (early afternoon), when and what I eat for dinner (5:00 or 5:30 depending on the time of the show and it's usually something light and high protein like salmon or a salad w/ chicken), vocalizing about an hour before the 1/2 hour call followed by a half hour to 45 minutes of stretching.

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

When 9/11 happened, I was in Seattle working on "A Little Night Music" at the 5th Ave. Theatre. We were in rehearsals at the time. It was difficult to continue working on the show after that day. And even more difficult to find justification to perform on opening night. But, we all (cast, crew, our director David Armstrong and production staff) talked a lot about it and realized that in spite of how deeply shaken we all were, this was a time when audiences needed us all the more. If only just to escape the outside world for a few hours a night. The show, indeed, had to go on!

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

This is always the most difficult question for me.

Who is your Broadway crush?

Laila Robins. I mean, really, can I possibly say anything else!

Where can people stalk you online?

I have been stalked before and that is not an enjoyable thing. However, people can follow me at my Personal Website: www.robertcuccioli.com, Twitter (though I'm not too good with it just yet): @RobertCuccioli and Facebook.