TV EXCLUSIVE: Brian d'Arcy James Uncut Part 1: Talks SMASH, Industrials, NYC Concert & More!

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Welcome to BroadwayWorld's exclusive talk show, BACKSTAGE WITH Richard Ridge. Follow Richard as he visits the theater's best and brightest in their dressing rooms, on their stages and favorite hang outs to talk about their lives, careers and all of the things you don't know, but want to know.

In a special two-parter, we bring you an exclusive chat with Smash star and Shrek himself, Brian d'Arcy James, one of Broadway's favorite leading men for nearly two decades. In Part 1, featured below, Brian gets candid about Smash, his early days starring in industrials, and his upcoming concert at the brand new Manhattan performance space, 54 Below. Be sure to tune in soon for Part 2, as Brian takes us through his theatrical career!

Brian d’Arcy James is currently starring in the NBC television show Smash as Frank Houston, opposite Debra Messing. He will be appearing this May as a recurring character in this season’s The Big C starring Laura Linney. Other TV credits include Person of Interest, Rescue Me, and Cashmere Mafia. On stage, he most recently earned rave reviews in the Broadway play “Time Stands Still.” Brian originated the role of Dan Goodman in the Pulitzer Prize–winning “Next to Normal” Second Stage Theater and reprised his role in the 2010 Broadway production. Brian is a two-time Tony Award nominee, for his performance of Shrek in “Shrek the Musical” (winner of the Outer Critics Circle Award and the Drama Desk Award for that role) and also as Sidney Falco in “Sweet Smell of Success”. Other Broadway and off Broadway credits include “The Wild Party,” “The Good Thief,” “Port Authority,” “The Lieutenant of Inishmore,” “The Apple Tree,” “Dirty Rotten Scoundrels,” “Titanic,” “Carousel,” and “Blood Brothers.” Brian’s film work includes Bird in a Box (short), the upcoming Ed Burns film Fitzgerald’s Family Christmas, Game Change, Friends with Kids, and Ghost Town.

On June 26, Brian will take the stage at 54 Below in his first New York City solo concert appearance.  This week-long engagement runs through June 30, 2012.

Calling the series “Under the Influence” James will celebrate the musicians and songs that have shaped him and influenced him as a performer. He will sing songs from such idols as Steve Winwood, Billy Joel, Phil Collins, Squeeze, and more. James will have a revolving set list each evening, but some of the songs he is planning to include are “Tempted” by Squeeze, “Is She Really Going Out With Him,” by Joe Jackson, “I Saw the Light,” by Todd Rundgren, “Mockingbird,” by James Taylor and many others.

For tickets and more information, visit www.54below.com or www.briandarcyjames.com.