Quarantine Qs with THE LION KING Star Stephen Carlile!

As quarantine keeps on keeping on, we at BroadwayWorld know that staying positive gets a little bit harder every day. What are some of Broadway's brightest stars doing to make it through? We're checking in to give you a little bit of inspiration.

In today's Quarantine Qs, we check in with Stephen Carlile, who plays Scar in The Lion King on Broadway!

Since this began, have you picked up any new/cool/weird hobbies or habits?

I've taken to spending time in strange places in my apartment - sitting on a kitchen countertop, standing on a table, lying down in a closet - anything to feel like I'm in a new place. Sometimes you need a change of scenery and a different view, you know? (Not easy in a tiny apartment.)

What social activity are you missing the most?

I'm really missing taking my dog, Sugar, to the neighborhood dog park. I miss letting her rub noses with her friends. It's hard to explain social distancing to a Shih Tzu.

What is your favorite Youtube video (old or new) that you think will bring other people joy to watch?

I have probably watched the 1990 Tony Awards performance of "We'll Take a Glass Together" from Grand Hotel a thousand times. If you've never seen it, or if you haven't seen it in a while, I promise it will put the biggest spring in your step. For me, it sums up everything that is special about Broadway - and all the magical nights at the theatre that are to come when we return. Michael Jeter was a wizard of an actor who must have been made of rubber.

Are you following anyone on social media who is helping you through this time?

The amazing choreographer, Ryan Heffington (whose work you will have seen in Sia's Chandelier video) has been doing these dance parties on Instagram Live that I wholeheartedly recommend. They make me feel totally joyful and alive - plus I barely notice that I'm exercising.

What is the first show that you want to see once theatre is back?

Come From Away. Seeing it the first time was one of the best nights I've had at the theatre. A story about kindness, community and coming together during a disaster feels like one we all need right now.

What have you learned about yourself in this time?

I think I've realized that I am a city person, at heart. Living in a high rise apartment building in the middle of Manhattan might not seem like the perfect place to wait out a pandemic to a lot of people. But I have found being totally surrounded by thousands of our neighbors really comforting. I'll never forget the community spirit here in Hell's Kitchen.

Carlile's West End credits include: Trimmingham in The Go-Between; The Producers original London cast; Phantom of the Opera; Snoopy! UK Regional Freddy Eynsford-Hill in My Fair Lady (NT/Cameron Mackintosh),Twelfth Night, By Jeeves, Don Giovanni, Over My Shoulder. Europe: Magaldi in Evita. US Tour: Captain Hook in Peter Pan 360. Film: Brideshead Revisited, Bright Young Things.