THE BROADWAY LOCAL - Andrea McArdle Sponsored by WORLD MasterCard

  

From the soaring melodies of classic revivals to the hottest dramas playing today - there is no experience like "Broadway."

And part of what makes Broadway so exciting is that it's located right smack dab in the middle of New York City!

With "THE BROADWAY LOCAL", World MasterCard celebrates the creative theatre professionals who bring their talents to the city's Broadway stages and call the Big Apple home.

Broadway's original ANNIE, Tony Award nominee Andrea McArdle, has truly made "Broadway" her home.

After storming the stage as 'Little Orphan Annie" she moved on to appear in such other hits as STARLIGHT EXPRESS, JERRY'S GIRLS, LES MISERABLES, STATE FAIR and BEAUTY AND THE BEAST. 

We caught up with Andrea as she was out and about to get the inside scoop on her favorite New York City picks and places.

Please share with us the memory of your first time seeing a Broadway show.

I'll never forget it! I had come up to the city from Philadelphia for an audition for Prell shampoo and my mother took me to see Debbie Reynolds in "IRENE", it was just incredible to see her live. We were able to go backstage after and I met Debbie and Patsy Kelly, I will always remember that night. The sky blue dress Debbie Reynolds had on was amazing.

"Curtain Up" - Your Broadway debut, tell us the "when, where and how."

ANNIE. April 21st, 1977. By being blessed I think!

Please tell us about your favorite New York City street, and why you think it is special.

My favorite New York City street will always be West 52nd between Broadway and Eight Avenue. That is where we did ANNIE, at the old Alvin Theatre, now the Neil Simon. That street was my home, what great places, like Gallagher's Steakhouse and Roseland. There used to be a Playland arcade there in the 70's and 80's and we'd play for hours.

What's your favorite New York City restaurant?

I really, really like Five Points down on Great Jones Street, fantastic place. Orso is a close second.

 

What's your preferred "pre-show" and "post-show" meal?

My "pre-show" would be one of my staples, the Vietnamese steak salad at Angus McIndoe on West 44th Street. The perfect before show meal. For after? Ok, I'll tell the truth, White Castle on the way home, it is located at 102st Street on the Upper East Side. A must on the car ride home!

"The Subway" - What is your "line" and in what other ways do you get around the city?

I usually try to blade everywhere when I can, but when I do jump on the subway it is the 1 train on the red line. I try not to take cabs everywhere.

Clue us in about your best "Broadway bargain" and where we can find it!

SCOOP has just the most fab stuff at amazing prices, I love it there. Great bargains on really stylish clothes.

"If You Can Make It Here..." Tell us who you think truly "defines" New York.

For me there is no question, any fireman or police officer, they are New York to me. Working the beat, protecting this wonderful city. They are the real New Yorkers.

What is your favorite "New York" Song?

"Native New Yorker" by Sandy Linzer and Denny Randell, the group Odyssey sang it, Frankie Valli recorded it too. I love it, totally gives you that feel of New York City. It is one of my favorites to sing in my concert act too.

The Broadway Local 'MUST' - what's the one item you never leave the house (or theatre) without?

The number to my ENT (ear, nose and throat specialist) and carmex. Plus my full bag of makeup, hah!

"New York, New York": Give us a classic "New York" moment you've experienced in the city.

Every day is a "classic moment", the city keeps rewarding you every second. For me, and it has been this way since what seems like forever, is that I am never called "Andrea" in the city, it is always "Annie." Any place I go, especially if I'm roller blading around, everyone calls out, "Yo ANNIE!" or "Hey ANNIE, we love ya!" It is special, funny and always makes me feel like a "local."

Tell us your favorite "Classic" New York City spot.

I love the Washington Memorial Arch, it is so full of history and in a great part of town.

New York Style, who has "it" and why?

Fashion designer Marc Bouwer, his stuff is just a dream to wear, he creates these sexy, stylish pieces that are instant classics. They also define what I think is "New York" style, sleek, imaginative and alive. 

McArdle first captured hearts everywhere in 1976 when she originated the title role in Annie and introduced the eternal "Tomorrow" at the Goodspeed Opera House in East Haddam, Connecticut before it moved to Broadway and ran for 2,327 performances. 

With her curly red hair and strong instantly identifiable sound, McArdle was the youngest performer at the time to be nominated for a Tony Award as Best Lead Actress in a Musical.

Since then, she has starred in many Broadway musicals, national and international tours, as well as concerts and cabaret performances and even recreated her role as Annie in London with Charnin in 1978. McArdle, recently reprised her Broadway role of 'Fantine' in LES MISERABLES at the Ogunquit Playhouse. 

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