THE BROADWAY LOCAL - Brian d'Arcy James 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.

SHREK THE MUSICAL's Tony-nominated leading man Brian d'Arcy James kicks off the new series here on BroadwayWorld by giving us the scoop on his favorite New York City hits and haunts. Brian is definitely a "Broadway Local", even though he spends an awful lot of time in a swamp!

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

I saw Dreamgirls at the Imperial. It was a monumental moment for me when I did Dirty Rotten Scoundrels there and was able to recount exactly where I sat. I remember thinking the theater was much smaller than I imagined it would be as I was used to seeing Broadway touring shows in the huge Fischer Theater in Detroit.

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

Blood Brothers at the Music Box Theater. I replaced Philip Lehl who left the show to do a play called The Kentucky Cycle. I was familiar with the musical as my sister had seen it in London and loved the score.   Also, one of my best friends, Sam Samuelson, had been cast in the original company so he alerted me to the possibility of auditioning for the part. Ultimately, Pat McCorkle cast me as an ensemble member and Mickey understudy. 

"New York Character" - Describe the role you are currently performing on Broadway.

I'm currently playing Shrek in SHREK THE MUSICAL. It's unlike anything I've ever done and I'm having a blast.

Please tell us about your favorite New York City street, and why you think it is special. We know it can't compare to your beloved swamp, but give it a try? 

It's technically not a street, but a "mall". It's called Poet's Walk in Central Park. It's that beautiful walkway in the middle of the park that is lined with gorgeous trees. 

What's your favorite New York City restaurant? 

Tough one. I think it's a tie between Babbo and Porterhouse.

 

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

I'm very aware of what I eat before the show with the costume and makeup considerations for Shrek. Pre: at most I'll have a salad with chicken or turkey for protein. Post: I'm trying to be good about what I eat after the show, I'm pretty ravenous so I've had to train myself to be satisfied with a snack at home rather than a steak. 

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

I'm mostly a subway guy. The C line is what I'm on usually. When not on the subway, like most New Yorkers, I walk. 

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

The children's theater programming at The New Victory Theater is a fantastic deal. You get a package of 3 excellent shows at a great cost. Parents take note. 

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

I don't know much about him, but there is an incredibly happy man who hands out the AM New York paper every morning on the C line at 81st. I talk to him every chance I get because he's simply the most infectious person I think I've ever met. His dynamic personality and generosity is what define him and he's a great representative of this city. 

What is your favorite "New York" Song?

52nd Street by Billy Joel.

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

Practically speaking, it's my iPhone. It's my connection to everything.

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

I used to live down in the East Village. We had this huge deck out back and me and my roommates would make good use of it on the weekends for pretty big parties. One night I was talking to this guy I'd never met for about 20 minutes. After a casual comment revealed a common interest or mutual friend (I can't remember the catalyst), we honed in our similarities and after about 10 minutes of deduction, we realized that we went to high school together in Michigan 15 years prior and were in the Spring musical together. I know I'm not the only New Yorker who has had this kind of experience.

Brian d'Arcy James won the 2009 Outer Critics Circle Award for Outstanding Actor in a Musical and the 2009 Drama Desk Award for Best Actor in a Musical. He was also nominated for the Tony Award for Best Leading Actor in a Musical for his portrayal of Shrek.

The actor graduated from Northwestern University's School of Communication. He received a nomination for the Tony Award for Best Featured Actor in a Musical in 2002 for his portrayal of Sidney Falco in Sweet Smell of Success, co-starring John Lithgow.  He appeared in Martin McDonagh's The Lieutenant of Inishmore on Broadway, replaced Norbert Leo Butz in Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, and starred in The Apple Tree opposite Kristin Chenoweth. Additional Broadway credits include playing Frederick Barrett in Titanic, Lincoln Center's Carousel, and Blood Brothers. In 2004, he released a Christmas album titled From Christmas Eve to Christmas Morn. Brian d'Arcy James played the role of Dan Goodman in the new musical Next to Normal Off-Broadway at Second Stage Theatre.

SHREK THE MUSICAL is an entirely new musical based on the story and characters from William Steig's book Shrek!, as well as the Dreamworks Animation film Shrek, the first chapter of the Shrek movie series. SHREK THE MUSICAL tells the story of a swamp-dwelling ogre who goes on a life-changing adventure to reclaim the deed to his land. Joined by a wise-cracking donkey, this unlikely hero fights a fearsome dragon, rescues a feisty princess and learns that real friendship and true love aren't only found in fairy tales.

Tickets for SHREK THE MUSICAL are available by calling Telecharge.com at (212) 239-6200, (800) 432-7250 outside the NY metro area, online at Telecharge.com, or in person at The Broadway Theatre box office (1681 Broadway @ 53rd St). Group sales are available by contacting Telecharge Group Sales at 212-239-6262, or 800-432-7780.

Photo of Brian d'Arcy James by Walter McBride/Retna Ltd.

Photo of Shrek The Musical by Joan Marcus

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