THE BROADWAY LOCAL - Derrick Baskin 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.

Derrick Baskin is currently starring on Broadway in the role of "Gator" in MEMPHIS. Derrick took time out of his busy schedule to give us the inside scoop on his favorite New York City picks and places.

 

 

 

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

I pretty much grew up outside the U.S. (Germany and Japan), so I saw my first Broadway show in 1999 and it was RENT. I remember being blown away.

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

My Broadway debut was in the original cast of The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee in 2004-2005. I look back at that time and remember how fast everything happened. We moved from the Berkshires, to Off-Broadway to Broadway with lightning speed. I also remember my audition for the show the summer before and Bill Finn laughing during that audition. He would later tell me he was laughing because he knew he'd finally found the guy he was looking for.

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

Prince Street in SOHO there's just so much life always happening on that street. Love the vibe and there's ALWAYS a pretty girl walking down Prince without fail.

What's your favorite New York City restaurant?

It's a tie between Yum Yum Bangkok and Max Brenner's. Most times I just go to both, dinner at Yum Yum and delicious chocolate dessert at Max Brenner's.

 

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

A good "pre-show" meal is probably sushi from Kodama. And POST-SHOW.....ICE CREAM!!!!

What would be the perfect song on your iPod to listen to as you visit a favorite part of town?

The opening theme to "Winter in Lisbon" by Dizzy Gillespie is the perfect song to listen to while strolling down a Brooklyn street lined with brownstones and finishing that walk in a small cafe in Autumn.

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

I usually ride the A train, but every once in a while if I feel like people watching, I'll get on a crosstown bus.

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

Dollar Tuesdays at Havana Central on 46th St. Empanadas are only One Freakin Dollar!

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

Who defines New York? Nannies. No matter where you go in the city you will always see a little kid in a stroller being pushed by a woman who is obviously not their mother. LOL.

What is your favorite "New York" Song?

"Oh Lord (Take me back)" by is a really good New York song by Rahsaan Patterson. Talks about Harlem.

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

I never leave home without my ipod! My life is such a soundtrack and I like to listen to music depending on what I'm doing that particular day. Music is my life. Oh and I never leave my house without chapstick. No one likes kissing a chapped lip. LOL.

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

There honestly is no place on earth like New York. Moving here was one of the best decisions I have ever made. There is a tangible energy that connects it's inhabitants. When I leave my apartment I know that I live in one of the best cities in the world. And there's always an "only in New York" moment happening. I mean in what other city can you see a random chicken walking in an alleyway (true story)?!

Derrick Baskin  is beyond excited to be reprising the role of "Gator," which he originated at North Shore Music Theater and Theatreworks in Palo Alto. Truly a labor of love. Broadway Credits: Tony-nominated Alan Menken and Doug Wright's Disney's The Little Mermaid (Jetsam). The original Mitch Mahoney in ...Spelling Bee (Drama desk award, Broadway.com award). Other credits: Aida (Mereb) at North Shore Music Theater, Smokey Joe's Café (Adrian) at Pioneer Playhouse, Ragtime (Mathew Henson) at Weston Playhouse. TV credits: "59th Annual Tony Awards" and "The Today Show." Derrick has a B.A. in biology from Hampton University. A New York resident, Derrick calls Yokota Air Base his home.

MEMPHIS, an original Broadway musical, opens tonight, Monday, October 19, 2009 at the Shubert Theatre (225 W. 44th Street) following critically-acclaimed and sold-out engagements at La Jolla Playhouse and Seattle's 5th Avenue Theatre, began previews Wednesday, September 23, 2009.

MEMPHIS stars Chad Kimball (Huey Calhoun) andMontego Glover (Felicia Farrell) with Derrick Baskin (Gator),J. Bernard Calloway (Delray Jones), James Monroe Iglehart (Bobby), Tony nominee Michael McGrath (Mr. Simmons), and Cass Morgan (Gladys Calhoun).

The company also includes Jennifer Allen, Brad Bass, Tracee Beazer, Kevin Covert, Hillary Elk,Dionne Figgins, Rhett George, John Jellison, Sydney Morton, Vivian Nixon, John Eric Parker,Jermaine R. Rembert, LaQuet Sharnell, Ephraim Sykes, Cary Tedder, Danny Tidwell, Daniel J. Watts, Katie Webber, Charlie Williams and Dan'yelle Williamson.

MEMPHIS features a brand new score with music by Bon Jovi's founding member/keyboardistDavid Bryan and lyrics by Bryan and Joe DiPietro (I Love You, You're Perfect, Now Change), who also pens the musical's book. Bryan and DiPietro also collaborated on the current award-winning off-Broadway hit, The Toxic Avenger. MEMPHIS is based on a concept by the late George W. George (producer of the Tony nominated Bedroom Farce and the film My Dinner With Andre), with direction by Tony nominee Christopher Ashley (Xanadu) and choreography by Sergio Trujillo (Jersey Boys).

Tickets range from $41.50 to $126.50 (including a $1.50 facility fee). The performance schedule is as follows: Tuesday - Saturday evenings at 8pm, Wednesdays and Saturdays at 2pm, and Sundays at 3pm. Beginning October 26th, Tuesday evening curtains will be at 7pm. There will be special performance times during previews and holiday weeks. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit www.Telecharge.com or call 212.239.6200. 

Scenic Design for MEMPHIS is by Tony Award winner David Gallo (The Drowsy Chaperone, Reasons to Be Pretty), Costume Design is by Tony nominee Paul Tazewell (In The Heights), Lighting Design is by Tony Award winner Howell Binkley (Jersey Boys) and Sound Design is byKen Travis (The Threepenny Opera).

MEMPHIS is produced on Broadway by Junkyard Dog Productions, Barbara and Buddy Freitag and Kenny and Marleen Alhadeff with Jim and Susan Blair, Demos Bizar Entertainment, David Copley, Dancap Productions Inc., Latitude Link and Tony Ponturo in association with Broadway Across America, Lauren Doll, Linda and Bill Potter, Chase Mishkinand Patty Baker/ShadowCatcher Entertainment. For more information visit www.memphisthemusical.com.

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Photo Credit: Walter McBride/Retna Ltd.