THE BROADWAY LOCAL - Marcy Harriell 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.

Marcy Harriell is currently starring on Broadway in the role of Vanessa in the Tony Award winning musical IN THE HEIGHTS. The celebrated actress, gifted with a powerhouse voice and a dynamic stage persona, is definitely a "Broadway Local." Marcy took time out of her busy schedule to give us 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.

Good old THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA -- I was gone when they piled up on that staircase for Masquerade...

 

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

My debut was RENT, I replaced Daphne Rubin-Vega as "Mimi." I think I rehearsed for four days, then went on for the Saturday matinee. I was so busy learning and hoping I was doing the right thing, I forgot to remember it was my debut...

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

Can I pick an avenue? I just love to walk to the theater down 9th Avenue. All of the mom and pop stores and restaurants, especially during the holidays -- I am noticeably happier when I take this route rather than 8th!

What's your favorite New York City restaurant?

That's VERY hard... I adore Becco on 46th street, Agua Dulce, Cafe Forant and Pam Real Thai Encore on 9th Ave. Oh man, Degustation and Babycakes downtown... If I'm at a restaurant, you'll most definitely find me west of Broadway. I'm not knocking the chains you find on the other side of Times Square, but it kills me when people visit the city and miss the food you can only get in New York. Wow, this is my longest answer so far. Guess who's fixated on food?

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

Pre show: good protein of the animal variety and something green -- when I'm in a rush and can't get my cooking act together, I can always count on Jay at Green Symphony. Post show: Rob (my husband) and I have a great big bowl of popcorn or huge steamed artichokes. With a wee drink, of course.

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

I love all the lines! So I'm going to go with the Columbus Circle station stop. It's right smack dab in the middle of it, and big without that overpowering 42nd Street feeling. I like to take the bus when I have a little more time and gawk out the window like a tourist. Walking is great, if I'm strolling with Rob -- but when I'm alone I find it hard not to be instantly swept up in New York's hectic pace.

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

Well, any bargain shopper worth her salt does not divulge her secrets.... but the garment district is my heaven (see: "Phantom" moment above and guess my favorite hobby). Ben at H & M Fabrics (not that H&M) on 39th Street and The Paron Annex on West 40th have the best selection and prices EVER.

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

As in, one person? I don't think it's possible. New York is the definition of melting pot... if you could fuse Robert Loggia, Whoopi Goldberg, Tito Puente and every "fashionista" whirling around the city into one person, I think you'd be pretty close.

What is your favorite "New York" Song?

Mmmm, Autumn In New York.

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

Oh, this is so expected, but my iPod. I have to have music. I become Robert De Niro in Awakenings without it.

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

'City Don't Cry' from Page & Plant's "No Quarter"-- it always plays in my head when I get caught in that city pace and want to slow myself down.

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

Rob proposed to me in the spring, in Central Park, under a willow tree by the lake. That's about as classic as it gets for me!

Marcy Harriell joined IN THE HEIGHTS on Tuesday, November 18, 2008 taking over the role of Vanessa. Marcy  has starred on Broadway in Rent and Lennon and also in Encores! Kismet. Her film work includes Quentin Tarantino's Death Proof. Other theater credits include: Lucky Duck (Old Globe); Little Fish and Sorrows And Rejoicings (Second Stage); and Company (Kennedy Center). TV Credits: Series regular on CBS's "Queens Supreme," "N.C.I.S," and NBC's "Ed."

Beginning its third year at the Richard Rodgers Theatre (226 West 46th Street), In The Heights is the winner of four 2008 Tony Awards including Best Musical. Lin-Manuel Miranda won the 2008 Tony for Best Music and Lyrics, Andy Blankenbuehler won the 2008 Tony for Best Choreography, and Alex Lacamoire and Bill Sherman won the 2008 Tony Award for Best Orchestrations. In The Heights began previews on Broadway Thursday, February 14, 2008, after a six-month award-winning 2007 Off-Broadway run. The musical opened on Broadway to critical acclaim Sunday, March 9, 2008, recouped its $10 million investment in 10 months (twice breaking the house record at the Richard Rodgers Theatre). With a book by Quiara Alegría Hudes and conceived by Lin-Manuel Miranda, In The Heights is directed by Thomas Kail. Alex Lacamoire is music director and music arrangements are by Alex Lacamoire and Bill Sherman. In The Heights features a scenic design by Anna Louizos, costumes by Paul Tazewell, lighting by Howell Binkley and sound by Acme Sound Partners. In The Heights is produced by Kevin McCollum, Jeffrey Seller, Jill Furman, Sander Jacobs, Robyn Goodman/Walt Grossman, Peter Fine and Sonny Everett/Mike Skipper with associate producers Ruth Hendel and Harold Newman.

In The Heights won the 2008 Grammy Award for Best Original Cast Album. The first national tour of In The Heights launched in October 2009 in Tampa, FL at the Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center and will travel to Minneapolis, Hartford, Buffalo, Pittsburgh, Cleveland, Houston, Austin, Tempe, San Diego and Costa Mesa. This past May, In the Heights: Chasing Broadway Dreams premiered on THIRTEEN's Great Performances on PBS HD. IMAGEM MUSIC, the Number #1 independent music publisher in the world, has acquired the worldwide stock and amateur rights to In The Heights. In November, 2008, Universal Pictures acquired the rights to produce a feature film based on In The Heights.

In The Heights currently stars Andréa Burns, Robin de Jesús, Mandy Gonzalez, Marcy Harriell, Christopher Jackson, Priscilla Lopez, Olga Merediz, Javier Muñoz, Rick Négron, Courtney Reed and William B. Wingfield leading a cast of 28 that features Tony Chiroldes, Dwayne Clark, Rosie Lani Fiedelman, Ruben Flores, Marcus Paul James, Nina Lafarga, Jennifer Locke, Doreen Montalvo, Gabrielle Ruiz, Luis Salgado, Kevin Santos, Rickey Tripp, Michael Balderrama, Blanca Camacho, Stephanie Klemons, Allison Thomas Lee, Alejandra Reyes, Jon Rua and Marcos Santana.

In The Heights is about a vibrant and tight-knit community at the top of the island of Manhattan. The music pulses with the hopes and dreams of three generations as they struggle to forge an identity in a neighborhood on the brink of transition.

Tickets for In The Heights range from $41.50 to $121.50, and can be purchased at the Richard Rodgers Box Office or at www.ticketmaster.com. The playing schedule for In The Heights is as follows: Tuesdays and Sundays at 7pm, Monday, Wednesdays - Saturdays at 8pm, with matinees Saturdays and Sundays at 2pm.

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