THE FRIDAY SIX: Q&As with Your Favorite Broadway Stars- Feinstein's/54 Below-Bound Daniel Reichard

Welcome to THE FRIDAY SIX: Q&As with your favorite Broadway stars. Want to know what hooked them to a career in the theater? Their dream roles? Their Broadway crushes? Read on!

In this week's edition, we caught up with Daniel Reichard, who will bring his solo show, Daniel Reichard Celebrates Rodgers and Hammerstein, to Feinstein's/54 Below on February 5 (9:30PM). For tickets, visit: http://54below.com/artist/daniel-reichard/

What is the first Broadway show you ever saw?

The first Broadway show I ever saw was KISS OF THE SPIDER WOMAN. I was visiting New York City with my family, and that was a huge show at the time. I saw it, I loved it, and I met Chita Rivera (for the first time) at the stage door. The next night was CRAZY FOR YOU.

What is your most unique pre-show ritual?

Meditation. For big shows especially. When The Midtown Men were playing The Beacon in New York City, I remember waking up and saying, "I have to do a guided meditation. My mind will be at 100 miles per hour today." I did two Deepak Chopra meditations, and I was as cool as a cucumber all day and for the whole show. It really helps to do before intense moments in our lives.

What is your most memorable "the show must go on" moment?

Many of my favorite "the show must go on" moments have happened across the country with The Midtown Men. When you are a rock and roll band, performing in different cities night after night, crazy things are bound to happen. We were in some city in Iowa, and there was a torrential storm happening outside the venue and the power in the whole building went out. The emergency lights lit up the theatre, and we asked everyone to relax and our drummer and flutist played "California Dreaming" and we did the song without amplification. The audience went crazy.

What is the one role you want to play before you die?

Cornelius Hackl in HELLO DOLLY. Hint hint! I love old school Broadway because those Golden Age shows were the gateway to my love of Broadway.

Who is your Broadway crush?

Female crush would be the one and only Kelli O'Hara, because she is beautiful, smart, and talented. Male crush would have to be the choreographer Patrick McCollum because he is wonderful in every way.

Where can people follow you online?

I have a new Facebook fan page at and a new Youtube channel. My twitter is @danielreichard