THE FRIDAY SIX: Q&As with Your Favorite Broadway Stars- John E. Brady

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 next edition, we caught up with John E. Brady, who is starring as 'Wiesel' in NEWSIES- currently playing at the Nederlander Theatre!

What is the first Broadway show you ever saw?

Grease in 1977 - I was a sophomore in high school and saw it on trip with the school band.

What is your most unique pre-show ritual?

I don't know how unique it is - but I like to go around the front of house wishing all of the ushers, bartenders and merchandise people a good show. My warm up involves stretching saying "yes" over and over again - it's an old improv technique I learned to put you in a positive frame of mind. And it works - try it.

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

To be honest; I was an understudy at Lion King and one of the roles I covered was Zazu. The actor playing the role was NEVER out. In four years I got to go on once because he went to a wedding... other than that, never. So the memorable moment was the night he called the Stage Manager and told him he was sick and running a high fever. I was warned I might go on... instead the actor decided to do the show with almost no voice and a fever of 102. But hey, the show must go on right? I wanted to cry.

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

'Father Flynn' in DOUBT, especially if my wife got to play 'Sister Aloysius.'

Who is your Broadway crush?

I get a Broadway crush every time I see a talented person on stage... it's embarrassing. Talent is the sexiest thing on earth, which is why I married my wife. And right now I have to admit a show crush on Julie Foldesi. She is in our show and is so talented it is crazy, I wish everyone could be in a rehearsal with her, it is joy, pure joy. The worse part of it is that it totally goes unnoticed in our show as she has such limited stage time. Then on top of that she's an amazing singer/songwriter that plays softball... how can you not have a crush on that?

Other than that, even though she's never been on Broadway, I love to watch my wife work - she's my favorite actor.

Where can people stalk you on the web?

I'm a luddite. The last web I encountered had a spider in it.