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 Lesli Margherita, who is starring as 'Mrs. Wormwood' in MATILDA- currently playing at the Shubert Theatre.
What is the first Broadway show you ever saw?
I was out here at a kid's theater camp, and they took us to see JEREOME ROBBINS' BROADWAY. I'll never forget it. I wanted to be the amazeballs Charlotte D'Amboise. She got to play Peter Pan and Anita in one show. I eventually played both of those roles...but clearly not at the same time. (One was obviously pre-DD's.)
Jason Alexander won a Tony for that show. I've worked with him a bunch in LA , and I was always more starstruck around him because of that show over 'Seinfeld'. Ha.
What is your most unique pre-show ritual?
There are a few.
1)I have to say "Bye, Robert" to my life-size Robert Pattinson that is in my dressing room. I also have to touch him. Wait, this sounds wrong.
2) I have to hug Phillip Spaeth, and he has to rub my fake baby belly. Wait, this sounds wrong.
3) Right before I walk onstage, Ryan Steele is on the opposite side, and we do this weird dance pointing and grabbing things. Wait, this sounds wrong.
What is your most memorable "the show must go on" moment?
When I was doing ZORRO on the West End, my character has this big dramatic death. It's very sad and shocking (although not now after I've just blabbed to you), and I'm lying onstage for a bit. So, of course, someone's phone goes off. However, it was not a normal ring. Of course it wasn't. It was "Baby Got Back". So, everyone in the building hears "I like big butts and I cannot lie...". I was just shaking with laughter, trying to hide it, and well, be dead. I was unsuccessful. (Side note- if that was someone's ringtone for me, I would throw their phone away)
What is the one role you want to play before you die?
One? Only one? Oof. Evita. I know, I know, everyone says it. But it's true.
Who is your Broadway crush?
Omg,
Andrea Martin. Like, major talent crush. I've loved her forever. I want to be her. Wow, I don't sound like a totes stalker at all. How cool is this- my friend Andrew is in PIPPIN, and knows of my deep Andrea love. So for my Broadway debut (our 1st MATILDA preview), he sent me a video of her just wishing me luck, saying awesome things. The fact that she took the time to do that... I mean...I may have peed a little.
Where can people stalk you online?
I am always on twitter. Always.
@QueenLesli But be prepared. I tweet a lot about the size of my butt, and hot TV vampires. You can also go to my site,
www.LesliMargherita.com, where you can see things like, oh, I dunno, where you can get tickets to my cabaret show ALL HAIL THE QUEEN at XL Nightclub on August 19. You know...stuff like that. ;)
