THE FRIDAY SIX: Q&As with Your Favorite Broadway Stars- NATASHA, PIERRE & THE GREAT COMET OF 1812's Grace McLean

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 Grace McLean, who is starring as 'Marya D' in Natasha, Pierre & the Great Comet of 1812- currently playing at Kazino (259 West 45th Street).

What is the first Broadway show you ever saw?

I came to New York for a summer high school program at NYU in 2001, and saw some amazing shows during the month I was here. Before the program started I hung out for a few days with my Mom, and we saw KISS ME KATE and PROOF with the always impressive Mary-Louise Parker. BUT my favorite show I saw that summer was THE HOMECOMING, part of the Pinter festival at Lincoln Center. I had never felt so turned on by a piece of theater before, and my 17 year old classmates and I found it thrilling and funny and terrifying; we were boisterous and vocal about our experience. And I remember at intermission an older woman sitting in front of us said very loudly "The Youth shouldn't be allowed in the theatre." We were surprised at her hostility, but we laughed because we knew that we "got it" and she didn't. Pinter is hilarious! And it's that stuffy comment I remember when I go see a live performance - if the work being done in front of me moves me, I want them to know! We may not have lines or cues when we sit in the audience, but we are a part of the experience!

What is your most unique pre-show ritual?

I feel the most grounded when I do a little yoga and meditation before I put my face on, but my favorite warmup is one I learned from one of my castmates: we'll climb a scale chromatically singing "hold me tighter than my Dereon jeans" from "Single Ladies." It really warms up the screlt.

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

The first show I did was A CHRISTMAS CAROL at South Coast Rep, and I was in 4th grade. I remember having to dance with Fred and my beautiful blue silk skirt fell off in the middle of the scene and I kept dancing in only my bloomers.

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

'Fanny Brice' in FUNNY GIRL. My video cassette of that movie is worn very thin, I watched it so many times growing up. It's got diva songs, silliness, falling in love AND heartbreak!

Who is your Broadway crush?

These men are not necessarily known for being Broadway actors but they've done it and they've done it well so I'm slipping them in here - Alan Rickman and Hank Azaria. I have a wizard rock (read: Harry Potter themed) band and one of the first songs I wrote is basically an ode to Alan Rickman. You can listen to Snape Seeker here. And Hank Azaria is an old and lasting crush of mine - you can hear my epic 16 year old journal entry about him here.

Where can people stalk you online?

At www.gracemclean.com, gracemclean.bandcamp.com for music, and www.youtube.com/imgracemclean for videos.