THE FRIDAY SIX: Q&As with Your Favorite Broadway Stars- ROCK OF AGES' Genson Blimline

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 Genson Blimline, who is starring as 'Lonny' in Rock of Ages- currently playing at the Helen Hayes Theatre.

What is the first Broadway show you ever saw?

The first Broadway show I saw was Cats. I think I was about 8 years old. I had basically no theatre-going experience or theatre background at that point in my life. All i knew was soccer, He-Man, and Thundercats. I am not sure who thought it was a good idea to leave me and my cousin alone in the front row of the mezzanine of the Winter Garden, while adults dressed in spandex crawled all over the place singing, but let me just say now that it was not a good idea. It was a terrible idea. One of the worst afternoons of my childhood. Nightmares for days.

What is your most unique pre-show ritual?

My pre-show is very anal, and not in the way you think. Phrasing. The entire process is scheduled and if i don't follow the schedule it ruins my entire show. At 45 to curtain I must be dressed, begin tattoo placement, and guyliner application. At 35 to curtain in the wig chair to receive the gift that is my mullet. At half hour, 30 pull-ups then brush teeth and address any last minute touchups to my 80's mystique. At 15 head upstairs to the vocal booth for self imposed vocal warmup. At 7 to curtain 1 pushup and jumping jack for each year i have been alive. At 5 last minute stretching and run the entire opening of the show in my head. Places. David Coverdale speaks and away we go.

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

At Rock of Ages, "show must go on" moments are a daily occurrence. One of my favorites however didn't really happen to me -- it was the very beginning of the show and there is a moment when Drew, played by Justin Sargent at the time, is upstage sweeping up The Bourbon Room. On this particular day Justin thought he would be slick and pull the broom from behind his back by way of a strong flick up over the shoulder. Justin forgot however to then catch the broom and it sailed the length of the stage and directly into a lit neon Corona sign. The sign exploded. Glass and self worth lay shattered across the entire stage. I was downstage this entire time. I had no idea what was happening and when I heard the pop of the neon, I thought i had been assassinated. For the rest of the number anyone who was onstage was handed broom and nothin but good time became nothin but a good sweep.

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

Easy. Anything that is casting now or in the future that will garner me a Tony nomination and expects a long bountiful run. I have a kid and need that stability.

Who is your Broadway crush?

Also easy. Danny Burstein. He knows why.

Where can people 'stalk' you online?

gensonblimline.com, Twitter/Instagram @genson11, but really why just online? Feel free to come out to my house anytime!