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THE FRIDAY SIX: Q&As with Your Favorite Broadway Stars- STRAIGHT's Thomas E. Sullivan
By: BWW Staff Apr. 01, 2016
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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 Thomas E. Sullivan, who stars as 'Chris' in Straight, playing at Theatre Row's Acorn Theatre.
What is the first Broadway show you ever saw?
The first Broadway Show I ever saw wasn't on Broadway, funnily enough. My grandparents took me to see The Lion King at the Pantages Theatre and all I can remember was I loved it. The first show I saw in New York was A Behanding in Spokane, by Martin McDonagh which I still talk about to this day. All in all two great "first" shows.
What is your most unique pre-show ritual?
I don't know how unique this is, but after I've warmed up and out stage manager has called half hour, I just pace aimlessly before we go to places. I'm too energized to sit still! It's a weird interim period for me.What is your most memorable "the show must go on" moment?
Perhaps not the cheeriest memory, but I was playing Satan in a production of The Last Days of Judas Iscariot, and the day we opened I woke up with completely double vision and numbness in my hands and face. We did up getting through opening night despite that, which was a feat, but I ended up being hospitalized for Guillain-Barré Syndrome and had to miss the rest of the run. I was absolutely gutted, I loved that role.
What is the one role you want to play before you die?
I've known I've wanted to play Nicholas in One for the Road since I was sixteen years old. I found Harold Pinter in high school and the ultimate irony is that I won't be able to play that part for a least another twenty years. Pinter was seventy when he performed it at Lincoln Center (his last stage performance), so I might have to wait a while longer than I'd like.
Who is your Broadway crush?
I love Alan Cumming. What's not to love? He's handsome as all hell and more talented than most of us will ever be. Big ups to anyone who can shoot a series and perform on Broadway at the same time.
Where can people follow you online?
Despite my age I am social media illiterate, but I'm getting better! I am on Instagram and you can follow me at @thomasinnyc
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