THE FRIDAY SIX: Q&As with Your Favorite Broadway Stars- THE KING AND I's Ashley Park
By: BWW Staff May. 29, 2015
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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 Ashley Park, who stars as 'Tuptim' in The King and I, currently playing at the Vivian Beaumont Theatre.
What is the first Broadway show you ever saw?
The Lion King - still one of my all-time favorite Disney movies.What is your most unique pre-show ritual?
Angel Cards! At half-hour before our show, I visit all the dressing rooms and offices backstage to chat and check in with every cast and company member as they pick their "Angel" for the day out of my little bag (ie. "delight", "integrity", "risk", etc.).
Fun fact: On Opening Night, my stage managers and directors pulled a prank on me. They specially designed and laminated "devil cards" and put them in my little bag without me knowing. So while running around in the chaotic excitement backstage that night, I fell to my knees when our company manager pulled a card that said "General Malaise" out of the bag! Other favorite devil cards of the night were "Constipation," "PTSD," and Kelli picked out "Memory Loss."
We're still laughing about it. And sometimes people ask for the devil cards.
What is your most memorable "the show must go on" moment?
There are just so many. Isn't it these "moments" that become the best memories?
Once while in CINDERELLA, my ball-gown skirt unhooked during a scene. I managed to hold it up, but as we entered a set change - I realized I needed to put on Gabrielle's cape while holding unto my invitation to the prince's ball. And alas I made the quick decision to not get run over by the set or the other actors coming towards me and briskly jumped out of my skirt...finding myself on-stage in my underwear bloomers. Yes. That happened. Safety first, right?
What is the one role you want to play before you die?
I'm not sure if it's been written yet :) I'm all about the Classics though, so if I ever get a chance to play Julie Jordan or Eliza Doolittle, count me in!Who is your Broadway crush?
Right now? Lun Tha ;) aka Conrad Ricamora. But also Judy McLane in MAMMA MIA - the ultimate "dancing queen".Where can people follow you online?
Instagram: @ashleyparklady
Twitter: @ashleyparklady
Pinterest: @ashleyjinipark
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