BWW Interviews: IN THE HEIGHTS David Del Rio

David Del Rio is making his Broadway debut as Sonny in In The Heights. A recent graduate of the New York Conservatory for Dramatic Arts, School of Film & Television, he is best known for his starring role in Nickelodeon's supernatural hit comedy, "The Troop," where Del Rio plays Felix, a shy teen trying to keep the global monster population under control. Del Rio's previous stage credits include The Elephant Man, Next to the Last Hamlet, The Odyssey and Joe: The Musical.  He recently spoke with BroadwayWorld about premiering on the Great White Way, joining the Heights family and more.

David, congratulations on making your Broadway debut.

Thank you.

You were offered this role one year ago, but had to turn it down because you were cast in the TV series, "The Troop." Lo and behold, one year later, you are on hiatus from "The Troop" and were offered the role for a second time.

Yes! I auditioned for the role and got cast for the national tour, but, I got cast for "The Troop." So, In The Heights called and asked if I wanted to go for Round 2, this time for Broadway. It was an amazing blessing when In The Heights called.

What were your first impressions of the musical and the cast?

The cast has been very supportive. I've always enjoyed musicals. It is a theatrical concert. It makes you feel happiness, sadness, everything you need to feel. I was very excited. When I saw this musical three years ago, Off-Broadway, I did not want to stay in my seat. I wanted to jump on stage. This is my first musical. I met with a vocal coach and I told her to make me sound good for five minutes! She did it! She did a great job and helped with the techniques.

I thought television was hard, waking up at 5am and shooting scenes until 10pm. For theater, I had to rehearse everything in two weeks, but it is a party up there every night. The music was the hardest part. What helped me the most was watching the show; watching Robin de Jesús [original cast member, who played Sonny; his final performance was February 14th] every night. I was singing as loud as I could in the back of the theater. I needed to do this. I was reciting every line of Sonny's. The cast from In The Heights makes it a family environment. I know I am going to have a good time with them every night.

How was opening night for you?

Opening night was a breeze. Performing in front of my peers is what makes me nervous. Performing in front of an audience, I have been doing that since I was six years old. My mom and dad and two of my cousins came to opening night. I was so pumped! I could not believe I was here.

You were born and raised in Miami, Florida. Can you tell us about your family?

I came from a Columbian and Cuban family. We had parties every weekend. If someone received a "B" on their science test, we were having a party! Being family oriented is what got me into In The Heights. I moved to New York when I was 18 and graduated college from the New York Conservatory for Dramatic Arts, School of Film & Television. I spent a year auditioning and not getting any work. I did not give up. Finally, I got cast in Nickelodeon's "The Troop." I moved from New York to Vancouver to shoot the television series. We shot 26 episodes in six months.

What have been your favorite on-screen and off-screen moments with "The Troop?"

The stunts! I don't do all of the stunts, but I do about 70% of them. It's nothing better than feeling like an action star, even though I am not Bruce Willis.

I love being around people and people love being around me. I bring positive energy to the set. When I'm not working on set, I like to sit in my chair and read. I love reading biographies. I just read Marlon Brando's biography. I would hang out with the costume people, the hair and makeup ladies, and the crew.

You have a clothing line with your family?

Yes, my dad, Franklin, started this group on Facebook, La Vida Es Chevere, which means life is awesome. My brother is a clothing designer and we are selling T-Shirts, wristbands, journals, etc.

The purpose of this line is to create a positive influence and energy in people's mind. If you are in a good situation, it can always be better. If you are in a bad situation, it will get better. Live like your life is awesome; realize how awesome your life is. That is what the clothing line my family is part of and is trying to express. Besides, the t-shirts look really cool. My brother is currently working on the spring collection. The clothing and accessories are sold online and my father gives positives messages on Facebook every morning. You feel like you want to change the world. I gave all of my Nickelodeon friends a t-shirt.

You just wrote a screenplay. What is it about?

I wrote my first screenplay when I was 14 years old. It was a full 90 page script. I remember putting a note on my parents' door, asking them not to bother me because I was writing a script. Looking back, the dialogue was choppy. It was horrible! I didn't know what I was thinking. I have taken classes since, and I am on the third draft of my current screenplay (Working Title, "Brighton Beach"). "The Troop" took 60% of my day and the other 40% was about furthering my career. I am producing five other screenplays and am starting my own Production Company.

You are an avid movie buff. You literally see every movie that comes out?

Definitely a movie buff! When I was 12 or 13, my parents took me to see "Wag The Dog" with Robert De Niro and Dustin Hoffman. After that, I was looking up everyone in the movie. IMDB was like a Google for movies back then. It was not as great as IMDB is today. Instead of playing with my friends, I would be on my computer 24/7 looking at biographies. From that day on, I knew every movie coming out, every movie that won an Oscar.

Being a film buff also helps me know what I am talking about in a meeting. My producer, Jay Kogen, from "The Troop" was naming actors from the 40s, 50s and 60s. I knew who he was talking about. He asked me how old I was.

What was the last movie you saw?

"Noises Off..." with Carol Burnett. I ordered it on Netflix. "Transformers" is next up in my queue.

Ok, so let's take a look at the current nominees for the 82nd Academy Awards. Who do you think will take Actor in a Leading Role?

Jeff Bridges. It's his time. He was absolutely brilliant in "Crazy Heart."

Actress in a Leading Role?

Sandra Bullock.

Actor in a Supporting Role?

Christoph Waltz.

Actress in a Supporting Role?

Mo'Nique.

Best Picture?

"The Hurt Locker."

What was the first musical you saw on Broadway?

Beauty and the Beast.

Favorite Broadway show?

One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest and August: Osage County. I saw that three hour play three times!

Which song do you listen to most on your iPod?

"Forever" by Drake, Kanye West, Lil Wayne and Eminem. I have a friend who got me the instrumental version.

Favorite artist?

Frank Sinatra. I have every single one of his songs. I also listen to a lot of Jay-Z and Kanye West.

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Del Rio's first performance in In The Heights was on Monday, February 15th and his current contract runs for three months. Love for In The Heights runs in the family--Del Rio's sister, Noemi, is currently part of the ensemble of the show's national tour.

"The Troop" airs on Nickelodeon on Saturdays at 9pm. To learn more about Del Rio's clothing line, visit: www.lavec.com.

In The Heights is currently playing on Broadway at the Richard Rodgers Theatre (226 West 46th Street). For more information or to order tickets, check out: www.intheheightsthemusical.com.