BWW TV Exclusive: BACKSTAGE WITH RICHARD RIDGE- Mandy Gonzalez Talks 54 Below, Belting, VAMPIRES, HEIGHTS & Much More!

Welcome to BWW's exclusive talk show, BACKSTAGE WITH Richard Ridge. Follow Richard as he visits the theater's best and brightest in their dressing rooms, on their stages and favorite hang outs to talk about their lives, careers and all of the things you don't know, but want to know. In the special interview below, "The Beast" herself, Mandy Gonzalez (who will soon return to 54 Below), shares stories from her time in In the Heights, Dance of the Vampires, Aida, Lennon, Wicked and more! Check out the full interview below!

Gonzalez returns to 54 Below with Love, All Ways-A Musical Retrospective of Triumph and Hilarity on April 2, 2014. Click here for tickets!

One of the most powerful and versatile voices in musical theatre. She is best known for playing the role of Nina Rosario in the Tony Award winning musical In The Heights, a role she created Off- Broadway at 37 Arts (Drama Desk Award for Best Ensemble). Mandy was featured in the televised documentary In The Heights: Chasing Broadway Dreams which follows the shows journey to Broadway and beyond. Mandy was last seen starring as Elphaba in the Broadway production of Wicked. She has appeared as Princess Amneris in the Elton John and Tim Rice musical Aida. She also starred in the Broadway show Lennon where she portrayed John Lennon as well as other characters. Mandy made her Broadway debut in Jim Steinman's Dance of the Vampires starring opposite Michael Crawford. Mandy received an OBIE Award for her performance in the Off-Broadway production of Eli's Comin' directed by Diane Paulus, the musical based on the music and lyrics of singer-songwriter Laura Nyro.