THE FRIDAY SIX: Q&As with Your Favorite Broadway Stars- HAMILTON's Okieriete Onaodowan
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 Okieriete Onaodowan, who stars as 'Hercules Mulligan/James Madison' in Hamilton, currently playing at the Richard Rodgers Theatre.
What is the first Broadway show you ever saw?
Sly Fox.
What is your most unique pre-show ritual?
It changes with every show. It's not a conscious decision have a ritual. With each show I end up doing one thing consistently. With Hamilton I give Matt our propsman a handshake. I give Jeannie one of our dressers a kiss. And Phil another dresser a hug right before I step onstage. I switch up the order sometimes, but one right after the other, every night.
What is your most memorable "the show must go on" moment?
I got tonsillitis doing a production of Ruined. I didn't have an understudy or a voice, and I had a major scene in the second act. The doctor said I should be out at least a week and I had a five show weekend. So I reworked my character to fit my voice, I did a have an hour articulating warm up every day to help compensate for lack of sound. My character became softer and more vulnerable. I think I nailed it. I'm not sure if the director agrees. I proceeded to perform the show painfully for another month as I recovered.
What is the one role you want to play before you die?
Sidney Deane in White Men Can't Jump.... The Musical. Think about it. It works. IT. WORKS!
Who is your Broadway crush?
Jessie Mueller. That voice gets me weak in the knees, she is honest and true onstage. Sara Bareilles is a close second... Super close. But her show isn't here yet. Ha. So Jessie wins.Where can people follow you online?
Or my soon to be updated website TheIncredibleOak.Com
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