THE BROADWAY LOCAL - Stephanie J. Block Sponsored by WORLD MasterCard

      

From the soaring melodies of classic revivals to the hottest dramas playing today - there is no experience like "Broadway." And part of what makes Broadway so exciting is that it's located right smack dab in the middle of New York City! With "THE BROADWAY LOCAL", World MasterCard celebrates the creative theatre professionals who bring their talents to the city's Broadway stages and call the Big Apple home.

Stephanie J. Block is currently starring on Broadway in the role of Judy Bernly in 9 to 5: The Musical. The celebrated actress, gifted with a powerhouse voice and seemingly limitless range, is definitely a "Broadway Local." Stephanie took time out of her busy schedule to give us the inside scoop on her favorite New York City picks and places.

Please share with us the memory of your first time seeing a Broadway show.

I was flown out for a call back for "Beauty and the Beast" and that weekend I saw Kiss of the Spider Woman, Crazy For You and Tommy. Crazy For You was everything I wanted it to be and I knew I needed to be in New York.

"Curtain Up" - Your Broadway debut, tell us the "when, where and how."

I thought my Broadway debut was going to be Wicked and I was in rehearsals for it, but in the final week out of town, I auditioned for The Boy From Oz for the role of Liza Minnelli and got it! So that was my Broadway debut in the 2003-2004 season.

Please tell us about your favorite New York City street, and why you think it is special.

20th Street between 10th and 11th Ave. It has gorgeous brownstones with tree lined streets and it feels like a Fred Astaire/Judy Garland movie. It maintains old New York glamour which only exists in little pockets of the city.

What's your favorite New York City restaurant?

Anything that serves fantastic home style and family style Italian food. New York gets Italian food right.

What's your preferred "pre-show" and "post-show" meal?

Pre show I try to eat light. I'll order from Josie's or Lenny's, either a sandwich or salad. I'll have something kind of big when I get home. I'll have a dinner date with Sebastian (Her husband, actor Sebastian Arcelus, is currently starring in Jersey Boys on Broadway) after our shows and we'll have our big meal then.

What would be the perfect song on your iPod to listen to as you visit a favorite part of town?

Wave Hill Park located uptown is one of my favorite locations. It's another place where you don't feel like you are in this actual date and time. While I'm there I like to listen to classical music, especially Tchaikovsky. It's the perfect place to relax.

"The Subway" - What is your "line" and in what other ways do you get around the city?

My lines are the A,B,C, and D. I take a taxi quite a bit. If I have time I'll walk most places. I'm lucky enough to have a car service home after the show.

Clue us in about your best "Broadway bargain" and where we can find it!

The best food bargain is the Starlight Deli. It's quick, its fresh and you can order nine things and you never pay more then $10.

"If You Can Make It Here..." Tell us who you think truly "defines" New York.

My father in-law, Ideal Zanelli. He came from Uruguay with barely a high school education. He worked in a factory speaking only Spanish and now he is one of the head executives at Smith Barney.

What is your favorite "New York" Song?

Billy Joel's New York State of Mind.

The Broadway Local 'MUST' - what's the one item you never leave the house (or theatre) without?

A Metrocard and comfy shoes. And these days an umbrella!

"New York, New York": Give us a classic "New York" moment you've experienced in the city.

A classic New York moment for me is going to the new Citi Field and watching the Mets play.

Tell us your favorite "Classic" New York City spot.

Any place in Central Park. The Boathouse, the Bethesda fountain... anything from 72nd street from west to east. Coming from Southern California and seeing these places live that you've only seen in movies and on television, you feel like a true New Yorker knowing your way around.

Stephanie J. Block comes to 9 to 5: The Musical straight from playing the role of Elphaba in the Broadway Company of Wicked. Broadway audiences also know her for her portrayal as Grace O'Malley in The Pirate Queen and Liza Minnelli opposite Hugh Jackman in The Boy From Oz. Stephanie also starred in the First National Touring Company of Wicked as Elphaba, for which she won the 2006 Helen Hayes Award for Outstanding Actress. She is a proud member of The Musical Theatre Guild and has been a member of Actors' Equity since 1995. The acclaimed actress is currently celebrating the release of her debut album, "This Place I Know." For more information on Stephanie visit her website at www.stephaniejblock.com.

Multiple Drama Desk and Tony Award nominated 9 To 5: The Musical stars four-time Emmy Award winner and two-time Tony Award nominee and recent Drama Desk winner Allison Janney, along with Stephanie J. Block, Megan Hilty, and three-time Tony Award nominee Marc Kudisch. It opened Thursday, April 30, 2009, at the Marriott Marquis Theatre (1535 Broadway). 

9 To 5: The Musical marks the Broadway debut of seven-time Grammy Award winning singer, songwriter and musician Dolly Parton as composer and lyricist. With direction by two-time Tony Award winner Joe Mantello and choreography by Tony Award winner Andy Blankenbuehler, 9 To 5: The Musical has a book by Patricia Resnick, based on her original story and screenplay for the smash 1980 film comedy. 

9 To 5: The Musical is produced by Green State Productions, Richard Levi, John McColgan/Moya Doherty/Edgar Dobie, James L. Nederlander/Terry Allen Kramer,Independent Presenters Network, Jam Theatricals, Bud Martin, Michael Watt, The Weinstein Co/Sonia Friedman/Dede Harris, Center Theatre Group, Norton Herrick/Matthew C Blank/Joan Stein, Toni Dowgiallo, and GFour Productions.

For more information on 9 To 5: The Musical visit www.9to5themusical.com.

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