THE FRIDAY SIX: Q&As with Your Favorite Broadway Stars- N'Kenge

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 N'Kenge, who is starring as 'Mary Wells' in Motown- currently in previews at the Lunt-Fontanne Theatre. Opening night is set for April 14.

The very first Broadway show I saw was Wicked and what a first show that was. I was instantly hooked after that!

What is your most unique pre-show ritual?

I think it changes depending on my mood of the day - ha! I don't think my rituals are very unique but it varies from doing lip trills to warm up the voice, drinking tea with TONS of sugar and EATING! I can't go on stage hungry. My friends say I have an obese spirit. Thank goodness it doesn't go to my hips....yet!

I was making my Broadway debut in Sondheim on Sondheim and one night Barbara Cook had a leg injury. Despite the excruciating pain she was in, at times she was even in tears offstage, this amazing woman kept doing the show. I was so inspired by her strength. She truly set the standards for me to follow.

What is the one role you want to play before you die?

Well I would say Nick Adams isn't hard on the eyes!