THE FRIDAY SIX: Q&As with Your Favorite Broadway Stars- STRAIGHT's Jake Epstein

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 Jake Epstein, who stars as 'Ben' in Straight, playing at Theatre Row's Acorn Theatre.

What is the first Broadway show you ever saw?

Big: The Musical. I was ten years old and seeing all those kids my age onstage dancing and singing was truly life changing- I wanted to be one of those kids. I think I listened to the cassette until I broke it! (Yes, I said cassette... don't give me that face!)

What is your most unique pre-show ritual?

I'm not sure if it's very unique, but when I arrive at the theater before a show I love catching up with the cast and crew. And after having a bit of fun with the humans I work with, I'll usually go and find a quiet space in the building where I'll stretch and think through my character's arc in my head. If I'm ever lost on stage, or a bit tired, I know I can always fall back on focusing on simply telling the story.

What is your most memorable "the show must go on" moment?

I have performed through fevers, laryngitis, sprains and even vertigo. But I suppose one of the craziest moments I've had was when I was the alternate Peter Parker/Spider-Man in Spider-Man: Turn Off the Dark on Broadway. It was a Sunday matinee and I was off-stage that day. There were about 20 minutes left in the show and I was getting ready to go home. Suddenly the stage manager burst into my dressing room shouting that Reeve was feeling ill and they wanted me to finish the show for him. So I dove into the Spider-Man tights, the harness, did a few manic trills and ran to the stage. I literally ran right onto the Broadway stage to begin singing the 11 o'clock number Boy Falls From the Sky- with high B-flats and all! There was no announcement and I look nothing like Reeve Carney. The audience was very confused and could hear people murmuring and flipping through their playbills. But the crowd went with it and by the end of the song, I managed to get them on my side and rooting for me! I fought the Green Goblin, saved Mary Jane, and bowed. Not a bad 20 minutes of work!

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

I would love to get back into doing Shakespeare before I die.

Who is your Broadway crush?

It's gotta be Edie Brickell right now. I'm dying to see Bright Star.

Where can people follow you online?

You can follow me on Twitter: @Jake_Epstein

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