Manuel Herrera

Manuel Herrera is an actor on the rise! His Broadway credits include "West Side Story," "Legally Blonde," "Sweet Charity," "Wicked," and "The Music Man." Off-Broadway, Manuel has been seen in "The Seven" while film audiences have seen him in "Sex and the City 2" as "Sergio." Manuel's numerous commercial work includes Mohegan Sun, Joe Boxer, Winterfresh Gum, Mervyns, and Optimum Online. Now Manuel can be seen starring alongside Eve Plumb (the original "Jan Brady") in the hilarious new musical comedy "Miss Abigail's Guide to Dating, Mating, and Marriage!" at Sofia's Downstairs Theatre in NYC (221 West 46th Street, between Broadway and & 8th Ave).

1. Who inspired you to become a performer? I would have to say %100 Michael Jackson.

2. Who is the one person you haven't worked with that you would like to? Wow, thats hard!! I guess, I would have to say Joe Mantello. I know I've worked with him before, but I've never worked with him on a play, and that's what I would really want to do.

3. If you couldn't be doing what you are doing now, what career would you choose? Probably real-estate, I really enjoy it. I think I would be more of a flipper, than a realtor though.

4. Do you have any strange or unusual talent that nobody knows about? I haven't done it in a while, but I guess I would have to say drawing. When I was younger I won an award at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, for a drawing that I did.

5. Favorite meal off the $1 menu? I'm not a big fast food person anymore, but if I were gonna do it I would get Chicken McNuggets!!

6. Favorite skin care product? I really like that Anthony's skin care line for men. Especially the after shave in-grown hair cream.

7. Favorite way to stay in shape? Going to the gym, and doing the Body-For-Life routine mixed with interval training cardio exercises, and throwing in different things I see in Mens Health.

8. Boxers or Briefs? Calvin Klein briefs for sure.

9. Favorite website? Probably Petfinder.com, and of course missabigailsguide.com!!!

10. Superman or Wonder Woman? Superman! 1. Because, I don't know much about Wonder Woman, and B. Because, I've always wanted to look like a muscle man.

BONUS QUESTIONS:

11. What's the best advice you've ever received? "Be in the moment" (That's for all facets of life. It's not just an acting thing).

12. If you could dream about anyone while you sleep, who would it be? I'm lucky because she sleeps with me every night, I don't have to dream. My Wife!!!

Cara Reichel

"Once Upon A Time In New Jersey" Photo Credit: Richard TermineAward winning director Cara Reichel is a theatre professional to work with! She is the Producing Artistic Director of Prospect Theater Company and in 2002 she received the "Lucille Lortel Award" for Emerging Women Artists from the League of Professional Theatre Women, an organization she now serves as Vice-President of Communications. Cara's numerous directing credits include "Iron Curtain" (for which she won the 2006 Innovative Theatre Award for "Outstanding Production of a Musical" and received an IT Award nomination for "Outstanding Director"), "Golden Boy of the Blue Ridge," "Honor," "The Rockae," "The Pursuit of Persephone," "Illyria," "The Flood," and "Othello." Cara's currently represented by the new Off-Off-Broadway musical comedy "Once Upon a Time in New Jersey" at The Hudson Guild Theatre (441 West 26th Street in NYC). For more on Cara, be sure to visit http://www.carareichel.com.

1. Who inspired you to become a director? Probably my father...he was a pastor and loved to tell stories, and so I grew up in an environment where I was frequently seeing the "behind the scenes" putting together of the Sunday morning event. I have always been very interested in the connections between religious ritual and theater performance. Even more than directing, I think he influenced me in my desire to build a theater company and supportive community of artists.

2. Who is the one person you haven't worked with that you would like to? I don't think I can name just one person! Of course, there are lots of actors that I've thought it would be fantastic to work with on developing a project - great actors can bring so much into the process of creating a musical.  And, Mark Wing Davey's and Bartlett Sher's work has continued to inspire me in my career so I'd love the opportunity to be able to be up-close on one of their productions someday.

3. If you couldn't be doing what you are doing now, what career would you choose? Writing fiction. I actually published a children's book when I was in high school...and I still hope to come back to this someday! For now I prefer the collaborative creativity of theater-making, rather than the more solitary version of writing stories.

4. Do you have any strange or unusual talent that nobody knows about? No...perhaps I need to cultivate one. I do make a mean coconut cake, but people know about it.

5. Starbucks or Dunkin' Donuts? What do you order? I end up going to Starbucks more often, frequently I get a Chai Tea Latte. However, I definitely prefer Dunkin' Donuts coffee.

6. Favorite store to shop in? I rarely have time to go shopping...but when I do I'm definitely a bargain hunter. Sometimes when I'm visiting my in-laws I really love SYMS. It's kinda like a treasure hunt. And of course there's nothing like an hour or two exploring the Drama Book Shop!

7. Favorite skin care product? Ummm...I use this organic peppermint oil shampoo which really gives your brain a kick in the mornings. Does that count?

8. Favorite way to spend your day off? Day off? What's that? When I do manage to carve out time for a "personal sabbath" I love sleeping in, taking a walk in Riverside Park, cooking dinner at home -- in the summer I really love watching the sunset while having a relaxing drink at the Hudson Beach Cafe.  Any time away from email I can get!

9. Favorite website? Aside from the two websites I try to maintain, www.ProspectTheater.org and www.CaraReichel.com-- I need to be doing more with them! -- I spend a lot of time at www.tdf.org. I also followed author Robin McKinley's blog for a while, less so lately.

10. Superman or Wonder Woman? Wonder Woman, of course!

Keith Nobbs

Lucille Lortel Award winner and Drama Desk Nominee Keith Nobbs is back on stage and audiences couldn't be more thrilled!

Keith made his Broadway debut in "The Lion Winter" starring Laurence Fishburne and Stockard Channing. He has since gone on to star in "Stupid Kids," "Hope is the Ting with Feathers" (Drama Dept.), "Free to Be...You and Me" (at Drama Dept., along with fellow "Adaumbelle's Quest" participant Daphne Rubin-Vega ), "Four" (for which he won a Lucille Lortel Award and received a Drama Desk Nomination), "Fuddy Meers" (MTC), "Dublin Carol," "Dog Sees God," "The Hasty Heart," and the world premiere of David Mamet's "Romance" (Atlantic Theatre). Keith's television credits include "The Pacific," "The Black Donnellys," "In Treatment," "The Sopranos," "In Plain Sight," and "Fringe." On the big screen, Keith has been seen in "Double Whammy," "Phone Booth," "25th Hour," and the independent films "The Briefcase," "Weakness," and "Premium." Now this dynamic actor is taking center stage in the new Broadway play "Lombardi" starring Judith Light and Dan Lauria along with Bill Dawes, Robert Christopher Riley, and Chris Sullivan. "Lombardi" plays at the Circle in the Square Theatre on 50th Street between Broadway & 8th Ave.

1. Who inspired you to become a performer? Barry Dean. He's a director/visionary/mad man of this theater company Centre Stage in Texas where I grew up. He had crazy ideas to do full length Broadway shows (with harmony and full on choreography) with six year olds. 1986- You're A Good Man, Charlie Brown. We rehearsed for six months. During tech, he would keep us there until 2 am and somehow our parents were okay with it. That's what started it for me.

2. Who is the one person you haven't worked with that you would like to? So many people. And so many people I want to work with again.

3. What is the best advice you've ever received? A bastardized Anais Nin quote: "And the day came when the risk it took to remain tight in the bud became greater than the risk it took to bloom."

4. If you couldn't be doing what you are doing now, what career would you choose? I would love to write fiction.

5. Favorite ride at an amusement park? Nitro at Six Flags. Gotta be in the first car.

6. Favorite meal off the $1 menu? I skip out on McDonald's but I do give Wendy's some love every now and then. The spicy chicken nuggets. Oh yes.

7. Favorite way to stay in shape? Running, yoga, pilates.

8. Boxers or Briefs? Best of both worlds: boxer briefs.

9. Favorite website? Huffington Post- informative yet trashy. Still not on the facebook- after seeing Catfish and Social Network, I am very happy not to be.

10. Superman or Wonder Woman? Superman. I have no time for invisible airplanes.

BONUS QUESTIONS:

11. If you could dream about anyone while you sleep, who would it be? Probably my relatives that have passed away.

12. Do you have any strange or unusual talent that nobody knows about? I'm actually 6'4".

Tim Di Pasqua

With four Backstage Bistro Awards, seven MAC Nominations, and a New York Nightlife Award, Tim Di Pasqua is a performer to hear. Performing in some of New York's most famous clubs and halls (Birdland, Joe's Pub, Carnegie Hall, The Triad, Don't Tell Mama's, Tavern on the Green), Tim constantly plays to sold out audiences! Tim's show "Purpose of Love-A Tim Di Pasqua Songbook" earned him two of his Backstage Bistro Awards ("Outstanding Singer/Instrumentalist" and "Outstanding Special Performance") while his song "One" garnered his third Backstage Bistro Award "Outstanding Song of the Year" and his group Southern Comfort (comprised of Scott Coulter & Tom Anderson) received the fourth Backstage Bistro Award "Outstanding Duo or Group" as well as the New York Nightlife Award. His recordings include "Monster Under These Conditions," "Purpose of Love - A Tim Di Pasqua Songbook Volume 1," "Purpose of Love - A Tim Di Pasqua Songbook Volume 2," and "Synchronicity." In addition to writing and singing his own music, Tim was the music director and arranger for Jim Van Slyke's critically acclaimed "The Sedaka Show" which was presented at both the Laurie Beechman Theatre and Feinstein's at the Regency. Tim has also performed with five-time Grammy nominee and fellow "Adaumbelle's Quest" participant Michael Feinstein at Carnegie Hall in Michael's show "Now and Then" as well as performing and accompanying Oscar and Grammy Award winner Stephen Schwartz in his concert appearances. In addition to his music, Tim is a founding member of Third Eye Theater Company in New York City. For much more on Tim Di Pasqua, be sure to visit http://www.timdipasqua.com.

1. Who inspired you to become a performer? I know it's been said 1,000.000 times before.....Joni Mitchell, Stephen Sondheim.

2. What is the highest and lowest note you can sing? Low F or E / High A.

3. Who is the one person you haven't worked with that you would like to? Joni Mitchell.

4. What's the best advice you've ever received? When you go out on stage.....give your gift!

5. Do you have any strange or unusual talent that nobody knows about? I draw cartoon characters.

6. Favorite way to stay in shape? Walking everywhere, yoga, meditation, resistance training, sex.

7. Boxers or Briefs? Briefs when I am working out or wearing something thin/Boxers in bed when my boyfriend is tired, and none at all when he isn't.

8. Favorite play/musical? Musical: "Into The Woods"/"Sweeney Todd." Play: "GlengarryGlenRoss."

9. Favorite website? Anything with nude wrestling.

10. Superman or Wonder Woman? Superman.

BONUS QUESTIONS:

11. What's your proudest moment? I was performing at Carnegie Hall and I was playing a Sondheim song that I had mashed up with another Sondheim song. After the show, there was a knock at the dressing room door and it was Mr. Sondheim. I was stunned and started to rethink the entire evening to remember what I had done and whether he approved. A few days later I received a letter in the mail saying at first he was shocked by the mixing of the vamps and tunes, but that they worked.

12. Who do you consider to be your hero? I don't really have a hero, or that hero gene in me. I get inspired by everyday people, every day.

Jeff Hiller

I had the distinct pleasure of sitting down with the very funny and personable Jeff Hiller on September 28 after seeing him in the new hit Broadway show "Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson." With stupendously impeccable comedic timing both on and off-stage, Jeff Hiller is definitely one of the next rising stars you must go see!

As a member of UCB (Upright Citizens Brigade), Jeff honed his comedic skills which he has bestowed upon theatre, film, and television audiences. Theatre audiences have had the pleasure of seeing Jeff's talent in "Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson" (both Public Theater versions), "Silence!, The Children" (NYMF Award Winner), the original cast of "Awesome 80's Prom," and "Showgirls"...at UCB. His film credits include "Morning Glory," "Ghost Town," and "Adam." Television viewers watched Jeff in such hit shows as "Ugly Betty," "30 Rock," "Late Night," "Guiding Light," "Boiling Points," "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles," "The P.A.," "Starved," and numerous commercials! Jeff is currently dazzling audiences nightly in the new Broadway hit "Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson." If you want to see comic royalty, then I highly suggest you click here for tickets and go see Jeff in "Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson!" For much more on Jeff, be sure to visit: http://www.hillertime.com.

1. Who inspired you to become a performer? I would say Henry Thomas, the guy who played "Elliott" in ET, because that was one of the first movies I ever saw and I remember being like this is so cool..."I can do that better."

2. Who is the one person you haven't worked with that you would like to? This is always the question people are like, just one?? I haven't worked with a ton of people so there are about one zillion people I'd love to work with, but I do have a soft spot for David Hyde Pierce and Jennifer Coolidge and I'd love to work in a Christopher Guest movie.

3. If you couldn't be doing what you are doing now, what career would you choose? Well before I was an actor, I was a social worker working with homeless youth, so I'd probably doing that.

4. Starbucks or Dunkin' Donuts? What do you order? Of course I try to go indie, but I would do Starbucks Venti Ice Coffee with 2 Splenda and some Skim Milk (I'm watching my girlish figure...hehehe). I also like Joe (on 13th Street) where they give you a card if you get buy five, get your 6th free.

5. Favorite play/musical? I love "A New Brain" by William Finn. My favorite play is "August Osage County."

6. Favorite ride at an amusement park? I'm a swinger, I like the swings 'cause my feet dangle.

7. Favorite skin care product? I actually don't do much for my skin, but I really like this new Redkin for men thickening spray because it makes seem like I'm less bald.

8. Boxers or Briefs? Boxer-briefs during the day and boxers at night.

9. Favorite website? YouTube.com and EW.com. I need my entertainment fix.

10. Superman or Wonder Woman? Wonder Woman of course. Why is it that we are always friends with big women. I think the three of us (you, me, and Wonder Woman) would have a great time out having drinks.

BONUS QUESTIONS:

11. What's the best advice you've ever received? Career wise it's "Just say yes to everything" and non-career wise it's "Love more than judge."

12. Do you have any strange or unusual talent that nobody knows about? I can wiggle my ears and I can make it look like I'm threading string through my lip and then make it look like I'm pulling my lip to make it move, into Elvis lips.

13. What is the highest and lowest note you can sing? I have been studying with Matt Farnesworth and when I am in my voice lesson, I can sing an A!  But usually just a G - an F if I'm feeling safe.  If its before noon, just an E, and if its before 9 AM I sing Bea Arthur.  I don't know the lowest note, because let's face it, no one cares about the lowest note you can sing.