Producer Mark Cortale has announced that his internationally acclaimed Broadway @ concert series, hosted and music directed by Sirius XM Radio star Seth Rudetsky, will return to the Broward Center’s Parker Playhouse with two more star-studded shows this season. The first show stars Adam Pascal, of the original Broadway cast of Rent, and the film version, as well as the Broadway hits Chicago, Memphis, and Cabaret, who joins the series on Sunday, March 24 at 7pm. He recently starred in the new musical Pretty Woman.
The unique format of the series that differentiates it from any other is a seamless mix of intimate behind-the-scenes stories prompted by Rudetsky’s insightful, funny and revealing questions – and the music from the artists’ stellar careers. The result is spontaneous evenings of show-stopping songs and hilarity. The Broadway @ Series was first launched at Provincetown’s Art House Theater in 2011 by Cortale and Rudetsky and now makes its home in more than a dozen major venues worldwide.
At what age did you begin performing, and how did it happen?
I started performing around 12 or 13 and it was in rock bands. I discovered I could sing, and I sung in rock bands until after I graduated college. My whole focus was playing in bands.
What was your first professional/paid role?
Believe it or not, it was “Rent.”
How did you get cast in “Rent” and did the cast know how special the show was from the beginning?
I auditioned. Adina and I grew up together—she lived down the block from me in Long Island. She had already gotten cast and she called me and told me that they were looking for the role of Roger. She thought I would be perfect for the role and asked me to go in and audition. It seemed like something different to try, and I had just left my band. I auditioned and got cast.
From the reactions we were getting form rehearsals we did know very quickly that “Rent” was something very special. That didn’t mean it would translate into success, but luckily it did.
I saw you two years ago in the touring company of “Something Rotten” playing Shakespeare. Was that as fun to play as it looked?
Yes it was. I had the most amazing time in that show. That’s why we all stayed in it so long, we were having the best time working with each other!
What has been your favorite role to play?
I always tend to say the last one I did, but my favorite role is the Emcee in “Cabaret,” which I starred in at Studio 54. It came at a point in my career where I needed to make some decisions and it solidified my love of theater and I truly adore everything about that show.
What is your fantasy role?
I would love to play Jean Val Jean in “Les Misérables.”
Tell us something we would be surprised to know about you?
That I am extremely domestic. I love to cook, clean and fold laundry.
Describe yourself in three words?
Frustrated, loving and driven!
What should our readers expect from your Broadway Series with Seth Rudetsky?
An evening of improvisational conversation and comedy interspersed with songs from my whole career. They will hear cabaret, Chicago, Aida Rent, Chess, and more!
For more information on Adam Pascal, go to his website: Adampascal.net.
For tickets for Broadway @ concert series starring Adam Pascal and Seth Rudetsky visit Parkerplayhouse.com or call (954) 462-0222.
