10 Questions With Stephanie J. Block

Stephanie J. Block is currently starring on Broadway as Judy Bernly in 9 to 5: The Musical at the Marquis Theatre. Right before 9 to 5, she played Elphaba in the Broadway Company of Wicked. We remember her powerful portrayal of Grace O'Malley in The Pirate Queen and as Liza Minelli opposite Hugh Jackman in The Boy From Oz.

BroadwaySpace can't wait to hear her solo debut recording, "This Place I Know.” The album features songs by some of our favorite composers like Stephen Flaherty, Andrew Lippa, Marvin Hamlisch, and Claude-Michel Schonberg, as well as a duet with Dolly Parton! We're so pleased to get the chance to chat with the lovely Stephanie J. Block.

Q: You have had an incredible career in musical theater, what role have you always dreamed of playing but haven’t yet had the chance?

Stephanie: Thank you! That's nice of you to say. I would LOVE to work on a Sondheim musical with Stephen Sondheim. I know a revival of Into the Woods is not going to happen anytime soon, but I have always wanted to play the Baker's Wife.

Q: We are all excited to hear that you will be performing at Birdland on July 13th. What is it like to go from performing for 1600 people at The Marquis to the more intimate cabaret setting of Birdland?

Stephanie: The first time I was preparing to sing at Birdland back in 2004, I was pretty nervous. It wasn't so much about the intimate setting, which I really enjoy. It was about being myself... singing as me... as opposed to playing a character. When you stand up on a stage, whether it be for several thousand or just a few hundred or at a family dinner, for that matter, and you are yourself... you feel very "naked" and you can only hope that the audience accepts you for you!

Q: How do you balance your incredibly busy performing career with your life?

Stephanie: What a time to ask that question!!! You caught me in the middle of a 14-show stretch while promoting "This Place I Know" and preparing for my Birdland concert. I am one crazy, tired, zombie-person. Thank God I have the most amazing husband who not only understands the ebbs and flows of this crazy business but lives it himself. And, more importantly, he understands me... so he usually is ahead of me. Balance in my life came when Sebastian came into my life. He is THE biggest blessing to me!

Q: Where is your favorite place in the world to travel when you have time off?

Stephanie: Honestly, I have not had time off in about 2 years. Although, Seb and I do plan vacations all the time. We look at websites for amazing beach resorts in Bora-Bora. We plan trips to Greece or check ticket prices for a return visit to Italy. But the reality of the situation is we both are working and so we take day trips to the lake or the country. But... I do encourage your readers to look at the beaches of Bora-Bora! They are amazing... even if it is on a computer screen!

Q: Do you have a special diet or work-out routine to keep healthy and strong for 8 shows/week? Do you continue to study and train while you perform?

Stephanie: I try to watch what I eat and stay as healthy as I can. I walk quite a bit and with a show as wonderfully silly and quick as 9 to 5, we get the cardio going! I certainly feel the heart beat quicken and the sweat beads formin' in the last half of Act 1. I do try to get to the gym as often as I can but I'll be honest, I don't get there as often as I should. And then there is my weakness... dark chocolate. So, again, I try to make good food choices and be active. But life is life, and sometimes the gym isn't my top priority.

As far as training the voice... that will always be one of my top priorities. I want to sing forever! And I do believe one should continue to study and perfect their craft. I won't ever stop learning!

Q: Who are your musical theater performing idols?

Stephanie: I grew up listening to all Barbara Streisand, all Patti Lupone, Jennifer Holiday in Dreamgirls, the original cast album of Les Miz and Into The Woods. But it was the old Hollywood musicals that really influenced me. Judy Garland was my idol. As a pre-teen growing up in Southern California, she was everything perfect and right about musicals.

Q: You have great chemistry with the other 9 to 5 ladies, do you socialize offstage as well?

Stephanie: I ADORE Allison and Megan. We do spend a lot of time off stage together... we laugh and share. Megan is usually modeling some fabulous, new pair of shoes. Allison always has great stories about her busy schedule. She is so down to earth but she has one fancy, Hollywood life... scripts, movie schedules, movie premieres. We met as cast members but I certainly feel that they are friends first. I am so glad the audience can feel that chemistry... that makes us very happy!

Q: Do you or your 9 to 5 cast-members have any rituals or routines that you go through every night before, during, or after the show?

Stephanie: Most of the cast is in the Opening Number so when "places" is called, we all meet onstage. Most of us are there stretching and socializing anyway... but we get in a circle and do the "hand squeeze". Whoever gets "the squeeze" thinks of a word for all of us to keep in mind during the show. It ranges from something inspirational to ridiculous to off- the-wall. It may sound so silly, but it really does connect us as a group and starts the show off with a unifying and joyful energy.

Q: In previous interviews, you have given strong advice to young people seeking careers in the arts. How did your family and friends encourage you when you first started performing? Did you have early mentors who inspired you?

Stephanie: My family was always very supportive. I think they recognized I had a God-given talent from an early age. I don't necessarily think they wanted me to have a career in this field because it is so difficult and "ify" but they certainly encouraged me to take lessons and perform locally.

I started taking voice lessons when I was 11 years old. My voice teacher, Jill Goodsell, was/is my teacher and mentor (I still train with her when I can).This woman is a true master when it comes to training the voice and just the most wonderful spirit! A few years later I starting performing with a group called the Young Americans. This led to me transferring from my all girls Catholic High School to an Arts High School. Throughout all of this, I was in every talent show and participated in every community theater production I could. All of this took a lot of time and money on my parents' part. They drove me everywhere and really got excited about my experiences.

Please visit 9 to 5: The Musical for tickets, information and lots of other show-related fun

Stephanie will be performing at Birdland on July 13th at 7PM.

You can purchase Stephanie's album, "This Place I Know" at Amazon.com or on iTunes.

For more information about Stephanie J. Block, go to her website:http://www.stephaniejblock.com