Every third Wednesday, a fabulous actor/singer/dancer will fill out my nosey little questionnaire and offer a glimpse of what they look like from a bit closer than the mezzanine. For June, we’re busting out all over for a real renaissance man–performer, published author and Jem collector…

Brian Spitulnik. Photo by Matthew Murphy.

Name: Brian Spitulnik

Hometown: Potomac, Maryland

Current Show/Role: Chicago/Swing

The best part of the show I’m in now is: The Kander and Ebb score is, of course, iconic, but the genius of Ralph Burns’s orchestrations and Peter Howard’s dance arrangements are what it’s all about for me. I’m not much of a musician, but I can tell you that what’s happening on that bandstand every night is unusual and extraordinary.

The most challenging job in show business I ever had was: Dancing in the ensemble of The Radio City Christmas Spectacular. Eighteen shows a week in an elf costume, a Santa fat-suit, and under 55 pounds of foam and fur as a Russian Bear nearly destroyed me.

If I wasn’t an actor, I would be: A writer. I graduated from Columbia University last month with a Masters in Nonfiction Writing. Writing is the only way I can think things out and even begin trying to make sense of the world.

Places, Intermission or Curtain Call? Curtain call. No matter what has happened onstage that night, there is a sense of accomplishment and solidarity that happens when we all bow together then clatter up the flights of steps to our dressing rooms at the end of the show.

The best post-show cocktail in town is at: E&E Grill House. Though, I’m biased. Not only is the restaurant a matter of feet from our stage door, but they also treat the cast of Chicago as if we were celebrities, which generally makes me feel pretty good about life.

Read more…