Every third Wednesday of the month (or on special occasions like this, a week early!), a fabulous actor/singer/dancer fills out contributor Tom Mizer’s nosey little questionnaire and offers a glimpse of what he looks like from a bit closer than the mezzanine. For March, we’re making some sweet music with our man of the month…
Steven Wenslawski. Photo by Kevin Thomas Garcia for Next.
Name: Steven Wenslawski
Hometown: Clayton, CA
Current Show/Role: Nothing But Trash; roles – Johnny/Falcon
The best part of the show I’m in now is: The fun cast I get to work with!
The most challenging job in show business I ever had was: Probably my pre-equity apprenticeship at the Barn Theater in Augusta, Michigan. A typical hour of the day would find you rehearsing for a show, mowing a lawn, and cleaning a toilet. All between frequent applications of bug spray.
If I wasn’t a performer, I would be: In the orchestra pit, pounding the keys.
Places, intermission or curtain call? Curtain call. The sense of well-being that warms you after a performance free of mishaps.
The best pre-show dinner and post-shot cocktail in town are at: Best pre-show dinner for me is Chez Steven, because I do enjoy my own cooking. Post show I may take a nip at places like Industry or Flaming Saddles.
Steven Wenslawski at Broadway Bares. Image via Steven Wenslawski.
After you’ve hit all the traditional sights of New York City, you should totally go to: The Morris-Jumel Mansion in Washington Heights. The oldest house in Manhattan is in my neighborhood. It’s lovely AND haunted. What more could you ask for?
If I could live anywhere else in the world it would be: Probably Los Angeles. All my family is in California, as well as a lot of friends, and I could certainly to without the New York winters.
Steven Wenslawski. Photo by Rick Stockwell.
It’s March Madness time; what event or show are you “mad” about this Spring in NYC? Broadway Backwards! I had such an amazing time participating last year and being backstage with so many of theater’s finest. It’s always such a great show and definitely a worthy cause.
My workout “secret” is: Consistency. You just have to carve out the time and do the work.
When I’m looking for a date, nothing attracts me more than: Openness and lack of pretension.
My favorite website to visit that you may not have heard of is: www.imspl.org. I didn’t know about it till a year or so ago, but this site has a huge library of public domain classical music for the taking. I play piano for ballet classes, so it’s a great resource for me in finding rep for inspiration.
Boxer, Brief or Commando? Usually boxer-briefs.
Steven Wenslawski (top left) and the cast of “Nothing but Trash”. Photo by David Rodgers.
People would be surprised to learn that I: I play the accordion. I may not get booked for Lawrence Welk but I’m really not too shabby, if I must say so.
Ten years from now I’d like to be: Music directing and conducting. Spending more time writing and composing. And possibly still performing.
When I was 10, I wanted to be just like: Julie Andrews. What little boy doesn’t? I had probably seen “Star!” more times than any tween on earth.
In honor of the month, pick a “March”: “The Star-Spangled Banner”. Always makes me want to take up the piccolo.
Catch Steven and the rest of the juvenile delinquents of Nothing But Trash at New York’s Theater for the New City, now through March 23.
Steven Wenslawski. Photo by Bob Schulenberg.