The actor recently took a moment to fill out Playbill.com's questionnaire with random facts, backstage trivia and pop culture tidbits.
Full given name: | Ruben Cruz Santiago, Jr. |
Hometown: | Lackawanna, NY |
Zodiac Sign: | Sagittarius |
Audition song/monologue: | "Family" from Dreamgirls |
Special skills: | Harmonica, Basketball, Boxing |
First Broadway show ever saw: | Paul Robeson with James Earl Jones |
If you could go back in time and catch any Broadway show, what would it be? | Purlie with Cleavon Little |
Current show you have been recommending to friends: | Fela! |
Favorite show tune: | Stephen Sondheim's "Children Will Listen" from Into the Woods |
MAC or PC? | Mac |
Most played song on your iPod: | "Song for My Father" by Horace Silver |
Web obsession: | ESPN.com |
Last book you read: | "Love in the Driest Season" by Neely Tucker |
Must-see TV show: | "Castle" on ABC! I play Captain Montgomery. |
Last good movie you saw: | A repeat of "Cinema Paradiso" |
Favorite card game: | Quiddler |
Performer you would drop everything to go see: | Gregory Hines |
First stage kiss: | In a second grade production of Huckleberry Finn |
Favorite post-show meal: | Anything my wife Jeannie makes |
Favorite or most memorable onstage role as a child or teenager: | The First Militant Minister |
How you got your Equity card: | I replaced "The Boy" in The Fantasticks |
Worst onstage mishap: | Ceremonies in Dark Old Men. I came in late to catch my father in bed with a young lady. I was supposed to walk in while he was taking off his clothes. |
Worst costume ever: | The maid in A History of the American Film |
Pre-show rituals: | Voice, stretching, and prayer |
Favorite junk food: | Original Sunchips |
Who would play you in the movie? | My son Trey |
Worst job you ever had: | Case sealer at General Mills |
TV or commercial gig you most enjoyed: | The "Hot, Hot, Hot" commercial for Miller Beer! |
"Leading Lady" role you wish you could play: | Aunt Esther in Gem of the Ocean |
Who have you played on "Law & Order"? | "Attorney Winters" and "Dr. Paul Jackson" |
Three things you can't live without: | Lily, Trey, and Jeannie |