Stephanie J. Block
If you were among those thrilled by Sutton Foster's performance in the Tony-winning revival of Anything Goes, you will be equally wowed by the star turn that Stephanie J. Block is currently providing as sexy evangelist Reno Sweeney at the Stephen Sondheim Theatre. Block, a Drama Desk nominee for Best Actress in a Musical for her work in 9 to 5: The Musical, previously stepped into the Tony-winning tap shoes of Foster in the critically acclaimed revival of the Cole Porter musical this past fall, and she has now taken over the role full-time. Block, whose textured, rangy Broadway belt has also been heard in Main Stem productions of The Boy from Oz, Wicked and The Pirate Queen, is offering a terrific performance as nightclub singer-turned-evangelist Sweeney. Block, in fact, is a humorous delight in the role, earning laugh after laugh while thrilling the audience with her rich, velvety renditions of such Porter classics as "I Get a Kick Out Of You," "Blow, Gabriel, Blow," "Friendship" and the title tune. Earlier this week, I once again had the pleasure of chatting with the good-natured, upbeat singing actress, who spoke about her return to Broadway; that interview follows. (Read more about Stephanie J. Block's theatrical history in the Playbill Vault.)

Question: The last time we spoke was the afternoon of your first performance when you were temporarily stepping into Anything Goes. What was that first performance like when you think back on it?
Block: [Laughs.] I will be very honest and say, "I have no idea!" It's one of those out-of-body experiences, where you literally just get yourself on stage and you take it line-by-line and step-by-step, and that's what I did. I tried to do it with as much joy as I could, but it really was crazy. I'm not even going to pretend like it wasn't. It was crazy!

Question: Did anything go wrong?
Block: No! I mean, there were a couple of backstage moments, where I thought perhaps I wasn't going to make a quick change. But, no, everything went just fine, and, looking back now, you go, "Wow. Okay." I don't want to say I'm more comfortable in the role, but I do have the ability to play a little bit more. I do look back and go, "Oof! That was…" It's just crazy… I don't have a clear memory of what that first performance was because it was just an out-of-body, cross-your-fingers, look at your fellow castmates for love and support and any indication if you're in the wrong place at the wrong time… [Laughs.] And, next thing you know, you're taking your bow, and you go home and go, "How the **!* did that happen?" [Laughs.]