there are very few circumstances in which I would willingly remove myself from a broadway stage, and yet, here I am. best foot forward, i suppose. i'll start with the very necessary introductions.
hello, dalton-- ΧΧ Χ Χ©ΧΧ’? ma nishma? for those of you who have somehow managed to avoid hearing my name before now, iβm ross stephen berry β and yes, yes, that ross berry. save the applause, i already know there are people who are concerned about my "intimidating level of preparation" that the press spins on me, but personally, i think being prepared is simply a sign of respect for everyone involved, but apparently not everyone shares that philosophy.
if you don't know my name, we'll have to further cultural development for dalton, apparently, and maybe i'll convince someone to let me host a 'broadway for dummies' where we can go over the important things, like: the difference between a revival and a transfer, basic sondheim literacy, and which cast recordings you should have already listened to by now.
anyhow, so here's to keep it all brief: i sing, i act, i dance; i am the ideal triple threat. iβm extremely punctual, and iβve been told i can be "a lot," which iβve chosen to interpret as another way of saying memorable and iconic, of course. i also really make lists for pretty much anything and everything, which is not obsessive, itβs efficient and i'll stand my ground for that.
since iβve noticed introductions can become a little awkward when nobody knows what to ask, iβve gone ahead and prepared several conversation topics for everyone to reply to me with. youβre so very welcome.
recommended introductory topics include:
β what is your favorite broadway musical?
β what is the most impressive thing youβve accomplished?
β if you could originate any role on broadway, which would you choose? (a note that it could already have been originated, but we're talking purely fictitious. for me, it would have been orpheus and hadestown)
β and, because iβve been informed that not everything needs to revolve around career aspirations- an opinion that i respectfully disagree with: what is your favorite dessert?
iβm looking forward to meeting all of you! iβve spent most of my life moving from one rehearsal room to another, so this is admittedly a very different kind of stage for me. still, iβve never been particularly afraid of a challenge. -- rsb β