Stark Sands is back on stage, starring in his first Broadway musical since his Tony Award-nominated performance in the hit musical Kinky Boots. Bringing a similar pop flare to Broadway now in & Juliet, Sands is taking on one of the most prolific figures in history, starring as the Bard himself, William Shakespeare.
Now singing tunes like “Larger Than Life” and “Can’t Stop the Feeling!” nightly at the Stephen Sondheim Theatre since opening this past November, Sands took some time off stage to answer 5 Questions with Broadway Direct. Find out the many colleagues that inspire the two-time Tony Award nominee, which & Juliet number will sneak up on audiences, and what NYC spot is a lunchtime staple for Broadway stars.
1. What inspired you to become an actor?
My high school drama teachers: Linda Raya and J.E. Masters. They saw something in me early on and nurtured it, taught me the basic principles that I’ve been building on ever since. I’m eternally grateful for their guidance and wisdom.
2. Who in your field inspires you?
I’ve been so lucky to work with – and learn from – some incredible, inspiring performers: Boyd Gaines, Audra McDonald, John Gallagher Jr., Annaleigh Ashford, Billy Porter, and now Betsy Wolfe. And other peers I haven’t worked with but am presently just in awe of: Christian Borle, Victoria Clark, Ben Platt, Justin Cooley, and Lin-Manuel Miranda.
3. What will audiences be most excited about seeing in & Juliet?
There’s a boy band number in the second act that sneaks up on you and really goes for the jugular. I don’t think people see it coming and it seems to be precisely tuned to make people lose their minds for a hot minute. It’s pretty fun.
4. If you didn’t need to sleep at night, what would you spend your time doing?
Reading. I would just devour all the books.
5. What is your favorite NYC spot?
My immediate gut response at this moment is Green Symphony on West 43rd Street – it’s a Broadway performer lunchtime staple that we all thought was dead but it just reopened by surprise and I’m just overjoyed. It’s the very first place I was taken to for lunch on my first day of rehearsal for my first Broadway job in 2007 and it’s been a big part of my whole Broadway journey ever since. It’s my go-to spot and I’m so glad it’s back.
You can catch Stark Sands in the Broadway production of & Juliet, now playing at the Stephen Sondheim Theatre.
