Past roles includes Danny in Stephen Schwartz's Snapshots (Goodspeed), Lucas in The Addams Family (Muny), Gabe in Next to Normal (Weston Playhouse) and Cain/Japheth in Children of Eden (CAP21).
Full given name: Daniel Robert DeLuca
Where you were born/where you were raised: Pittsburgh, PA
Zodiac Sign: Gemini
What your parents did/do for a living: My mom runs her own business freeze-drying flowers. My pop works at Dick’s Sporting Goods, running Human Resources at the Corporate Office.
Siblings: Cassi, 18, Business/Photography Major. Alexa, 24, Medical School.
Who were you main mentors/inspirations when first starting out?: Jim Carrey, Gene Kelly, Ray Bolger, Gary Beach
Special skills: Impressions, Puppetry, Sketching, Digital Editing (movies, pictures)
Something you're REALLY bad at: Banking. Basketball. Wrapping presents. Math. The list goes on...
First Broadway show you ever saw: The first Les Miz revival. I may or may not have shed a happy tear during Gary Beach’s "Master of the House."
If you could go back in time and catch any show, what would it be?: Original cast of Beauty and the Beast
Current show other than your own you have been recommending to friends: On the Town
Favorite showtune(s) of all time: "Sorry/Grateful" from Company, "Morning Glow" from Pippin, "Finale" from Rent, "Mr. Mistoffelees" from Cats (it's damn catchy). And I'm not ashamed to say, "Something to Believe In" from Newsies.
Some favorite modern musicals: The Producers, The Last Five Years, Next to Normal
Some favorite classic musicals: Carousel, Peter Pan, Sweeney Todd, Pippin
Broadway or screen stars of the past you would have most loved to perform with: Gene Kelly, Eartha Kitt, Mickey Rooney
Your personal vocal idols, living or dead: Billy Joel, Bruno M, Jason Mraz
Music that makes you cry, any genre: My favorite music is somewhere between singer-songwriter tunes and DisneyWorld parade music. I've probably said too much...
MAC or PC?: MAC
Most played song on your iPod: "The Luckiest" by Ben Folds
Most-visited websites: Facebook. Twitter. Art of Manliness. YouTube. Playbill... derf.
Last book you read: 'The Voice of Knowledge' by Don Miguel Ruiz
Must-see TV show(s): "Friday Night Lights" is something very serious, and "New Girl" slays me.
Last good movie you saw: "St. Vincent"
Some films you consider classics: "Wizard of Oz," "Singin’ in the Rain," "Pinocchio," "Peter Pan" (Disney), "Sleeping Beauty," "Toy Story"
Performer you would drop everything to go see: Billy Joel
Pop culture guilty pleasure: Katy Perry
Three favorite cities: New York, London, Paris
First stage kiss: I think her name was Megan. High School Musical. "We’re Soaring, Flying…"
Favorite or most memorable onstage role as a child/teenager: Renfield in Dracula in high school
Favorite pre-/post- show meal: Something with chicken, avocados and bacon
Favorite liquid refreshment: I should say water… but I really like Coca-Cola. NOT PEPSI.
Most challenging role you have ever played: His name is Jack Kelly and he appears in the musical Newsies.
Biggest challenge about this current project: Just making sure I get enough rest. It's a marathon
Most fulfilling or fun aspect about the project: The role itself is such a gift. It's a long journey every night, but we all work our butts off and the payoff at the end in the finale is so fulfilling. Also, traveling the country with this incredible cast.
Worst flubbed line/missed cue/onstage mishap: I have 2 really bad ones.
1. Once upon a time Steve Blanchard, who plays Joseph Pulitzer, kissed his wife Meredith Ingelsby (who is also in the show) offstage before going out for our Jack Kelly/Pulitzer confrontation scene in Act 2. Meredith was trying out this new bright red lipstick that happened to stick to Steve's lips that night. I walk into Pulitzer's Office onstage to confront him about the Newsie strike and what do I see? Scary Steve Blanchard as Joseph Pulitzer wearing bright red lipstick… and I could not keep it together. When I saw his lipstick I imagined him wearing a full ball gown and hoop earrings. He had no idea it was on his lips. He thought my laughing in his face was an acting choice. It was a rough time…
2. I was playing Charlie Brown in You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown at the Weston Playhouse. Matt Curiano was playing Snoopy and was onstage singing "Suppertime." I was about to run out to tell him to eat his supper like a normal dog when my stage manager called me over to tell me that I had to inform Matt that his fly was down. It was theater in the round and he was singing and dancing dressed as a dog and his boxers were sticking out of his crotch and I COULD NOT keep it together. It resulted in me almost passing out from laughter and crying while trying to sing the finale. Just disastrous. So if you're ever working with me...please don't make me laugh onstage. Thanks.
Worst costume ever: I was a broom in Beauty and the Beast.
Five other Disney characters you'd most love to play: Woody in Toy Story, Kristoff in Frozen Bert in Mary Poppins, Peter Pan in Peter Pan, Lumiere in Beauty and the Beast.
Leading man role you've been dying to play: Burrs in Lippa's Wild Party.
Dream female role: Mrs. Lovett. Or Elphaba...
Something about you that surprises people: My close friends and castmates would say my very strange sense of humor.
Three things you can't live without: My music. My family. My friends.
"I'll never understand why…" … people spread hatred instead of love.
Words of advice for aspiring performers: Listen. Never stop learning. Soak it all up. Trust your instincts. And as cliche as it sounds, follow that heart of yours... it knows what it wants.
