Meet Broadway Wiz Bright Star, Ariana from Cleveland, Ohio.
Ariana collects mugs from every show she sees and Zachary Levi (aka Flynn Rider) make a video for her kids!
On average, how many Broadway shows do you see a year?
3
How many local shows or community theater shows do you see a year?
10
Favorite Broadway show:
My Fair Lady
All-time favorite performer:
Too many to count
Songs you like to belt in the shower:
“She Loves Me,” “Wait for It,” “Superboy and the Invisible Girl,” anything Rodgers & Hammerstein, or Lerner & Loewe,
Favorite piece of theater memorabilia you own:
Living in Cleveland there’s no stage door, so I collect mugs from every show I see
Most memorable performance you’ve ever seen:
Many!
Leslie Odom Jr. as Aaron Burr in Hamilton was INSANE! I loved watching him go from friend to foe at such a perfect pace. He was downright SCARY by the end!
Christy Altomare as Anastasia in Anastasia. I saw it in previews in Hartford, CT, this spring and her performance was stunning! She was so real, her emotions throughout were palpable, it was just beautiful! Go see it when it opens on Broadway, Spring 2017!
Alice Ripley as Diana Goodman in Next to Normal. I was lucky enough to see her on tour after the show closed on Broadway. My husband and I sat in the front row and I can still feel all the emotion I felt watching it over five years ago. Incredible performance in one of the most brilliant shows of the 21st century.
Best interaction you have had with another theater fan:
Haven’t really interacted with other theatre fans, as I go with my husband, who is a converted theatre fan!
Why do you love theater?
I love theatre because there’s nothing like seeing a story unfold live. Musicals are able to covey emotions through song that people would never be able to say in any other medium other than song.
Dream roles?
Eliza Doolittle. No brainer!
Best stagedoor or backstage experience?
The company of She Loves Me was so lovely. Zachary Levi was my favorite stage door experience. My 3 year old twins love Tangled. I asked him to make a video for my kids and he did! My kids tell everyone they meet that Flynn Rider said hi to them!
I loved meeting Christy Altomare and Derek Klena at the stage door of Anastasia. I was a mess after crying so hard and they were so kind and gracious. They absolutely exceeded all of my expectations. I spoke to Derek about Dogfight (one of my absolute favorite cast albums!) and I spoke to Christy about how seeing the show was fulfilling a dream of mine at seven years old when I saw the film for the first time.
Favorite spots in NYC:
I just love walking the streets of the city. No particular spot, I just love being a speck in a city that’s so alive.
If you could sing a duet or perform a scene with any Broadway star, who would it be?
I don’t have one myself, but my kids would love to perform “Seize the Day” with the cast of Newsies. They even want to go to dance class to be able to dance like Ryan Steele!
Did you ever fangirl when you met an actor/performer?:
Every time! I get butterflies in my stomach and can’t speak! My husband has to push me forward to get autographs because I get so shy! I saw Alfie Boe jogging the last time I was in NY, and my lovely husband went over to him to ask him to take a picture with me.
Favorite thing about Broadway Wiz?
Your constant fun tweets, great contests (I’ve actually won!), and of course, the down-to-earth interviews
What would your super power be?
Reading people’s minds. It’d make life with two toddlers much easier!
Besides theater, what are some of your other passions or hobbies?
I love being a mom. But that’s kind of boring to say is a “hobby.” I love reading novels, literary fiction and thrillers are my favorite. I love classic movies. And I’m a TV junkie with a penchant for reality TV dating shows.
Where can we stalk you online?
Twitter: @ArianaKlarfeld
Facebook: Ariana Klarfeld
Instagram: acklarfeld90
YouTube: acklarfeld90