The echo of "thank you, five!" at theaters across the country could be heard as casts assemble five minutes away from the house lights dimming and audiences are on their way to be transported into the exciting worlds of brand new shows or revisiting a fresh new view of a beloved favorite title.
This season, we are asking some of this year's 2022 Tony Award® nominees, if they could give their own "thank you, five" to these five subjects, what would they be? Find out what they had to say!
Garnering his first Tony Award nomination for Best Featured Actor in a Play, Michael Oberholtzer plays Empires player Shane Mungitt in Broadway's critically acclaimed revival of Take Me Out .
1. Company Member
Which company member of your show would you like to shine a spotlight on that makes each show a fabulous experience?
Ken Marks. He is our skipper; Our veteran. His very presence in our cast grounds us; Leads by example; In it for the long haul; Connects all of us to our history in the theatre. Wonderful man. Funny guy. Great pianist.
2. Family/Friends
Which family member or close friend offered so much support to you during the audition process or inspires you each night since the very beginning of your run in the show?
My mother: No other woman in the history of moms has said more prayers on behalf of their son. My father: A great listener. My wife: This woman gave me two beautiful children and has done self-tapes with me at 3am. Having a strong woman believe in me has made many things possible.
3. Performer
Was there a performer when you were growing up that influenced you into this onstage career and what was your first memory of encountering their work?
MacGyver: I wanted to work for the Phoenix Foundation, travel the world and save beautiful women with duct tape and safety pins. When I realized he was actually a guy named Richard Dean Anderson and that he was an actor...well you get the idea.
4. We all start somewhere!
What was the earliest performance of yours that was the moment you knew this was going to be what you wanted to do forever?
I always enjoyed making my grandfather laugh. He would be very proud of me if he were still alive. Wanting to be an actor was always my biggest secret. Nobody else needed to know because I knew.
5. Time To Relax
In the hustle and bustle of a week of shows, what is your favorite way or favorite place to decompress?
TMPL Gym. They have been so generous with our cast. If I am ever to be found, it is in the steam room. It has been a game changer for me.
