10 Burning Questions For Grease Star, Telly Leung!

You asked & Telly Leung responded to your #AskTelly questions! Check out this exclusive post to see if your question was answered! Don't miss Telly as the Teen Angel in Grease at Paper Mill Playhouse!

1. If you had the chance to relive one particular moment in your life/career, which one would you choose?

Via Paper Mill PR

The most magical moment I've had on Broadway was the closing night of Rent on Broadway. I felt so lucky to be in the final company, singing Seasons of Love for the last time on that Nederlander Stage, with 13-years of Rent history singing it back to us in the house. Getting to share that moment with my final company, and the original company on stage is a moment I'll never forget.

2. What is the biggest life lesson you have taken away from all your years in theater, that future theater kids need to remember?

Via Paper Mill PR, Photo Credit: Jerry Dalia

The biggest lesson I can share: EVERYONE in the theater is important. Putting on a show is a team effort, and everyone on the team has a specific and vital job to do - so treat everyone with the same respect. The Tony Award winner above the title that's selling a million dollars in tickets is no more vital to the production than the person who's job it is to sweep the stage every night. We are all on the same team.

3. Favorite warbler pairing? Wes and David, Kurt and Blaine, or Nick and Jeff?

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Like every other Gleek, I have a soft spot for Kurt and Blaine aka "KLAINE."

4. If you had to compare yourself to one classic pop star, who would it be?

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I love this question (from my fellow cast mate, Tommy Bracco). My favorite singer of all time is Whitney Houston. I remember hearing her voice on the radio, growing up in Brooklyn, and that voice made me want to be a singer. Boy, do I miss that voice.

5. What has been your favorite role to play on stage? Which one could you relate the most to?

A few years ago, I got to create a role from scratch in the world premiere of an original Broadway-bound musical at The Old Globe in San Diego. I got to play Sammy in Allegiance, a musical about the Japanese internment during World War 2, starring opposite Lea Salonga (as my sister) and George Takei (as the older version of Sam). That has been my favorite experience so far, to get to create a role from scratch after years of readings and workshops - and getting to play it for an audience. Keeping fingers crossed that we get to Broadway soon!

6. If you woke up a woman, what role would you love to tackle and why?

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Not only am I the wrong gender, but I'm the wrong race - but I'd love to tackle Effie in Dreamgirls (who wouldn't?)!

7. What is your favorite thing about performing at Paper Mill Playhouse?

Not only did our director, Danny Goldstein, put together a great cast for this show - but the Paper Mill family (Mark, Patrick, the entire staff, the crew, the dressers) are THE BEST! I performed in Godspell in 2006 - and everyone welcomed me back with open arms for Grease. Felt like coming home. Favorite thing? The people!

8. Favorite Broadway Showtune?

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This changes constantly. Favorite tune of the current season? Idina Menzel's stirring "You Learn to Live Without" from If/Then! (Robin De Jesus and I are dressing room mates, and we have it on repeat! We may or may not also be lip syncing for our lives).

9. Who would you consider your idol or someone you look up to?

Via Paper Mill PR

This is going to sound so cheesy, but I look up to my parents. Judy and Stephen. They are my heroes, and I admire EVERYTHING about them.

10. Who would you like to work with, living or dead?

Via Paper Mill PR

I would love to work with Bernadette Peters! I became obsessed with her after seeing Into the Woods on PBS. In the meantime, I'll work with her dopple-ganger, Dana Steingold as Frenchie to my Teen Angel. See the resemblance?

Don't miss Telly Leung in Grease at Paper Mill Playhouse! Great tickets are still available for our final two weeks! Visit papermill.org for more information and to purchase tickets!