Beyond the Barricade with Arbender Robinson.

Photo Credit: http://arbender.com

From Hairspray to Les Misérables, Arbender Robinson seems to have done it all. In this new interview, Arbender talks about his guilty pleasures, his dream role and what inspires him.

Who would you want to be your "Freaky Friday"?

• "Is this like the movie with Jamie Lee Curtis? If so I guess it would be someone from the DIY Network or Food Network. I am very much into all of that kind of stuff.  Maybe David Tuttera so I can design crazy cool weddings and such."

What was your most embarrassing moment onstage?

• "Really?  I can only pick one? I guess I am going to pick one from Lion King on Broadway.  So it was intermission and i decided to rest my eyes for a few seconds. All my castmates were around so I knew I would be fine.. I was fairly new to the company and did not know that they were all jokers.  I was a little nervous too because I was singing the solo that opened Act 2.  Somehow my resting of eyes turned into a deep sleep. The next thing i know, I am alone in the dressing room and I hear an announcement that curtain is going up on Act 2. I completely missed my entrance and solo, luckily someone else covered for me.  The most embarrassing part was explaining to my Stage Manager that I fell asleep..."

What is one role that you want to play, regardless of gender?

• "This is a tough one because there are so many.  I think today I am going to pick Annelle Dupuy DeSoto from Steel Magnolias.   Ahhhh!  Followed by M'Lynn." 

What is your dream role?

• "Ugh, it will never happen because I am the wrong color, age, size etc. But I want to be Leo Frank in Parade.  I move my furniture and play the role all the time in my living room.  Sometimes I do the courtroom scene in the dining room and sit at the table as if its like taking the stand at trial.  Oh yeah!"

What is your favorite book, TV show, movie?

• "Book:   This Stranger, My Son By Louise Wilson. TV Show:  Orange Is The New Black, Scandal, Blackish, Housewives of Atlanta (tragic I know), anything on HGTV, Yard Crashers.  Movie:  Up (Disney)  I watched it three times in a row when it came out and cried so hard every time.  The second time a little kid, maybe 5 or 6 years old, leaned over and said "It's okay... this is just pretend."

What was your first car?

• "Literally my dad and I went to a salvage yard and bought what used to be a Honda Civic for 300 bucks.  We worked on the car all summer long,  and the next school year I had a really cool car that Dad and I built.   It lasted all of High School till a school bus literally ran over my car.  The wheels actually went up and over my car."

What is your favorite NYC spot?

• "Vice Versa, it's on 51st between 8th and 9th ave.  You have to check it out.  The staff is mad cool and I take all my guests there all the time. I am there at least once a week."

Who are some of the strongest costars you have worked with and why?

• "Well I have worked with a ton of folk in my life and on Broadway.  I can honestly say that I learn from them all.  I hate to give you such a lame Disney-esque answer, but its true. I will say that the best singers I ever worked with was at The Voices of Liberty at EPCOT.  Some of the best dancers were on the Royal Caribbean Radiance of The Seas, and some of the best actors in Hair on Broadway."

What has been your quintessential New York moment?

• "Most of my excitement happens on my commute to work every day.  Its about 45-50 minutes on a train.  One night I was headed home from work and there was a couple sitting across from me, they looked like they had been in love for ages; holding hands, whispering to each other, giggling etc.  All of a sudden, we all took notice and started asking about their relationship.  They were old friends from high school, stayed in touch for many years but had not seen each other till this day.  Jokingly we all said "this is love" etc.  and all of a sudden the guy started crying, got down on one knee and proposed.  He had a ring and everything.  He said if the moment felt right he would propose.   Everyone was shocked and I am now waiting for my invite to the weeding.  I feel like only in NYC will you see two old friends go from never seeing each other, to getting engaged in a heartbeat.  I guess we NYC'ers can be persuasive!"  

You have been in many shows over the years, including some very iconic
shows with brilliant messages, have any of the shows you been in
inspired you to maybe see something in a new light?

• "Yes, let me begin by explaining how and why i take certain jobs.  I have to be able to answer three (3) questions.  1.  What will I learn from the experience?  2. How will it affect me professionally and personally?  3. How does it affect my pocketbook?  That being said, I only take shows that have something more for me to learn or discover.  All of my shows have had a greater message, one that can inspire conversations etc.   Sometimes the message is not in the show, but found in the people or the process. Lion King, for example, taught me to never give up.  I auditioned for that show 33 times of the course of 10 years and I was told no EVERY TIME.  The 34th time was a charm."

What is your guilty pleasure (reality TV, junk food, etc.)?

• "Junk food: anything that's sweet and sour,  (Sour Patch Kids are my fav)  also movie theater nachos....with peppers. Reality TV:  Housewives of Atlanta. General:  Holiday decorations.  I go crazy for cool Halloween, Christmas, Easter, St. Patrick days decor.  Yes my house is like an elementary school classroom and I decorate it for every holiday and season.   My whole life is full of guilty pleasures, but I embrace them."

What advice would you give to aspiring actors?

• "1. It's never too late to start. 2. Don't give up if it's your dream. 3. Don't take the rejection personally (it has very little to do with you sometimes) 4. Have fun and learn all the time. 5. It ain't that serious I mean its called "a play" for a reason!"

Could you tell us a little bit about your work in the Broadway revival
of Les Misérables? What is it like to perform as Marius? Do you feel that you connect with him?

• "Les Mis is my 9th Broadway show. We all play a ton of other characters in the show.   Its my 5th Opening Night on Broadway.  My 1st time performing on the Tony Awards.  I'm having a blast! I am one of the covers for Marius and covering roles is what I do well.  I will say a few things about Marius in general.  I love that all of these characters lend themselves to our own interpretation.   My Marius is totally different from the others and that type of character choice is welcomed in this company.  I love going on, I will admit that I get a little nervous.  Not because I'll forget a line or sing the wrong note, but because the fans know the show very well.  Sometimes they forget we are humans and they can be brutal in discussing a performance or interpretation. Thankfully they have loved my work so I'm forever grateful for that.Professionally, in terms of Broadway, I have never been asked to sing this much in a role nor have I been asked to sing such challenging music.  It's the main reason I took the job.  In Little Mermaid I was the cover for Prince Eric and he sings great music too, but not this much.  I love that once again I break the race barrier and play a role that normally would not happen.  That's pretty cool and to be told that I do it well is icing on the cake.... I'll admit, I have heard a recording and for the most part I am pleased.  There will always be things to fix but that's the nature of LIVE THEATRE.  The only time I sang PERFECT MUSIC was with Voices of Liberty."

Have you had any funny celebrity encounters backstage when people have
come to visit the show you are performing in?

• "I usually freak out and then I am too scared to go and meet them.  I did however force myself to say "hello" to Dr Ruth, she is a legend.  But normally I freak out and run away, hahaha! I am a big shy person actually so extra attention makes me nervous.   Even the stage door, I get so scared!"

What are your personal favorite musicals and plays (doesn't have to be
something you have been in)?

• "Musical:  Parade, Raisin, Secret Garden". Plays:  Steel Magnolias, Boys Next Door, Bent"

What are you most passionate about in your own life?

• "Helping others I guess.  I do a ton of volunteer work and I believe that I have an obligation to help those around me.  For example:  If I go to Subway, I will buy a foot long sandwich.  I usually end up meeting a homeless person on the street and I'll share half my sandwich with them. We will sit and chat for 20 minutes or so and share a meal.   I am sure this will get me in trouble some day, but I cannot help it. I'm also passionate about respecting others and being sure others are respected."