NR: Since you knew everybody, they told you about the League before you got here, didn't they?

DS: Oh yeah.

NR: Were there any surprises?

DS: Oh no. Well, the first flower shower that I saw was pretty cool. That was wild. I never expected anything like that. It was like, "Good Grief!" But, that was pretty cool. That was definitely unexpected.

NR: Did you expect anyone to actually find your Rent Karaoke cd? And buy it too?

DS: Oh, I'd hoped not. (laughs)

NR: Actually, somebody told me they loved it. Is it one of those credits that you hope to drop off your resume as soon as possible?

DS: Not really because it was really fun and I had been up for that role. I had been in for the role of Roger 13 times, and at this point, I'm over it. I don't care if I ever go in and audition for the role again, because they do that to almost everybody. Everybody I know that has gone into that show has auditioned into the double digits.

NR: I heard that you were one of the ones who was real close on Armand. Is that true?

DS: In the very beginning, yeah.

NR: How do you handle disappointments like that?

DS: That's the business. You can't take it personally, because it's not a personal thing. It's always a director's vision. And especially, you find yourself up against the same guys for the same roles all the time, so you can't get really bitter because most of the time they're your friends. Sometimes your friends get it, and sometimes you get it. I'm just a firm believer that everything happens for a reason, and that timing is everything. I wasn't really disappointed. If I was in St. Louis, I wouldn't even get the chance to audition for a Broadway show, and to even get close is an accomplishment in and of itself.

NR: And it did get you the part eventually, because they knew who you were.

DS: Yeah. And always with casting directors, one thing can always lead to another. You can go in and audition for one show, and they'll say "Oh well you didn't get that, but you know what? We'll bring you in for this."

NR: What do you like to do for fun when you're not here, other than trying to weave in and out of traffic on roller blades?

DS: That's always fun. Just escaping death on any corner in New York City. I love to roller blade in the summertime. The biggest thing I like to do is spend time with my daughter - every minute that I can. That's a blast because she's my best buddy in the whole world.

NR: How old is she?

DS: Three. Well, I've got two daughters, ages six and three.

NR: What do you want to do in the future?

DS: Not wait tables. (laughs)

NR: "Remain employed in your chosen profession." (laughing) That sounds good.

DS: Exactly. I just don't want to ask some Yuppie how they'd like their fish. (laughs)

NR: No major dream roles? You just want to have a job?

DS: Oh sure. Everyone's got dream roles.

NR: So, what are yours?

DS: Dream roles? I want to play Mozart in Amadeus. I want to play Freddie in Chess. I'm going to get to do Judas in Jesus Christ Superstar (Doug will be performing on May 7th and 8th.). The bit of it. It's not going to be the full Superstar, but I'm going to get to do a lot of it, and that will be a lot of fun. I would have liked to have done Roger in Rent, although I think I wouldn't have had a voice to use afterwards. I don't know - anything. I don't care what it is, as long as it's in theater and as long as I'm getting the work. You can't be picky. Heck, I'd understudy any of those roles - just to get to do it once. Somebody asked me one time if it was frustrating being an understudy for Enjolras and I said "What's frustrating? You get to perform the role. Are you frustrated because you can't tell people `I was Enjolras' or that you can't put it on your resume? That you have to put that you were an understudy?" I happen to think that being an understudy is pretty cool too because you get to do those things. I don't care what I do. As long as I can continue to work and pay the bills and make a living.

NR: Great! Thank you.

DS: Your welcome.

I'm so glad I've had a chance to get to know Doug. He's a true professional on stage and a very nice guy. I'm sorry I never had the opportunity to see his "knee hang." I wish him the best of luck in the future.

Questions suggested by:

Pat Collins, Colleen Rosati, Josie, Lindsay Ribar, Renee Girard, Meg Deans, Joanna Bell, Nesha Sellers, Lois and Elizabeth Colpo, Mandy Shekleton, Ann Teitelbaum, Stephanie Henkin

Interview conducted and photographs by Nancy Rosati.