NR: What's your favorite memory of the past year and a half?

SB: (big smile) My favorite memory was doing the last show before we closed to redo the new show.

NR: October 1st?

SB: Yes. That was my favorite memory, because there was such an energy and so many people were leaving. Half of the cast was leaving so it was their last night and the audience was the best audience you could have ever had in a theater. I don't think it's anything I'll ever experience again, knowing what we were about to go on to and knowing what we were going to leave behind.

NR: A lot of people told me that was very painful for them.

SB: Well, we didn't know what was going to happen.

NR: I know. We didn't either. It was painful for us. We had no idea of what the new show was going to be like. We had heard rumors and we were somewhat afraid.

SB: So were we.

NR: Who would believe it now? Did you have any idea of the success that you now have?

SB: No, never. Never.

NR: What's the best advice you've been given about your career?

SB: "Never lose your integrity." Rick Sordelet told me that. He came to my college to do a workshop in stage combat and that's how we met each other. He's pretty much taken me under his wing. He actually taught me a lot of stage combat and I substitute taught for him at NYU in stage combat. That's what he told me way back when I was young and I had no idea what this career could do to you. He said, "They can take so much away from you like your self esteem because you never know what they're going to say to you, but they can't take away your integrity if you don't let them."

NR: That's great. Is he the one you called up when they were doing casting for this show?

SB: Yeah. I didn't even know about it because I was doing King David at the time and everyone was having auditions for Scarlet Pimpernel and I just didn't get an audition. They wouldn't see me, and so Rick saw me on the street and said, "Hey, you've got to audition for Scarlet Pimpernel." I said, "Oh, they won't see me. I'll send them my head shot and mention your name." Then they called me in.

NR: Wow. I hope you sent him flowers!

SB: (laughing) Oh, I sent him lots of stuff!

NR: What do you like doing in your spare time?

SB: Planning my wedding, doing apartment stuff, but before that, I liked to paint. I like to cook a lot. Most of my days are spent cooking.

NR: Really? Have you contributed to the cookbook that's being sold for Broadway Cares?

SB: Yes. I love to cook. I like to do crafts. If I see something that I like...just recently I saw Chinese paper lanterns. Instead of buying one, I'll look to see how it's made and then I'll make it myself.

NR: You should probably paint something for Broadway Cares. Douglas (Sills) did some little drawings and they're going for a fortune.

SB: Did he? (laughing) Once I get a role and they know my name more...

NR: Don't worry. The League knows your name, which brings up another question. What has your experience been with the League all this time?

SB: The League has been very, very supportive of us, but I think the attention of this show goes towards the men more, so I have experienced a lot of people just speaking to me briefly. I think it's wonderful. I think it's so lovely how they invite us to everything and how they just make us feel important.

NR: What about your future? When's the wedding?

SB: The wedding is September 9, 2000. It's the day we met, but we're buying a place and we didn't want two "stresses" so we decided to wait until the year 2000. As for the future, I actually decided awhile ago, maybe six months to a year ago, not to pursue ensemble work in musicals anymore. I know that sounds harsh but musical theater... although it's provided me with wonderful experiences and financial stability, it's gotten to the point now where people know me as an ensemble player because I have high notes. High notes are usually not needed for roles, so I need to start saying no and stop auditioning for ensemble and try to just hang in there for roles, (which is a little difficult for me because I am Asian-American) and to do straight plays, which is my first love.

NR: Have you found being Asian-American to be a problem? Actually, a woman named Cynthia Yang wanted me to ask you that question, but I felt a bit awkward doing so.

SB: Awww. As much as it has been a disadvantage, it's been an advantage because a multi-racial cast has become so important to some casting people that if I was up against a Caucasian person who was just as talented as I was, they probably would choose me just so they would have a little variety. But, that's in ensemble. When it comes to roles, it doesn't work that way. I find that it's hard for me to even get seen for it.

NR: Well, maybe it's starting to improve. I just saw Miss Saigon, and Ellen is Asian-American. It didn't seem to bother anybody and she was wonderful.

SB: There are of course exceptions.

NR: I don't think the audiences notice as much anymore. At least, I hope that's the case.

SB: Audiences are not the problem. It's the people with money or the creators who don't have that in their head because when they write it, or when they need to cast, they don't really think Asian or Black people.

NR: Well, then you have people who are tall or people who are short as well. I look at someone like James Bohanek... I remember when they were casting for Armand, they actually sent out to the League the requirements that stated he had to be a certain height and a certain weight.

SB: That was because of the costumes.

NR: I know, but I remember thinking, "How many people are this size?" And poor James probably thought, "How many roles did I not get because they wanted someone taller?" Then all of a sudden, this wonderful role came up.

SB: I know. What I would say to that girl is that no matter what you look like or who you are, there will always be a disadvantage. It's just like when you're a kid and you can be perfect, but someone will make fun of you for something, you know?

NR: That is definitely true.

SB: So, you just deal with it.

NR: OK, that will do it. Thanks.

SB: Thanks. Thanks so much.

I think it would be wonderful to see Stephanie step out of the ensemble and take on a full role. She's always so spirited in the crowd scenes and is a lot of fun to watch. I wish her the best of luck with her new home and her upcoming marriage.

Questions suggested by:

Gillian, Kelly Honig, Colleen Rosati, Elizabeth Colpo, Renee Girard, Cynthia Yang, Kate Scibal, Susan Cassidy, Peter Williams

Interview conducted and photographs by Nancy Rosati.