"You are."
In truth, the idea to actually interview myself was no fluke.
But I can't take credit for it.
Two of my "Facebook" friends from London actually came up with the idea.
I thought it was ridiculous.
They thought it would be fun.
I thought it was lame.
They thought it would very, very entertaining.
I thought the time had come for me to be completely gobsmacked.
Regardless, I wasn't convinced that "From the Desk of Jim R" was the right avenue to pursue such a silly and frivolous notion.
So I created a "Facebook" post asking "What is it that you would like to know about me?"
What followed - to my astonishment - was more than 350 questions from friends, family and loved ones wanting to know everything there was to know about me.
Some, within reason. Others, quite the opposite.
The result of those queries, some of which included questions like "Did I ever have sex with any celebrities I interviewed?" and "What did I hate most about critics?" were the top two questions.
I will answer both questions honestly, but not just yet.
You'll have to wait for three or four additional columns for those questions to be answered.
Truthfully, of course. No holds barred.
Yes, indeed.
So let's begin:
In no particular order, are the first 35 questions sent to me from my "Facebook" family and friends all over the world including Australia, England, Wales, France, Germany, Russia, Romania and the United States.
If you could travel back in time, what past Broadway performance - play or musical - would you see?
"The 1956 Broadway production of Lerner and Loewe's 'My Fair Lady' at the Mark Hellinger Theatre starring Rex Harrison, Julie Andrews, Robert Coote and Stanley Holloway.
"As a little kid, it was the first original Broadway cast album I remember hearing. It was played all the time in my house and my grandmother's house by everyone in my family. We'd sing. We'd dance.
And 'The Rain in Spain' was pretty much everyone's favorite."
Which cast recording can you listen to over and over again without skipping one single song?
"Evita." "Company." "Rent." "My Fair Lady." "Aspects of Love." "Les Miserables."
What musical theater song do you know all the words to?
"I know the words to lots of them, but the first one that comes to mind is 'The Sound of Music' by Rodgers and Hammerstein." It's one of my favorites.
What was the first Broadway show you ever saw?
My first Broadway show was Edward Albee's 'Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?' at the Billy Rose Theatre starring Uta Hagen, Arthur Hill, George Grizzard and Melinda Dillon.
"I was a little kid at the time - probably the only youngster in the theater - but I loved every minute of it, especially the fighting and the swearing. My family wanted to start things off with a bang - so to speak - and 'Virginia Woolf?' did just that.
"To this day, it remains my favorite play. And when I was in my twenties, I got to play the part of Nick, who was portrayed in the movie version by George Segal. I was so into the part, one night, during a fight scene, I slammed the liquor bottle so hard down on the bar, it exploded and went all over my khaki pants. The show, of course, went on without any stops, but for the actors on stage and the people in the audience, it looked like Nick really pissed his pants. Surprisingly, no one laughed or broke character and the play continued."
What is your favorite Broadway musical of all time?
"The original Broadway production of the Andrew Lloyd Webber/Tim Rice musical 'Evita' starring Patti LuPone, Mandy Patinkin, Bob Gunton, Jane Ohringer and Mark Syers.
"To date, I have seen "Evita" 44 times - Broadway, London, Los Angeles, National Tour, Regional, Local.
"And when it comes around again, I'll be the first one in line as either critic, audience member, or both."
Where do you see yourself in five years?
"I never think ahead. I live in the moment.
"Life is unpredictable. So who's to say, what lies around the corner - today, tomorrow or five years from now. In any case, I'm not sure I would really want to know."
If you could redo your career, what would you pick?
"I would love to be a fashion designer for a classic men's clothing line similar in style to that of Ralph Lauren and Brooks Brothers. Or, going down a completely different path, be the owner of a posh restaurant in London, Paris or New York City."
If you had a choice of two super powers - being invisible or flying - which one would you choose?
"That's easy. I would love to be invisible. Think of the possibilities and the fun that would come from being able to sneak around and not be noticed by anyone."
It's a rainy night. You don't want to cook. You call out for 'take away.' What do you order?
"Chicken Chow Main. Won Ton Soup. Egg Roll. Noodles. Rice. Hot Mustard Sauce."
What was the last gift you gave anyone?
"Two bottles of Cabernet Blanc to my best friend Marianne."
What is your favorite kind of bagel?
"If asked to choose just one, then it would be the 'Everything Bagel,' which I purchase at least three or four times a week. I like it toasted with cream cheese and cut in half."
What is your favorite chain restaurant?
"I'm not really into chain restaurants so I don't have a particular favorite in mind. I like dining out, but when it comes to picking a place, a chain restaurant never comes up in conversation. But if forced to choose just one that I would enjoy repeatedly, my pick would be the Outback Steakhouse."
Who is your favorite playwright?
"I have five - Edward Albee, Tennessee Williams, Henrik Ibsen, Oscar Wilde and Noel Coward."
If you could play one role in any Broadway show - past or present - what would it be?
"Harold Hill in 'The Music Man.' I have always wanted to do that show ever since I was five or six.
Secondly, it would be an honor to play the same part Robert Preston played on Broadway and in the brilliant motion picture adaptation opposite Shirley Jones.
"I had such a crush on Shirley Jones, I must have seen 'The Music Man' twelve or thirteen times when I was a youngster. Year later, when I finally met Shirley Jones and her husband Jack Cassidy backstage following a matinee performance of 'Maggie Flynn,' my family told her that I 'had wanted to marry her.' She smiled, smirked, looked me up and down and said, 'But he was only eight at the time.'
"It was a moment I will cherish forever."
What book are you reading right now?
"I have about 20 hardcover novels stacked neatly on the floor right by my office bookcase. Currently, I'm reading 'The Paris Hours' by Alex George."
Have you ever had a nickname?
"Yes, several. All in fun, mind you, my favorite being 'Hollywood,' which was given to me by my best friend Lynn. Other nicknames are Jimbo, Jimmy and Boss."
How many languages do you speak?
"English and French. I also know certain words and phrases in Spanish and Italian."
If you could have a cameo in any TV show, what would it be?
"Given my training as an actor, I would much prefer a lead or a supporting role. But if it's going to be a cameo, I would choose BBC One's 'Eastenders.' I'd like the scene to take place inside the Queen Vic pub and share the screen with Jessie Wallace who plays Kat on the long running programme.
"When I first started watching 'Eastenders' - December 10, 2002 - to be exact, it was Wallace's Kat who first caught my eye and got me hooked on the popular primetime soap. To date, I haven't missed an episode since."
What was your first role as an actor?
"I've appeared in over 60 plays and musicals. But my stage debut was in a community theater production of 'The Sound of Music.' I played Friedrich von Trapp for eight performances, all of which were sold out.
"Following the opening night performance, I told my parents that I 'was happy that everyone came to see me in the show.
"My mother corrected me immediately. 'They did not come to see just you,' she explained. 'They came to see 'The Sound of Music,' a musical of which you were part of.' It's something I remember to this day."
What is your favorite color?
"All shades of blue.
"Growing up, my mother thought that wearing the color blue would bring out the blueness in my eyes. And she was right. To this day, people still tell me I have 'beautiful eyes,' even when I am wearing a mask (blue, of course) in accordance with the rules of the ongoing pandemic."
What TV show do you think everyone should watch?
"There are so many, but if forced to pick just one it would be 'The Big Bang Theory' starring Jim Parsons. I can't get enough of that sit-com. And thanks to HBO MAX, I have been able to screen all 12 seasons."
If you could eat only one meal for the rest of your life - breakfast, lunch and dinner - what would it be?
"Sushi. Sushi. And more Sushi. No question about it. I could eat it seven days a week."
What is your favorite kind of pizza?
" I actually have three favorites - sausage with anchovies...sausage with onions...sausage with anchovies, yellow peppers, onions and olives.
"Special instructions - Light on the cheese and tomato sauce and cooked extra crispy and slightly burnt at the bottom."
How long did you live in New York City?
"I lived in New York for 15 years, five of which were spent getting my B.A. degree at New York University where I majored in journalism and theater with a minor in education.
"It was one of the most happiest times in my life. The classes, the kids, the professors were absolutely wonderful. I learned so much and had a really great time.
Today, I am still friends with many of the wonderful people I shared classes with - Roger, Lana, Connie, Loren and Sarah."
What is your favorite thing to do in New York City?
"Dinner for two...Table 12...at Joe Allen's"
If the opportunity arises, what country and city that you've been to before, would you choose to live?
"My first choice and only choice would be London. I've been there six times. It's my favorite city in the world. And I'd move there tomorrow if given the opportunity. No question about it."
What movie can you watch over and over again?
"Not an easy question to answer, if only because there are so many. But if I had to choose one, two or three, it would be 'The Sound of Music' and 'Mary Poppins' starring Julie Andrews and 'The Music Man' with Robert Preston and Shirley Jones. I've seen all three dozens and dozens of times and have loved every minute of watching them again and again."
Who would you want to play you in the movie on your life?
"Given my life and all the wonderful and crazy things that have happened to me since I was born on September 9th, a movie about my life would have to feature at least four or five actors playing me at various stages in my life.
"Who would play me? Good question. But I honestly haven't got a clue."
Now that Broadway is back, what shows - plays and musicals - are you looking forward to seeing?
"There are several - 'Company,' 'The Music Man,' 'To Kill a Mockingbird,' 'The Lehman Trilogy,' '1776,' ' Plaza Suite,' 'Six: The Musical,' 'Take Me Out' and 'Diana.' "
Patti LuPone in "Evita." The power. The voice. The performance. The look. The excitement.
As Eva Peron, LuPone commanded the stage with a jaw-dropping awe that was grounded, emotional and completely mesmerizing, It's a theatrical moment that even today brings tears to my eyes whenever I listen to her sing on the original Broadway cast album of 'Evita' or watch clips from the musical on YouTube. It's a beautiful and important memory that will live on forever."
"Cats have always been (and will continue to be) my favorite. But due to my crazy work schedule and lifestyle, I don't own any cats at the moment."
What makes you laugh the most?
"British farce performed by a very English cast."
What is your favorite salad dressing?
"Depending on my mood, it's either blue cheese or salad with oil and vinegar (homemade, not bottled)"
Which do I prefer, French fires or onion rings?
"French fries from McDonald's doused in ketchup is my favorite. And when I have time, I make my own French fries (on the stove or in the oven) using olive oil and salt."
Eating out or delivery?
"I love eating out with friends, family, loved ones or just by myself. But if I'm not in the mood and I want something in a hurry, I'll order 'take away' and pick it up twenty minutes later."
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