Drama Desk Nominee Aaron Lazar is a performer to go see for he has a voice that will leave you breathless. 

In addition to currently starring in Broadway's Mamma Mia, Aaron is once again taking center stage at New York's Carnegie Hall when he, Kelli O'Hara, and Paulo Szot help The New York Pops, under the musical direction of Steven Reineke, open their 30th Anniversary season with Some Enchanted Evening: The Music of Rodgers and Hammerstein on October 12, 2012 at 8pm.

In this interview, Aaron answered my call to share:

• What audiences will come away with after attending Some Enchanted Evening
• How Rodgers and Hammerstein influenced him
• What excites him about opening The New York Pops 30th Anniversary Season
• Who he would dream about
• So much more

Connect with Aaron: Website

Aaron Lazar

1. Who or what inspired you to become a performer? My paternal great-grandparents used to dress up in tux and ball gown for their senior community talent shows. Morris would sing Jolson's Mammy and Lena would accompany him on the piano. It was amazing. And probably planted the performer seed for me.

2. Who haven't you worked with that you would like to? I'd love to be directed by Mike Nichols in a play with Al Pacino, Phillip Seymour Hoffman, Liev Schreiber & Meryl Streep...but who wouldn't?

3. You are one of the guest performers at The New York Pops opening concert of their 30th Season entitled Some Enchanted Evening: The Music of Rodgers and Hammerstein. What made you want to be part of this concert? I can't think of a more beautiful way to spend an evening with Rodgers & Hammerstein.

Steven Reineke conducting The New York Pops
Photo Credit: Johanna Weber

4. How did the music Rodgers and Hammerstein influence you as a performer? Like so many, I grew up with their movie musicals as an introduction to the American Musical Theatre. Their shows are at the heart of my love for the art form.

5. What do you hope audiences come away with after attending the concert? Joy. And the desire to share with each other stories of their connection to this music and the music itself with their friends and family. We must keep it alive.

6. What excites about helping open The New York Pops 30th season? What a blessing! This is my 4th time with The New York Pops at Carnegie Hall. What's not to be excited about?? 80-piece orchestra, 80-voice choir, and my favorite conductor Steven Reineke at the helm...Every time is a gift and a thrill.

7. What are you looking forward to most about performing with Kelli O'Hara and Paulo Szot? I adore Kelli as a fan and a friend, and I truly love singing with her. She is magnificent. Paulo I've not worked with before, but I had the privilege to see him as "Emile" with Kelli in South Pacific and was totally wow'd. I'm so looking forward to sharing the stage with him.

8. What have you learned about yourself as a performer? Searching for truth turns me on.

9. What's the best advice you've ever received? Live life big in small chunks. Or Focus on all that you have rather than all that you have not.

10. If you could dream about anyone while you sleep, who would it be? Ooooh naughty ;)  Nerd answer: a dream where Pavarotti gave me a voice lesson or Sinatra asked me to tour the world singing with him would be cool.

BONUS QUESTIONS:

11. Favorite way to spend your day off? With my family in the yard.

12. Favorite way to stay in shape? Eat well. Try and get to the gym. Play with my kids.

13. Boxers or Briefs? Boxer briefs.

14. If you could have any super power, which one would you choose? The power to see into the past and the future.

 Aaron Lazar

More on Aaron Lazar:

On Broadway, Aaron has lit up the stage in A Little Night Music, Impressionism, Les Misérables revival (Drama Desk nomination), The Light in the Piazza, A Tale of Two Cities, Oklahoma!, and The Phantom of the Opera, as well as City Center Encores! production of Gentlemen Prefer Blondes.

His film and television credits include J.Edgar, Notorious Bettie Page, Company, Person of Interest, A Gifted Man, Ugly Betty, New Amsterdam, White Collar and O'Brady Shaw on IFC's Onion News Network.

Aaron has lent his incredible vocals to numerous concerts including Company (NYPH), South Pacific (Hollywood Bowl), Carousel (Boston Pops); The New York Pops at Carnegie Hall with Steven Reineke, National Symphony with Marvin Hamlisch, and a solo show at The Kennedy Center.