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‘If They Could See Me Now’ - Broadway Veteran, Michael Misita

STAGES with Peter Eyers
STAGES with Peter Eyers
Episode • Apr 22, 2023 • 1h 11m

Michael Misita grew up in Ohio and is a graduate of the Boston Conservatory of Music. He subsequently carved a brilliant career as a dancer, actor and choreographer.
Early work commenced in the American theatre tradition of summer-stock at the Melody Top theatre in Milwaukee.  There he ‘cut his teeth’ on shows that included Irma La Douce, Sweet Charity, Lady in the Dark and The Boyfriend. 
He landed a Broadway show on his first day in New York City; a brief run in a musical titled The Fig Leaves are Falling, alongside Dorothy Louden and David Cassidy. More successful runs allowed him to work with a host of master Directors and Choreographers, who included Bob Fosse, Michael Bennett, Tommy Tune and Hal Prince. 
Michael appeared in nine Broadway productions including the original Follies, and Applause, and as replacement cast in Pippin. He was cast in A Chorus Line when it began at the Public Theatre, and performed in Equus, where Richard Burton and Tony Perkins played the lead at different times. Other leading players he was able to watch up close included Lauren Bacall, Marian Seldes, Alexis Smith, Yvonne de Carlo, and Anne Miller in Mame.
He has appeared in over fifty plays and musicals in regional theatres across the country, 200 television commercials, including the first Dr Pepper commercial. In Los Angeles Michael appeared in numerous television series, soaps and films; among them The Great Gatsby and Alligator.
Michael now enjoys retirement in Hawaii - and it was there that I eventually got to meet him ‘in person’ during a recent visit. And he didn’t disappoint - charming, erudite and still passionate about the life he carved in the theatre. 
The STAGES podcast is available to access and subscribe from Spotify and Apple podcasts. Or from wherever you access your favourite podcasts. A conversation with creatives about craft and career. Follow socials on instagram (stagespodcast) and facebook (Stages).www.stagespodcast.com.au

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