Rebecca Faulkenberry
A native Bermudian, Rebecca is becoming a Broadway regular. Having started in the original West End production of High School Musical, she quickly found her way to Broadway in Rock of Ages followed by the first national tour. Rebecca can now be seen on Broadway playing Mary Jane in SPIDER-MAN Turn Off The Dark, which celebrated its 2nd anniversary since the first performance earlier this week. Find out what her favorite foods are as we get her On The Couch!
Q: What do you consider to be your best asset?
My Boobs, ha. That's kind of a joke, although I have been told my numerous cast and costumers in every show I do that they are my best asset – my Rock of Ages cast mates were going to make me a “Best Boobs on Broadway” shirt.
Q: What was your proudest moment?
There have been quite a few – when my picture and casting was announced on Playbill.com, that felt pretty cool. When my bio was actually IN a playbill, when I had my Broadway debut. Then two days ago I bought a TV, and after setting it up in my apartment I had a moment thinking – “I bought a TV, I have a bed and a couch, and everything else in this apartment I bought! I am providing for myself by doing what I love! That's a far cry from serving coffee and eating brown rice a couple years ago when I was first auditioning.
Q: What is your favorite drink?
Alcoholic? That would be a dark n stormy because it reminds me of home (Bermuda) – that's gosling's dark rum, ginger beer and a twist of lime.
Q: What is your favorite food?
Pizza and ice-cream. Unfortunately, in my line of work I have to eat it very sparingly and opt for a lot of juices and smoothies from Juice Generation and Green Symphony – but I've grown to crave those too.
Q: What is your favorite condiment?
I'm a fan of mustard, and although it's not a condiment but a dip – I'm going to throw salsa in there. I put it on everything.
Q: What is your current obsession?
“Nashville” on ABC and the songs that are written for the show. I honestly watched the first 5 episodes in one sitting after a show, it was 4 am by the time I went to sleep.
Q: If you could give up one of your vices, what would it be?
I have had to live without a lot of vices the last year or two trying to make sure I am always in pristine health to get through 8 shows a week. So, I wouldn't give up anything, ha. I rarely indulge in nights out and treats like massages are few and far between. SO ya, I should live a bit more and get more vices!
Q: What is the one professional accomplishment you long for most?
That's a long list. I want to originate a role in a musical, I want to be in film and television, I want to record my songs on an album. I want, I want, I sound like a spoiled child – I'm working towards them all slowly!
Q: What is the one thing you waste too much money on?
I waste too much money on food. Once I leave my apartment, 95% of the time I'm gone until I return after the show, so I pretty much buy every meal. Lunch/dinner/coffee – and those chop't salads do NOT come cheap!
Q: What is the one activity you waste too much time doing?
I get lost on the internet. Between Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Hulu – I will sit in bed perusing forever.
Q: What do you consider to be the single greatest threat to your health?
Oh God, something unknown that afterwards I will say “that sucked, can't believe i made it through that”? I have found the winters in NYC tough, I've managed to get bronchitis at Christmas two years in a row now – so fingers crossed that doesn't happen this year!
Q: What is the single best trait you inherited or learned from your parents?
Well thanks to my parents I got to grow up in Bermuda, and due to that I definitely like a laid-back island lifestyle. It helps me not to get too caught up in the hectic energy of NYC and the business, and focus on the exciting creative parts.
Q: What is the single worst trait you inherited or learned from your parents?
I'm pretty lucky, my parents are awesome! One amusing thing from my mother, in the last year or two I get a sense that she's concerned I'm single, she keeps suggesting boys to me – I've been busy! When the time is right 
Q: What in the world most thrills you?
I love adventure and trying new things. Bungee jumping was awesome. Getting to perform onstage in front of 2,000 people every night is great. There are lots of activities to get thrills from.
Q: What current trend in popular culture most irritates you?
I was an english major in college and certain colloquialisms irritate the crap out of me. Like adding 'sauce' and 'town' to the ends of words. “That's awesome-sauce”. “Hey Beccatown”. What does that mean?!?
Q: What was the single most embarrassing moment you’ve ever experienced on the job?
In LA when I was on tour with Rock of Ages, I was following the character Stacee Jaxx down some stairs and missed the bottom stair and went face down flat out on the stage. Another time in the broadway show I blanked on lyrics in “hate myself for loving you” and ad-libbed “hm mm mm, looking like a cow” – the actual lyrics are “not really jealous, don't like looking like a clown”. I got the vowel sounds right! Also, in SPIDER-MAN on about 4 or 5 occasions something has happened where the acoustic guitar for my main solo song doesn't come over the speakers so I'm forced to ad-lib til it comes in. I've come up with such gems as “I don't know what you're talking about Peter”, and “I'm still hungry”.
Q: What is your favorite place in the world?
Bermuda. My family's there, and as soon as I step off the plane and the humidity hits me it's like a calm washes over me and the anxiety disappears.
Q: What is the most important trait you seek in a romantic partner?
I tend to like independent people who have their own thing going on and their own ideas – and who listen! If I've said something in conversation, and you were listening enough to bring it up at a later date, big brownie points for you! And then as everyone says…humor is vital. And copious amounts of money and gifts. Not really:-) I'm not impressed by the material stuff – but definite on the humor.
Q: Do you prefer the company of dogs or cats?
A: Dogs, and because I grew up with them labradors!
Q: What would have to happen to make today the best day of your life?
I'll let you know when it happens. But it would certainly have something to do with people I love – and I'm fortunate to have a lot of people in my life that are so fucking awesome, that's a lot of love!
Q: What is your personal motto?
Depends on the day. I'm usually always saying something to try and relieve stress and just go with the flow, live one day at a time and such.